Video podcasts have exploded in popularity due to the engaged culture of podcast listeners with the addition of an engrossing visual aspect of each episode. In this article, we’ll explore what a “video podcast” actually is. We’ll delve into why audiences prefer consuming podcasts with video and how it can help you connect with them more effectively. We’ll also discuss where to watch video podcast episodes and how to get your video podcast episodes on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Sections
- What is a Video Podcast?
- What are the Benefits of a Video Podcast
- How to Record Video for Your Podcast
- The Gear You Need to Record Podcast Video
- Where to Watch Video Podcasts
- Video Podcast Hosting Platforms
What is a Video Podcast and How is it Different from a Traditional Podcast?
Traditionally, podcasts have existed as an auditory form of content. However, through advances in technology and evolving audience preferences, podcasts have evolved into a very stimulating visual format; hence, “video podcasts”.
At the core, video podcasts are simply podcasts that provide episodes in video form. Many shows offer both audio-only and video versions of their podcasts, depending on the platform being used to consume them. In fact, almost 60% of podcast consumers involved in a recent study prefer watching podcasts to listening to podcasts.
They combine the engaging and convenient aspects of podcasts with the visual elements of videos. Video podcasts provide an opportunity to share valuable insights, industry trends, entertainment, and thought leadership in a more interactive and engaging format. For companies, video podcasts offer a unique way to connect with your audience, increase brand visibility, and diversify your content strategy.
READ MORE: Best Practices for Creating Video Podcasts
What are the Benefits of a Video Podcast?
There are four main benefits to creating video episodes for a podcast which include:
- Audiences Prefer Consuming Podcasts with Video
- Video Helps Connect Your Brand With Your Audience
- Podcast Video is Increasing the Discovery of New Shows
- Recording Podcast Video Makes Your Content More Versatile
Producing video for a podcast with the right tools and by following the right practices, can provide these benefits without adding too much extra work.
READ MORE: The 4 Benefits of a Video Podcast
How to Record Video for Your Podcast
There are a few major practices which can make a massive difference in the quality of your podcast video if you use them.
It’s crucial to know the basics, including:
- Framing yourself in-camera, The Rule of Thirds, and Center-Framing
- Proper Lighting Setup
- What makes for a good Video Background
READ MORE: Video Podcasting Best Practices
The Gear You Need to Record Podcast Video
The two biggest things you’ll need for making your podcast video look great are a camera and a good lighting setup. Wait, don’t run! Finding proper lighting and the right camera don’t have to be scary or terribly boring.
The Right Camera To Film Your Podcast
There are two main routes to go when filming video for your podcast, you can either use a webcam or a DSLR/mirrorless camera. A webcam is simple to set up and offers good quality at a low price. Whereas, a decent DSLR or mirrorless camera will burn through your podcasting budget in the blink of an eye. Overall, we’d recommend a webcam for most podcasters and of the thousands of webcams, here are four we recommend:
- Logitech C920x HD Pro Webcam ~$70
- Resolution: 720p HD
- Razer Kiyo X ~$100
- Resolution: 1080p HD
- Logitech Brio 4k Stream Edition ~$150
- Resolution: 4k HD
- Insta360 Link – PTZ 4K ~$300
- Resolution: 4k HD
The Right Lighting For Your Video Podcast
Lighting is an aspect of video production that often gets forgotten, however it’s a small touch that make a big difference in how the end product looks. There are a lot of options out there, but to get started, you don’t need anything to lavish. We recommend picking up one of these lighting kits for your podcast:
- Neewer Tabletop LED Video Light Kit ~$40
- EMART Softbox Lighting Kit ~$90
- Neewer 13″ LED Video Light Panel Lighting Kit ~$180
- GVM RGB LED Video Light Set ~$260
We elaborated on why we like each of these lighting and webcam choices, along with where you can buy them, in our video podcast gear article.
READ MORE: The Essential Gear You Need For A Great Video Podcast
Where to Watch Video Podcasts
With the rising popularity of video podcasts, many podcast players are integrating video player functionality into their platforms. Currently, the main places to watch video podcasts are YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Watching Podcasts on YouTube
Undoubtedly the heavyweight of online video content, YouTube has evolved far beyond viral videos and tutorials to become a prominent source for video podcasts. A recent survey found that “1 in 3 podcast listeners said YouTube is their most preferred podcast platform”. An extensive range of creators and organizations utilize YouTube’s vast reach, user-friendly interface, and subscription model to share their video podcast episodes with global audiences. As a further signal of how much YouTube values video podcasts, the company released a podcast-focused homepage to showcase trending podcast episodes, full shows, and playlists.
Watch Video Podcasts on Spotify
Recognizing the growing demand for multimedia content, Spotify has expanded its offerings to include video podcasts. Until this year, the only podcasts able to share video episodes on Spotify were either Spotify Exclusives or were hosted on the Spotify-owned hosting platform, Anchor, which has since been rolled into Spotify For Podcasters. Leveraging their extensive user base and recommendation algorithms, Spotify provides a convenient and accessible platform for both audio and video podcast enthusiasts.
READ MORE: The 5 Biggest Podcasting changes coming to Spotify
Watch Full Video Episodes on Apple Podcasts
As one of the most popular podcast platforms, Apple Podcasts has embraced the rise of video podcasts. Video podcasts on Apple Podcasts are now accessible to millions of iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV users. The platform’s seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem ensures widespread availability and convenient consumption.
Social Media Platforms
This inclusion comes with a caveat. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter are unable to provide the full podcast episode in-app.
However, that is not to say they have not embraced the content created and shared from video podcasts. Video podcast clips, both long and short, are some of the most viral content on those platforms. This means that creators can leverage the visual appeal and extensive user bases of these platforms to share bite-sized video podcast snippets or point users to full episodes hosted on other platforms.
READ MORE: Repurpose Your Podcast Into Tons of Content
Video Podcast Hosting Platforms
Numerous podcast hosting platforms, including Libsyn, Podbean, and Spotify For Podcasters, have introduced features to support video podcasts. These platforms provide distribution to podcast listening apps, audience analytics, and monetization options tailored specifically for podcasters, ensuring a comprehensive solution for hosting and sharing video podcast content. However, it’s important to note that not all podcast hosting platforms currently support video podcast RSS feeds. For example, although Transistor is a widely-used platform, as of writing, it cannot handle video podcasts.
Get Your Podcast’s Video on the Leading Podcast Players
How To Get Your Video Podcast On Spotify
Spotify is now offering a video podcast feature to all its users, giving podcasters the opportunity to increase their discoverability and connect with their fans on a deeper level. All podcasters are now able to submit the video for their podcast on the updated Spotify For Podcasters page, provided their hosting platform supports video podcasts. With nearly 25% of the global podcast-listening market, Spotify is one of the largest platforms available for podcasters to share their work – and they can do it in video format too!
According to Spotify’s CTO & CPO, Gustav Söderström, “any creator, regardless of platform, can sign up to be among the first to get access to this feature”. VP of Global Podcast Studios Julie McNamara added that “video podcasting is one of the fastest growing areas of podcasting”, making it a great way for podcasters to stand out from the crowd.
READ MORE: The 5 Biggest Podcasting changes coming to Spotify
How to Get Your Video Podcast on YouTube
YouTube is hands down the simplest way to start sharing your podcast with your audience, whether you record video or not. All you need is a Google account, or Google Brand Account, and you can start uploading podcast episodes today. Make sure to verify your account by providing a phone number in YouTube Studio to be able to upload videos longer than 15 minutes.
READ MORE: How to Set up Your Podcast on YouTube
How to Get Your Video Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Creators can submit their video podcasts to Apple Podcasts through the Apple Podcasts Connect portal. Prior to submitting, your podcast must have at least one episode published on its RSS feed. Once submitted, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for your podcast’s feed to be accepted to Apple Podcasts, whether you’re providing video or just audio.
Conclusion
Video podcasts have emerged as a dynamic and engrossing form of content that elevates the traditional podcast format to new heights. Through blending visually engaging elements, video podcasts offer a more immersive and interactive experience for viewers without detracting from the experience of listeners.
Whether you’re an avid consumer of podcasts or a content marketer looking to expand your brand’s reach, video podcasts provide an exciting platform to engage, inspire, and entertain your audience. So, dive into the realm of video podcasts, explore the endless possibilities, and unleash your creativity to connect with audiences like never before. The future of content consumption is here, and it’s in the captivating world of video podcasts.
