Top Reasons To Create Your Podcast Episodes AND Video Content

Top Reasons To Create Your Podcast Episodes AND Video Content

If you look online, you’ll find in-depth discussions about what’s best for your business. You might explore an SEO strategy with blog posts, launch your own podcast, or create video recordings. But who says you have to choose?!

The good news is, you can easily and seamlessly create content on multiple platforms.

The truth is, you have fans, followers, and potential customers who prefer video over audio content and vice versa and it’s ultimately in your best interest to be discoverable on any and all searchable platforms.

Now, you might already be thinking about how expensive or time-consuming this would be. However, you don’t need fancy video equipment, expensive microphones, or a fancy in-home studio to be a successful (video and audio) podcast host! In this blog post, I’ll tell you how (and why) you can easily start a podcast with an excellently created video element.

But first, let’s talk specifically about why you’d produce content on one versus the other.

Podcasting VS YouTube

In the debate between creating an audio-only podcast and a video podcast, you already know my opinion. Why choose between two excellent options?

Instead of wallowing in the either-or scarcity mindset, utilize the power of video podcast content.

Producing content as an audio podcast vs creating video content for YouTube each provides distinct, platform-specific benefits, but these two methods of creating content also work cohesively, increase sharability, shorten the learning curve for your listeners, and complement one another.

Since 2018, nearly 30% more people listen to podcasts with over 80 million Americans listening weekly. Thanks to the COVID 19 pandemic, the industry experienced a surge of content creators wanting to start a podcast in 2020 and 2021. On top of that, the adoption of smart speakers and home listening devices has increased podcast episode’ download numbers across the board!

People listen to podcasts while doing mundane tasks like laundry, dishes, or weeding the garden. I’m sure you’ve also seen plenty of people plugged in while they’re jogging, commuting, or even shopping! In these examples, the audio version of your content is highly preferred, if not required. This is why I don’t recommend jumping to video podcasting completely – there’s a special place and need for the audio version just as there is for the video version.

Now on to YouTube, the biggest video platform and the second most visited website behind Google.com. This search engine platform is visited by over a billion people each month. With traffic numbers in the billions, it’s not hard to understand how having a YouTube channel in conjunction with your podcast episodes can be absolute rocket fuel for growing your audience.

Simply put, video podcasts (youtube videos) take making money, expanding your audience, creating a movement, [you name it] to the next level. Your audience wants to see your facial features and expressions and it’s not just a vanity thing either. It’s been proven that when someone sees a visual element as you’re delivering the audio content, your message is more likely to be remembered and applied. Video podcasts allow you to connect with your audience in a more meaningful, impactful way. 

Here are the top reasons to start putting videos on YouTube today:

#1 – Humans are Visual Creatures

People gravitate toward the faces of other humans. There have been scientific studies conducted to back this up. Our brains are quite literally hardwired for facial recognition. We’re not only fascinated by faces, we rely on them for emotional context.

When you or your podcast guest is delivering information, listeners’ ability to see your facial expressions increases their attention and their connection to you and your message. The greater the connection, the greater the likelihood they become a dedicated follower, subscriber, and customer.

#2 – People Identify with the Familiar

Familiarity can allow your video podcast to outperform the audio podcasts of your competition. By providing your fans the opportunity to watch video content, you’re allowing them to get to know you on a deeper level. Podcasting allows you to form a deeply intimate relationship with your listeners – you are quite literally IN their ear.

However, by adding a YouTube video component to your talks, you make it a bit easier for your audience to accelerate through the like, know, and trust factors. Seeing your face repeatedly over time allows you to create an even deeper connection with your audience, giving you an advantage over your competitors who may only be broadcasting on Apple Podcasts. Again, this is backed by science!

#3 – Video Content Can Be Repurposed

Marketing your podcast is an essential puzzle piece to successfully growing your listening audience. These days, most marketing strategies involve utilizing social media, at least in some capacity. Keep in mind when developing your marketing plan that social media is optimized for video, not audio.

Instead of creating videos specifically for social media, consider repurposing your video content into short clips and adding waveforms, transcription, and other elements to create what’s called an audiogram. Audiograms can be used in endless ways on social media and can be created from a single static image or using footage from your podcast video recording session. Audio clips can be used to create videos specifically tailored by size and length per platform to generate interest and curiosity, enticing potential listeners to check out your podcast. 

#4 – Video Podcasts Offers More Than Audio Alone

Creating a YouTube channel on which you house a video podcast in addition to your audio podcast which is pushed to all the podcast apps is sheer genius. Here’s why – By adding video content to YouTube, you’re harnessing the power of a Google-owned video production platform with a built-in search engine.

Adding a video version of your show to YouTube to accompany every audio podcast episode gives you an awesome opportunity to take advantage of SEO. Assuming you’re writing catchy episode titles and detailed show notes, YouTube’s searchability lends access to an enormous audience, making the benefits of creating a video podcast on YouTube unparalleled for podcasters.

Growing Your Audience

Growing your podcast audience takes time. Adding video content, specifically video podcasts on your own YouTube channel, can make reaching new audience members a bit easier. Creating a YouTube channel in conjunction with your audio podcast gives you the opportunity to interact with your listeners, take advantage of live streaming options, and see and respond to their comments. This type of engagement gives you invaluable feedback about your video podcast episodes and the preferences of your audience. 

When growing an audience, consistency is key. When you produce high-quality videos in conjunction with valuable, deep content, you’ll see your watch time increase, follower count go up, and a good portion of followers sharing your content with their friends.

It’s easy to get sidetracked by complicated marketing strategies and advice produced by online business gurus. However, I have no problem reminding you that this is YOUR show and that you should create content in a way that aligns with your energy, your audience, and that’s sustainable for all involved. Only you can identify the strategy that aligns with your lifestyle and your business goals.

How To Create Your Video Podcast Easily – The Good News

Oftentimes, new podcasters feel the pressure of needing to do all the things and be everywhere. These demands can create imaginary barriers and drama that ultimately keep you from ever creating anything. It’s easy to get overwhelmed as you start a podcast – selecting a podcast host, figuring out how to record with multiple cameras, learning how to even record an audio file, and trying to decode marketing lingo all at the same time is enough to stall even the most motivated creator.

Step-by-step, I’ll walk with you through the process, so that you start a podcast you can be proud of, episode after episode. By handling all your editing, tech, and strategy, my team and I help you break through all those imaginary, yet real-feeling barriers so you can focus entirely on creating the highest quality content for your listeners. 

I fully understand that the thought of adding video content to your audio podcast can be daunting. I can hear you already – “You mean I have to do yet another thing to get traction and grow my audience?”

This is especially true if the thought of consistently showing your face on video makes you cringe. If you love the idea of adding a YouTube channel to your podcast strategy but hate being seen on video, I have creative solutions available for you too! No need to miss out on the powerful potential of video podcasts just because you’re uncomfortable with being on video.

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed by all the moving parts?

With the tech help, editing support, and solid podcast production strategy I provide here at Podcast Abundance, you will be well on your way to creating an excellent-sounding (and looking!) podcast, reaching your target audience, and sharing your valuable message. All you have to do is book a call.