Like most things, the answer to "how much will it cost?" depends on a lot of factors. The cost of producing a podcast can range from virtually nothing to tens of thousands of dollars per episode, depending on the level of production quality, the equipment used, the amount of time invested, and whether the podcast is self-produced or created with contracted help.
Self-produced podcasts
For people who produce their own podcasts, the cost can vary depending on the equipment they already own or need to purchase, as well as the production quality they want to achieve.
- For $20 per month, you can use earbuds or a headset you likely already own, a free recording/editing app, and a hosting platform. Sound quality won't be great, but it's doable.
- For a few hundred, you can upgrade to a better USB microphone, invest in some headphones, and get a better recording/editing app.
- With $800-$5k you can upgrade your microphone further to an XLR mic, add a microphone stand, a mixer, better headphones, an advanced editing app, and you can start thinking about acoustic panels, digital cameras and more.
Of course, the more professional the setup, the more expensive it becomes!
Support staff
You may need some support staff if you don't have a lot of time in your schedule to schedule your guests, prep content, produce graphics, upload media, post social media, etc. You can also hire someone for editing the podcast audio. Like any other employee or contracted work, the cost can vary massively dependent on the number and types of tasks, and the experience level of your supporting staff. This can add anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month.
Professionally produced podcasts
Podcasting agencies/consultants offer a range of services that reduce the amount of time and skill you need, personally, to be able produce your podcast. In the end, you just host the podcast...and an agency or consultant can handle the rest. However, as you'd expect, this kind of service can significantly increase the cost of producing your podcast.
There's a lot of tasks involved in producing a podcast, so these services may include things like graphic design, scriptwriting, guest scheduling and prep, sound design, equipment and sound-studio rental and more. Some agencies/consultants also offer post-production marketing services. Some outsourced support charges by the hour or project, while others may charge a flat fee or take a percentage of revenue generated by the podcast.
Services range from around $1k per episode up to tens of thousands for highly produced, extremely professional podcasts. It's unlikely a B2B podcast like yours would ever actually need this production level – but the options are there!
Ultimately, the cost of producing a podcast depends on the goals of the podcast and the budget available. A self-produced podcast with a basic setup can cost less than $100, while a high-quality production through a podcasting agency can cost tens of thousands of dollars per episode. Understanding the factors that impact podcast production costs can help podcasters and businesses make informed decisions about how much to invest in their podcasts.
