Podcasting with video is quickly transforming what it means to be a podcaster. Once a strictly audio-only medium, podcasting is growing to include visual podcasts.
And some podcasts are quickly gaining new subscribers and seeing massive growth by having video podcasts on YouTube. So, why not join them?
By going to podcasting with video, you are opening your podcast to a whole new audience. And if growth and monetization is your top priority, becoming a video podcaster should be something to start considering.
But how do you even begin creating a video podcast? What goes into it? Well, glad you stopped by because we are going to give you the ultimate guide to podcasting with video. By the end, you’ll know if taking your podcast to a visual medium is right for you and the steps needed to get there.
Why Podcasting with Video?
More and more, audiences are being drawn to videos. Just look at the massive success of Tik Tok and the rising number of videos on Instagram. And people spend all day watching YouTube videos or binging their favorite TV shows.
Video is on the rise, and podcasting is taking notice.
So, what benefits are there from video podcasts? Turns out, there are quite a few.
Gain a bigger audience – It’s a plain fact that audiences prefer visual mediums. And YouTube is a massive platform that many people visit daily. People who may not ordinarily listen to podcasts because just the spoken word doesn’t hold their attention. So, to attract those people to your podcast, become a video podcaster.
Grow on Social Media – Clips from your video can circulate on social media platforms giving you exposure to an even wider audience.
Earn Trust – In regular podcasts, you should always give your name so listeners have a name to the voice. But people love putting a face to the name and voice. It’s easier for people to trust someone if they see them. And posting weekly video podcasts gives audiences plenty of opportunities for them to get to know you and trust you.
Get Your Message Across – People tend to pay more attention when they are looking at something. So, being a video podcaster means that it is more likely for you to get your message across. Plus, you can use visuals to help get your point across, explain a concept, etc.
Should I do a Video Podcast?
Well, whether or not you start podcasting with video depends on several factors.
First, what is the goal of your podcast? Is it a fun hobby for you or are you in it so it’s your full-time job and livelihood? If it’s just a fun hobby and you don’t care if you make money or not, then you probably don’t want to start podcasting with video. And that’s because of the extra equipment and time needed to produce video podcasts.
But if you want your podcast to be your main source of income, creating a video podcast may be the logical next step for your podcast’s growth.
Why?
Most video podcasts are uploaded to YouTube. Not only can put a podcast on YouTube earn you extra money from ads, but you can also rank on Google via YouTube. And, your podcast with video can appear on a person’s homepage thanks to YouTube’s algorithm. So, you have millions of opportunities to be discovered by new audiences.
And, you may better get your message across as you can use visuals – think PowerPoint, animation, drawings, video clips, etc. Let’s face it, many people pay better attention to things they are looking at rather than only listening to.
Types of Video Podcasts
Just as with regular podcasts, not all video podcasts are created equal. There are different types allowing you some flexibility on what you want to do if you decide to be a video podcaster.
Static Image – Far and away the easiest way to do podcasting with video is to record your podcast like normal, choose an image, and then add your recorded podcast to the image. It’s fast, easy, but also super boring. Unfortunately, audiences get bored quickly (under two minutes!) and will leave. So, though it may be convenient for you, a static image video podcast doesn’t have the audience (and its interests) in mind.
Illustrations – Rather than just one static image, you can create a series of illustrations or drawings that accompany your recorded podcast. It’s visually more appealing, but it can take a lot of work, especially if you don’t have a background in illustrations.
PowerPoint – In some ways, a podcast can be viewed as a presentation, especially if the podcast is just the host talking for the entire show. So, using PowerPoint to create visuals to go along with the podcast is another easy and cost-effective way to create a video podcast.
Record the Podcast – Of course, the most used format for podcasting with video is actually recording the podcast. Though it may take more time and a little bit more money, it is the format that audiences respond the most to of all the options.
Equipment Needed for Creating a Video Podcast
When you’re starting your podcasting with video and you will be recording yourself (and guests) during the podcast, you may need to get some extra equipment to add to your podcast set up.
And yes, you will still need all the equipment you already use for podcasting, but now you need to add that video element.
Camera
You can’t have a video unless you’re seen. So, that’s where the camera comes into play. A DSLR camera will work great. So, if you already have one, you don’t need extra equipment. If you do need to purchase a camera, be sure to look for one that records at 1080p and long-video captures. Or, you can use a camcorder.
And if you go by using a camera, don’t forget to stock up on memory cards that will store your video files in MP4 format. Memory cards come in a variety of memory sizes, but you should at least get 64GB, which gives you roughly 40 minutes of video.
If you want to experiment with podcasting with video before making a camera investment, you can use the camera on your smartphone or laptop webcam. The quality may not be great, but it will give you an idea of what’s involved with video podcasts.
And don’t forget that you will need something to place the camera on to ensure you have a steady video. You can opt for a cheap, but sturdy, tripod or a table or bookcase could work if you have one and it allows you to record at the perfect angle.
Depending on how complex of a setup you want for your podcasting with video or if you want a variety of shots, you can get several cameras. It’s up to you on the type of production values you want, how big a budget you have, and how much editing you want to do.
Or, if you are doing an interview podcast format and you know that your guests will always be remote, rather than a camera, you will need to get a tool that will record multiple webcams at the same time. Top platforms for this are Zoom and Wistia.
Lighting
One thing that you never have to worry about when recording a standard podcast is lighting. When it comes to podcasting with video, lighting is everything.
And odds are, you won’t have the proper lighting already in your house. Lighting from a ceiling light isn’t flattering and casts the wrong type of shadows. Natural light is great, but it’s not always dependable.
So, to get you the best lighting (and to make you look your best), you need to purchase some lighting equipment. Rather than just get a regular floor lamp, you should invest in proper lighting equipment used for photography and video. But don’t worry, there are highly affordable options (under $100) out there. What you will want is a softbox light.
A softbox light helps to diffuse the light making it appear more natural. And it’s softer which the camera loves rather than the typical harsh light found around the house. Even better, you can easily direct the softbox light to ensure you get the best lighting possible.
Visual Podcasting Software
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can use whatever microphone comes with your video equipment. This is a big no-no as the audio quality is simply horrible. Though you are working on creating a video, it is still a podcast and you need crystal clear audio.
So, you need to use your recording equipment for your regular podcast when creating a video podcast. When you finish your episode, you will have two files. One audio and one video. And then you will need to sync the two and combine them into one file.
To combine your audio and visual files, you will need to get some visual podcasting software. And not only will the software put your audio and visual together, but you can also spice up your visuals. Most software allows you to adjust the color gradient or add some fun effects.
Regardless of how much editing and additions you want to do, to be a video podcaster you need software. Some of the top software to consider include DaVinci Resolve, Lightworks, Hitfilm Express, Movie Maker Online, and Adobe Pro.
Setting Up Your Studio
Beyond getting the right equipment for podcasting with video, you need to create the perfect space for recording. Not only does the space need to be free of background noise, but it needs to be visually appealing for audiences.
So, what does a visually appealing background look like? Well, it varies.
What you decide to include in your background is up to you. If at all possible, try to include something that is related to your show and subject niche. But it should at least something that attracts an audience from fun knickknacks to interesting wallpaper.
But whatever you do, don’t record your podcast in front of a clean white wall. Though tidy, it’s really boring. Where are the visuals? Where’s the personality? So, avoid a plain white wall at all costs.
On the other hand, you need to avoid having an overly busy background. Too much behind you can be distracting or off-putting.
So, you need to find that balance. To help you decide what you can do for your background, take a look at other video podcasters are doing as use that as inspiration.
Once you have your background sorted, it’s time to play with camera angles. If you are using only one camera, you need to be sure it’s positioned where everyone’s faces can be easily seen.
And after you have your camera angle, then work on your lighting. Generally, you want your lighting to come from the side rather than directly from in front. And of course, the more cameras you have, the more angles and lighting setups you have to play with.
Have fun during this stage and play with different backgrounds, setups, lighting, etc. Once you find that winning combination, you’ll need to mark where everything goes so you can have consistency for every episode. As with regular podcasts, audiences like to know what to expect.
Putting the Visual Podcast Together
As with a regular podcast, recording the show is only half the work. Now, it becomes all about editing and syncing your audio recording with your video. And, if you are using multiple cameras, editing and slicing the different camera angles together to create your episode.
Once you have finished editing your video podcast, don’t forget to properly name the file. As your podcast with video will be online, it’s all about SEO and you need to give search engines something to search and rank your video on. And that’s your title. So, make that title count!
Additionally, you should also create a thumbnail image that will be placed on whichever video platforms you want to entice people to click on your video.
Creating a thumbnail image is easy. First, grab a screenshot from your video. And this screenshot should be exciting and fully represent your show. Then, add your logo as well as some text. But you don’t want to overload the thumbnail with too much text. Keep it short and catchy.
Publish Your Video Podcast
Now that all your work is completed and you are happy with the final product, all you have left to do is upload your file to YouTube. This can take some time so make sure that you won’t be needing your computer for a couple of hours.
Promote on Social Media
It’s never as easy or simple as “if you upload it, they will come.” It’d be nice, but you have to promote yourself at first so people know of your visual podcast. Once you get a nice number of subscribers to your YouTube channel, you won’t need to do as much promotion.
And, promoting is easy. You already have your social media presence from your regular podcast, so promote everywhere you can. And don’t be afraid to ask friends and family to promote your video podcast link on their social media, too. You can’t have too many people promoting you and your hard work.
Don’t let the thought that podcasting with video is overwhelming stop you from pursuing becoming a video podcaster. Especially since you didn’t let starting a podcast stop you. Remember how overwhelming that all seemed as you navigated your way through equipment set up and learning editing software.
Podcasting with video is just the same. But the learning curve may not be as steep as you already know how to do a podcast and how to handle the audio portion. Now, you are just adding a video. Before long, you’ll have the knack for doing a visual podcast.
But again, only focus on podcasting with video if it fits you and your podcast. If it’s not going to suit your needs, why waste time and energy on doing it? But if it does, you have the perfect road map here to get you well on your way to podcasting with video.
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