Last Updated February 2022 by Crystallace

How much does it cost to start a podcast? …. Wait, Should I Start Podcast ?

If you’ve been blogging for a while, I’m sure you can find others who scaled their business by using other platforms to reach more audiences, like Tiktok. 

But Tiktok is just another social media platform and we really don’t know if it can stand the test of time. 

There is, however, another way to open more opportunities for your blogging business, that is with podcasting. 

I love listening to podcasts. Some are very laid back, like talking to a friend, while others are intense and scary. 

In a previous blog post, I talked about the 5 easy stages of how to start a podcast. If you’ve read that one already, I’m sure you’re wondering…

Before we talk about how much, ask yourself, “Is podcasting the right path for me and my blog?” 

If you’re having doubts as to whether you can or can’t pull it off, perhaps starting a new project may not be a good idea.

However, if you haven’t started blogging yet, and you’re really looking into starting a podcast as a business, this is your time to shine. 

So, how much does it cost to start a podcast?

First, make a list of what you have and what you don’t. This will give you an idea of what items to buy and how much you want to spend on each. 

For example, if you already have a functioning PC/laptop, you only need to buy

• A microphone
• A pop filter
• My Podcast Legal Contract Bundle

For your editing needs, there are free ones like GarageBand and Audacity. 

To store your podcast episodes, there are free platforms that you can use like Buzzsprout and Anchor.

That’s it, you’re ready to go. If all goes well, that’s the time you can invest in a fancier podcast setup, or upgrade your podcast hosting provider. 

We all start somewhere. 

So, now that we already have a rundown of the things we need to start podcasting, how much does it cost to start a podcast? 

Let’s start with the microphone. The Audio Technica 2100 is highly recommended for beginners. This will cost you around $100-$120. 

An excellent alternative to the Audio Technica is the Sudostack USB Streaming PC Microphone. The cost of this microphone is between $59-$73 and it’s got great reviews on Amazon, too. 

Next, the pop filter. The pop filter removes the hisses, thuds, and pops. This one from Auphonix ($28-$32) has a built-in and adjustable gooseneck for flexible and stable mounting.

A cheaper alternative but still great is the Neewer Professional Microphone Pop Filter Shield, for $10.

Of course, you can’t start a podcast without my Podcast Legal Contract Bundle. This isn’t an expense, but rather an investment. This bundle consists of 3 of the most important legal pages you need to protect your business. That is Podcast Sponsorship Agreement, Podcast Guest Agreement, and the Podcast Co-Host Agreement. Plus, you get 2 bonus templates when you get this bundle. Never start a podcast without protection. 

Lastly, your podcast hosting provider. If you decide to go with Buzzsprout, their free plan allows you to publish 2 hours of content each month. But if you upgrade to their next plan which is $12/month, you can upload 3 hours each month and get unlimited storage. Plus, pay an extra $4 per hour if you want to upload more. 

So how much does it cost to start a podcast? Turns out, you can start a podcast for as little as $650 (or even less)! 

Moving forward, your monthly expenses will only be $12 for the podcast hosting provider and you’re all set.  

You see, starting a podcast is not as expensive as you may think. Over time, you’d upgrade to a much professional setup, hire a podcast editor, perhaps rent or build your own podcast studio (like Joe Rogan’s). 

Regardless, money is not really the big issue here. 

It’s about your intention and your business plan.  

Final thoughts on how much does it cost to start a podcast ….

There you go, I hope you find this helpful. 

Remember, starting an online business that relies heavily on content creation like podcasts, may take time to be monetized. 

This is where YouTube comes in handy. 

Do you know Bailey Sarian, the YouTube queen of true crime stories? She started a podcast a month ago called Dark History. The podcast is about the dark past of the US and world history that they don’t teach you in school. Her podcast episodes go live every Wednesday, and the videos are uploaded the next day on YouTube. 

Same content, two platforms. 

Hitting two birds in one stone. 

She gets at least 3 sponsors for every podcast episode, and the video is being monetized on YouTube. 

You can use the same strategy for your podcast to gain more attraction. 

So, are you ready to start a podcast today? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

I’d love to help.