Right out the gate, we’re hitting you with some mind-blowing stats! First up, did you know that YouTube has over 2+ billion users? That staggering number equates to almost one-third of Internet users.¹ What’s even more impressive is that people watch more than a billion hours of video on YouTube every day.² Every. Day!
But how is this relevant to podcasters? Well, because we think these stats are a pretty compelling reason to launch a video podcast! But don’t just take our word for it! In a recent interview on Fox Business, Adam Carolla, a hallowed name in the podcast space, along with LiveXLive CEO, Robert Ellin, stated that they believe the future of podcasting lies in video! And they could very well be right! According to this survey conducted in 2019, 43% of monthly podcast listeners say they went to YouTube for podcasts that year, ahead of both Apple (34%) and Spotify (23%).
But Will Video Kill the Podcast Star?
We definitely don’t think so! In our books, starting a video podcast is simply another way you can add value to your audience, and get more ears (and in this case, eyes!) on your content. Video podcasts can seriously strengthen your audience’s connection with you, as well as helping you strengthen your niche authority by offering your valuable content through another medium. A video podcast is also a great way to make your podcast as inclusive as possible, as it offers your content to users in a format that may be more accessible to them.
Relate read: Podcast Accessibility: Why And How To Make Your Podcast More Accessible
But besides all the compelling reasons above, launching a video podcast is also good for business. If your podcast is one you’ve started to help build your business, or even your own personal brand, then this article will be of particular interest to you. And this is because there are some powerful stats behind video marketing.
First up is the fact that 54% of consumers want to see more video content from a brand or business they support.3 This means that there is a VERY good chance your listeners would love to see your content in video format! But that’s not all! According to another study, 80% of video marketers say video has directly helped increase sales, while 87% of video marketers say video has increased traffic to their website.4 All of these stats (and there are plenty more where these came from! Check out the links at the bottom of this post!) prove that launching your own video podcast could be a really effective marketing strategy!
So if you are seriously considering branching out into video, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve got you covered with a simple step-by-step guide for launching a video podcast.
1. Find Your Niche
This is the first step when starting your traditional podcast, so you might be thinking you’ve got that locked down. However, you do need to go back to the drawing board for a bit if you’re planning on also launching a video podcast.
So when we’re talking about your niche here, we’re talking about the kind of niche your video podcast will fall into, and how that aligns with your audio podcast. If you occasionally have guests on your podcast, perhaps your video podcast should focus solely on these episodes. Or if you often feature product reviews, these would be a great fit for your video podcast. Even if you decide to simply create video podcast episodes from your usual podcast recordings, you still need to figure out how they are going to add value to your existing audience, as well as reach new viewers.
Once you have a game plan for your video podcast, you’re ready for Step 2!
Related read: The Top 10 Different Types Of Podcast Formats
2. Get the Equipment
If you’re dovetailing a video podcast from your audio podcast, you will already have some of the equipment you’ll need. A quality microphone is still an integral part of a video podcast, and your headphones will also prove useful in your video adventures. And if your usual podcast recording set-up features an XLR microphone, an audio interface and a sound mixer, you’ll be able to get that amazing sound quality you’re used to on your video podcasts.
Pro Tip: However, if you don’t have the budget for such gadgets, that’s totally okay! You should then just make sure that your recording software has the option of recording each speaker as an individual recording, as this will make the editing of the video podcast so much easier, and you’ll be better able to ensure top-notch audio quality.
Related read: Podcast Basics: What You (Really) Need To Start A Podcast In 2021
Now onto the video podcast-specific equipment…
A Camera
It should come as no surprise that your first addition to your usual podcast recording set-up is a camera, this being a post all about launching your video podcast and all! The choice of camera really depends on your available resources. The cameras on the latest smartphones can really give exceptional quality, but depending on what type of video podcast you’re wanting to launch, investing in a DSLR camera may be the way to go.
A Tripod or Camera Stand
A tripod or camera stand is a very necessary piece of equipment to help you produce professional-looking videos. Besides helping you record steady footage, a tripod or stand makes it easy to get the best shot as they put the control of the set-up firmly in your hands.
Extra Memory Cards and Batteries
These might not be a necessity, but we highly recommend they form part of your equipment requirements as you’re probably going to need to do a number of takes to get all the content you’re after, in the way that you want it. Remember, video recording differs from audio in that it can’t be cut and spliced together as easily as you can with an audio recording. And this can take both time and memory! So to ensure that you can get all the takes you need, you should add extra memory cards and/or batteries (depending on your recording device of choice) to your equipment list.
Lighting
Whenever you venture into video, you’re going to want to have as much control over your lighting as possible. This will help all your video podcast episodes look the same, but it also means that you can record whenever, as you’re not dependent on the natural light. Lighting equipment will also help give your video podcast a professional look and feel! Ring lights are popular with vloggers and influencers, but with a little investigating, you’ll find what is best suited to your set-up and budget.
Video Editing Software
If you’ve started out as an audio podcaster, you will be familiar with editing software. But it might be the case that the editing software you’re using is limited to audio editing. For your video podcast, you’re going to need software that is also able to edit videos. Just as the options of audio editing software are in abundance, so there are many top-notch video editing software out there for you to choose from. With a little research, you’ll find the one that will best suit your needs and your wallet, and with a few tutorials and a training video or two, you’ll be editing your video podcast like a pro.
Related read: How To Create A Video Podcast From Home
4. Find Your Location
In much the same way your choice of recording location can have a serious impact on the sound of your podcast, picking the right location to film your video podcast is integral to the ultimate success of your video podcast. If your video podcast contains the same content as your audio podcast, then you’re going to need a location that is both optimal for sound, but also somewhere that looks great. So if your current podcast recording set-up consists of a pillow fort in your closet, you may have to reassess the situation.
You want to find a space that is aesthetically pleasing, as well as conducive to sound. Once you tick those boxes, you’re free to have some fun with the set-up! Create a backdrop, add some quirky items, a plant or two, or even some fairy lights to help create an eye-catching set. Remember to keep your overall vision in mind, but use your imagination and creativity to create the unique look you’re ultimately after.
5. Film and Edit Your First Episode
Now onto Step Number 5! You’ve carved out your video podcast niche, you’re invested in all the new equipment, and you’ve set up the PERFECT filming location, now comes the really fun part – filming your first video podcast episode! This may take some time getting used to, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t nail everything in the first take! Even the pros can’t do that! Just make sure you’re as prepared as possible, and then give it your best effort! Once you’re over the first-time jitters, filming your video podcast episodes will become smooth sailing.
Once the filming is done, you get to flex your editing muscles as you must now edit your first video episode! This may require a little trial and error, as video editing is not quite the same as audio editing. But again, with a little practice, and a few tutorials, you’ll be snipping and splicing like a pro in no time!
Pro Tip: When it comes to editing of any kind, the best tip we can give is to master your software! Whether you follow YouTube videos, complete an online course, or just learn all the features by trial and error, the best thing you can do to improve your editing skills is to know all that your software can do, and know how to apply all the tools.
Related read: 10 Editing Tips to Increase Your Podcast Sound Quality
6. Operation: Launch Video Podcast
You’ve filmed your first episode(s), you’ve edited them down to a mini masterpiece, and now comes the step that makes it all real – preparing to launch your video podcast! This involves creating a platform for your videos – the most popular would be a YouTube channel – and then, most importantly, creating some buzz around the launch of your video podcast.
You can go about this in much the same way as you promoted the launch of your audio podcast. If you’ve built up a mailing list, you can send out some fun email newsletters, and you should definitely promote it across all your social media platforms! All the video content you’ve filmed will make for some amazing trailers and sneak peaks, which will be especially great for sharing across TikTok and Instagram! You can even use behind-the-scenes footage as well as your bloopers to make engaging teasers which will definitely amp up the excitement around the launch of your video podcast!
7. Upload and Promote!
And finally, Step 7, Upload your video episodes! You’ve done it! You’ve recorded and edited your video episodes, you’ve laid the groundwork by promoting the launch of your video podcast however and wherever you can, and now you get to hit “upload” and share all your hard work with the world! And, of course, keep promoting!
If you keep putting out valuable, engaging content, and keep sharing top-notch videos, your brand new video podcast platform will help you reach a wide new audience, you’ll firmly establish yourself within your niche, and, perhaps most importantly, you’ll keep adding serious value to your community of loyal listeners.
Related read: Social Media Marketing Options For Podcasts
Closing Thoughts
And that’s it! The seven simple steps for launching your own video podcast! Remember, a video podcast is a great way to add more value to your existing loyal listeners, reach a whole new audience, as well as an effective way to make your content more accessible. Whether it’s in addition to your standard audio podcast, or as a way to develop another angle of your niche, branching out into the video format could be your next right move! And while launching a video podcast might not be quite as simple as hopping onto your director’s chair and yelling “Lights, Camera, Action!” it is also not a project that requires a film degree or years of experience behind or in front of the camera. If you follow our simple steps, and keep creating that awesome content, you’ll be able to successfully launch your video podcast and you’ll take the medium by storm!
Related read: The Whys, Whens, And Hows Of Video Podcasting
Sources:
1. YouTube About : https://www.youtube.com/intl/en-GB/about/press/
2. Hootsuite: 25 YouTube Statistics that May Surprise You: 2021 Edition: https://blog.hootsuite.com/youtube-stats-marketers/
3. Markinblog: 12 Video Marketing Statistics: https://blog.hootsuite.com/youtube-stats-marketers/https://www.markinblog.com/video-marketing-statistics/?gclid=Cj0KCQiApsiBBhCKARIsAN8o_4icO-RI2Qi84C6ByeIuuHkOf0CsjSY7f-jrH2efQTfA8vJKefgNO9gaAszDEALw_wcB
4. Wyzowl: Video Marketing Statistics 2021: https://www.wyzowl.com/video-marketing-statistics/
