So, you’re a podcaster looking for new ways to grow your audience and expand your reach? Then now might be high time that you consider incorporating a video element alongside your audio offerings. Incorporating video with your podcast is the perfect way to diversify your content, grow your audience, and add even more value to your podcast community. But let me clear here, I’m not here advocating for you to start a video podcast.
While it’s certainly true that video podcasts have grown in popularity of late, and you can certainly go that route if your heart so desires. But today, we’re focusing on ways you can incorporate videos elements alongside your usual podcast offering.
Because while you can certainly learn all you need to in order to launch a successful video podcast (and we have a post all about it here), a full-blown video podcast does require extra time, extra equipment, extra preparation, and extra skills.
But there are definitely ways you can still incorporate video with your podcast! In this post, we’ll provide 10 simple ways that any podcast host can include video with their podcasts. We’ve got tips for every budget, skill level, and technological competency – read on for some exciting ideas about how to get started integrating video into your podcast process today!
Benefits of Adding Video to Your Podcast
But first, if you’re on the fence as to whether or not you should consider adding video to your podcast, here’s a little extra motivation…
There are plenty of reasons why adding a video componment to your podcast is a great idea. But the top two have to be because 1) Adding video content can help you reach a wider audience. Adding video to your usual platter of podcast offerings allows you to break into new platforms, namely Youtube, and this, in turn, allows you to reach out to new listeners.
And then 2) Video content has been shown to greatly increase user engagement. In many cases, and particularly on platforms like Instagram, videos can be a key driver when it comes to generating higher engagement. In fact, there are studies which show that video content can garner almost twice as much engagement as images and even carousel posts.
Pretty impressive, right?
So if incorporating video into your podcasting process is looking more and more enticing, let’s take a look at some simple, yet effective, ways you can utilize video with your podcast.
10 Ways to Incorporate Video with Your Podcast
1. Create Audiograms for Social Media
Audiograms are short audio and video clips, usually lasting between 30 seconds to one minute. They’re the perfect way to post snippets of your podcast on social media, as they combine audio from your podcast – to give people an idea of what your podcast is about and get them hooked on your content – with video elements – in order to get that attention and traction.
Audiograms are a great way to enter into the realm of video. While not technically video, because there is no video footage, they still fall under video content due to their use of captions or subtitles, and a moving waveform. They are shared as videos on social media, and they’re easy to pull together using platforms like Headliner. So they are a really effective first step to incorporating video to your podcast.
2. Create Videograms for Social Media and YouTube
Videograms are similar to audiograms, but they actually use a video clip from your podcast. So while an audiogram might contain a snippet of audio and some captions, a videogram would contain the same audio snippet, but instead of just moving text and your waveform, a videogram incorporates more movement. Either from the actual video footage of your podcast recording, or something you’ve recorded especially for your videograms.
Essentially, videograms are visual soundbites of your podcast. And videograms are great because, again, they can be used across your social media platforms as a way to garner more engagement. But they’re specially great because they can be used really effectively on YouTube, particularly with YouTube’s introduction of YouTube Shorts.
NOTE: YouTube is making a definite push for podcasts and podcasters on their Platform.
And so transitioning to including some sort of video element for your podcaster could be the next right move for you and your show. You can find out more about what YouTube is offering podcasters here.
3. Create Behind-the-Scenes Footage
Another simple but super effective way to start incorporating video in relation to your podcast is by capturing some “behind-the-scenes” footage, and using these to create some short, fun videos. These videos can then be shared as Reels, TikToks, and Shorts.
Behind-the-scenes footage offers a glimpse into your podcasting process, allowing your audience to see how one of their favorite shows comes to life. Behind-the-scenes footage brings fans in closer. So this type of video content is not only great for engagement, it’s also a really effective way to strengthen the connection between you and your podcast community.
4. Record a Video Q&A Sessions with your Podcast Guests
Another great way to incorporate video with your podcast is to record video Q&A sessions with each of your guests. Again, these can just be short videos, which don’t require too much prep or extra editing.
You could consider creating a video series where you ask each guest the same questions, and then create a playlist on your YouTube Channel or share via your TikTok and Instragam.
You could even potentially use these types of videos as part of premium content packages if you’re looking for unique ways to monetize your podcast.
These types of videos allow you tons of freedom for creativity and finding what works best for your audience. You could always focus your Q&A sessions around the topic the guest was there to share on (again, providing some great video marketing content!) or you could make it all light-hearted and fun with a mix of random questions.
5. Create Video Guest Intros
Another simple way to use video with your podcast is to create video intros for your guest. Your guest could film themselves for you, which would be great! But this idea would also totally work if you simply create a video introduction for each guest.
These would be amazing marketing content! You can share them all over your social media channels. Tag your guest, let me do some sharing too, and these videos will help you grow your audience and expand your reach.
Again, these videos would be fairly easy to pull together – just have a great background and a quality camera (something most smart phones have these days!), write out a quick script, and deliver! And you’ll have a simple way to effectively incorporate video with your podcast.
6. Share Video Teasers for Upcoming Episodes
Following the above, another relatively simple way to start adding video to your podcast offering is to create quick video teasers for upcoming episodes.
Again, these do not have to be very long. And they could just be you reading an enticing teaser, or it could feature some of that behind-the-scenes footage to intrigue and engage your audience.
7. Create Videos to Expand Podcast Content
Another really effective way to add video to your podcast without going the route of a fully-fledged video podcast is to create videos that expand on your podcast content.
Perhaps there’s something you’d love to share in relation to your podcast topic and niche, but it just doesn’t work without visuals. Create videos for this! These can be shared to YouTube and help you reach a whole new audience. They’ll be so hooked on your awesome videos, they’ll be making a beeline to become a part of your podcast community, too!
8. Host a Live Virtual Event
Moving along the scope of video possibilities when it comes to podcasting, we reach live podcasting virtual events! If you’re looking for a unique way to incorporate a video element, and you’re up for a challenge, you could consider hosting a live video stream for special episodes or events.
Not only does this give your viewers a chance to tune in and interact with you in real time, but it can also help you reach a wider audience, as due to the miracle of video technology, anyone from anywhere in the world can join the event.
From Q&A sessions with fans to interviews with special guests, or even a live recording of your usual podcast episode, there are countless possibilities for live streaming content. While challenging, if your audience is eager to engae with you, and you want to build those relationships in more of a “face-to-face” environment, some sort of video streaming event would be a great move.
9. Video-Based Courses
Depending on your topic, niche, and area of expertise, you could consider creating a video-based course in addition to your podcast.
A video-based course could take many forms, from pre-recorded video lessons to interactive webinars where you’re teaching live. Once again, it all depends on the type of topic you have expertise and how this integrates with your podcast niche.
A video course could also be a great way to monetize your podcasting efforts and offer something else of value to your loyal follower base.
10. Start a Video Podcast
Obviously, the pinnacle of incorporating video with your podcast is to actually start a video podcast.
Like we’ve mentioned above, these are growing in popularity. And, if you have the time, the equipment, and the know-how to execute video really well, this could be the next move you should consider making as you seek to grow you podcast, find more monetization opportunties, and cement your authority in your niche.
To Conclude…
In conclusion, podcasting is a powerful tool for creative expression, and incorporating video is just one of the many ways to elevate your podcast.
Besides the above, incorporating video with your podcast allows you, as podcast hosts, to connect with your audience in a more personal way. But remember, you don’t have to launch a video podcast to reap the benefits of video! Embracing the versatility of video is a game changer that can set you apart in a crowded field.
