Podcast Budget Calculator

You can start a basic podcast for under $100 with a USB microphone ($50-100) and free software like Audacity. Add a pop filter ($15) and decent headphones ($30-50). Free hosting on Anchor gets you distributed to all major platforms. Quality improves significantly with a $300-500 investment.

DIY editing saves money but costs time—expect 2-4 hours per episode hour. Professional editors charge $50-150/episode for basic editing, $150-300 for full production. Most podcasters start DIY and outsource as their show grows and their time becomes more valuable.

Anchor is free but has limited analytics. Buzzsprout, Libsyn, and Transistor offer robust features for $12-25/month. Consider analytics depth, monetization options, website features, and storage limits. Most serious podcasters outgrow free platforms within a year.

Very important for audio quality. Echo and room noise are the most common amateur podcast problems. Basic treatment ($50-200) dramatically improves sound. A closet full of clothes works surprisingly well. Portable reflection filters ($50-100) help in untreated spaces.

Wait until you have 10-20 episodes and a consistent release schedule before paid marketing. First, optimize your podcast for search (titles, descriptions, transcripts). Cross-promote with other podcasters. Paid ads work best after you have proven your content and know your audience.