Joe Rogan. How Stuff Works. How I Built This.
What do these three podcasts have in common — besides being wildly popular?
We’ll make it easy on you. They all release videotaped versions of their podcast episodes on YouTube, so their fans can connect with them on another level.
YouTube video podcasts are taking the world by storm, and if you want to be at the forefront of a major trend to come, 2024 is the year to get in on the action. Now is the time to start that video podcast you’ve been thinking about.
In this article, we’re covering everything you need to know about this newer content medium and sharing the most appealing reasons to start one of your own video podcast. We’re even going over step-by-step instructions on how to get started producing podcast episodes before you know it.
Read on to become a video podcasting expert.
What Is a Video Podcast?
Video podcasts are the latest trend to take over podcasting as we know it. No longer are fans only interested in hearing what podcasters have to say, but they’re also interested in seeing the conversation take place, so they can feel like they’re in the room with you while recording the podcast.
The video podcast doesn’t need to be anything fancy or complex — it can be as simple as a one-camera recording of the conversation as it happens. Some don’t even use live video, but instead, pair their audio version with a static image and turn it into watchable YouTube videos.
So, what is video podcasting? Video podcasting is no different that a podcast interview, other than the content is shared in video format vs audio only. This might not be everyone’s style, but it’s catching on among the podcasting community and more and more people are adding this kind of video element to their recordings.
The Future of Podcasts in 2024 is Video Podcasts
Audio podcasts have been around for a while, but their popularity skyrocketed just a few years ago. These days, it seems like everyone has a podcast on a different topic or idea.
A podcast is similar to a radio show in that they focus on a conversation between two or more people. (However, many podcasts today only feature one sole host.)
But years and years ago, before the surge happened, there were podcasters still delivering this kind of content. They were the pioneers of the audio podcast.
While video podcasts haven’t caught on as quickly or as widely as recording audio podcasts have yet, their time is coming. For those who want to become a podcasting pioneer of this next generation of video content, now is the time to get in on the ground floor.
Reasons Why You Should Start a Video Podcast
We’re going to tell you exactly how you can start your own audio and video podcast show on YouTube. But first, we’re going to convince even the most hesitant readers to get on board by sharing the most compelling reasons to start a video podcast series.
People Love Faces
First up is the ingrained partiality of humans to faces like their own. We’re incredibly visual animals. About thirty percent of the brain’s cortex is taken over by neurons solely devoted to visual processing. Compared to the three percent for hearing and eight percent for touch, that’s pretty impressive.
Even infants start showing preference to human faces just 24 hours after being born. But it doesn’t stop there. This effect grows stronger as we age — mainly because we discover how much we are able to learn about folks and the world just from studying faces.
Some psychologists even say that reading facial features provides more insight than spoken communication can.
Since we know all of this to be true, there’s a huge opportunity to build more value into your podcast for your audience just by taking video recordings and adding them to your audio format.
Video Broadens Your Reach
Some people aren’t naturally inclined to browse episodes of a podcast — at least, not as much as they’re likely to browse video podcast content.
Some people just prefer video, and that’s okay.
YouTube has a massive following. Behind Facebook, it is the second-largest social media platform. If you want to grow your audience and image, adding videos on Youtube to the mix is a great way to do just that.
Video Goes Viral On Social
Think about what always seems to go viral the most on social media. Besides memes, it’s usually video clips. Consider Tik Tok, Snapchat, and even the old days of Vine.
Social media platforms have slowly become optimized for video over recent years. News flash — they’re not optimized for audio (at least not quite yet.)
Audio clips don’t have the same allure that video clips do. Even if you post a clip of your podcast on Facebook or Instagram, it’s not going to capture attention quite like a video will. They also don’t pull up as well on search. If you want your audience to be able to search and find your podcast on social media, video will help.
Just by adding videos to your podcast, podcasters can automatically increase your exposure on social.
The Work Is Already Done
As a podcast host, you’re already doing all the work of having the conversation and recording the audio. How much harder can it be to add a camera to the mix to capture everything on video?
Not hard at all.
It’s not much more work at all!
You’ll also benefit far more than you’ll be working to add this extra component.
Video Podcast Options: 4 Ways
There are tons of video podcast formats. You don’t have to stick to just one video podcast format, either. Below, we’re sharing the four most common video podcast options that the industries use, so you can mix and match your video episodes as you please.
1. Static Image Recording
If you’re lazy or aren’t video savvy, here’s the easiest way to add a video component to your audio podcast show. Everything about your audio file stays the same, you just layer it with static images for the length of the podcast episode.
Once someone presses play, they’ll just see the image you selected on the screen until it’s over. Some good examples of this kind of podcasting are Kickass News or Stuff You Should Know.
For this podcasting process, all you need is basic video editing software. No fancy skills needed.
The biggest pro to this option is how quick and easy it is. The only real downside is that these kinds of videos are naturally not as engaging as the ones we’ll cover below.
2. In-Studio Video Recording
Another common option you’ll see (especially from the pros at the Joe Rogan Experience) is in-studio video podcasting.
This podcast interview format consists of video tools set up where you’re recording your podcast that runs while the conversation happens. People like to watch this content because they catch everything — the little glances at each other, the body language, the facial expressions, etc.
The major pro to in-studio interview podcasts is how straightforward the technique is. All you have to do is set your camera and tools up once, capture video, perform your podcast interview in the way you always do and edit the video content later.
The only downside is that it does require you to purchase recording tools. You won’t need much. Just one high-quality camera will do. Most professional setups will record the audio separately. If you want to elevate your studio recordings, you could also set up multiple cameras at different angles to create a more interesting perspective.
3. Remote Recording
The third choice you have is recording your interviews or solo episodes remotely and then editing the footage together to create a cohesive episode for your listeners.
When you don’t want to limit your podcasting guests to those who live in your immediate area, the remote interviews option is a great pick.
Thanks to all the new tech tools we have at our disposal, you can even find software that will record the interview with all of your video images on the screen at the same time. The more advanced ones will even maximize the screen image of the person who is talking.
To do this, the only tools you’ll need are a recording software connected to your webcam like Zoom that can record all of your screens at once and perhaps an editing app as well.
The only downside of these remote interviews episodes is that you’re putting all of your faith in the webcam quality of the other users on the call with you. If someone loses service or their audio content/video quality is poor, the episode will suffer a bit — at least in the eyes of your audience.
4. Interview Footage Plus B-Roll Footage
The fourth most popular podcast format is a combination of interview footage plus b-roll video files (short clips). To do this, you’ll use archival footage (like clips of movies your podcast guest mentions or a quote from a news article that you discuss on the podcast episode) along with interview footage, which can be an in-studio interview or remote episode.
To produce content in this way, you’ll need a camera to record the interview portion of the podcast as well as access to archival footage and some basic video editing software to put it all together.
This kind of content is more engaging than any of the other options on the list, but it’s also much more time-consuming and can require podcasters to have a higher level of video editing skills.
How to Start Recording Video Podcasts
Making a video footage podcast is easier than you think it is. Follow these five steps, and you’ll be on your way.
1. Record Video
First, capture your own podcast conversation on video. You can do this with only basic video podcast equipment e.g one or more cameras, or even rely on your webcams. When recording, be sure to keep your face visible and body posture professional.
2. Edit Video
Then, clean up your videos or splice your b-roll clips together to create the final video. Just make sure you have the rights to whatever b-roll you’re using, so you don’t get caught up in a copyright infringement case.
Make sure you have the proper video editing software and tools to get the job done. Ideally, you want to sync your audio and video file together, so it’s a seamless viewing experience for your viewers.
3. Create Thumbnail
Before you upload and share your videos, you’ll need to first select an image for your video thumbnail that will show up with people are browsing different videos.
4. Upload
When you’re ready to show the world what you’ve got, go ahead and upload your finished episode for the world to see!
5. Share
Just because you uploaded your episode, it doesn’t mean that everyone is going to see it! You need to make this happen for yourself. The best way to do this is by sharing with your listeners on social media, sending an email straight to the inbox of every email subscriber you have, and any other marketing tricks you have up your sleeve.
Video Podcast Benefits
The benefits of making a video podcast are many. Here are some of our favorites:
- Grow as content creators by expanding your horizons and learning how to create new mediums of content
- Show off your faces to your audience more
- Become a more engaging podcast content provider by speaking to the visual processing side of the brain
- Access more potential audience members through this new podcast medium
- Create a space for podcast audience engagement with likes and comments
- Make it easier for your podcast fans to share your video podcast content with their audiences
- When you upload your video podcast on Youtube, you get access to the YouTube analytics like download numbers, watch time, viewers, and top videos
- Tap into podcast video advertising revenue (especially on YouTube)
- Create a more user-friendly listening experience for your podcast audience
How to Get Podcast Fans
To grow your video podcast audience on Youtube, you’ll need to start marketing in places besides streaming applications like Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Share on Social Media Platforms
The first way to boost your audience following is by sharing your new video content on all social media app you have an account with. If you don’t have any accounts made yet, this is a good time to do that.
Create shorter clips of your interviews that will perform well on social, like a juicy story or a great quote. These clips are more consumable than longer ones for your audience.
Foster Audience Engagement
If you want to get more people watching your video podcast, you need to start fostering engagement within the audience you already have. Ask your current audience to share their favorite part of the podcast in the comments section of the app, or to share a social clip with their friends who would be interested in the podcast topic of discussion.
Direct Listeners to Your New Formats
Your most loyal podcast listeners may be so caught up in listening to your non-video podcast episodes through a streaming service, that they don’t even realize you’ve started offering video podcast episodes as well. So, make sure you spread the word on your audio-only versions too.
FAQs
Have more questions? These frequently asked questions may help.
Can a video be a podcast?
Absolutely! Video podcasts are very popular and are simply a podcast with a video element. This video can be as simple or complex as you’d like. It often consists of a single static image or can be a video recording of the podcast host and their guests.
How do I watch video podcasts?
Watching a video podcast is easy. Start by finding the podcast you want to watch. Then, press play on your desktop or mobile app. Fortunately, video podcasts are viewable by everyone as they aren’t limited to only paid subscribers.
What is the difference between a podcast and a video?
The biggest difference is you can always take audio from a video and make it a podcast. However, if you made a podcast, you can’t turn that into a video. All you’ll be able to do is create audio in a video format.
Take The Next Steps to Become a Top Video Podcaster
Podcasting is the hottest thing in content creation these days. Soon enough, video podcasts will take off just the same. Will you be able to say that you were on the front lines of the trend, or will you say that you waited too long?
Today is your chance to get started. Use the tools and tips we offered in this article to set you up for podcast success.
