Broadcasts.com - "How long does it take to create a podcast episode from idea to published and does it really need to take that long?" (Pharmacist's Voice)

I was inspired to talk about how long it takes to create a podcast episode from idea to published (and does it really need to take that long?) for two reasons:

At the Medipreneurs Conference in October 2021, I was asked how long it takes to publish a podcast episode.\\xa0 During this episode, I also talk about the ROI of my podcast episodes because someone asked me that question too.\\xa0 Long story short, the return on investment is PRICELESS!\\xa0 The connections I make and the relationships I build have no monetary value. My podcast is a business tool.\\xa0 I use it for branding and networking.\\xa0 The integrity I show by publishing an episode each week has value to others.\\xa0 If you\\u2019re interested in learning more about monetizing a podcast, I recommend you read the book Profit from Your Podcast:\\xa0 Proven Strategies to Turn Listeners into a Livelihood by Dave Jackson.
My podcasting coach (Dave Jackson) asked me a similar question in November.\\xa0 Each month, Dave has a question of the month on the School of Podcasting Podcast.\\xa0 His podcast listeners and his School of Podcasting students (like me!) are invited to respond.\\xa0 Responses are published on The School of Podcasting Podcast the last Monday of each month.\\xa0 The November 2021 question of the month was, \\u201cHow long does it take you to create a podcast episode from idea to published?\\u201d\\xa0 I answered the question and my response was included in episode 803 of The School of Podcasting on November 29, 2021.\\xa0 Listening to other podcasters explain their methods and numbers in that episode was eye-opening and made me realize how different we all are. \\xa0

Sometimes, I talk about being a pharmacist podcaster on this podcast.\\xa0 This is one of those episodes! 5 other episodes where I talk about podcasting:

My typical solo show is 8-17 minutes.\\xa0 It takes at least 3 hours to create from idea to published.

My typical interview show is between 45-60 minutes.\\xa0 It takes at least 4.5 hours to create (from idea to published).\\xa0

I\\u2019ve been podcasting for more than 2 years, and I have published more than 120 episodes.\\xa0 In the beginning, it definitely took longer to create an episode than it takes now.\\xa0 I don\\u2019t sit down and do the whole thing at once.\\xa0 My brain just doesn\\u2019t work that way.\\xa0 Podcasting is creative, and creativity can\\u2019t be rushed!\\xa0\\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0

I\\u2019ll admit that I have never tracked how long it truly takes to go from idea to published.\\xa0 I explain my numbers (3-4.5) hours during this episode.\\xa0 It takes time to create each of the four core elements to each podcast episode:\\xa0 an .mp3 file, written details (show notes, episode title, and episode number), episode artwork, and a release date/time.

Uploading everything to Libsyn takes about 10 minutes.\\xa0 Adding the podcast to my website takes another 10 minutes.

There are many unspoken things that go into making a podcast episode that I didn\\u2019t mention, like scheduling guests and daydreaming about podcasting while I\\u2019m folding laundry.\\xa0 If I kept track of all the time I spend on my podcast, it would probably add up to more than 3-4.5 hours.\\xa0 The important thing is that 3-4.5 hours is in the ballpark.\\xa0 It\\u2019s more important (to me) to get the podcast right than it is to get the time I put into it the podcast right.\\xa0 I don\\u2019t clock out when I reach 3 hours for a solo episode or 4.5 hours for an interview show.\\xa0 That wouldn\\u2019t make sense. However much time it takes is what I put into it.\\xa0

When adding it up, I wasn\\u2019t sure if I should include how much time it takes to come up with my social media posts for each episode and how long it takes to post them.\\xa0 That takes time too.\\xa0 Maybe 10 minutes to write something and 20 minutes to post on 5 different platforms:\\xa0 LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and RPhAlly.com. \\xa0

Does it really need to take THAT LONG?\\xa0 No, it doesn\\u2019t.\\xa0 Everyone is different.\\xa0 Some people are faster.\\xa0 Some are slower.\\xa0 Some people do nothing but interview shows and contract out the details.\\xa0 I recently encountered at least one business who would be happy to take your Zoom-generated interview and turn it into a podcast.\\xa0 Contact me for a referral.\\xa0

I know I could hire someone to do it for me, but I don\\u2019t.\\xa0 If I didn\\u2019t produce each episode myself, I would miss out on those pearls of wisdom I gain from listening to all my podcast interviews a second time.\\xa0 Writing the highlights for the show notes even has some value.\\xa0 It ingrains in my mind who this person I interviewed is and how he or she uses their voice.\\xa0 I also find it personally satisfying to see how efficiently I can create an episode.\\xa0

In conclusion, it takes me at least 3 hours to create a solo episode and 4.5 hours to create an interview episode.\\xa0 It doesn\\u2019t have to take that long\\u2026but most of the time, it does! \\xa0

Thank you for listening to episode 126 of The Pharmacist\\u2019s Voice \\xae Podcast!