Yes, you can. Thousands of people do. But most stop before episode five. Here is what it actually takes, the numbers most people miss, and a free course to give you the best possible start.
Get the free course →The tools have never been more accessible. The barrier is not technology, it is time, consistency, and knowing what you are doing before you start. The statistics tell the story clearly.
The most common reasons people stop: they underestimate the time commitment, they do not have a clear strategy for who the show is for, and they have no plan for finding early listeners. None of these are unfixable, but they need to be thought through before you hit record on episode one.
For a typical 30-minute episode, most independent podcasters spend 6 to 10 hours per episode once you include research, recording, editing, show notes, and promotion. That figure rises once you add video, social clips, and guest outreach.
It is not just time. Making a good podcast draws on a wider range of skills than most people expect.
A weekly show is a significant ongoing commitment. Most people who stop do so because the workload was more than expected, not because the idea was bad.
A decent USB microphone (from around £80), recording software, and a quiet space to record. For video podcasts, add a camera, lighting, and video editing tools.
Audio editing, interview technique, storytelling, show notes writing, distribution, SEO, and social media promotion. You do not need all of these on day one, but they accumulate.
Audiences build on regular releases. Irregular publishing is one of the fastest ways to lose early momentum and drop off in the charts.
What kit do you need to start a podcast?
At minimum: a decent USB microphone (from around £80), recording software such as Audacity (free) or GarageBand, and a quiet space. For a video podcast add a camera, lighting, and video editing software. Costs rise quickly once you factor in hosting, design and distribution tools.
Why do most podcasts stop?
The most common reasons are burnout (underestimating the workload), slow audience growth in the early months, no clear strategy for who the show is for, and no plan for getting early listeners. Around 90% of podcasts that launch stop publishing within the first year.
How long does it take to make a podcast episode?
For a 30-minute episode, most independent podcasters spend 6 to 10 hours per episode on research, recording, editing, show notes and promotion. That figure rises significantly if you are also producing video, social clips, and managing guests.
When does it make sense to hire a podcast producer?
When the podcast is central to your business or brand and needs to be done properly from the start. When your time is better spent on the conversations, not the production. When you want broadcast-quality output from episode one, not after 12 months of trial and error. And when you want a launch strategy, not just a first episode.
How much does podcast production cost in the UK?
UK podcast production pricing varies significantly. At Daring Media, our Launch Package starts at £2,749 and covers strategy, recording setup, editing, publishing and launch planning. Ongoing production packages are priced based on episode frequency and scope. See our services →
DIY podcast vs production company: which is right for me?
If you have the time, skills and appetite to learn, DIY can work well. The free course below is a good starting point. If the podcast is your primary marketing channel, if you are launching on a tight timeline, or if you want the show to reflect a broadcast standard from the start, a production partner is usually the right call.
Most podcasts fail before episode five. This free 10-step guide from a BBC producer will help you avoid the most common mistakes and give you the best possible shot at making it work.
Daring Media handles everything: strategy, recording, editing, publishing, and launch. You show up for the conversations. We handle the rest.
Book a free 30-minute call