An 8-Step Guide On How to Create Great Video Podcasts

Podcasts are amazing, aren’t they? You can listen to them while jogging, working out, and even doing chores to make boring tasks a little more enjoyable. 

But if you’re a podcaster who wants to engage the audience better, video podcasting is a go-to solution to use. 

A video podcast is a type of podcast including a video element. You can choose both a simple or a complex video element. However, video podcasts usually have a single static image or a recorded video of the podcast hosts and guests.

With video podcasting, you are killing two birds with one stone. Here’s how. You can use your podcast content in two different ways. Those who enjoy audio materials will listen to your audio podcasts, whereas those who prefer video content will tune in to watch your video podcasts. In both cases, we have happy and satisfied podcast consumers.

Luckily, most popular podcast platforms, such as YouTube, allow video. Why YouTube? This platform has 2 billion users, which makes it an ideal place to grow your fan base. Besides, YouTube is a great platform to start podcasts. So, if you were thinking about including video podcasts in your content calendar, you are more than welcome to get started.

That’s where this guide comes in, as your one-stop shop for everything video podcasting, from the benefits it may provide to content creators to how to get started and succeed.

Let’s get started!

Why Start Video Podcasts?

Video podcasting is on the rise. According to the latest research, there are 50,863 video podcasts as of June 2022. There are numerous reasons why it is worth starting video podcasting.

Below, you will find some of the benefits of video podcasts.

• Allow you to reach a wider audience: thanks to video, you gain access to large audiences, including those who like audio-only content and those who love video content.  
• People love visuals: it is great when people see your face, as in this way, you build a strong personal connection with them. They wonder who they’re listening to and what facial expressions you use.
• Easily to share: video is an integral part of social media, and you have a great opportunity to easily promote your podcast across social media channels.
• Easy to repurpose: you can make snippets of your video podcast and share them on different social media platforms. For instance, you can make Instagram stories or Reels. 

4 Types Of Video Podcasts

Before discussing how to start video podcasting, you need to learn different types of video podcasts. 

Picking the right type of video podcast can allow you to deliver content that matches your brand and podcasting goals. 

However, it’s also essential to choose a format you are comfortable with. Also, you need to choose a type of video podcast that will allow you to deliver your content in the best way. Besides, you have to take the software, recording space, and recording equipment into consideration.

1. In-Studio Recording

The in-studio recording is when you put up video equipment in your recording studio to record the discussion between the host(s) and guests.

This is an excellent type of video podcast since it allows you to display everyone’s emotions and gestures during the chat, making your viewers feel more engaged with your material.

If you have a dedicated space to record your videos, an in-studio video podcast recording is ideal.

You may then set up a camera to record the whole conversation and share it on social media. 

You might need to set up a number of cameras so you can get a view of each speaker. This is done for a proper in-studio recording of your podcast.

However, you should understand that this format of video podcast will take a little longer to make because you will need to set up your studio and edit the recording.

Despite the fact that in-studio recording might be a little bit time-consuming, it is still an easy method for recording video podcasts. Simply set up your cameras, record the podcast as usual, then add video clips to your audio file during editing.

2. Static Image Recording

A static image is an easy method to add a visual element to your video podcast if you have limited time.

All you should do is add an image that will be on the screen throughout the whole podcast. This image can be your logo, digital artwork, or your podcast cover.

Although this style of video podcast is less entertaining, it is still an excellent approach to enable people to share and share it on multiple platforms, such as YouTube.

3. Interview and B-Roll Recording

An interview and b-roll recording podcast is a video in a style of documentary, where you include b-roll footage to your video interview to keep your audience even more engaged. 

This is a great format as it lets you keep your viewers even more entertained by introducing an outside visual reference to the topic you cover.

It is great, especially when it comes to discussing a technical topic where you can bring examples.

Indeed, to produce a podcast in this format, you might need to spend more time. You will have to include the b-roll material in the video and ensure that the audio is synchronized.

4. Remote Interview Recording

Do you want to interview someone living in another country? It would be great if they could fly and come to meet you in person, but there’s a much better and more cost-friendly option to organize this. 

You can use a remote interview recording type of video podcast. All you need to do is video record yourself and ask your guests to record themselves when talking to each other. 

This is an amazing way to make engaging podcasts even if you and your guests are far from each other. Plus, it does not require you other costs than some basic tools and equipment.

Make sure the internet connection is good. Otherwise, you could end up with poor-quality video or lagging audio. 

How to Create Great Video Podcasts in 8 Steps

Making video podcasts might seem challenging. In fact, it is quite easy if done correctly. Therefore, we have gathered some useful tips you can use to get started with video podcasting and achieve great success.

1. Create Your Audience Persona

Your audience persona should reflect your ideal podcast consumer. It is important to define your audience profile to create relevant and engaging content and make your podcasts more profitable.

Defining your audience persona is all about identifying your core market:

If you want to understand your target audience better, check the comments on your video and posts on social media platforms. Comments can reveal a lot about what your customers relate to most. 

Additionally, you can conduct surveys or polls for your listeners and ask them what content they would like to consume and what topics they dislike the most. You can also ask them to mention the pain points of your podcasts. In this way, you can improve your podcasts and achieve the best quality for them. Besides, you can look for shows in your niche to understand what types of people they attract. 

To build your audience profile, you need to focus on some important questions.

• What’s their age? Where do they come from? Are they married or single? What are their values, and how do they make decisions? 
• What kind of lifestyle do they follow? How much time do they spend online? What interests do they have?
• What products would they like to purchase? What problem does that product solve?

2. Develop a Content Calendar

It is highly recommended to build a content calendar for your video podcasts. Why? Consistency is key when it comes to publishing content. Your audience wants more content and expects you to release new episodes on a regular basis. If you are going to post once every few months, you won’t be able to grow your podcast show and build a loyal fan base. Therefore, many podcasters use a content calendar.

A content calendar gives you a big-picture view of your workflow. It keeps you organized since you already know what’s due, what’s upcoming, and who’s in charge of it.

Without a specific plan, there’s a high chance you and your team will not meet a deadline and disrupt the schedule of your podcasts.

Your content calendar should include the list of podcast topics.  Each podcast topic should include all of your deliverable dates as well as the name of the person in charge.

Luckily, there are many great tools that can help you develop your podcast editorial calendar. Trello and Asana are two great project management tools widely used by many businesses. However, you can use a simple tool like Google Calendar too. Whatever tool you choose, make sure it fits your needs and requirements.

Since podcasters have many cool and creative ideas, it would be better to write them down in your content calendar. You can remove them if you decide not to use them. 

Keep in mind that having a content calendar doesn’t oblige you to stick to it. If you come up with something interesting or engaging, slot it in. If a pre-planned topic does not make sense anymore or does not give value to your listeners, slice it out.

3. Purchase Video Podcasting Equipment and Software

As we have already mentioned, it is easy to start video podcasting since it does not require you to invest in pricey equipment. However, the best video podcasts have top-notch quality. 

You need the following equipment to get started.

• A camera  

If you have a smartphone that has excellent video recording capabilities, you can use it to get started. This is the easiest way to record your podcasts.

A webcam is another affordable option to use. Keep in mind that your computer’s built-in webcam usually has poor quality. That’s why it is recommended to purchase external webcams. 

DSLR, mirrorless, and point-and-shoot cameras are also great options when it comes to recording a video. They offer amazing resolution and decent video quality.

Last but not least, you can use camcorders. They also provide good video quality.

• A mic

While it might be extremely tempting to use your phone’s microphone or the built-in microphone of your computer, it is recommended to purchase a good external microphone.

If you are going to invite more than one host/speaker, provide each speaker with a microphone. 

As a podcaster, it is essential for you to choose either a USB microphone or an XLR microphone.

USB microphones are easy to use and also more cost-friendly than XLR microphones. Besides, you are not required to purchase any additional gear for USB microphones to interface with your computer. On the other hand, XLR microphones usually provide better sound quality than USB microphones, as the audio conversion is implemented by an audio interface. This allows you to produce more professional-sounding podcasts. 

You also need to choose between dynamic and condenser microphones.

Background noise is extremely well rejected by dynamic microphones. Consider using a dynamic microphone if you want to record in a noisy place, such as your office or outdoors. ‍Condenser microphones, on the other hand, capture more background noises due to their high sensitivity. If you want to record in an extremely quiet place, use a condenser microphone.

Last but not least,  you also need a pop filter to make sure there are no plosive sounds in your recording.

• Headphones

A set of headphones is another piece of equipment you’ll need for your video podcast. Everyone who records should own a set of headphones. Headphones will not allow a microphone to pick up noises that can potentially harm your podcast’s quality.

• Video recording and editing software

You’ll need video podcast recording software and video podcast editing software to create a completely polished video podcast.

If you want to record straight from your computer, utilize video recording software. This will save you the effort of having to upload files from your camera later, but it does not require you to record from your computer’s webcam. We recommend that you link your camera to your software so that you can still receive high-quality video recordings without the inconvenience of moving everything afterward.

Indeed, you need video editing software in addition to recording software. This allows you to edit and fine-tune audio, trim your recordings, and add effects such as intro, outro, and background music.

Instead of installing more than one software, consider using all-in-one video podcast software.

Consider using the following video podcast software:

• Riverside.fm 
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Audacity

4. Record Your Video Podcast

Once you have chosen your recording equipment and software, it is high time to start recording. Make sure that everything is ready and goes as planned. 

When recording, use notes to make sure you cover everything you want. However, do not use a script if you want to sound more professional and natural. 

5. Create a Thumbnail

Creating a visually appealing thumbnail for your podcast is an amazing way to attract more people, especially if you’re sharing it on a popular platform like YouTube. 

Typically, a thumbnail includes the logo of your podcast, the names of your guests, an interesting shot, and a title. This is done, so listeners know what to expect from your show.

If you’re planning to share a snippet from your podcast on social media platforms, you can create a personalized thumbnail. Make sure you use the right dimensions. 

6. Upload Your Video Podcast

Once you’re done creating a thumbnail for your podcast, it’s time to upload it to different podcast platforms. There are many podcast platforms, such as Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. 

Make sure to upload your video podcasts on video platforms like YouTube.

The most beneficial part of a video podcast is that you can submit the audio version to an audio-only podcast platform, enabling you to attract an entirely different audience.

7. Share

Now, it’s time to get your new podcast episode in front of people.

Share the link to your episode on various social media platforms and keep your followers updated about when your next episodes will be published.

However, sharing your episode on social media is not enough. You can leverage the power of repurposed content.

Grab short snippets from your podcast and share them as a YouTube Short or an Instagram Reel. 

This is a great way to make your audience wait impatiently for your next episodes. 

8. Monetize

If you are good at podcasting and have a large audience, why not make money with your podcasts?

Consider monetizing video podcasts in the following ways: 

• Affiliate marketing

Some businesses have open affiliate programs that are worth exploring. You are not required to make an agreement or wait for someone’s permission. All you have to do is join up and tell them how you want to get paid. Every time someone signs up through your link, you get paid.

Affiliate programs are commonly used in two ways.

The first method is to market their items directly. You can, for example, join Amazon’s affiliate program. They provide you with a free link to the market. You earn a commission when people use your link to join up for a free trial. The amount of commission is determined by the product category.

The second option is to invite a product owner to your event in order for them to advertise their own goods and services. The most significant advantage of this strategy is that those people are more knowledgeable about how to sell their items in order to increase sales.

To track sales, you’ll still need a URL. Create a URL with a redirect to see the exact number of people that visited it.

• Premium content

If you have a dedicated audience who enjoys your podcasts, there’s a good probability that some of them may be willing to pay for premium podcast material. You must create a few unique recordings that will be available to your listeners if they pay for them.

You can sell the following things.

• Q&A sessions with field experts
• Episodes free of ads
• Live-streamed podcast episodes

• Selling podcast merch

If you have a loyal following, they will gladly purchase goods that advertise your program. You may offer T-shirts, stickers, mugs, or anything else that allows your audience to connect with the program rather than just listening to the existing episodes.

Display the podcast’s name, tagline, or emblem on the products. In this way, you may establish a deep tie with your audience and make more personal connections with them.

• Sponsorship deals

One of the most well-known methods of monetizing a podcast is sponsorship. It’s also one of the simplest methods because you don’t have to make or sell anything. All you have to do is find sponsors and work out an agreement with them.

You’ve probably heard podcasters begin or end their program with something like, “This episode is given to you by an X company.” This is a great example of sponsorship.

The amount of money you may make through sponsorships is heavily dependent on the size of your audience. The greater the number of listeners, the greater the potential revenue. So, if you do not have a large following, it may be difficult to get excellent sponsorship arrangements.

If you want to find sponsorship deals, consider checking out the following places.

• Ad Results Media
• Adopter Media
• Midroll

• Donations

Another simple option to monetize your podcast is to ask for donations. Many fans are delighted to contribute a little money to their favorite podcasters. In this way, they can encourage their lovely content creators to keep doing a fantastic job. Donations are very simple to set up.

You may add a PayPal button to your website or start a GoFundMe campaign.

Make it clear how you intend to use the funds. Are you accepting donations so that you can invest in more sophisticated editing tools and make higher-quality podcasts? So, inform your audience.

Wrapping It Up

A video podcast is an opportunity you should take advantage of. It’s an amazing way to bring your podcast in front of a wider audience. Most importantly, you do not have a large monetary investment. 

We hope this guide was useful and you can easily get started. With our recommendations, you will be able to elevate your podcasting career and achieve wider audiences.