Recording a podcast episode is usually the easy part.
Editing is where most creators underestimate the time involved — and where entire evenings quietly disappear.
If you’ve ever finished recording and thought, “I’ll just tidy this up quickly”, only to still be editing hours later, you’re not alone.
So how long does podcast editing really take? — and when does it make sense to outsource it?
How long does podcast editing actually take?
As a rough rule of thumb:
- Audio-only podcasts
Editing typically takes 2–4× the length of the episode - Video podcasts
Editing often takes 4–8× the length of the episode (sometimes more)
In real terms, that means:
- A 45-minute audio episode → 1.5 to 3 hours of editing
- A 60-minute video podcast → 4 to 8+ hours, especially if clips are involved
And that’s before publishing, thumbnails, show notes, or social media cut-downs.
Having worked with podcasters and audio workflows over the years (and my own YouTube Channel) , this is one of the most consistent patterns I see: editing time is almost always underestimated.
Why podcast editing takes longer than people expect
Editing rarely feels difficult — it just adds up.
A typical edit might include:
- Removing mistakes, pauses, and retakes
- Cleaning up breaths, clicks, and background noise
- Levelling dialogue between speakers
- EQ and compression so voices sound consistent
- Adding music, intros, and outros
- Exporting for multiple platforms
For video podcasts, that list grows quickly:
- Syncing audio and video
- Cutting between cameras
- Managing screen shares
- Adding captions
- Creating clips for YouTube Shorts, Reels, or TikTok
None of this is complicated in isolation — but together, it turns into a serious time commitment.
Audio vs video podcast editing
Audio-only podcast editing can be manageable for a while, especially if:
- You batch-record episodes
- Your recording setup is consistent
- You’re comfortable in your DAW
However, video podcast editing is a different story.
Once creators introduce multiple cameras, clips, captions, or regular video publishing, editing often becomes the main bottleneck in the workflow.
This is usually the point where people start asking:
“Is it really worth me doing all of this myself?”
When to outsource podcast editing
Outsourcing isn’t about ability — it’s about leverage.
Most creators start thinking seriously about outsourcing when:
- Editing eats into recording or planning time
- Publishing consistency starts to slip
- Video editing becomes overwhelming
- The podcast supports a business or brand
- The opportunity cost of DIY editing becomes too high
If editing a single episode takes up an entire evening (or weekend), it’s usually worth at least exploring alternatives.
Thinking about outsourcing podcast editing?
If outsourcing is on your radar — even as a future option — I’m currently validating a side project called FindPodcastEditors.
It’s a curated directory of vetted freelance podcast editors for both audio and video podcasts, designed to make it easier to find someone reliable without endless trial-and-error.
If that sounds useful, you can join the early access list here:
👉 https://findpodcasteditors.com
(No spam — just early access when matching opens.)
The challenge with finding a good podcast editor
Many creators try open marketplaces first and get mixed results.
Common frustrations include:
- Inconsistent quality
- Communication issues
- Re-explaining the same requirements repeatedly
- Difficulty comparing freelancers meaningfully
Often, finding someone reliable takes longer than the editing itself.
That friction is one of the main reasons creators delay outsourcing — even when they know it would save time.
Final thoughts
Podcast editing almost always takes longer than expected — especially as a show grows.
Doing it yourself can work well early on, particularly if you enjoy the process and value control. But it’s rarely the best long-term use of time once consistency, scale, or video enters the picture.
If editing is starting to feel like the thing holding your podcast back, that’s usually the signal to rethink the workflow — even if outsourcing isn’t the right move just yet.