Quick answer
Compare AI-assisted and traditional content by calculating the cost and time for a piece that is approved and ready to publish. Include subscriptions, setup, recording, editing, and review. Use the same scope and quality standard for both options so you can see whether a cheaper draft actually leads to a cheaper finished post.
Calculate costs at a realistic volume
List expenses you pay each month and charges that increase with use. Include software fees, any generation or export charges, freelancer costs, and the staff time spent preparing scripts and checking output. If you are comparing a new process with an existing one, account for initial training and setup separately. Decide how many posts you can realistically finish each month and spread the fixed costs across that number. Run the calculation again at half the expected output so you can see the impact of a slow month.
Give founder time its own line
Use a rate you are comfortable assigning to your time, or report minutes separately if you prefer. As an illustration, ten monthly posts at a cash cost of $500 work out to $50 per post. If you spend another three hours reviewing and value that time at $100 per hour, the combined cost is $80 per post. If only eight posts are approved, the same $800 works out to $100 per approved post. Use your own inputs to compare options.
Compare like for like
Ask each option to produce the same piece with the same requirements. For a short video, specify caption accuracy, final length, how revisions work, and whether you need a genuine demo or interview. If one route includes scheduling and the other ends at delivery, add the staff time required to schedule the second batch. Note whether you can update the file easily when something changes or whether an update needs another recording.
Run a small paid test before committing
Make a few pieces that represent your typical work, including at least one that needs real revisions. Track cash spent, calendar days, and founder minutes from idea to final approval. Review whether the finished pieces are clear enough to use. Repeat the comparison if volume or the type of content changes. A process that works for weekly explainers may have a different cost when you add interviews or product shoots.
Key takeaways
- Compare cost per approved piece.
- Count the founder’s review time.
- Include a low-volume scenario.