What Is Video Podcasting And Should You Be Doing It?
When you hear the term video podcasting, it might not seem like the two media elements go together even if you have been dabbling in it. Traditionally podcasts consist of only audio, but lately, there have been large scores of people making the switch to video podcasting. For most content creators, podcasting isn’t a new form of media, with approximately 22 percent of Americans admitting they listen to different podcasts weekly.
You may be thinking, but how does video podcasting factor into those who listen to podcasts? It has recently been estimated that roughly half of all podcast listeners do so at home, which means there is an audience for your video content. We're going to look at video podcasting for beginners by examining everything from what exactly video podcasting is to the video podcast equipment you will need. We will also look at which video podcast software tools are available to choose from.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Podcast Media Kit
✴ What is Video Podcasting?
Before we can look at what exactly video podcasting is, we should first briefly discuss how video podcasting came to be. In 2004 video podcasting was invented by Dave Winer, a former MTV video jockey and software developer, and Adam Currey. Years before this, the pair had spoken of their thoughts on how to improve upon regular podcasting. In collaboration with Currey, Winer wrote a program called iPodder, which was eventually featured on iTunes after improvements from other developing parties.
Now that we know where video podcasting originated, we can delve deeper into what it actually is. A video podcast isn’t much different from a regular podcast, with the only main difference being that video media is added to it. These video elements can be as straightforward or as complex as you would like as there are many different styles and ways of adding video to your podcast. For example, you can choose to do a slideshow, add illustrations, do a Livestream, a Youtube vlog style, or simply utilize an audiogram.
✴ Why Should You Do Video Podcasting?
There are possibly countless reasons why you should make the switch from traditional podcasting to video podcasting. Below we will enlighten you as to why video podcasting is the way of the future despite those who may say it’s a dead form of content media.
✴ Capture Attention
We all know how something visual like a movie is more likely to capture our attention than if we just listen to an audio file. Engaging content that incorporates visual elements is more likely to capture and hold your audience’s attention. By combining various visual elements, you encourage your audience to pay attention, which is likely to mean they retain an interest in what you are projecting.
Adding video to your traditional podcast can also be an incredibly useful tool as you will be able to better get what you are trying to convey across to your audience. Sometimes people won’t understand a particular point in your speech or stream, so adding a visual aid will help them better understand what you are trying to say. You would be surprised to learn that small things like body language, eye contact, and posture play a significant role in keeping someone interested in what you say.
✴ Builds Trust
Unsurprisingly, showing your audience who you are will build a level of trust that you might not have had if you only allowed them to hear your voice. Face-to-face content will let you connect better with your viewership as they will become familiar with who you are, which will help them trust you and your message more. Remember that although adding a video element to your podcast will build trust faster, your content, message consistency, and commitment to your work is what’s going to keep people interested. An active and professional approach while on the camera will go a long way in securing viewers and retaining their interest.
✴ Repurpose Content
If you have been in the podcasting arena for a while now, you probably have a lot of content. You can use this media content to your advantage by repurposing it. You can improve on much of what you already have by adding video content to it. With only a few additional steps in the process, you can have a podcast with video added to it ready for your viewers.
Remember, however, that you will want to stay away from static images when you add video elements as they don’t hold people’s attention very well. Moreover, you can repurpose your content into other forms of media like books and newsletters, which will help you have a more significant reach.
✴ Discover New Audiences
One of the biggest attractions of creating video podcasts is that you will get access to new audiences. Traditional podcasting limits you to a particular audience, but you are opening more audience avenues with video podcasting. When you decide to do video podcasting, you can make Youtube videos or vlogs, Instagram videos, or Live streams.
You can also use various other platforms like Facebook and Twitter to broaden your audience pool. You will need to use high-quality video, and you will have to make sure the message you are conveying is succinct and impactful.
✴ How to Monetize Video Podcast?
Currently, there are predominantly two categories that monetizing strategies fall into, and they are direct and indirect podcast monetization. With direct monetization, you will make money by directly selling your video podcast. Your profits will come from your content, whether in the form of subscriptions or repurposing your media into other media forms.
In contrast, indirect monetization makes you money through you using your podcast as a tool to sell your products not related to it. In this way, you are using your video podcast as a way to market your other products. We have noted below a few strategies you can use to make money with your video podcast.
Ask your viewers directly for donations.
Set up a paid membership subscription service with different payment tiers.
Have a select few premium episodes that you sell outside of a subscription.
Sell your physical products.
Set up and sell an e-course about something you specialize in.
Sell an app, whether it be related to podcasting or something else like fitness.
Acquire sponsorships and sell them or their ads.
✴ Why do YouTube and Podcasts go Hand-in-Hand?
Youtube and video podcasting go together for several reasons. Youtube is one of the best social platforms for audio and visual content. Every month the site generates more than 2 billion views. By utilizing Youtube as the platform for posting your video podcasts, you are more likely to get your content seen by a large active user base.
Another reason that Youtube is a great place to share your video content is that you can use the platform to interact with your audience. This way, you can learn what your viewers like and don’t like and put that valuable feedback into making a better product.
✴ What Are The Benefits of Video Podcasts?
We have summarized a list of a few of the most notable benefits associated with video podcasting so that you can determine if it is something you would be interested in.
Many viewers’ lead busy lives, so video podcasts allow them a short reprieve from their day to day tasks. Your audience will be able to view your podcasts at their convenience, which will help you keep your audience.
Video podcasts will not only make you money but also save you money in the long run. If you are using your podcast as a means of marketing, you are saving costs on traditional media forms like flyers, postage, and printing.
Podcasts are portable by nature, so no matter where your viewership is, they can consume your media as long as they have your content downloaded or an internet connection.
Related: How to Sell your Services to Make Money Podcasting
✴ How to Turn Audio Podcasts into Amazing Videos
At first, you might think that turning your audio podcast into a video podcast would be challenging. Although some methods are more complicated than others turning your audio to video isn’t as hard as you probably think. There are a few easy ways that you can go about doing this, but we will briefly look at the most popular ways podcasters use today.
Utilize an easy-to-use movie app: You can use IMovie or Windows Movie Maker for this method. With the software, you will need your audio file, the audio captions file, and the images or graphics you want to present in your video podcast.
Film yourself while you are recording: This method is easiest if you have the right equipment. You will need lighting, a decent camera, and an excellent microphone. You can either do live videos with this method or pre-record yourself. However, you might need to get yourself editing software if you want your product to be as professional as possible.
Use Microsoft PowerPoint: With PowerPoint, you can create .wmv or .mp4 files, which will allow you to turn your presentation into a video podcast. Additionally, you could save your presentation as a PowerPoint show.
✴ How to Turn Video into Audio Podcasts
Turning a video podcast into an audio one is relatively simple. If you follow the below tried and trusted steps, you shouldn’t have any problem.
Step One: You will need a reliable software program such as Audio Converter as you will need something that can convert your video file into an audio file. In most instances, this will be incredibly easy as all you will need to do is upload the file and select convert while in the software program. Once it’s converted, make sure to download it to your computer.
Step Two: This step is necessary if you need to edit your audio. Most people make their video podcast according to charts and guides and other video representations. This can crossover to audio awkwardly. If your podcast is slightly awkward, you will have to edit your content, and luckily some of the convertor programs also have editing tools.
Step Three: Next, you will want to select an artwork image for your podcast. Again numerous software programs will let you do this. Remember, however, that the image size should be 1400x1400.
Step Four: All that’s left is to upload the content to your host sites such as the Apple store or Youtube.
✴ What are micro-clips, and how to use them?
As known in the podcasting world, micro clips or micro-content is crucial if you want to be noticed. Micro clips are snippets of your video that you want to highlight. These clips you will usually post to social media networks like Instagram and Facebook. Micro clips are great tools to use when you want to entice new viewers to subscribe or have a look at your podcasts. If you don’t want to use the video method, you can do micro clips of images and illustrations of your podcasts as well; this method is also successful with attracting new viewers.
Video Podcasting is often an exciting experience, but it can be confusing. If you want to find out the best video podcasting tools, you can contact the Wave Podcasting today.
✴ Should You Be Doing Video Content?
Ultimately yes, as it would be to your benefit to start doing video podcasting instead of traditional podcasting. You will likely gain a more substantial following across platforms and get your content noticed frequently and consistently. As you now know, video podcasting isn’t much more challenging than audio-only podcasts. With the right tools, you can quickly generate excellent video content, including great micro clips to hook your audience. Video podcasting can make you money if you know how to use your podcasts to generate an income. You can download our growth and monetization guide if you want to learn more about turning a profit by successfully conducting video podcasts.
Related: Common Podcasting Roadblocks and Strategies to Overcome Them
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