But let’s be honest, creating and launching a video podcast isn’t the easiest thing. Between juggling the technical and creative parts, you might even find yourself wondering if it’s all worth it. 

Also, with over 100,000 podcasts on Spotify alone, it’s easy to feel like a small fish in a big pond. But don’t worry. Today’s guide will cover everything you need to know about video podcast recording and how to launch your newest content. 

What Is a Video Podcast? 

Put simply, a video podcast is a podcast with audio and video elements. 

The video element could be as simple as a slideshow, or it could be a full-blown production with fancy editing, or somewhere in between. Here’s a nice example from the Higher Learning podcast: 

Just like traditional podcasts that are purely in audio form, you can host video podcasts on major podcasting platforms—Spotify, Apple Music, and so on. For example, the podcast above came from Spotify.

– How to set up a home studio to record videos

Why create a video podcast?

People generally prefer consuming visual content. Why do you think visuals like infographics and, of course, video content are an integral part of most B2C and essential B2B strategies? It’s because they work. 

The same applies to video podcasts — the first reason you should care is that podcast audiences love them. In fact, 46% of podcast listeners prefer to watch video podcasts. 

It’s not hard to see why. 

The video adds another layer of engagement, allowing them to see the host(s) and guests, their expressions, and body language. This can make the experience more personal and engaging for the audience. 

But the benefit doesn’t stop there; it’s also easier to repurpose your video podcasts for different content marketing channels. 

You can easily chop up your video podcast into shorter clips for social media. You can even convert it into audio formats to please the traditional podcast purists. 

The point is that you can squeeze more mileage out of your content and reach a wider audience across different platforms.

– 10 ideas to create social media content

How to Record and Launch a Video Podcast

Ready to give video podcast recording a try? Here are some tips to follow:

1. Determine the podcast format to use and topic

The first step in video podcast recording is deciding on a format that works for you. 

There are four popular formats to consider, each with its upsides and downsides: interviews, co-hosting, solo, and static video podcasts. 

An interview podcast is more like a Q&A session, where you ask guests different questions on your chosen topic.  

This format is an excellent way to bring diverse perspectives into every episode. but it does require a lot of guest follow-ups, coordination, and scheduling.

The second format involves talking to a co-host.  So, you can bounce ideas off each other and offer different perspectives to your audience. 

The key here is finding a co-host you have great chemistry with. While this format encourages natural conversation, be prepared for potential disagreements.

Keep in mind that you can record interviews and co-hosted podcasts in person or remotely. 

In-studio recordings offer deeper connections but require investments in equipment, lighting, and location. On the other hand, remote interviews and co-hosting offer flexibility and cost savings, but be mindful of potential network issues. 

So, it’s up to you to choose the option that aligns best with your budget and desired level of connection with your audience.

If you’re comfortable being the center of attention, the solo video recording format is just for you. It lets you share your knowledge and expertise directly with your audience. A good example is Off the Record podcast by DJ Akademiks.

While you retain control over your content and delivery, your content might also lack the variety other formats offer. 

The final format is static video. This format features pre-recorded audio with a static image or slideshow accompanying it. Here’s an example from the John Robbins podcast: 

Static video is the easiest to create so far. You don’t need much editing, and it can be a good starting point for beginners. Mind you, it’s also the least engaging format.

So, go ahead and weigh the upsides and downsides of each format to pick the right format for you. 

Regardless of the format you’ve chosen, the most important thing is talking about a topic you’re comfortable delivering on. That’s the only way your enthusiasm will shine through. 

For example, if you’re passionate about SEO, you could cover topics like choosing a SaaS link building agency or mastering SEO on a shoestring budget.

– Tips for creating a video script

2. Record your video and audio

Once you’ve settled on a format and topic, you may then proceed to the recording process. 

Start by creating a script that outlines the major sections, questions, and talking points. This ensures that you don’t leave any stone unturned. 

If you’ll be having a guest, it’s important to share this script with them as well to keep everyone on the same page. 

That aside, here’s a rundown of the basic recording equipment you’ll need:

• Camera
• Microphone
• Headphones
• Computer
• Editing Software

For remote recording, you’ll also need podcast recording software. Wavepad and Riverside are great examples. But if you’re recording in person, a tripod, microphone stands, and extra lighting are important to enhance your setup.

When it comes to recording, choose a well-lit and quiet space. 

In addition, it’s always a good idea to capture a separate audio recording alongside your video. There are two reasons for this. 

First up, most video editing software solutions don’t offer the same level of audio fine-tuning as dedicated audio editing programs. And you know audio quality matters in podcasts.

Having separate audio and video files also comes in handy when uploading to platforms like Spotify, which may require that you upload them separately. 

Additionally, converting audio to text is also helpful for generating transcripts of your content. This converts your audience into getting along easily and allows for reusing the blog posts in writing articles or social media updates.

Most video podcast recording software solutions allow you to access the video and audio in separate files. But if you’re recording in-studio, set up an external microphone for a separate audio recording. Then, start both recordings simultaneously for easier syncing post-production. 

Also, for those looking to boost their content creation, consider using a text to video AI tool. This AI technology can convert written text into engaging video content, making it easier to repurpose blog posts or social media updates into visually appealing videos. With text-to-video AI, you can efficiently expand your content formats and reach a broader audience.

– Meet 4 Voice Recorder Models for your Business

 3. Create a customized thumbnail 

Your thumbnail is the first impression you leave on your audience even before they hit the play button. So, if it looks sloppy and unprofessional, it might discourage them from listening to your podcast. 

When creating a thumbnail, you should keep a few things in mind. First, don’t clutter it with too much text or complex visuals. Always aim for clear, concise messages that convey the episode’s theme. 

Also, make sure it’s catchy enough with bright visuals, high-quality images, and engaging graphics.

The text matters, too. So, include a concise, attention-grabbing title that accurately reflects the episode’s content. 

The good thing is you don’t need to be a design expert to create a thumbnail. 

Tools like CapCut, Canva, and Filmora offer templates that you can easily customize. See Canva ‘s templates above, for instance.

4. Start editing, include intro and outro

You don’t want to abruptly jump into your recorded section in the final video, it can be jarring for listeners. That’s where intros come in handy.

Audio podcast intros are usually short upbeat music or sound at the start, which helps with pacing. 

You can use such sounds with your video podcasts, too. But this time, since this is a video podcast, you need visuals to accompany them. This could be motion graphics or a captivating snippet from the episode. 

Your intro should also include your shot title, episodes, and maybe quotes to keep your audience excited about what’s to come. 

Ideally, your intro also shouldn’t exceed five to ten seconds. Plus, you need to keep it consistent across your podcast videos for recognizability.

When people see your intro, they should immediately associate it with your podcast.

As for your outro, you can use similar visual elements used for the intro. But for the music part, you need something less upbeat to ease your audience out. 

Also, your focus in your outro should be recapping what the podcast was about or including a call-to-action (CTA) to encourage audience engagement. 

Your CTA doesn’t have to promote a product. It could also be inviting them to subscribe, leave a comment, or connect with you on social media.

When editing your video to accommodate the accompanying visuals to your outro, intro, and polish your other visuals, all the tools mentioned in the previous section can help, but they have limited features. 

So, if you’re willing to dedicate some time to learning, check out more advanced tools like Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and DaVinci Resolve. 

As for your audio editing, you can use software platforms like Adobe Podcast, GarageBand, or Audacity.

During the overall video and audio editing process, pay attention to basic cuts. Essentially, get rid of unwanted pauses, awkward silences, or any minor mistakes captured during recording.

You also want to keep transitions smooth between video clips, slides, or audio segments to maintain a professional and engaging flow. 

– Basic Video Editing Techniques

 5. Publish and promote video podcast

Now that your podcast is good to go, you may proceed to distribute and publish it. 

For publishing, consider major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can also use popular video hosting platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, or simply upload it to your website. 

But before choosing any of it, ensure that you’ve familiarized yourself with their specifications. For instance, Spotify only supports .MP4 and .MOV files and recommends a minimum resolution of 1080. It also doesn’t support multi-channel audio. These are all important details to keep in mind.

After uploading your podcast, the next step is promoting it. Social media platforms can be your best friend here.

You can share short snippets of engaging content from your video podcast on your social channels to grab attention. 

You can even consider investing in paid social media promotions to broaden your podcast’s reach. With paid ads, you get to target specific demographics and interests, ensuring your promotion hits the right audience.

Another effective strategy is to collaborate with other podcasters in your niche. 

By cross-promoting each other’s content, you can tap into new audiences and expand your listener base.  Below is an example of a podcast collaboration between Web3 Unlocked and the Push Protocol:

On a final note, don’t forget your email list, if you maintain one. You can broadcast your podcast episode links to keep your subscribers in the loop. 

With these promotion tactics in your toolkit, your podcast is sure to gain traction and find its audience.

– How to Choose the Right Video Hosting Platform

Use video podcasts to improve your online courses

Video podcasts have been gaining traction recently because of how personal and engaging they can be. Want to jump on the video podcasting bandwagon? Just follow the essential recording tips mentioned in this article. 

Simply choose the right format, record your video and audio, and design a thumbnail. Don’t forget to edit the podcast and insert an intro and outro. Finally, promote it!

Implement these tips to kickstart your video podcasting journey. You’ll soon reap the benefits of your newest content. 

Producing a video podcast is also a perfect way to record more dynamic and interactive lessons for your online course.

Elearning platform (LMS), Coursify.me has all the necessary features for you to import and integrate content from video hosting platforms such as Vimeo and YouTube.

– Whats is a Learning Management System

Instructors can embed their hosted videos into any of these channels on their page on Coursify.me, leaving their lessons even better and more complete.

Visit our website and take advantage of all the features of our platform to create and sell quality online courses.

The post Beginner’s Guide to Video Podcast Recording and Launch appeared first on Blog Coursify.me.

Why start a podcast?

According to recent data, there are around 1 million active podcasts in the world, available in multiple channels and languages.

A study carried out by Globo, in partnership with Ibope, shows that 57% of Brazilians started listening to podcasts during the pandemic. 

“Podcasts create an intimate relationship with the public, and research comes to prove this by showing that more people have become interested in the format in the context of social isolation. Among the interviewees, reports of people who say they feel part of the conversation on the programs are common and, therefore, feel less alone. Of the nearly 100 million Brazilians who consume some form of digital audio, 28 million already claim to listen to podcasts. This growing interest reinforces our commitment to this segment”, emphasizes Guilherme Figueiredo, Globo’s Head of Digital Audio.

– How the pandemic changed education

Compared to the 37 million YouTube channels that currently exist, this positions podcasting as an excellent marketing channel for your business as it faces less competition. In addition, podcast listeners are supposedly more educated and wealthy, with nearly half of the audience having a college degree.

For your company, this means a market able to value and recognize your expertise in your niche, while being more likely to spend on your products or services.

10 Excellent Podcast Marketing Strategies 

Although there are far fewer podcast marketers than video marketers, the challenge of increasing the number of engaged listeners highly converting, still remains. So how do you successfully market a podcast to help grow your business? Let’s take a look at the top 10 strategies.

1. Distribute your podcast across multiple platforms

As the popularity of podcasting has grown, a number of platforms for streaming this media format have emerged. Some streaming services include Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Deezer, SoundCloud and Spotify. 

To ensure you’re reaching as many target customers as possible, publish your episodes on as many platforms as possible.

A simple way to do this is by using Anchor.fm, which automatically distributes your content to several different channels at once.

2. Optimize your content for SEO

Optimizing your podcast to search engines ensures that you reach more visitors and potential leads.

To do this, include in the title and episode description keywords that your target audience can use when searching for new podcasts. 

– 12 practical SEO tips for beginners

3. Adapt content to different formats

After publishing your episodes, promote them on different platforms, redirecting your content. This not only allows you to reach a wider audience, but it also generates more content for your other channels, contributing to the SEO and your periodic updates.

Here are some ideas for repurposed podcast episodes:

• Turn interesting phrases and quotes into social media posts.
• Create a blog post about a podcast topic you’ve published.
• Make infographics that highlight the key points covered in your episodes.
• Cut full episodes into soundbites and post them as videos on social media.

 4. Turn episodes into YouTube videos

While Google is currently implementing ways to make podcasts easier to find, it’s important to note that video still gains more prominence over audio content when a user types a certain phrase in seekers.

Therefore, unless the user enters “podcast” in their search, your material may not appear in the results. One way to make the most of Google’s video preference: Turn your podcasts into videos that you upload to YouTube.

– 5 ways to sell online courses using videos

5. Update your marketing via email 

If you’ve already started build your mailing, make sure your audience knows about your podcast by adding a link to your program in their email messages.

Even if you send out newsletters that don’t promote new episodes, you can remind your users of that content using a dedicated button or section.

6. Mention other companies and entrepreneurs in your episodes

Do you want others to speak well of you? Start speaking well about others. Your business can be mentioned positively by notable people in your niche if you make yourself noticed and talk about them or their brand in your podcast. 

Of course, this recommendation should be sincere and spontaneous, not sounding like a paid advertisement. That way, the person or brand mentioned may even decide to share the episode on their own channel.

7. Invite participants who add value

Over time, it’s interesting to invite people to your podcast who can add high value to your audience. 

This is a win for everyone: you get audience access from your guests when they share their interviews on their network, your guests can reach your audience, and listeners get the chance to listen to extremely experienced people and learn more.

8. Give your guests promotional material 

Make it as easy as possible for your guests to share the episode they participated in.

Share with them your social media posts, images, notes, and even outreach content that they can share on their own email or social media lists.

– How to create an email marketing campaign

9. Participate in other people’s podcasts (guest podcasting)

Try to participate in other people’s podcasts to expand your reach and increase your number of followers. 

Here are some things you should prepare when making a sales pitch to join someone’s podcast:

• Suggestion of 1-2 topics you can talk about in your episode. 
• Podcast hosts need to know why it’s worth inviting you. Show them your website, work, and link to any interview video or podcast you’ve done so they’ll have an idea of ​​how you present yourself.
• Show your listener numbers, followers, engagement data and listeners testimonials .

Benefits of guest podcasting

There are several advantages to being a guest on someone’s podcast, but these are the three most important:

• Establishing your name as an expert

Guest podcasting is a marketing and public relations tactic to get you ahead of a new and bigger audience. It’s crucial if you’re a content creator looking to build a brand for the long term, and it’s one of the most effective ways to do this without having to pay anything.

Being a podcast guest can be more difficult than blogging on an authority site because “places” are limited. But even if the scene is more competitive, it offers a greater return. The fact that you have been chosen indicates that the host believes you have something of value to share.

Likewise, it will really help you establish your authority as a leader and expert in your field. Once you’ve joined an important podcast, you can add it to your website as social proof.

• Reaching new audiences

Another benefit of guest podcasting is reaching new audiences that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to.

Starting a podcast can be expensive and time-consuming, and not every content creator is ready to add an extra platform to what they’re already doing. However, being invited is completely free and requires a minimum investment of time.

Likewise, if you have your own podcast, you have the added benefit of trading (you go to someone else’s podcast and then they go to yours). This allows you to reach new audiences and expand your business.

• Publicize your business

Podcast episodes typically last about 40 minutes. And, according to research, people are more likely to stick to the end and be more involved than if they were consuming content in any other way. 

This provides a great window to connect with your audience. Plus, you get the chance to invite people to check out what you have to offer when they’re done listening to the episode.

10. Always ask for a rating

As your podcast grows, encourage new listeners to leave a rating on each episode. 

Explain how leaving a review, compliment, or simple comment will help your show get discovered by more people in your niche who need help, and even consider encouraging that engagement by hosting a contest or giveaway.

– Tips to Get More Reviews for Your Course

Podcast as a strategy to sell online courses

Now that you have all these outreach tips, focus on creating one of the best podcasts in your niche to get more leads and sales.

Remember that content comes first, so focus on producing high quality episodes first. Once you’ve done that, you can be confident that the ROI of your marketing strategy scales itself.

It is recommended that recordings do not last for hours, with a maximum duration of 40 to 50 minutes, in order not to lose the listener’s attention and concentration.

In the case of online courses, if the episode is necessarily long, a good alternative is to break it into parts, which encourages the student to continue with the classes.

Remember to constantly check the sound quality while recording. Currently there are numerous free software that help very well with this function.

– 12 apps for recording quality video

Finally, upload your podcast to the platform on which your online course is hosted. If you use Coursify.me, this process is quite simple, just upload the material directly from your computer, Dropbox or any other place where it is saved.

Complete Learning Management System (LMS), Coursify.me has all the resources you need to create and sell online courses.

– How to sell courses online

Serving companies and professionals in more than 60 countries, Coursify.me is a dynamic and customizable eLearning platform.

We have three plan options for you to decide which one best suits your needs. Visit our website, test the platform and start creating and selling online courses right now.

The post 10 Strategies to Promote and Market Your Podcast  appeared first on Blog Coursify.me.

Simple and inexpensive to produce, the podcast gained fame through websites that started using the tool as a medium to talk about subjects of interest, being widely used today as a means of marketing and communication.

6 reasons to use a podcast as a marketing tool

Although podcasts are not exactly new, they are growing in popularity as people and companies realize the power to connect audibly with the public.

More than one in five Americans listen to podcasts every month, and that number continues to increase, which makes one thing clear: people want to hear what others have to say on topics of interest to them.

The podcast as a marketing channel is an increasingly used strategy and with good reason, because in addition to their popularity, they are practical to produce and disseminate.

Professionals from the most diverse areas have been relying on this resource for some time, and companies and organizations are also turning to customers and stakeholders with an open podcast. 

– Why Content Marketing is fundamental to your business

See six reasons that show why a podcast is a good idea for you to promote your brand.

1. Relationship

You need to create a relationship with your audience if you want to retain customers successfully. There is no better way to do this than by “showing up” more. Your audience has a chance to get to know you better by listening to you regularly. Thus, they are able to identify themselves and create a deeper connection with your brand.

2. Accessibility

Podcasts can be heard anytime, anywhere. Podcasts accompany listeners while exercising, driving, on public transport or cleaning. Therefore, it is an accessible and advantageous service for your current and potential customers. 

3. Authenticity

Addressing your listeners directly creates trust. Therefore, you should take the microphone and speak without a filter, with transparency and authenticity. To make the podcast more varied and interesting, invite employees, customers and colleagues to participate. Give your listeners a behind-the-scenes look.

4. Assertiveness

Only those who are interested in the subject you discuss will hear and subscribe to your podcast. Therefore, it is anything but broad-based marketing with high waste. You can be very specific about the topics discussed, addressing the desires, problems and needs of your target group. In this way, it retains existing customers and attracts new ones with high conversion potential.

– How to generate leads

5. Scope and sustainability

The distribution of a podcast and its marketing are possible on a large scale and its use has no expiration date. Some new listeners can discover your podcast and access older audios. Regular listeners can review a program to find information they have forgotten or want to understand better. A podcast can be published in parallel on multiple channels, from iTunes to Spotify, increasing its reach.

6. Exclusivity

Creating a podcast can be that extra in corporate communications. It differentiates you from your competitors and attracts attention. Make your network more visible with little effort. Use your experience and let your creativity take over to create unique and attractive content for your audience.

Podcast Best Practices

The advantage of podcasts over files that contain images, such as videos, is that it is lightweight, easy to be processed by any device and you do not have to keep your eyes on the screen. 

The production cost also ends up being lower, in addition to dispensing with all the preparation that a video requires in order not to appear amateurish.

– How to record videos at home

To get your podcast right, check out some tips:

Talk to a niche

Just like your brand and your blog, your podcast should also be targeted to a specific audience. To find out more about your audience and what they want to hear, answer the following questions:

• Who is my audience?
• What do they want to know?
• Which posts are most successful on my blog?
• What questions do I get repeatedly?
• Which social media posts receive the most shares?

You can be as specific as you like and reach a highly engaged audience. Have a goal in mind and determine what you would like to achieve with your podcast. 

– How to use your Blog as a marketing tool

Invite others experts 

Not only will your podcasts be more interesting to hear when there are two (or more) voices talking, but you will also have a great advantage: this expert will also share your podcast with his public.

What does that mean? More reach for your content and better marketing results. Whether your specialist has an audience of 1,000 or 10,000 people, you will definitely be exposed to a new audience of potential leads.

Discuss current and important topics

Podcasts are a great way to discuss the latest news in your area. Probably, if there is significant news related to your niche, your audience wants to know more about it. Enjoy the microphone and share your ideas.

Position yourself as an expert

Use your podcast to prove your authority. If you know enough about a specific topic to fill out a series of 15 or 30 minute podcasts, you are already an expert. But because you are giving your valuable insight for free to others, they will come to see you as an authority.

Advertise on all social channels

Be sure to inform your followers on social media about your new podcast. Create content and calls to action that direct the user directly to the channel where they can access the material.

– 7 Ways to increase your social media authority

Seek sponsorships

As your podcast grows in popularity, look for the best ways to monetize it. Hire a sponsor that makes sense for your brand and is useful to your audience. Sometimes, the podcast host will approach you with sponsorship opportunities, but you can also contact companies and request this assistance.

Look for companies that already advertise in other podcasts, as they are more likely to consider sponsoring you than a company that is unfamiliar with the subject.

Make periodic broadcasts

Do not post on an irregular schedule. People like to plan their podcasts. If you broadcast every Tuesday or Friday, your listeners will be able to organize their schedule so as not to miss any updates.

Another good idea is to create a short series of episodes (10 or less) on a specific topic. However, be sure to schedule them consistently as well. For example, schedule your 10-episode series to go out once a week, always on the same day.

Monitor your audience

You can track your audience through downloads and subscriptions. Do not confuse the two, however. People can subscribe to your podcast, but they rarely, if ever, take the time to listen to it. For this reason, downloads are a more valuable metric than subscriptions.

Use the podcast to advertise your online course and sell more

Recording a podcast is quite simple, all you need is a cell phone, a voice recorder or a simple microphone connected to the computer.

– 4 Audio Recorders Great for Your Business

For editing you can use one of the numerous software available for free on the Internet. One of the most used programs for this purpose is Audacity, that gathers a community of users around the world. With it, it is possible to “marry” the voiceover with effects and background music.

Before you start recording, plan and create a structure of what will be presented with a beginning, middle and end. It is important to insert an introduction explaining which topic will be covered.

The recordings should preferably be short, with a maximum duration of 20 minutes, as more time does not serve the purpose of maintaining the listener’s concentration.

In the case of online courses, if the episode is necessarily long, a good alternative is to break it into parts, modules, which encourages the student to continue with the classes and helps to stay focused.

Remember to constantly check the sound quality during recording. Currently, there are countless free software that fulfill this function very well.

– 12 apps to record quality video

Finally, upload the podcast to the platform on which your online course is hosted. If you use Coursify.me, this process is quite simple, just upload the material directly from your computer, Dropbox or any other platform.

In the educational field, this tool represents an additional support for teaching the most varied disciplines. With the podcast teachers can provide audio recordings of classes that can be accessed when the student has doubts, misses a class or wants to reinforce their studies.

The purpose of using this tool is to present the content in a more impactful way, attracting attention, facilitating the understanding of the subject and stimulating reasoning and debate.

Delivering the material in audio format also allows you to convey proximity and affection through intonation. For this, it must be recorded spontaneously, as in a conversation, with a natural and humorous tone.

– How to better communicate with the student in online classes 

In online classes, the podcast can be used in two main ways:

• Complementary: the teacher makes materials available in audio format in order to complement the training;
• Auxiliary: the teacher selects a certain content / theme for students to research and study and then asks students to record podcasts summarizing what they have learned. 

In short, it is a practical and simple teaching method that brings several advantages for learning.

Complete Learning Management System (LMS), Coursify.me has all the resources you need to create and sell online courses.

– How to sell courses online

Serving companies and professionals in more than 60 countries, Coursify.me is a dynamic and customizable elearning platform.

We have three options of plans for you to decide which one best suits your needs. Visit our website, test the platform and start creating and selling online courses right now.

The post Podcast as a marketing tool: why and how to use it appeared first on Blog Coursify.me.