A camera on a tripod ready to film a video podcast. The shoot is inside a hipster cafe.

The Pros and Cons of Video Podcasting

By podcast | May 23, 2023

Keeping up with the Joneses can be a tempting strategy in the podcasting game. But before you hit record, let’s pause and unpack the pros and cons of video podcasting.

To video podcast or not to video podcast? That’s the big question we’ll be answering today. Let’s delve into the details to help you decide if video podcasting is the right move for you.

The Pros of Video Podcasting

Visibility On YouTube

Regarding the pros of video podcasting, visibility is number one. YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine and is owned by Google.

Publishing your podcast on YouTube could open the doors to a brand-new audience. A whole demographic is consuming YouTube content, and another group is consuming audio-only podcasts.

There’s some crossover, but if you want to target video lovers who sit and watch YouTube videos, publishing your podcast on YouTube might be a great idea.

By doing so, you could be tapping into a pool of potential viewers and listeners you’re missing out on if you’re not on YouTube.

Remember, your podcast should be everywhere possible. So, think about YouTube when crafting a podcasting strategy. It could drive extra traffic, gain more followers and subscribers, and cater to a different subset of people.

Repurposing Content

The second pro of video podcasting is the ability to repurpose content into shorter clips. These clips are ideal for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube shorts.

Funny moments, profound insights, or interesting tidbits from your guest can all add value to your audience and yourself.

When you film a video podcast, you can create these clips to share across social media. It’s a fantastic way to extend the lifespan of your content and engage with new audiences.

However, people who consume podcast clips might not be podcast listeners. They might enjoy the clips but only sometimes follow your podcast.

It’s funny; many people think that podcast growth is driven by social media. This couldn’t be further from the truth. If you’d like to know how to grow a podcast, check out this article on how to increase podcast listenership.

Nevertheless, these clips are excellent for brand awareness. Ideally, your podcast growth becomes a byproduct of your increased brand awareness.

Regardless, these short clips are great for positioning you and your guests as thought leaders and should help grow your social media accounts.

Plus, many people scroll social media first thing in the morning. Some even before they get out of bed! You want to be seen, and having video snippets from your podcast in people’s eyeballs first thing in the morning will keep you top of mind.

Live Streaming

Another pro of video podcasting is live streaming. You can invite audience members onto your show to ask questions or take calls live. Recording these live streams can then be repurposed as podcast episodes.

When an audience sees your face, studio setup, vibe, and style in real-time, they will likely feel a stronger connection to you than just listening to your audio.

This visual connection reinforces your branding and helps build trust with your audience. The more you’re in people’s faces, the more credibility you build.

Is Video Podcasting For You?

In sum, video podcasting offers many advantages, including enhancing visibility, enabling content repurposing, and fostering audience engagement.

These benefits amplify your podcast’s reach and influence.

However, as with any strategy, it’s essential to consider the potential drawbacks before diving in, ensuring you’re making the most informed decision for your podcasting journey.

Video Podcasting Resources

Riverside.fm – The best place to record video podcasts online. In fact, I use it to record my podcast, Clipped. Use promo code CLIPPED for 20% off any Riverside membership plan. Signup via my Riverside affiliate link.
Veed – A great online platform for creating, editing, and sharing videos. I’ve used Veed a ton, and even wrote an article about it – Veed: How To Edit Video Podcast Clips In Minutes.
Momento – An is AI-based text and video creation tool. Momento takes your transcript and creates video clips based on your episode’s best moments. The process is entirely automated. With Momento, it’s effortless to start pumping out short-form video clips. It’s free to try!

The Cons of Video Podcasting

Increased Time and Expense

Now, let’s look at the flip side of the coin. The first significant con of video podcasting is the increased time and expense of video production. Video podcasting requires good lighting, a suitable background, and a reliable camera.

These things aren’t cheap! All these factors can add to the cost and the time it takes to record a podcast.

You also need to consider the additional commitment of video editing. You might have to edit the video podcast separately from the audio podcast. This might deter some because of the time involved.

Yet, if you can invest, you’ll likely reap benefits in the long run.

You must also factor in a lot more setup time when considering video podcasting. Positioning your camera and dialing in lighting take longer than most people think.

In addition, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got on some stylish clothes, have done your hair, and look presentable.

With video, you definitely have to up your game. It’s something many people don’t think about until their first shoot.

Deterrent for Guests

Another con of video podcasting is that it could deter some guests. Only some people are comfortable on camera.

When you invite someone to be a guest on your podcast, they might be comfortable with the idea of a purely audio-based conversation.

However, being on camera can be intimidating to some people.

They may worry about their appearance and body language, or not feel at ease knowing they’re being filmed.

Moreover, some guests might want to avoid dealing with the added logistics of video recording. For instance, they may need a suitable location with good lighting and quiet surroundings for video recording.

Finally, potential guests might have privacy concerns. Some people are okay with their voices being broadcast but are less comfortable with their faces and surroundings being visible to the public.

At The Podcast Haven, we produce a Data Security podcast for a big law firm. Because of the secretive nature of the show, we often have guests who aren’t comfortable with their visual identity being known.

Obviously, this is a unique circumstance, but it’s just an example that you never know what privacy issues you’ll encounter.

This is a partial deterrent for all potential guests; most people are fine with being filmed. It’s just something to consider when thinking about the pros and cons of video podcasting.

The Skill of Being on Camera

Being on camera isn’t as easy as it seems—it’s a skill that takes time to develop. You must consider your body language, maintain eye contact with the camera, and ensure the mic is well positioned.

All of this while juggling your show prep notes and leading the conversation.

Video Might Not Always Add Value

Video content can be beneficial but might only sometimes translate into the expected results. People might not care to watch your videos if you’re not a known celebrity or podcaster.

Plus, when you try to grow a YouTube channel and your audio-only podcast simultaneously, it’s really draining. Often you end up with mediocre growth on both platforms instead of focusing on one and crushing it.

The Pros and Cons Of Video Podcasting

While video podcasting offers numerous opportunities for brand identity and audience engagement, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The value of video content largely depends on your unique circumstances, including your notoriety, resources, and audience expectations.

Nevertheless, it’s worth exploring video podcasting as a potential tool in your strategy.

Trying this format for six months to a year can provide valuable insights and help you determine whether video podcasting can succeed in the long run.

However, it’s crucial to remember that the effectiveness of this approach will hinge on your goals, available resources, and your audience’s preferences.

Ultimately, deciding to incorporate video into your podcast should be strategic, based on a careful evaluation of the potential benefits and drawbacks.