How Long Does It Take To Do a Podcast Every Week?

I got that question over the weekend and it's a good one because most of us, naturally, get excited about the end product, meaning the fully produced episode.

But like any fine-restaurant putting together their main course, there's a lot that goes into releasing the episode, and you need to know this before we start down the podcast trail. 

By the way, if podcasting is your next step, and it should be, we take away everything I'm about to map out for you... you can check out our services to see if we might be a good fit at www.PodcastLegend.com

Okay, let's get to your podcast. 

Let's pretend we have a lot of the front-end stuff out of the way, and we are just talking about the time it takes to produce a weekly episode. 

And by that I'm saying you have the following finished:

• Established goals for the podcast

• Mapped out a podcast promotional strategy

• Mapped out a podcast show format

• Set up the podcast landing page

• Linked an offer to the podcast landing page

• Set up podcast hosting

• Linked that RSS feed to podcast carriers (iTunes, Stitcher, etc)

• Approved podcast art (the thumbnail you see on iTunes)

• You are comfortable with podcast editing techniques

• You have podcast music

• You have podcast production elements (intro/outro)

• You have a system so guests are prepared for the podcast

• You have a system for scheduling guests

• You are comfortable uploading the finished episode to your podcast hosting account

Let's say all of that is out of the way and now we can actually get into producing real episodes of your brand new podcast! Exciting. 

How much time will it take every week to crank out an episode?

Again, let's assume we are past the growing pains of editing and posting and you really know what you're doing.   

Let's talk about time. 

There are three big-time concerns when it comes to a podcast. 
 

1. Show planning 

2. Show prepping

3. Show Editing/posting

Show Planning

When I talk about planning a show, I'm mainly referring to mapping out your topics (which align with your "big picture" podcast goals) and finding guests that support your narrative. 

Then you have to start reaching out to the people that are a good fit. You'll want to find people that are interesting, have credibility, personable, and (best case scenario) have a big social network to spread the word of their appearance on your show. 

Matching schedules can get a little tedious. I would recommend an online booking service like Calendly (https://calendly.com/) where guests can pick the time that best fits their schedule. 

I would then send your guest a one-sheet describing the podcast and goals of the episode. Plus a list of sample questions, along with a link to past episodes you've published. 

Show Prepping

Prepping a show (or ShowPrep, as we called it back in my radio days), is vital. Those that say they open the mic and "wing-it" are either lying or have a failed podcast. 

Preparing a podcast is much easier if your overall podcast goals are clear. Straying too far from the goal is going to confuse people.

For example, if you're doing a podcast about gardening, and your goal is to bring newbies into the hobby, I would stay away from topics or discussions that involve knitting. 

Prepare your show around the skeleton format you've established before launching the podcast. For example:
 

1. Podcast intro

2. Banter about your week in gardening

3. Bring on the guest

4. Answer listener questions

5. Podcast outro

Now just fill those elements. 

Show Editing and Posting

As much as I geek out about this side of the business, most people HATE it. It involves tech and time. Yes, you can learn the tech, but there is some time involved in feeling comfortable with the process. 

Let's say you're comfortable with the process. Editing involves taking out any flubs (misspoken words, coughs, dog barking, kids fighting in the background), processing the sound (to match volume levels between host and guest, or increasing overall volume of the show), and layering in music. 

Once you're finished, you have to insert the audio tags and upload them to your podcast host. 

So, Dave, how long are we talking here?

Here's an estimate:

Show planning: 1 hour a week
Show prepping: 1 to 2 hours per week
Actual show recording: 1 hour
Show editing: 2 to 3 hours per week

Again, I'm assuming you have a system that works and are comfortable executing week in and week out. 

So, at the most, you're looking at 7 hours a week for a weekly episode. 

And I haven't included promotional elements that bring people to your podcast. 


There it is. Should you be discouraged? I hope not because podcasting is a POWERFUL digital platform. In my opinion, there is no form of communication that is more intimate than one that involves just the voice. And done properly can really build a community that knows, likes, and trusts you. 

Have a question about podcast? Or would you like to find out more about how podcasting can grow your business? Leave your info below! Thanks!