Video podcasts are getting their fair share of buzz right now. As marketing assets that bind the audience, video podcasts drive engagement and increase brand awareness. Not to discount their power to stand out from audio podcasts.

If you have been wondering what a video podcast is and how to make one, this guide will share everything you need to know about creating terrific video podcasts for your brand.

What is a Video Podcast?

A video podcast is a mix of audio and visual content, which is usually episodic. In simpler words, it’s a podcast with a video.

Video podcasts can be recorded or live, and they can have just a static image or a professionally-produced video with hosts and guests.

By being more than just a piece of audio, video podcasts drive higher engagement by leveraging visual elements like body language, facial expressions, graphics, etc. Plus, they offer the audience the feeling of being there in the room while the recording or conversation is happening. This has further fuelled the demand for video or visual podcasts.

Types of Video Podcasts (+ Examples)

If you’re looking to get creative with video podcasts, here are a few types you must know about along with some inspiring video podcast examples:

1. Solo Podcast

Much like a monologue, a solo podcast is where only one speaker talks in the entire episode. This type of video podcast is a safe bet for creators who want to tell a story, discuss ideas, or share insights on a topic of interest.

For example, this video podcast from Latasha James, in which she shares her content marketing strategy for 2022.

2. In-Studio Interview

Given that interviews are not uncommon in the field of entertainment, you can include them into your video podcast strategy to record meaningful conversations.

Invite a guest or more for this podcast style, and you can leverage the branding opportunities it offers by taking your brand in front of your guest’s audience. Take a look at this video podcast from WVFRM Podcast for inspiration:

3. Remote Interview

If you’re looking for a more straightforward interview, switch to the remote episode style. Rather than in-person attendees, this one involves hosting an interview with virtual guests. It is particularly helpful when the host and the guest(s) are not located at the same location, and you need an opportunity to interact with more followers than otherwise possible.

This episode of Kotlin by JetBrains is a great example of a remote interview done right:

4. Conversations/Chit Chats

Now, deviating a little from the interview mode, the conversation-style video podcast is where two or more people engage in a conversation. Unlike an interview where the host asks questions from the guest, a conversational podcast is where everyone is a host and shares insights on a topic.

Here’s an impressive example of a casual chit chat style podcast from Mario Visions:

5. Static Image

Looking for a quick and easy way to create a video podcast? A static image can get you going. Although you can use guests’ pictures for a professional look, wear your creative hat and incorporate branded elements to foster brand identity with your visual podcasts.

SmartLess is the perfect example of a static image style video podcast:

6. Animated Video

As huge fans of animated videos, we really love the animated style of video podcasts. This podcast type offers the perfect space to add elements for sparking conversations, increasing engagement, and hopping on major trends. Think motion graphics, animated characters, special effects, and even audiograms.

Apart from improving the chance of discovery, this style is also cross-network promotional.

This episode from Rupert Spira is an excellent example of an animated-style podcast playing to its strengths with a waveform animation.

7. B-Roll Footage Podcast

B-roll footage video podcasts are unique. Although not as popular as static image or interview-style podcasts, these are still exceedingly engaging. A b-roll style podcast has an audio set over b-roll footage (short clips). While producing this video podcast type can be time-consuming, the results are usually worth the time.

Below, see how Rich Roll aces this format and makes us fall in love with those stunning b-roll shots rolled perfectly into a podcast:

8. Educational Podcast

For brands or creators who want to teach or explain something about a topic, the educational podcast type is worth trying. Think of it as a workshop but in podcast style. It could be recurring or one-time and may need a whiteboard to make the teaching easier.

This episode on stopping procrastination by Dr Rangan Chatterjee is one solid example of an educational video podcast:

9. Comedy Podcast

This is an incredible format that you can try if you love comedy. It works great at creating a bond between the viewers and the podcaster, as evident with this episode from AreYouGarbage? Comedy Podcast:

How To Make Your Own Video Podcast

Irrespective of the goal you want to achieve through your video podcast, here’s how to start a video podcast:

Step 1 – Choose a topic and format

Begin by selecting the topic you want to create content on. Next, choose the type of video podcast that will best suit the theme or the topic you’ve chosen. Both these things would depend on your audience and the CTA you want to achieve through the podcast.

That said, make sure that your chosen topic is engaging enough to grab eyeballs and relevant enough to add value to the viewers.

After picking the topic and format, create an outline of how you will record the video and the content you’ll be sharing with your audience. While you can simply jot bullet points to decide the flow, you can also get as detailed as writing the entire video script.

Step 2 – Set up the studio

Next, decide on the tools needed to create the video podcast. From the camera to the microphone and even the recording software, ensure you have the proper setup according to the format you’ve chosen.

Also, take care of the lighting. It should be adequate to deliver a high-quality video podcast and positioned in front of the subject to avoid silhouette.

Step 3 – Record/capture the video

Depending on the format you choose, go ahead with the recording. For example, if you’ve to record a b-roll video podcast, you’d need to capture the footage from different angles and arrange the cameras, mics, and lights accordingly. Then, whenever ready, go to your podcast recording software and capture the video.

If you are producing a live video podcast, make sure you have reliable live streaming software that can help you create professional-quality video podcasts.

Pro Tip: Even if you don’t feel like recording yourself on video while podcasting, you can still turn your audio recording into a video podcast using Wave.video. Upload the audio file from your podcast episode, choose a still or animated visual to accompany the audio, add an audiogram, and you’re good to go! You can also use one of our professionally designed video templates for podcasts to save time and effort. Here’s an example of how it can look:

Step 4 – Make edits

Edit your video podcast after it’s recorded to share a polished and well-crafted video podcast with your audience. From cutting a few scenes to adjusting the colors and adding subtitles, there’s a lot that you can do to create an engaging video podcast.

You’d also need to create a thumbnail that generates enough interest to get some clicks. Add the podcast title, episode number, and some fun visual elements to make an eye-catching thumbnail for your video podcast. You can use Wave.video’s thumbnail maker and choose a template or create a catchy thumbnail from scratch.

Step 5 – Upload your video podcast

One of the key steps in creating a video podcast is to upload it to a hosting platform. When it comes to getting noticed, YouTube can give your podcast a sufficient amp. But if you want to strengthen the monetization capabilities of your video podcast, consider hosting it on a platform like Podbean.

You can also host it on a platform that you created it on. Podcastle has made it beginner-friendly and intuitive for podcasters to handle the entire podcast creation process. It provides a fully stocked arsenal of tools and features for podcast recording, editing and enhancement, and now also distribution. Whether you’re already using Podcastle or considering it as your podcast creation tool, their newly launched podcast hosting hub integration allows for a seamless and streamlined experience.You can also consider Twitch and Spotify to expand the reach of your video podcast.

Step 6 – Share and promote your podcast

Building buzz around your podcast does more than just boost its visibility. For example, when you market your video podcast on social media, you can improve its search engine ranks with optimized titles and descriptions on your chosen marketing platforms.

From sharing a link to your video podcast on social media sites like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to embedding it into a blog post, there’s a lot that you can do to maximize views and search engine rankings.

Step 7 – Track the performance

As with any other content asset, tracking the performance of your video podcasts is critical to its success. Use data analytics tools to determine an episode’s watch time, view count, shares, and other metrics to understand which segments of your podcast are most relevant and engaging to your audience and which ones need tweaks to generate momentum.

Essential Tools for Video Podcasting

Although you can create a video podcast using just a phone, there are a few essentials that can significantly increase the quality of your podcast. Let’s take a look at them:

Computer

Having a good computer exponentially boosts your ability to record, edit or live stream your video podcasts. While you can have a Mac or a Windows laptop or desktop, ensure that it’s powerful enough so that you can do all the recording process and run the streaming software without any lags.

Camera

Your video podcast’s success strongly depends on the camera you use. Though a 4K camera works amazingly well, a 1080p camera does a pretty good job too. Consider investing in multiple cameras if you want to enhance your podcast’s production quality dramatically. A multi-cam approach is also helpful for interview-style video podcasts.

Microphone

You can’t imagine a podcast without that deep, rich sound that this content asset is famous for. Plus, no matter how valuable your podcast content is, you’re likely to lose to your competition if the sound isn’t amazing.

So, to ensure that your video podcast sounds pleasant, get an external microphone. And, if you are seeking that clear, crisp sound, picking a mic that cuts through the background noise can always help.

Lighting

A well-lit place can make a huge difference in how your video podcast looks. While a three-point lighting setup consisting of a key light, a fill light, and a backlight is perfect for making studio-grade video podcasts, if the budget doesn’t allow it, you can always opt for LED lights to light up the room evenly.

Headphones

Not a necessity, though, but something that can elevate your podcasting experience is a pair of quality headphones. Headphones not only block unwanted sounds from distorting the audio but also offer proper comfort to help you focus on the content better.

Mic Mount/Stand

If you’ve chosen a USB microphone for your video podcasts, you will get a built-in stand. But if you’re using something else, you may want to invest in a mic stand for ease of use and maintain a proper distance between the mic head and your mouth.

Tripod

Any exceptional video podcast begins by planning the entire setup well. And an integral part of that setup is a tripod to record shake-free footage. Don’t forget to consider the tripod’s quality while choosing one, as you want something durable enough to hold the heaviest of cameras with utmost ease.

Pop Filter

If there’s something that annoys a podcast’s audience the most, it is those loud “P” and wind sounds. Luckily, many mics come with built-in filters to avoid plosive sounds. However, if you don’t have a high-end mic or don’t wish to upgrade, you can buy a pop filter and attach it to your mic stand to avoid plosives from ruining your audience’s experience.

Internet Connection

To avoid wi-fi woes from hampering your video podcast’s experience, make sure you have a stable and high-speed internet connection in place. Besides helping you during a live video podcast, it’s also useful for editing, uploading, or sharing your recorded podcasts.

Final Words

Paying attention to little things while making a video podcast can increase your reach. You can easily record a video podcast or host a live video podcast with Wave.video. Plus, you can add branded elements to strengthen brand identity, which is a key pillar of your podcast brand.

To learn more about live streaming, check out this essential guide to live streaming.