So you have a podcast, but you want to do something more. Why not add a visual element and make it a vidcast? Are you wondering how to start a podcast on YouTube? Well, we’re here to help.

Podcasts are another opportunity for creators to expand their brands. Adding a visual element to your podcast helps give listeners another sensory medium, which further draws their attention. By merging video and audio, your podcast will have an exciting element that might have advantages over a traditional podcast.

Video footage of a conversation allows your viewers to see your reactions and facial expressions. This is key to a strong introduction of a successful podcast on YouTube, as it becomes more interpersonal between the podcaster and their chosen audience. The video aspect creates an active understanding of the host’s and guest’s personalities, allowing the listener to feel personally involved in the conversation in a pleasant way.  

Pre-existing podcast 

Moving your podcast from streamable audio files on platforms like Spotify and Google Play to YouTube can grow your following exponentially. Existing listeners can put a person to the voice, which provides an explanation for the static image set as the cover for your podcasts on other streaming services. 

Keeping your podcast on multiple platforms will boost your SMO — or Social Media Optimization. Being able to give your audience options leads to a more enjoyable and accessible experience. Someone may be more interested in listening to a podcast on Spotify during their morning commute as a less stimulating choice early in the day, while on a lunch break they may choose to be more visually stimulated while engaged in an activity like eating. 

YouTube as a platform

Since YouTube is obviously focused on well-crafted videos, taking advantage of its features will give your viewers even more capabilities. For instance, you can provide shorter highlight clips of the podcast in which there is a specific topic being discussed to save your viewers time. For longer podcasts, you are able to add video chapters, which sections off portions of your video to organize and title different segments in the progress bar. The comment section also opens the doors for the audience to ask questions and share their thoughts, continuing an interactive experience of the subject matter. 

Visuals for social media 

Having highlight clips of the podcast allows for your great content to be posted to other social platforms. Posting notable points of the video podcast to a wide variety of social feeds serves the same purpose as a movie trailer. These types of posts will hopefully leave the audience wanting more, and thus bringing them to your YouTube channel with greater frequency. Using stories and 24-hour features, as you develop a growing following can give them the ability to swipe up on a link, which will take them directly to the podcast source. 

Video podcast set-up

Having high-quality video footage within your podcast will demonstrate to your audience the level of professionalism you bring to your work; however, adding this dynamic element will require more attention to your set-up and equipment. Steady shots of the hosts and guests are integral to having a successful video podcast, so you may want to consider a multi-camera set-up, which will equally balance every party involved, giving each voice the value it deserves.

A designated space to record your podcast will make the transition into video easier. This can be an actual studio or a personal space you have developed. Having consecutive podcasts recorded in the same format will create consistency with your audience. This space should be clean and give a visual insight into your brand and/or aesthetic using well-chosen and placed decoration. Further, If you choose to not be on camera, there are options if you would still like to post your content on YouTube to gain access to your user base. Using a static image and/or a sound wave for a visual, you may include some element of movement in your video. 

Final thoughts

Using YouTube allows people who may be more inclined to watch videos instead of listening to an audio file to come in contact with your podcast. YouTube as a search engine is the second most used site next to Google to find new resources. It gives you more capabilities to give your listeners exclusive content to engage more with your brand. Having your podcast on YouTube requires more time and effort, and possibly expertise, but it can be hugely beneficial. The more access the viewer has the more likely they will engage with your content and become loyal to your brand.