The definition of ‘what’s a podcast?’ has change into blurry lately. On the one hand, a TikTok influencer uploads a fifteen-second video and calls it a podcast, whereas alternatively, a seasoned veteran tells you that in case you don’t have an RSS feed, you don’t have a podcast.
So, does it actually matter how completely different folks outline podcasts? Not all the time. However I suppose it may possibly.
For instance, if somebody hears you may have a podcast, but they will’t discover it on their listening app of selection, that may trigger a little bit of confusion and frustration, which is able to, in flip, hamper your development.
However we’ve already contributed to the ins and outs of the “what is a podcast?” dialogue with Colin’s “rationalization in plain English”.
This time round, I’d like to speak particularly about video podcasts.
What precisely is a video podcast, and do you have to make one? And are they primarily simply movies on YouTube?
Can a YouTube Video Be a Podcast?
For years, you’ve been capable of finding a great deal of movies of podcasts on YouTube (most famously, Joe Rogan!). If we wish to preserve in keeping with that technical definition of what a podcast is, then these have been video recordings of podcast episodes quite than podcast episodes themselves.
However YouTube now works extra like a standard podcast consumption platform as a result of you possibly can add the RSS feed out of your internet hosting account, and it’ll routinely publish all your new episodes. That is much like the way you distribute your present to locations like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Publishing Podcasts on YouTube
An audio podcast episode printed on YouTube will seem with a static picture (the present’s cowl artwork) as its “video”.
One key distinction between podcasts on YouTube and most different locations is RSS feed ingestion. Once more, this feels like obscure technical trivia, nevertheless it implies that in case you make edits to your printed episode in your hosting account – something from the episode title or present notes to the audio file itself – these modifications won’t routinely replace in YouTube.
To edit a podcast on YouTube, it’s good to log in and repeat these modifications manually. You’ll probably additionally must examine your YouTube stats individually – they’re typically not included in your primary internet hosting obtain numbers.
Creators can log into YouTube Studio to create podcasts on the platform. This works by marking a playlist as a “podcast” or by submitting your RSS feed. Some internet hosting suppliers have “distribute to YouTube” instruments, which are sometimes rather more streamlined in case you are an audio-only podcaster.
So, from a creator’s standpoint, you possibly can mark any of the movies in your channel as podcast episodes, and from a consumption standpoint, you’ll now discover devoted “podcasts” sections on YouTube and YouTube Music.
Different Sorts of Video Podcasts
Podcasts are overwhelmingly completed in audio, and are subscribed to or ‘adopted’ in locations like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast.
Comparatively, the share of precise video podcasts out there’s tiny. Sure, it’s now a rising wing of podcasting. However video remains to be dwarfed by audio.
YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify are the most well-liked locations to seek out video podcasts, however another directories additionally help them.
An instance on Apple is Ted Talks Daily, which is a video companion to the audio-only model of the present.
Right here’s an inventory of popular video podcasts on Spotify, too. Now you can add video podcasts to Spotify even in case you don’t use them as your major internet hosting supplier.
In order you possibly can see, video podcasting could be very a lot a factor, each on and off of YouTube.
However does that imply you ought to make a video podcast in case you’re already creating audio content material?
Does My Audio Podcast Audience Want Video Content?
Nearly a third of the podcast audience surveyed here prefers to “actively watch” a podcast with a video part.
Customers have been requested their desire for 3 podcast experiences:
- Audio solely with none video (43% desire)
- Play video within the background or decrease on gadget whereas listening (29%)
- Actively watch whereas listening (28%)
This knowledge means that there’s undoubtedly a requirement for video podcasts. Whether or not or not your current viewers needs a video aspect may not be the first cause for deciding to go down this route, although. As an alternative, new visibility and further discoverability may very well be seen as the first profit. If some current listeners wish to transition to watching your content material, then deal with that as an added bonus.
The place Do Individuals Watch Podcasts?
Another attention-grabbing stats are included in the identical Cumulus Media/Sign Hill Insights knowledge talked about above.
35% of weekly podcast listeners preferring podcasts with video identify YouTube because the podcast platform they use essentially the most.
That is with Spotify in second place (21%) and Apple Podcasts third on 9%. Examine this to audio-only podcast knowledge, and you’ve got Apple prime on 30%, Spotify second with 24%, and YouTube third with 6%.
So, in case you’re going to create any kind of visible aspect round your podcast, then publishing on YouTube is a no brainer.
You may select to go above and past simply importing your complete episode, too. From a brand new visibility standpoint, capturing somebody’s consideration with video content material on YouTube for quite a lot of minutes is uncommon. As an alternative, you should utilize choose clips that concentrate on one specific query or subject, and add them as ‘micro-content’. This system is defined intimately in Gavin Bell’s guide to running ads on Facebook, and in Daren Lake’s content stacking masterclass.
Quite a lot of the talk round video podcasts (in addition to content material on the whole) is centred on what medium is “greatest”. However podcasting (audio), YouTube (video), and running a blog (shownotes) can all complement one another sustainably and successfully. Try our collection on Content Stacking for a full information on learn how to get the very best from this method.
Video Podcast Internet hosting Suppliers
In the beginning, let’s take a look at YouTube. As we’ve coated already, you possibly can:
- add content material to YouTube immediately and tag it as a podcast
- or, hyperlink your RSS feed to your YouTube account
- or, use your internet hosting supplier’s “publish to YouTube” instruments
If you’d like your video podcast to look in Apple Podcasts, Podbean and Castos are two nice internet hosting providers that allow this. I’ve linked to our full evaluations of each so you possibly can study extra about them.
And, to create a video podcast on Spotify, you not must host on Spotify for Podcasters. Irrespective of the place you publish your present, you possibly can log into your Spotify Podcasts Portal, click on the three dots on any episode, and also you’ll discover an ‘add video’ choice.
The way to Report Video Podcast Episodes
Whether or not you’re doing a standard video podcast or recording movies alongside your podcast, there is no such thing as a scarcity of instruments to seize all of it.
SquadCast, Riverside.fm, Iris, and VEED are 4 common platforms for video podcasters. Veed, specifically, has some nice video modifying instruments in addition to a free instrument to convert videos to audio. We dive into these video podcasting and distant recording instruments in additional element in our How to Put a Podcast on YouTube article.
Modifying Your Video Podcast
There’s an excessive amount of competitors and too little consideration on the market so that you can add a uncooked video and get any traction with it. You’ll must do at the very least some modifying to your video if you would like it to have any hope of catching some eyeballs.
So, what video podcasting software program do you have to use?
Fortuitously, there are plenty of nice choices available on the market, and a number of the newer ones cater to finish learners. If you happen to’re new to video podcasting, go for Veed. Or, contemplate Filmora in case you’re on a really tight funds.
We even have an in-depth roundup of the best video editing software platforms the place you’ll discover extra element on Veed and Filmora, in addition to Adobe Premiere, Closing Minimize Professional, and Camtasia.
Greatest Platform to Export Audio as Podcast Movies?
In fact, your video doesn’t all the time must be “video” within the standard sense. There are various several types of video podcasts.
Some podcasters upload videos that are static images (often the present’s cowl artwork) with the audio recording enjoying alongside it. This implies you may get your present onto platforms like YouTube with out a lot further effort.
You’ll be able to simply export video on this means in case you’re using Alitu to record and edit your podcast, or, in case you host with Libsyn or RedCircle.
Alternatively, you possibly can go that further step and create Audiograms for your podcast. These are much like static pictures however can embrace dynamic waveforms and closed captions.
Audiograms work higher for pulling quick clips from an episode than for being fully-fledged episodes in their very own proper. Our AI Tools for Podcasters roundup has extra choices for creating audiograms and shareable video clips, too.
Does Your Video Clip Thumbnail Matter?
We all know that old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” right? Well, that isn’t exactly true when it comes to video podcasting.
Crafting a great custom thumbnail for your video is essential for hooking a big portion of your views. The thumbnail is what makes viewers want to watch your video, and you should spend a good deal of time coming up with something creative.
If you don’t upload your own thumbnail, YouTube will automatically choose one for you, and this is no good. It won’t do anything to capture your audience. Do a bit of research on what your competitors are up to and get creative. You’ll improve over time and come to know what performs and what doesn’t.
If you’re looking for a free tool to make great custom thumbnails for your video podcasts, then check out Canva. There, you’ll discover a great deal of completely different designs and templates!
Video Podcast Gear Listing
So, in case you’re seeking to make a video podcast the place you report your self and your environment, what fancy tools can you utilize to take issues to the following degree?
Our information consists of affiliate hyperlinks. If you happen to purchase by way of them, we might earn a small fee (by no means at any further value to you!).
A Excessive-Definition Digital camera, or, A number of Cameras
With the standard of video on iPhones and Androids now, getting a number of cameras collectively to report needs to be simple. Many podcasts use a multi-camera method to their video podcasts. It’s not needed to make use of a number of cameras; nonetheless, it may possibly make your movies look rather more dynamic.
One choice right here to contemplate is the Logitech C920x HD Pro Webcam. It’ll offer you HD 1080p recording, has built-in lighting adjustment, and prices round $60.
Tripod
You’ll must be hands-free when recording your podcast, particularly in case you’re dealing with the recording course of your self. Most videographers would advocate utilizing a tripod to seize your video podcast successfully.
Professional Tip! Make sure to “spike” (put tape on the ground) your tripod place, which suggests you possibly can replicate the positioning for future episodes. This helps enhance the continuity of your movies.
This portable 40″ alloy phone tripod additionally works as a selfie stick. It’s collapsable for transport and comes with a distant Bluetooth shutter. You’ll be able to often choose one up model new for round $23.
Lighting
The important thing right here is to eradicate shadows in your face and make you or your visitors look the very best they will. You are able to do this with lights from the house.
You’ll want at the very least two lights, ideally three. A comfortable mild supply for faces is greatest, a second mild for the background to create depth, and a 3rd supply to fill the area. The third mild can even accent hair, or create a ‘sizzling or chilly’ sidelight for the face. Obtain good lighting, and your viewers will preserve coming again, time and time once more.
This 10″ LED ring light gives face lighting and encircles the digital camera so as to add dramatic ‘eyelight’. It has three mild temperature settings to align with different lights within the room, in addition to a built-in adjustable smartphone Tripod. You’ll be able to often purchase one for lower than $20.
Exterior Microphone
Good audio high quality for podcasting is important to be able to report the clearest and cleanest sound. Using an exterior microphone ought to be a magnet for any video podcaster, too. Moreover, utilizing exterior microphones doesn’t improve the complexity of video podcasting and is undoubtedly value each bit of additional effort.
A preferred mic amongst video podcasters is the Rode Wireless Pro. This mic provides you plenty of freedom of motion in entrance of the digital camera and—being a Rode mic—provides a fantastic degree of audio high quality, too.
Additionally, make sure you take a look at the Shure MV88+ video kit when organising your particular tools buying listing.
Abstract: Ought to You Make a Video Podcast?
So, that’s nearly it for our deep dive into the world of video podcasting.
For many podcasters, audio is all you want. Don’t put further obstacles, prices, and duties in your means simply since you assume you “ought to” do video.
Audio-only podcasters can nonetheless simply publish to YouTube with static picture “movies” to get the discoverability advantages of being accessible there. You should use AI and audiogram tools to create quick video clips to share on YouTube and social media, too.
As for including “correct” video, right here are some things to weigh up:
- are you persistently releasing audio episodes?
- do you may have a longtime workflow?
- do you may have extra time accessible to dedicate to podcasting?
- can you commit more cash in the direction of it, too?
- do you commonly get requests for video out of your viewers?
If the solutions to most (ideally all) of those questions are “sure”, then bounce again to the part on how to record a video podcast, and begin experimenting with a couple of completely different instruments. There are plenty of good choices available on the market as of late.
And, on a last observe, I’ve talked about Alitu as an choice for exporting ‘static picture’ video variations of your podcast episodes. Do you know that Alitu is one single ‘podcast maker’ instrument to get podcast recording, modifying, manufacturing, transcription, and internet hosting all below one subscription? Attempt it out, free for per week, and have a look for your self!
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