---
title: "How to Start a Video Podcast for Business: Setup and Cost"
description: "How to start a video podcast as a founder: studio vs remote, US studio rental prices, the prep interview, how many clips one episode gives and the cost."
url: https://evgenymaximov.com/blog/how-to-start-a-video-podcast/
---

# How to Start a Video Podcast for Your Business: Setup, Workflow and Real Costs

This year I recorded at least 15 podcasts in a studio and about 30 fully remote ones. The difference in the final video is huge. Here's how we produce a video podcast for a founder: the setup, the prep that matters more than the cameras, how many clips you get, and what it costs.

By **Evgeny Maximov** · 9 min read · 23 Oct 2026

**Key takeaways**

**Short answer:** to start a video podcast for your business, plan three parts: pre-production (topic, guest, a 30-minute prep interview), recording (ideally in a studio, three cameras and a microphone per person) and post-production (the full episode, about 10 good clips per hour, thumbnails, publishing). US podcast studios rent for about $30–150 an hour. Our production starts from $500, with filming priced by location.

- Record in person if you can. Zoom episodes cut into weak clips.
- The prep interview matters more than the cameras.
- One hour usually gives about 10 good Shorts.
- Package it like a video: faces and a short hook, not an episode title.

## Why is a podcast a good first video for a founder?

Because talking to a person is easier than talking to a lens. A good host asks the questions, keeps the energy up and pulls the stories out of you. You don't need a script, only a topic and a few stories. And one hour of conversation becomes a long video, a podcast episode, a month of Shorts and several articles. More on the format in [the easiest first video for owners](https://evgenymaximov.com/blog/podcast-for-business-owners/).

The catch: a podcast only works for a business if it's produced like a video, not like an audio show with a webcam.

## Should you record in a studio or remotely?

This year I recorded at least 15 podcasts in a studio and about 30 fully remote ones. My recommendation is clear: in person.

| | Studio | Remote (Zoom) |
|---|---|---|
| **Energy** | two people in one room, real reactions | delays, people talk over each other |
| **Look** | premium, three cameras | two webcams in boxes |
| **Shorts** | clean close-ups, strong clips | hard to cut, clips perform worse |
| **Cost** | studio and crew | almost free |

Remote is fine for a guest on another continent, or as a test. For a show that represents your business, it's worth the studio.

![A monitor in the studio showing four views from three cameras: a wide shot of both speakers, a close-up of each speaker and a second wide angle](https://evgenymaximov.com/img/fig-podcast-studio-monitor.webp)Three cameras: a wide shot and a close-up of each speaker

## What equipment does a video podcast need?

- **Three cameras:** a wide shot of both people and a close-up of each speaker. The close-ups are where your Shorts come from.
- **A microphone for every person.** Sound is more important than the picture. People forgive a terrible image, not bad audio.
- **Soft light** from the side, the same color on both speakers.
- **A simple set** that doesn't distract: a table, two chairs, something of your brand in the background.

If you rent a studio, all of this is usually included, often with an operator. If you build your own set, see [nine filming setups ranked by cost](https://evgenymaximov.com/blog/youtube-filming-setups/).

## How much does it cost to rent a podcast studio in the US?

Prices on the big rental marketplaces in October 2026:

| Marketplace | What it shows |
|---|---|
| [Peerspace](https://www.peerspace.com/resources/cost-to-rent-a-studio/) | studios typically $30–150 an hour; podcast studios in Los Angeles listed from about $40 to $200 an hour |
| [Giggster](https://giggster.com/book/podcast-studio) | podcast studios average about $105 an hour, with a typical 2-hour minimum |
| [PodcastRental](https://podcastrental.com/studios/new-york/) | over 250 studios in New York, from about $25 an hour |

So a 2–3 hour recording usually costs a few hundred dollars for the room. A camera operator and sound engineer add more, and big-city premium studios cost several times the average. One tip from experience: always have a backup studio. I once had a studio owner stop answering a few hours before a client shoot. I found another studio in 30 minutes, and the shoot happened. Independent studios are great, but plan for the day one of them disappears.

**Planning a podcast as part of your content?** The free Business YouTube Playbook shows how long content turns into calls. No opt-ins. [Read the Playbook](https://evgenymaximov.com/blog/business-youtube-playbook/)

## What happens before the recording?

The prep is where most business podcasts are won or lost. Before every recording I do a 30-minute interview with the client. We agree on:

- the key stories to tell
- the one main idea of the episode
- why the episode exists and who it's for
- which stage of the buyer's path it serves
- where it sends people next: a video, a lead magnet or a call

After that, the recording feels like a conversation, not an exam. And the editor gets an episode with a clear point, which makes the clips stronger.

## What happens after the recording?

Full episodeedit, sound, chapters
→
~10 clipsfrom one hour
→
Thumbnailtwo faces + a short phrase
→
EverywhereYouTube, podcast apps, posts, articles

- **The full episode** is edited as a video: cuts between cameras, clean sound, chapters.
- **Clips:** we usually get about 10 good ones from an hour. The normal range is 5 to 15. The same editor who cut the episode cuts the clips, because they already know the best moments.
- **Packaging:** the speaker's face, the host's face and one short hook phrase. Not the episode title.
- **Distribution:** YouTube, podcast platforms, Shorts on every platform, a LinkedIn post, an email, and about five search articles from one episode.

![Four podcast thumbnails made for clients, in Russian: two faces and one short phrase each](https://evgenymaximov.com/img/fig-podcast-thumbnails.webp)Podcast thumbnails we made for clients: two faces and one short phrase

How to turn one episode into a month of content is in [how to repurpose YouTube videos](https://evgenymaximov.com/blog/repurpose-youtube-videos/).

## How much does video podcast production cost?

| Part | Cost |
|---|---|
| **Our pre-production and post-production** | from $500: topic, prep, episode edit, clips, thumbnails, publishing |
| **Filming** | priced separately, depends on the location: studio rent, operator, travel |
| **Done-for-you B2B podcast services on the market** | often from about $3,000 a month. For example, [Content Allies](https://contentallies.com) runs B2B podcasts end to end, including guest outreach, and its engineer joins each recording. Services like this produce both online podcasts (remote calls) and offline ones (in a studio) |

For us, a video podcast is a standard service. The format is very close to classic YouTube production: the same prep interview, the same editors, the same clips, thumbnails and publishing. The studio is the only extra part.

The full price picture for every format is in [YouTube video production cost](https://evgenymaximov.com/blog/youtube-video-production-cost/). And if you're still choosing between a podcast and a classic channel, read [YouTube vs podcast](https://evgenymaximov.com/blog/youtube-vs-podcast/) first.

Want us to produce yours? Here's [our video podcast production service](https://evgenymaximov.com/services/video-podcast-production/).

## FAQ

**What is video podcast production?**

Video podcast production covers everything around a filmed conversation: planning the topic and guest, preparing questions, recording with several cameras and microphones, editing the full episode, cutting short clips, designing thumbnails and publishing on YouTube and podcast platforms.

**How much does video podcast production cost?**

Evgeny Maximov's agency charges from $500 for pre-production and post-production of a video podcast; filming is priced separately because it depends on the location. Done-for-you B2B podcast services often start around $3,000 a month.

**How much does it cost to rent a podcast studio in the US?**

In October 2026, studios on Peerspace typically rented for about $30–150 an hour, and Giggster showed an average of about $105 an hour for podcast studios, often with a 2-hour minimum. Studios in big cities with a camera operator cost more.

**Is it better to record a video podcast in a studio or remotely?**

In a studio, if you can. Evgeny Maximov records both and finds that in-person episodes have more energy, look premium and cut into much better Shorts. Remote Zoom recordings are cheaper but look worse and produce weaker clips.

**How many cameras do you need for a video podcast?**

Three is the standard: a wide shot of both people and a close-up of each speaker. Plus a separate microphone for every person. Sound matters more than the picture.

**How many clips can you get from one podcast episode?**

Evgeny Maximov's team usually gets about 10 good clips from an hour-long podcast. Across speakers the normal range is 5 to 15 good Shorts per hour; more only from very skilled speakers.

**How should a business owner prepare for a podcast recording?**

Do a 30-minute prep interview before the recording: the key stories, the one main idea, why the episode exists, which stage of the buyer's path it serves and where it sends people next. Then the recording feels like a conversation, not an exam.

**Should a business start with a podcast or a YouTube channel?**

A podcast is often the easiest first long video for a founder, because a good host does the heavy lifting. It works best published as a video on YouTube, with clips on other platforms.

**How long should a business video podcast episode be?**

Most business episodes work at 40–90 minutes. Long enough for real stories and depth, which is what builds trust, and enough material for about 5 to 15 good clips per hour.

**Do I need a host for my business podcast?**

It helps a lot, especially at the start. A good host asks the questions, keeps the energy up and pulls out the stories, so the founder can just talk. Evgeny Maximov often hosts client podcasts himself.

![Evgeny Maximov](https://evgenymaximov.com/img/evgeny-avatar.webp)
**Evgeny Maximov**

Founder of a done-for-you YouTube agency for high-ticket founders. Making content since 2014. [More about me](https://evgenymaximov.com/about/)

## Want a video podcast without the production headache?

We plan the episode, host or prep you, edit the episode and the clips, and publish everywhere. From $500, filming priced by location. 7-day money back guarantee.

[Book a call →](https://evgenymaximov.com/?utm_source=blog&utm_content=how-to-start-a-video-podcast#book)
Read next
[**YouTube vs Podcast: Which Should Your Business Start?** Strategy](https://evgenymaximov.com/blog/youtube-vs-podcast/) [**Podcast Guesting for Founders** Strategy](https://evgenymaximov.com/blog/podcast-guesting/)