Should You Add Video To Your Podcast?

Why consider adding video to your podcast?

Podcasts are an incredibly popular and growing medium, but they have one perceived limitation: they're audio-only.

To be clear, for many this is actually an advantage—most people we’ve talked to actually love podcasts specifically because they can multi-task while learning something or being entertained. In other words, doing the dishes, which is otherwise a mindless (or mindful, depending on how you do them 😉), can be a very edifying experience. Also driving the car, cleaning the house, etc.

But by adding video to your podcast, you can create a more immersive experience, cater to different learning styles, and make your content more shareable on social media platforms.

Here are some key reasons to consider adding video to your podcast:

1. Expand your audience: By adding a visual element, you can attract listeners who may not have been interested in an audio-only format. Video podcasts can also be more appealing to younger audiences who are accustomed to consuming video content.

2. Increase engagement: Videos can help keep your audience's attention, especially for podcasts that cover complex or visual topics. By offering video content, you can better illustrate your points and create a more engaging experience for your listeners. It’s common to show screenshots or slides or specific websites or books covers, for example, when alluding to content outside of the podcast itself.

3. Improve shareability: Videos are more likely to be shared on social media than audio content, which can help increase your podcast's visibility and reach.

4. Boost SEO efforts: Video content can improve your podcast's search engine optimization (SEO), as search engines like Google prioritize websites with diverse content types. By adding video to your podcast, you can increase your chances of ranking higher in search results.

How to get started with video podcasting

If you're interested in adding video to your podcast, here are some steps to help you get started:

1. Choose your video format: Decide whether you want to create a full video podcast, where the entire episode is recorded in video format, or a highlight reel that features key moments from your audio podcast.

2. Invest in equipment: To produce high-quality video content, you may need to invest in some equipment, such as cameras, tripods, and lighting.

3. Plan your visuals: Consider how you can use visuals to enhance your podcast's content. This could include slides, images, or animations to support your discussion.

4. Record and edit your video: Once you have your setup ready, record your video podcast and edit it to create a polished final product. If you're unsure how to edit video content, consider outsourcing this task to a professional podcast editing service or learning video editing software. There are also great online courses on various platforms such as Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and more.

5. Publish and promote your video podcast: Upload your video podcast to platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, and share it on your website and social media channels to reach a wider audience.

Tips for optimizing your video podcast

To make the most of your video podcast, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Create visually appealing content: Ensure your video podcast is visually engaging by using high-quality images, slides, and animations. This will help keep your audience's attention and make your content more enjoyable to watch.

2. Optimize your video for SEO: Use relevant keywords in your video title, description, and tags to help search engines understand what your video podcast is about. This will improve your chances of ranking higher in search results and attracting new listeners.

3. Promote your video podcast on social media: Share your video podcast on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to increase its visibility and reach. Be sure to use eye-catching thumbnails and engaging captions to encourage people to watch and share your content.

4. Provide show notes and transcripts: Show notes and transcripts can help make your video podcast more accessible to a wider audience. Providing a written summary of your video podcast allows listeners to quickly understand what the episode is about, while transcripts make your content more accessible to those with hearing impairments or those who prefer to read rather than watch or listen.

5. Engage with your audience: Encourage your audience to comment, like, and share your video podcast on social media platforms. Respond to comments and engage with your listeners to build a strong community around your podcast.

6. Monitor and analyze performance: Keep track of your video podcast's performance by monitoring views, shares, and audience engagement. Use this data to refine your content strategy and make improvements as needed.

When Video Podcasting Might Not Be Appropriate

While video podcasting can offer numerous benefits, it might not be suitable for every podcast or podcaster. Here are some reasons why video podcasting may not be the best fit:

1. Nature of the content: Some podcasts focus on topics that don't lend themselves well to visual content, such as purely theoretical discussions, abstract concepts, or storytelling. In these cases, adding video may not enhance the listener's experience or contribute to a better understanding of the subject matter.

2. Limited resources: Video production can be time-consuming and require more resources, such as additional equipment, software, and editing skills. Podcasters with limited budgets or those who lack the necessary expertise might find it challenging to produce high-quality video content without stretching their resources too thin.

3. Audience preferences: Some podcast listeners prefer the audio format because it allows them to multitask while listening, such as commuting, exercising, or doing chores. Adding video content may not appeal to this segment of your audience and could potentially alienate them if they perceive the video as the main focus of your podcast.

4. Increased complexity: Producing video podcasts can add complexity to your workflow, including scheduling guests for video recordings, setting up the filming environment, and managing the additional post-production process. This added complexity may not be feasible for podcasters who already have a tight schedule or those who prefer to keep their workflow as streamlined as possible. Plus podcasts often include guests or multiple guests, which means that in addition to traditional video editing, you will likely have to handle multi-cam editing.

In conclusion, adding video to your podcast can significantly enhance your listeners' experience and help you reach a wider audience, but it’s not for everybody. By following the steps and tips outlined in this article, you can create engaging video podcasts that resonate with your audience and boost your podcast's overall success. So, if you're looking to expand your podcast's reach and engagement, it's worth considering the addition of video content to your podcast strategy.