How To Start a Video Podcast: Production Tips + More

Video podcast production is quickly gaining popularity these days, and the data backs it up! As of April 2024, 33% of weekly podcast listeners in the U.S. prefer watching podcasts, up from 30% in 2022. It’s not just YouTube fueling this growth; Spotify now hosts over 250,000 video podcasts in its library, a massive increase from 100,000 in 2023. 

In fact, more than 170 million users on Spotify have already watched a video podcast to date, proving that visual content paired with audio is exactly what listeners are looking for. With these kinds of numbers, it’s pretty clear that video podcasts aren’t just a passing trend — they’re the future.If you’re thinking about jumping in and starting your own video podcast, follow these five steps:

1. Plan Your Podcast
2. Gather Proper Equipment
3. Record Your Episode
4. Edit Your Podcast
5. Publish and Promote

But, before we get into each step, let’s take a quick look at why you should create a video podcast first. 

What is a Video Podcast?

A video podcast, sometimes called a "vodcast," is a type of podcast that includes video content along with audio. It combines traditional podcast elements — such as interviews, discussions, or storytelling (we’re bought into co-hosted commentary, but we’ll get to that in a bit) — with visual elements like footage of the hosts, animations, and B-roll. These podcasts can be shared on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and other streaming services that support video.

Bonus: Adding video to your podcast creates endless material for you to repurpose. Want to grow on social media? Clip the best content into shorts to maximize reach and growth. 

Why Should You Create a Video Podcast?

The main reason — video podcast production offers plenty of undeniable benefits for your business. These include:

You Can Reach a Wide (or Niche) Audience

Video podcasts give you a great chance to reach a much wider audience by using platforms like YouTube, which has more than 2.7 billion active users worldwide. Since YouTube is the second-largest search engine, your podcast could easily be discovered by millions of viewers. Did we mention that YouTube is now the #1 discoverability platform for podcasts? 

On top of that, social media sites like Instagram and TikTok really favor video content in their algorithms, so your podcast is even more likely to be shared and seen by more people. This means you can connect with both video lovers and traditional podcast listeners, all at once.

People Prefer Video Over Audio

Humans are naturally drawn to visuals, and it’s no surprise that studies show video grabs attention much better than just text or audio. In fact, about 75% of people would rather watch a video than read when learning about a product or service. This makes sense because our brains process visuals 60,000 times faster than text, so it’s easier to take in and remember things through video.

And with video podcasts, you can add elements like facial expressions, body language, and even simple graphics that help make the content more personal and relatable. This not only builds trust with your audience but also keeps them engaged for longer. People connect better with what they see, and that deeper connection leads to higher retention especially when you put your personality — not your brand — first. 

People follow people. And putting your experts front and center gives you the thought leadership and authority within your space in a visual and memorable way. 

Easy Promotion

One of the best things about video podcasts is how easily you can repurpose them. Basically, you take short clips or highlights from your episodes and turn them into bite-sized, shareable pieces for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. It’s super effective because social media platforms love video content, and videos are shared 12 times more than text and images combined.

Plus, it constantly drives traffic to your full episodes. Take YouTube Shorts, for example — they get about 70 billion views a day. What would you do with that kind of viewership? 

And, if your videos are under 90 seconds, you can hold viewers' attention even better, with a 50% retention rate, which is much higher than other formats. It’s a simple but powerful way to make the most of every episode and reach a bigger audience.

5 Types of Video Podcasts

Before starting to produce video podcasts, it's important to decide which type best suits your content and audience. Here are the five main types to consider.

1. Static Video

Example shows: BrainStuff - HowStuffWorks

A static video podcast is one of the simplest, most beginner-friendly formats out there. It’s basically where you take your podcast audio and pair it with a single, static image — like your podcast logo or cover art. That’s it! Super easy and cost-effective, especially since you don’t have to invest in extra equipment or spend time editing video footage. However, you’ll never tap in to the full potential of video podcasting with this method. 

Benefits:

• Low effort and budget-friendly: You don’t need fancy cameras or complicated editing. If you’re just starting out and want to keep things simple, this format is perfect. 
• Simple to produce: Converting your audio into a video format requires little extra effort, so it’s a nice way to get your content out on video platforms without adding much work​.

Setbacks:

• Lower engagement: Since there’s no moving content, it doesn’t grab or hold attention as well as formats that show the hosts or guests interacting on camera. 
• Minimal visual appeal: With no visuals like facial expressions or body language, it’s harder to create that personal connection with your audience. 
• Loss of affinity-building potential: This method fails to leverage the relationship-building power of video content by shifting the hosts’ personality further into the background.

2. In-Studio Podcasts

Example shows: PowerfulJRE

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In-studio podcasts are a popular and professional format where the host and guests are physically in the same space. This setup lets you use multiple cameras to capture things like body language, facial expressions, and real-time reactions, which makes the whole experience feel more engaging and dynamic for viewers. Think of this format as a way to welcome your viewers to fully experience the conversation. Normally, this type needs a few cameras and good lighting to create high-quality visuals that really stand out.

Benefits:

• Highly engaging: You get to capture real reactions, gestures, and expressions, which makes the podcast feel more personal. 
• Professional visuals and audio: With multiple camera angles and proper lighting, the final product looks clean, high-quality and professional.

Setbacks:

• More equipment and space: In-studio podcasts do take more resources. You’ll need to invest in cameras, microphones, lighting, editing software and a decent-sized space to set it all up or partner with a professional studio, like The Creator House, to take care of the technical side. 
• Longer production time: Handling multiple cameras, managing lighting, and keeping everything in sync can be time-consuming and require additional experts to work on your content. 

3. Remote Interviews

Example shows: Sky Sports F1

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Remote interviews have become a practical and increasingly popular way to record podcast episodes, especially when guests can’t be in the same place as the host. With tools like Zoom, Riverside.fm, and Squadcast, podcasters can easily connect with guests from anywhere, capturing both video and audio. Typically, these podcasts show a split-screen view, with the host and guest side-by-side, which, while simple, still keeps things engaging for the audience.

Benefits:

• Convenient for guests from anywhere: One of the best things about this format is the flexibility. Guests don’t have to travel, which makes it easy to feature people from all over the world.

Setbacks:

• Inconsistent quality: The biggest downside to remote interviews is that the video and audio quality can vary depending on the guest’s internet connection or equipment. 
• Genuine connection setbacks: It can be difficult to make people feel comfortable in a virtual room. Sometimes, content quality, storytelling, host chemistry and relationship development can suffer with this remote-only approach. 

4. Animation

Example shows: Kaio | Animator

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Animated video podcasts are a fun and creative way to bring your audio to life by adding illustrations or digital animations. This format really shines when it comes to making complex or abstract topics more engaging and easier to understand. It’s a great option for podcasts that rely heavily on storytelling or need visual aids to explain certain ideas. 

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Benefits:

• Super engaging: Animation grabs attention. It lets you visually explain concepts, add some creative flair, and keep your audience interested. Perfect for educational podcasts or content where visuals really help explain things better​.
• Great for storytelling: With animation, you have the freedom to design custom characters and scenes that perfectly match your story. 

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Setbacks:

• Time-consuming: Even a short animated video can take a while to produce. Depending on how detailed the animation is, it can take weeks — or even months — to finish just a minute or two of content​. Not to mention the talent and skill you need on staff to make this format work well. 

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5. Conversation and B-Roll

Example shows: H3 Podcast 

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The interview and B-roll format is a great way to combine standard interview footage with additional clips, images, or scenes (B-roll) that relate to what’s being discussed. This approach is very common in documentaries, but it works just as well for podcasts, especially when you want to show footage of events, products, or anything relevant to the conversation. 

Benefits:

• Adds visual context: B-roll is perfect for breaking up long stretches of talking. Instead of just staring at the same shot of people talking, viewers get to see footage that matches the conversation. This makes the content flow smoother and helps fill in gaps or boring moments.
• Keeps viewers interested: B-roll gives you the chance to show what’s being discussed, spotlight important moments or bring more emotion into the story, pulling viewers deeper into the content.

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Setbacks:

• Time-consuming: Gathering B-roll footage isn’t as simple as recording the interview. It takes extra planning to capture or find the right supplementary clips, which adds more time during both production and editing​.
• Resource-heavy: You’ll need more footage, equipment, and possibly people to shoot a B-roll, and syncing everything with the interview can take a lot of time. It also needs careful editing, which can get complicated, especially when trying to match the visual style and video quality of the different shots.

How to Create a Video Podcast

Getting started with video podcast production might seem overwhelming, but with the right tools and a clear plan, it becomes much simpler. Here's everything you need to know to create a successful video podcast.

Plan Your Podcast‍

The first step in starting your podcast is choosing a topic that both you and your audience will love. Pick something you're genuinely excited about because that energy will help keep your episodes engaging. Think about what your audience would find useful or interesting. For example, if you're targeting entrepreneurs, you might want to explore topics like business strategies, branding, or side hustles. 

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Once you’ve nailed down your topic, it’s time to think about the format. Would a solo podcast where you share your thoughts work best, or would an interview style with guests be more engaging? Maybe you want to have a co-host for more lively, back-and-forth conversations. Each format has its upsides, so pick the one that fits both your style and your audience's preferences​.

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Next up is figuring out your budget. You'll need to think about the cost of your gear, like microphones, cameras, and editing software. If you’re keeping it simple, you might just need a decent mic and some basic equipment. But if you want to go all out with high-quality video, multiple cameras, and lighting, that’s going to cost more. So, set a budget that works for your needs and ambition.

Gather Proper Equipment

When you're setting up a podcast, you'll need to grab the right equipment to make sure both your audio and video come through crystal clear. At a starter level, you'll need a microphone, headphones, and a recording device or computer.

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Quality audio can make all the difference in creating a professional-sounding podcast. If you're just starting out on a budget, a USB microphone is a solid, affordable choice and easy to set up. As your podcast grows, you can upgrade to models that offer both USB and XLR inputs, which give you more flexibility for different setups. And if you're really looking for top-quality sound, invest in a high-quality microphone used by many podcasters. Additional accessories like a pop filter or a shock mount can help reduce background noise and improve overall sound clarity.

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For video, aim for a camera that can handle at least 1080p or 4K resolution. If a DSLR camera isn't within your budget, high-quality webcams can also deliver sharp and professional-looking video. Also, set up a simple three-point lighting to brighten up your face and reduce any harsh shadows. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Next, think about your podcast setup. To improve your sound even more, choose a quiet room with minimal echo. You can add some acoustic treatments like foam panels or blankets to improve sound quality.

If setting up all this equipment sounds too complicated or you just want the best production quality, working with podcast professionals can be a lifesaver. Companies like Sweet Fish Media can handle everything from recording to post-production, making sure your podcast looks and sounds amazing from start to finish.

Record Your Episode

Start by making a simple outline for your episode. This outline helps you stay on track, keeps things focused, and makes sure you cover all the topics you want to talk about. It doesn’t have to be very detailed—just something like an intro, main points, and an outro. This way, your recording flows better and you’re less likely to go off-topic. If you’ve got guests, it’s a good idea to have some questions ready ahead of time to keep the conversation interesting and on point.

Next up, pick your recording software. If you’re just starting, free options like Audacity or GarageBand are easy to use and cover the basics for recording and editing. If you’re looking for more advanced features, tools like Adobe Audition or Riverside.fm are great, especially if you’re doing local or remote interviews.

Before you hit record, check your mic setup—keep it about 6 to 12 inches from your mouth to get clear audio. Do a quick sound check to tweak the levels and cut out background noise. If you’re doing remote interviews, platforms like Zoom or Riverside.fm work well for capturing both video and audio.

When you're recording, speak clearly and keep a steady pace. Don’t get too close to the mic or move around too much—that can mess up your sound. And if you’re with a guest, make sure both of you are set up properly for the best audio throughout the episode.

Edit Your Podcast

Once you’ve finished recording, it’s time for post-production—this is where the magic happens. First, go through and cut out any mistakes, long silences, or filler words like “um” and “ah.” Doing this tightens up the episode and gives listeners a cleaner, smoother experience.

The main editing tasks include balancing the audio levels so everything sounds consistent, cleaning up any background noise, and adding intros and outros with royalty-free music to give your show that polished, professional vibe.

You can also try adding sound effects or adjusting the EQ to improve the audio quality. Before publishing, be sure to listen to the whole thing—preferably with headphones—to catch any rough spots or inconsistencies.

Publish and Promote

Once you’ve got your podcast edited, it’s time to pick a hosting platform, like Spotify, YouTube, or a podcast host that supports video. Now, when it comes to promotion, try breaking your content into shorter, bite-sized pieces for social media. You could share short clips or quick summaries on Instagram or Twitter to grab attention and direct people to the full episode. This kind of content repurposing really helps expand your reach and get more eyes (and ears) on your podcast.

Starting Your Video Podcast

There’s no better time than now to start your video podcast and connect with your audience. The world of podcasting is growing fast, and your voice deserves to be heard. If you’ve decided to hire a podcast production agency, you should be familiar with all the services they offer. Don’t settle for just audio editing—there are so many options that can boost your ROI, from guest booking to post-production! Learn more about the 7 services your podcast agency should offer to help you succeed.

Video Podcast FAQ

How Can I Make Money with Video Podcasting?

You can monetize your video podcast through sponsorships, ad placements, and listener donations. Learn more in our monetization guide to explore strategies that will increase your podcast’s revenue.

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How Do I Start a Video Podcast on YouTube?

Starting a video podcast on YouTube involves recording episodes, editing, and uploading them with optimized titles and descriptions. For a full step-by-step guide, check out our YouTube podcasting blog. 

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What is the Difference Between Audio and Video Podcasting?

Audio podcasts are simpler to make because they only focus on sound, and listeners can easily enjoy them while doing other things like driving or exercising. Video podcasts, however, include visuals like facial expressions, body language, and demonstrations, which can make viewers feel more connected and involved. Both are valuable, but video podcasts build stronger audience engagement.

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What are the Drawbacks of Video Podcasting?

Video podcasts require more time, effort, and technical resources for recording, editing, and production compared to audio-only podcasts. Consider working with a podcast agency to handle the bulk of the production work and ease the load.

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