When people hear about podcasting the first thing they think about is audio. Listening to podcasts is great since you can enjoy it at any point in your day, whether you’re busy driving, exercising or just getting some work done podcasting is right there just a few clicks away. Video podcasts, on the other hand, is perfect if you’re looking for tutorials, lessons or screenshots on how to do something. Video content attracts a much different audience and requires a different level of engagement for consumption.
However, just because a video podcast demands more attention from your audience doesn’t mean it can’t be beneficial. Turning your podcast into a video podcast gives your listeners that little bit of something extra. On video, your audience is able to read your body language and see your smile, which will create a more powerful connection. Your audience will be able to see the effort and passion you put into every episode, making sure they know how important they are to you.
Although creating a video podcast will build stronger relationships a lot faster it’s also a little more complicated than just recording an audio podcast. You will need a video camera and video editing software. Remember that you can do both; it doesn’t have to be the one or the other. So, let’s dive a little deeper into video podcasting and whether or not it would work for you.
Benefits of Video Podcasting
There are so many benefits to using video podcasts instead of just sticking to audio podcasts. Your listeners won’t just be listeners they will become an audience, engaging and relating to you on a deeper level. You will be able to share your emotions not only using your voice but through body language and facial expressions as well.
Another benefit is that you can use clips of your video podcast to tell your listeners what’s coming next or share these clips on your social media to help promote your podcast. You can also talk directly into the camera instead of just looking down (at the script) or to the side at something that caught your eye. When you’re interviewing a guest, your audience might recognize them where they might not have known who the guest is without seeing their faces. You can also record a skype call if they’re in another location to capture that video element.
Video can also be a great opportunity to get that behind the scenes content and share it with your audience. Showing your listeners around your studio is a great way to give them a chance to get to know you better and see the work that goes into the production of the show.
Challenges of Video Podcasting
To any new venture, there will be some initial challenges. The main disadvantage of video podcasting is the extra time and money you will need to spend to create something worthwhile. Buying new equipment and software might cost you a little extra, as well as the time it will take to gain the knowledge to use the new platforms.
You also need to take into consideration that you won’t be able to cut out big chunks of the video if you make mistakes since the images need to match the sound. You will need to think about what your recording studio space looks like and whether or not it’s time to decorate a bit for the camera. This can be as simple as setting up a specific scene to work around, or you can opt for using a green screen to keep things neutral. Keep in mind, there will be And no more recording in your pajamas if you are capturing the podcast on video! You will have to get dressed and look presentable, to put your best video face forward!
Keep in mind that recording video podcasts might be a bit intimidating at first to your podcast guests. You will have to give them advanced notice that it will in fact be a video podcast episode, and make sure that they are prepared for the recording. Giving them time to prepare will set them at ease and make it a much smoother transition into the concept of video podcasting. Make sure to also let them know how you will be using the video to promote the show and all the benefits that go along with it.
Another challenge of video podcasts on the listener side of things is that it’s harder to consume a video podcast while on the move. Your audience won’t be able to tune in while they’re driving or busy with work. Your video podcast will mostly be consumed when they are relaxed and ready to watch a video. One workaround to this is to create an audio version of each podcast episode as well. This way your listeners can choose what serves them best, depending on how much time they have at their disposal and when they like to consume your content.
What You Need for Video Podcasting
Changing your setup from audio podcasting to video podcasting requires just a few simple tweaks. Of course, you will still need everything you use for your audio podcast – your microphone, your headphones, and a recording device. But to help you make the switch, here are a few basics you’ll need to create a video podcast.
Camera
Luckily, when creating a video podcast you don’t need an expensive camera to have excellent quality. You can simply use your smartphone or use a webcam when recording on your laptop or computer. When it is just you recording in the studio, then a camera setup is ideal for capturing the video component of your podcast. However, when recording a remote interview then your webcam will be a suitable option for video recording.
When recording for long periods, keep in mind that your camera’s memory card might not be able to handle recording for such an extended amount of time. Another great idea is using more than one camera and having angles from both the left and the right. Or you can go for a close-up shot and another angle that showcases the entire room.
Camera Stand
To make it easier for you to have a good angle and shot of your recording scene, it is best to have your camera mounted on a stable stand. A tripod would be ideal, but nowadays there are so many other options that you can use to support your camera.
When deciding on which stand to get, it’s important to keep in mind the height that you will need it to be to get that perfect shot. Since you will be using it mostly indoors there’s no need to buy an expensive and high-quality stand, and since there is no movement in the show you will not need any type of gyro setup either. Do your research, find what works best for your video podcasting setup, and go with the best equipment to fit your needs.
Microphone
This one is a bit obvious (since you’re a podcaster!), and you may already have a great microphone ready to go. But if you’re just starting out then getting a good quality microphone is a key component to a successful podcast, and also your video podcast. Sound quality is crucial!
When recording your video on a high-quality camera, the audio from your microphone will then be recorded separately and synced with the video component in the editing phase. However, if you are recording a remote interview, then your recording software you often have the option of recording one file for both the video and audio components. Be sure to look into each option when making your choice of recording software.
Editing Software
As a podcaster, you might already be familiar with audio editing software, but now that you have the video element you will need to also look into having the right programs to help you edit and compile your video podcast. This will allow you to edit your recorded video on your computer, you will be able to cut out scenes and even extract or insert audio as needed.
There are a ton of great video editing software options out there. The key is to research which will work best for you, get some training in how to use it, or decide whether you want to outsource the editing part of your video podcast. In the meantime, here are a few of our recommended options for editing your video:
Apple iMovie
Apple iMovie is a video editing software made specifically for iOS users. Whether you’re using a Mac or an iOS device, you can easily choose your clips, then add titles, music, and effects to create your completed video file. iMovie even supports 4K video for stunning cinema-quality films, which is great news for your video podcast.
Magix Video Editor
The Magix Video Editor is a Windows-based editor suite that is available in two options: the Movie Edit Pro, which is best for beginners and advanced users, and the Video Pro X, which is best for professional video editors.
Adobe Premiere Elements
Adobe Premiere Elements is a great consumer-level video editing platform that provides automated features for easy video editing. They provide a ton of great instructional material to help you in your video editing journey and their simplified workflows make for quick editing of your video podcast.
Recommended Recording Software for Video Podcasting
When recording your video podcast, now you have to keep in mind that not only do you need your podcasting equipment, but you also need some way to record the video side of your podcast as well. As mentioned above, if you are doing a solo show, then all you need to add is a camera to capture you on video. This can be a simple setup, with your camera mounted on a tripod.
If you are going to be doing interviews for your video podcast, then there are a few options. First, if your guest will be joining you in the recording studio, you can easily capture the interview on your camera. If possible, add in a second camera to capture an alternate angle that will add to the effect of the show, especially since you will be talking directly to each other and not necessarily both looking in the same direction.
However, if your guest is not able to join you in the studio you will have to record the video interview remotely. This can be done by using video communications platforms that enable you to record the conversation and upload the file to the cloud that you can then access afterward.
Here are a couple of options that are most popular among podcasters to help get you started!
Zoom
Zoom is an easy-to-use online communications platform that has become one of the go-to software technologies for podcasters to use. With their all-in-one vision, Zoom makes it easy to conduct remote podcast interviews through video conference, using their mobile app, or simply dialing in on the number. The video option for Zoom makes it a top choice when doing video podcasts, allowing you to record the video while doing the interview.
You can try Zoom out for free to get started on your video podcasting journey!
SquadCast
SquadCast connects podcast hosts, co-hosts, and guests to record studio-quality audio from anywhere. Their lossless audio recording combined with their video conferencing option makes this a great choice for video podcasting. Do note, that SquadCast is currently only available using Google Chrome Internet browser, so you will have to ensure that both you and your guest are set up to use SquadCast prior to the interview.
SquadCasts offers a 14-day free trial so you can test out the platform quality before making any commitments.
For further details and a complete review on recording software options (video and audio) check out the latest post by Buzzsprout on How to Record Long-Distance Podcast Interviews.
Featured image: Jakob Owens
