One question I always get asked as a podcast host is, “How much does it cost to create a podcast?” Hi, I’m Eric Melchor, the founder of a B2B podcaster community with over 30 podcasts, and I’ve published over 140 episodes of my own podcast, Innovators Can Laugh. Here’s what you need to know about the costs involved in starting and maintaining a podcast.

Creating a quality podcast can involve several upfront costs. These can run into the thousands of dollars when you factor in:

Host Fees: Fees for podcast hosting platforms

Tools Utilized: Software and tools for recording and editing

Audio Engineer/Editor: Professional help for ensuring high audio quality

Marketer for Distribution: Assistance in promoting and distributing your podcast

Graphic Designer for Artwork: Creating attractive podcast artwork

Copywriter for Show Title/Description: Crafting engaging titles and descriptions

Being resourceful can help keep your podcasting costs manageable. Here’s a breakdown of my monthly expenses for running my podcast:

Virtual Assistant: $48

Podpage (Website): $15

Sound/Video Editor: $200

Riverside (Recording Tool): $13

Descript (For Creating Clips): $15

Buzzsprout (Podcast Distribution): $12

This totals roughly $250 for assistance and another $55 for tools, amounting to around $305 per month to maintain the podcast.

Creating and running a podcast involves various costs, but the key is to learn how to manage everything yourself initially and then outsource the tasks you don’t enjoy or that take up the most time. Here are some tips:

DIY Approach: Learn the basics of recording, editing, and promoting your podcast to reduce initial expenses

Outsource Strategically: Once you understand the process, outsource tasks like editing and marketing that are time-consuming

Use Affordable Tools: Opt for budget-friendly tools and services that offer good value for money