Whether you’re starting a video podcast from scratch or you’re adding video to the podcast you already have, here are a few things you need! 

As a podcast manager, I’ve seen many (and I mean many) podcasters jump head-first into offering an alternative medium to their podcasts — like video — to get more visibility and deliver more value to their audience.

The problem is, that most podcasters don’t prepare themselves for this new platform, which leads to a drop in quality or even burnout (which is exactly what we don’t want).

So, instead of going in blind, let’s talk about how to start a video podcast and what you’ll need (and why):

How to Start A Video Podcast

A video podcast is just that, an audio podcast paired with a video element, which is typically a video of the podcast host recording the podcast itself.

The very first thing you’ll need to do when starting your podcast is planning it. You need to figure out what you’re going to talk about, who you’re going to talk to, and what your purpose (or goal) is for your video podcast.

Your podcast show title, notes, and episode titles will all lean into the general idea of your show (so it’s a pretty important step). It will help you rank for keywords or search terms, helping your podcast SEO — and allowing you to grow even if you don’t currently have an audience. 

Once you have the basics of your show planned, it’s time to sign up for a hosting platform and prep your podcast to go live. I recommend starting with PodBean and signing up for YouTube, one of the best places to start publishing your videos.

After that, you’ll need:

#1. Recording Equipment

If you’ve been here before, you should know that the quality of your podcast is extremely important in retaining your listeners and converting to clients. Make sure you invest in both audio recording and video recording equipment to make sure you’re providing the best quality to your audience. 

This investment can now make a huge impact on how your video podcast performs and grows. If you need a few recommendations on what to look for, check out my podcast video recording kit. 

#2. Location and Lighting

You don’t need to invest in a fancy set-up, but you should try and choose a quiet place to record with a good bit of natural light. If you can’t find any natural light, look for a ring light for your computer or desk. This prevents poor video quality, which can happen with even the best cameras when the lighting is bad.

#3. Editing and Publishing Software

I’ve already shared my go-to’s for publishing and hosting (PodBean and YouTube), but I haven’t touched on my favorite editing tool, Descript. Descript is ideal for video podcasters because it allows you to edit and transcribe both audio and video files — and can save you hours on creating a high-quality recording.

#4. Engaging Podcast Topics

Just because you’re showing up in multiple places doesn’t mean you can skip creating valuable, engaging podcast episodes! Now is a perfect time to really sit down and plan out your podcast content calendar and list out all of the topics you want to cover on your show.

Your podcast topics will influence how your audience interacts with your podcast — and what they’ll come to expect from you in the future, helping you build a loyal subscriber base.

What’s the Next Step?

Now that you’re ready to launch your podcast and start creating high-value, amazing content, it’s time to focus on growing your podcast! 

The best way to grow your podcast is to market your episodes across multiple platforms. You can share your podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn — even Pinterest! Get into the habit of repurposing your podcast episodes on other platforms to keep showing up without putting more effort into creation and ideation.

And, like always, if you ever need any help starting, launching, or growing your podcast, fill out this form and let us know; we’d love to hear from you!