Starting Your Own Video Podcast in 2024

With platforms like YouTube and Spotify doubling down on video podcast support in 2024, now is the perfect time to consider launching your own. Spotify’s move to enhance its video podcast offerings, starting with the exclusive Joe Rogan Experience, has paved the way for content creators to explore this format. Meanwhile, YouTube recently rolled out podcast-specific features such as enhanced discoverability and dedicated podcast tabs, reinforcing video podcasting’s rise.

Why the sudden shift? Viewership habits are evolving. Video podcasts cater to a new generation that prefers dynamic, engaging content over passive listening. Podcasts integrating body language, facial expressions, or live demonstrations offer a more profound, interactive experience, making them the future of storytelling and education. 

This trend has been so influential that major conferences like VidCon 2024 featured panels solely focused on video podcasting, signaling its importance in the content landscape.

Given these developments, 2024 is a pivotal year for video podcasting. As more creators explore this medium, understanding how to start a video podcast correctly becomes essential. This guide will walk you through the steps, equipment, and strategies needed to create an engaging, professional-quality video podcast, ensuring you capitalize on this growing trend.

Understanding Video Podcasts

A video podcast merges the traditional audio podcast format with video elements, making it more visually engaging. The video component could vary—from static images or recorded interviews to fully edited video productions. While some purists argue that “podcasting” originally implied only audio files distributed via RSS feeds, modern video podcasts embrace diverse platforms, particularly YouTube and Spotify, where audiences now expect multimedia experiences.

Difference Between Video Podcasts, YouTube Videos, and Audio Podcasts

It’s essential to understand the nuances that differentiate video podcasts from YouTube videos and audio podcasts:

• Video Podcasts: Designed with visual and audio elements in mind, these podcasts are often available in audio-only versions to cater to both audiences. Platforms like Spotify now support this dual approach.

• YouTube Videos: Primarily visual content. While some creators repurpose video podcasts as YouTube content, the critical difference lies in distribution—video podcasts often use RSS feeds to syndicate content across multiple platforms.

• Audio Podcasts: Limited to audio and often consumed passively. However, many audio podcasters are shifting to video podcasts to increase reach and engagement.

Video podcasts provide the best of both worlds—audio accessibility with added visuals that convey deeper meaning through expressions, gestures, and visuals that wouldn’t otherwise translate into an audio format. 

As more platforms integrate video podcasting features and audience preferences shift towards video, understanding these differences becomes crucial for content creators looking to expand their reach effectively.

Benefits of Video Podcasting

Video podcasting isn’t just a passing trend—it’s redefining how content is created and consumed. With visual storytelling and multi-platform opportunities, this format offers creators unique ways to engage their audience while capitalizing on the growing popularity of video content. 

Let’s explore some top benefits driving the shift towards video podcasts in 2024.

1. Visual Engagement and Storytelling

Video podcasts allow creators to tap into the power of nonverbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and gestures, adding depth to conversations that audio alone can’t convey. This visual engagement offers a more immersive storytelling experience, keeping viewers hooked and building stronger connections with the audience.

2. Broader Reach Through Multi-Platform Distribution

Publishing video podcasts on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts significantly widens audience reach. YouTube, the second-largest search engine globally, is a hub for video podcasts, while Spotify’s integration of video podcasts allows users to switch seamlessly between video and audio modes. This multi-platform strategy caters to visual learners and those who prefer traditional audio podcasts.

3. Amplification through Social Media

Video content outperforms other media types across social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Creators can repurpose podcast segments into short clips, enhancing discoverability and driving more traffic to their full episodes. Tools like Recast Studio simplify generating snippets and repurposing content for different platforms.

4. Educational and Demonstrative Value

Incorporating video elements into podcasts makes it easier to convey visual concepts that are difficult to describe through audio alone. Creators offering tutorials, product demonstrations, or visual storytelling can achieve far greater clarity with video podcasts, making them a preferred format for audiences seeking educational content.

5. Increased Listener Retention and Engagement

Thanks to the added visual interest, audiences watching video podcasts tend to stay engaged longer. Engaging elements like live reactions, split-screen interviews, and animated content help retain audience attention and encourage higher interaction rates through comments and social shares.

Essential Types of Video Podcasts

Choosing the correct format for your video podcast is crucial as it shapes both the content and audience engagement. Whether you aim to record in a studio or host remote guests, understanding the different types will help you pick a style that aligns with your goals and resources. Let’s explore the most popular formats trending in 2024.

1. Static Image Podcasts

These podcasts use audio content with minimal video elements, often a single static image as the backdrop. While simple to produce, they offer limited visual engagement but remain a good starting point for beginners or podcasts focused primarily on audio delivery.

2. In-Studio Recordings

In-studio podcasts feature hosts and guests in the same physical space, using professional-grade cameras, lighting, and microphones. This setup provides a polished, high-quality viewing experience, making it ideal for interviews, panel discussions, or niche talk shows. Creators can add branding elements or design personalized studio spaces to reflect their podcast’s theme and tone.

3. Remote Interview Podcasts

With tools like Zoom and Riverside.fm remote interview podcasts have become popular. This format allows hosts to connect with guests globally, offering flexibility while maintaining decent video quality. Adding backup recordings and professional lighting enhances your production value, even in remote setups.

4. Animated Podcasts

Animated podcasts use visual storytelling techniques, such as animation or graphics, to complement the audio. This format works well for fictional narratives, educational content, and explainer podcasts, giving creators complete creative freedom while standing out in the competitive podcast landscape.

Now that you’re familiar with the different types of video podcasts, it’s time to focus on bringing your idea to life. Whether aiming for a high-end studio setup or a remote interview series, following the proper steps will ensure a smooth launch.

Steps to Launch Your Video Podcast

Starting a video podcast may seem daunting, but breaking it into actionable steps makes it achievable. Below is a step-by-step roadmap to help you get started.

Step 1: Gather the Necessary Equipment and Tools

Investing in high-quality microphones, cameras, and lighting kits ensures crisp audio and video. A reliable webcam and headphones are crucial for remote recordings. You don’t need to splurge on expensive gear—options like the Logitech BRIO webcam and Audio-Technica ATR2100x microphone can get you started.

Step 2: Choose the Right Software for Recording and Editing

Selecting the right software is critical for seamless recording and editing. OBS Studio and Riverside.fm are widely used for recording video podcasts.

For efficient post-production and content repurposing, Recast Studio simplifies the process by generating clips and branded content from your episodes. You can then distribute these clips across platforms like YouTube and Instagram.

Step 3: Record Your Episodes with Professional Tips

Set up in a quiet, well-lit environment to ensure high production quality. Before recording, test your microphone, camera, and software settings. If you're hosting remote guests, send them guidelines to avoid technical issues. Practice with a test recording to resolve any last-minute glitches.

Step 4: Edit Videos for Quality Enhancement

Editing brings your podcast to life. Use Adobe Premiere or Recast Studio to cut out unnecessary parts, add intros, and enhance visuals. Recast’s intuitive interface lets you quickly repurpose content into shorter clips, making your editing process more efficient.

Step 5: Publish and Promote Your Podcast

Once edited, upload your podcast to YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Use SEO-optimized titles and descriptions to improve visibility. For promotion, share podcast snippets on Instagram and LinkedIn and embed them in newsletters. Recast Studio streamlines this by offering ready-made social media clips and templates for effective cross-promotion.

Following the right steps will set the foundation for your video podcast, but ensuring long-term success requires more than just good equipment and editing. By implementing industry best practices, you can elevate your podcast and keep your audience returning for more.

Best Practices for Video Podcasting

A successful video podcast goes beyond recording and publishing—it requires careful attention to detail in accessibility, content repurposing, and audience engagement. Here are some essential practices to adopt in 2024 to keep your video podcast thriving.

1. Captions and Accessibility Matter

Adding captions or transcripts ensures your content is accessible to a broader audience, including those with hearing impairments. Captions also boost SEO by providing more textual content for search engines to index, which can improve discoverability on platforms like YouTube.

2. Repurpose Content for Multiple Platforms

Video podcasts create a wealth of content that can be repurposed across social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Recast Studio simplifies this process by allowing creators to extract clips, create social posts, and generate branded snippets. This makes it easy to promote your episodes and maintain engagement between releases.

3. Optimal Framing and Lighting Techniques

Professional framing and lighting elevate the visual appeal of your video podcast. Use natural or diffused lighting to avoid harsh shadows, and align the camera at eye level for a natural, conversational feel. Framing your subjects properly—with balanced headroom and transparent backgrounds—enhances the viewing experience.

4. Consistency is Key

Establish a consistent release schedule to build trust with your audience. Whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, consistency helps with audience retention and makes it easier for listeners to incorporate your podcast into their routine.

5. Engage with Your Audience

Encourage viewers to leave comments and questions and respond to them regularly. YouTube’s community tab and platforms like Instagram Stories offer excellent opportunities to connect with your audience through polls, questions, and feedback. Consistent engagement helps create a loyal community around your podcast.

Now that your video podcast is running smoothly with the right tools and best practices, it’s time to explore how to turn your passion into profit. Monetization is not just an add-on—it’s a crucial step toward sustaining your podcast and building a revenue stream.

Monetization Strategies

Creating great content is just the beginning; monetizing your video podcast allows you to sustain and grow your efforts. Here are some of the most effective strategies for making money from your video podcast in 2024.

1. Sponsorships and Ads

Sponsorship deals are one of the most popular ways to monetize. You can work with brands that align with your podcast’s niche, offering ad spots at the beginning, middle, or end of each episode. Platforms like Spotify make it easy to integrate advertisements directly into your content.

2. Affiliate Marketing and Merchandise Sales

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services and earning a commission from every sale made through your referral link. Many podcasters also design branded merchandise—like T-shirts or mugs—which can build a sense of community while generating revenue.

3. Fan Funding and Donations

Platforms like Patreon and YouTube’s fan funding features enable you to ask your audience for direct support. Offering exclusive content or early access in exchange for small donations fosters a loyal listener base and provides a steady income stream.

4. Repurposing Content for Paid Courses or E-books

Use Recast Studio to repurpose podcast content into value-added products like e-books or online courses. You can bundle lessons or insights from multiple episodes and offer them as premium content, opening up new revenue streams while providing additional value to your audience.

5. Membership Tiers and Exclusive Content

Introduce a membership model where subscribers can pay for exclusive episodes, behind-the-scenes content, or live Q&A sessions. This strategy works well for podcasts with niche content and a dedicated fanbase.

With a solid understanding of how to monetize your video podcast, you now have the tools to engage your audience and build a sustainable content business. The next step is to bring it all together and start your video podcast journey with confidence.

Conclusion

Starting a video podcast in 2024 is an exciting opportunity to create content that resonates with a broader audience, using the power of video to tell your story more effectively. Whether diving into remote interviews, studio recordings, or animated storytelling, staying consistent, creative, and connected with your audience is key.

Platforms like Recast Studio make the process more manageable, from repurposing content to driving social media engagement. As video continues to dominate digital platforms, now is the perfect time to join the trend and make your mark in the podcasting world.

So, embrace the video podcasting landscape enthusiastically, whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or just starting. Equip yourself with the right tools, follow best practices, and keep experimenting—your audience is waiting to hear (and see) your story unfold.