Podcast production costs whatever the scope of the work costs. Editing a finished audio file is the cheapest service a producer offers. A fully produced show, with planning, filmed video, show notes, transcripts, clips, publishing and promotion, costs the most. Most prices you will see sit somewhere between, and the honest way to compare them is line by line.
Our own prices are published, so here they are up front: our Show Starter, which sets the show up and delivers the first three episodes, starts from $5,000. Ongoing Show Production starts from $2,000 a month for four episodes, and Full Studio, with filmed video and marketing, starts from $4,500 a month.
What drives the price
Five things move the cost of production more than anything else:
- How many episodes. Four a month costs more than one a month, though the cost per episode usually falls.
- Audio only, or filmed video. Filming properly means cameras, lighting, a second edit and a thumbnail. It adds a second craft to every episode.
- Where you record. A studio, your home or office, or remote guests in different cities all need different set-ups.
- Who does the planning. Booking guests, researching them and writing outlines is real work, and some services leave it to you.
- How much promotion. Clips for social media, newsletters and a website page for every episode all take time.
What is usually included at each level
| Level | Typically includes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Editing only | Cleaning up and editing audio you record | Hosts who handle everything else |
| Production | Planning, recording support, editing, show notes, transcripts, publishing | Steady shows that want a reliable weekly routine |
| Full service | All of the above plus filmed video, clips, thumbnails and promotion | Shows that serve a business, a book or a reputation |
Always ask for the list in writing. Two quotes for "production" can describe very different amounts of work.
The work behind every episode
Every published episode has to meet each platform's requirements. Apple, for example, sets out RSS feed requirements and separate audio requirements, and YouTube can take a show by RSS feed delivery. Then come the show notes, the transcript, the chapters and the clips. That repeated, unglamorous work is a large part of what you pay a producer for, and it is why YouTube now matters so much to the budget: see Is YouTube the biggest podcast platform now?
Costs outside production
- Hosting. The service that holds your audio and publishes the RSS feed usually charges its own monthly fee.
- Equipment. Microphones and, for video, cameras and lights. Some producers bring their own.
- Your time. Preparing, recording and reviewing edits. A good producer keeps this to the conversation itself.
- A website. Many shows benefit from their own site; see Does a podcast need its own website?
How to compare quotes
- Ask what is included per episode, item by item.
- Ask whether video is filmed for watching or is a still image over the audio.
- Ask who owns the hosting account, the feed, the YouTube channel and the files. It should be you.
- Ask for a fixed monthly price, and what happens if you publish less one month.
- Listen to and watch shows they produce now.
Spotify's own guide to hiring a podcast producer is a useful, neutral read on when the investment starts to make sense.
Where Bay House fits
The Annapolis Podcast Studio produces shows for people whose podcast serves something bigger: a practice, a book, a cause. We record at your home or office or with remote guests, and everything is set up in your name. Show Starter, from $5,000, puts the show on every platform including YouTube with your first three episodes and a one-page website. Show Production starts at $2,000 a month for four episodes, and Full Studio, from $4,500 a month, adds filmed video and marketing. See our pricing; every show ends in a fixed-price proposal.
Common questions
Why do podcast production prices vary so much?
Because "production" can mean anything from cleaning up an audio file to running the whole show. The number of episodes, whether video is filmed, who books guests and how much promotion is included all move the price.
Is it cheaper to pay per episode or monthly?
Per-episode pricing suits irregular shows. A monthly retainer suits shows that publish on a steady schedule and usually covers planning and promotion, not just editing.
What costs are there besides production?
Usually a hosting service for the RSS feed, any software subscriptions, and your own time to prepare and record. Ask your producer which of these are already included.
