The 8 Hidden Costs of Launching a Video Podcast: A CEO's Guide to Avoiding Costly Mistakes
The 8 Hidden Costs of Launching a Video Podcast: A CEO's Guide to Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Video podcasts are a powerful tool for building brand awareness, establishing thought leadership, and generating leads. But if you're a CEO or marketing director in the professional services industry, you might be overlooking some critical factors that can make or break your podcast's success.
In our first season of our video podcast The Ruby Hour back in 2019, for every 1 hour we spent recording, we had 9 hours of post-production processing.
“For every 1 hour of active podcast recording, we had 9 hours on post-production processing.”
We launched 19 episodes that season, and had over 200 hours of our employee team dedicated to producing the show.
Was it worth it?
Heeeccckkk yeah. We generated 65% of our increased revenue that year from referrals or leads produced by guests or affiliates of our show.
Now, don’t let this article deter you, rather — here are some metrics you need to know to come in with a level head understanding what it takes cost, energy, and timewise to sustainably produce the podcast show of your dreams — season after season.
Here are the top 8 most overlooked components of launching a sustainable video podcast:
#1 The True Cost of Podcast Production:
Podcast Producer: Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $250+ per episode for a professional podcast producer, depending on their experience and the complexity of your show.
Equipment: High-quality video and audio equipment is essential for a professional look and sound. Invest in a good camera (starting at $2,000), microphones ($300-$600 each), lighting ($500+), and editing software (subscriptions starting at $40/month).
Soundproofing: A well-soundproofed room is crucial for high-quality audio. This can range from DIY solutions to professional studio construction, costing anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
#2 Booking Podcast Guests:
Time Investment: Scheduling and coordinating with guests can take hours of back-and-forth communication. Be prepared to spend a significant amount of time researching potential guests, reaching out, and confirming schedules and having an excellent booking process.
“We generated 65% of our increased revenue that year from referrals or leads produced by guests or affiliates during Season 1 of our show.”
#3 Recording and Crew:
Personnel: A successful video podcast often requires a team of 2-3 people, including a host, a trained camera operator, and audio engineer.
Time Commitment: Plan for at least 2-3 hours per episode for recording, depending on the length and format of your show.
#4 Post-Production Editing:
Cost: Professional audio podcast editing can cost $50-$150+ per finished minute of audio. Video editing can be even more expensive.
Time: Editing can take several hours per episode, depending on the complexity and desired quality.
#5 Multi-Platform Distribution:
Content Strategy: Develop a comprehensive content calendar for social media, blog posts, email newsletters, and other channels.
Time Investment: Social media management alone can take 5-10 hours per week, depending on the number of platforms you use.
#6 Consistent Content Creation:
Planning: Create a content calendar to ensure a steady stream of episodes.
Time Commitment: Allocate time for research, scripting, recording, and editing on a regular basis.
#7 Promotion and Marketing:
Budget: Allocate funds for paid advertising, social media promotion, and other marketing initiatives.
Expertise: Consider working with a marketing agency or consultant to develop and execute a successful promotional strategy.
#8 Measuring Success:
Analytics: Track downloads, listens, engagement, and other key metrics to gauge your podcast's performance.
Goal Setting: Set realistic goals for your podcast and regularly evaluate your progress.
The Solution: Partner with a Professional Podcast Production Company
Launching and maintaining a successful video podcast requires a significant investment of time, money, and expertise. By partnering with a professional podcast production company, you can offload these burdens and focus on what you do best – running your business.
A professional video podcast production company can handle:
Pre-production planning: Concept development, guest booking, scripting, and scheduling.
Recording and production: Professional-grade audio and video recording, editing, and post-production.
Distribution and promotion: Publishing your podcast on major platforms, social media promotion, and email marketing.
Analytics and reporting: Tracking your podcast's performance and providing insights to help you grow your audience.
Ready to Take Your Brand to the Next Level?
If you're ready to launch a video podcast that captivates your audience, builds your brand, and drives business growth, contact us today. We have the experience and expertise to help you create a podcast that exceeds your expectations.