The Ultimate Video Podcast Guide: Hosting a Video Podcast on an Existing YouTube Channel Vs. Creating a Separate Channel?

Video podcasts are becoming increasingly popular as people look for new ways to consume content. Many podcasters are now considering adding a video component to their show, and one of the most common questions they ask is whether they should create a separate YouTube channel for their video podcasts or use their existing one. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of each approach, and help you decide which one is right for you.

What Are Video Podcasts?

Before we dive into the details of hosting video podcasts on YouTube, let's take a moment to define what they are. Video podcasts are simply podcasts that have a video component. Unlike traditional audio-only podcasts, video podcasts include a visual element, usually in the form of a video recording of the podcast. This can be a recording of the hosts, guests, or other visuals that are relevant to the topic being discussed. I have seen a few that use slides or stock footage instead of a recording of the host, but this is very uncommon.

Advantages of Video Podcasts

There are several advantages to adding a video component to your podcast, including:

Greater engagement: Video podcasts can be more engaging than audio-only podcasts because they provide a visual element to accompany the audio.
New audience: Video podcasts can attract a new audience, including people who prefer to watch rather than listen.
Monetization opportunities: Video podcasts can provide more opportunities to monetize your content, including sponsorships, merchandise, and product placements.
More discoverability: Video podcasts can be easier to discover on certain platforms, such as YouTube, where they can appear in search results and recommended videos.

Where Can You Host Video Podcasts?

When it comes to hosting video podcasts, there are a few different options available. The most popular places to host audio-only podcasts are Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast directories. However, video podcasts are a bit more limited in terms of where they can be hosted.

YouTube

The most popular place to host video podcasts is YouTube. YouTube is the biggest video platform on the web, and it's also the most widely used platform for hosting video podcasts.

Spotify & Apple

Spotify and Apple are also beginning to support video podcasts. If you're using Spotify-owned Anchor to host your content, you can now make a video podcast on the platform. As for Apple, all creators can offer video podcasts on Apple Podcasts for free.

Do Your Audio Podcast Audience Want Video Content?

One of the first questions you might be asking yourself is whether your audio podcast audience wants video content. According to a survey of podcast audiences, nearly a third of listeners prefer to actively watch a podcast with a video component. This data suggests that there’s undoubtedly a demand for video podcasts. Whether or not your existing audience wants a video element might not be the primary reason for deciding to go down this route, though. Instead, new visibility and extra discoverability could be seen as the primary benefit. If some existing listeners want to transition to watching your content, then treat that as an added bonus.

Where Do People Watch Podcasts?

According to the same survey mentioned before, 35% of weekly podcast listeners who prefer podcasts with video name YouTube as the podcast platform they use the most. This is with Spotify in second place (21%) and Apple Podcasts third on 9%. Compare this to audio-only podcasts data and you have Apple top on 30%, Spotify second with 24%, and YouTube third with 6%.

So, if we learn anything from the data, it’s this - if you're looking to boost the appeal of your podcast, consider incorporating some visual elements. Uploading your podcast on YouTube is probably the best way to do this. And you don’t have to stop there, you can also create clips that focus on specific topics or questions and post them as short-form content. This approach can help your podcast gain visibility on YouTube, which is currently the largest video platform available.

Why YouTube is the Best Place to Host Your Podcast In My Opinion

YouTube is an excellent platform for creating evergreen content, which is content that stays relevant and valuable for years to come. It has over 2 billion monthly active users and is the second-largest search engine after Google, making it an effective tool for growing your business and building your brand. However, creating YouTube content requires a different approach than creating an audio-only podcast. Just like any podcast, you need to focus on providing value to your audience and creating content that answers their questions and solves their problems, but but video - you also need to put a lot of focus into the visual quality and editing as well. By putting in the effort to create high-quality content, you'll be rewarded with a building loyal and engaged community who not only loves your content, but you as a person as well.

Here are 5 tips for producing high-quality video podcasts on YouTube:

Invest in good equipment: A high-quality camera and microphone can make a big difference in the production value of your video podcast. Consider investing in a tripod, lighting, and external microphone as well. Nowadays, most newer smartphones have high-quality cameras built right in - so I am not saying you need to spend a lot of money on a camera. And same with lighting, if you’re not ready to invest, you can just use a window with some natural light for now.
Plan and prepare: Write a script or outline for your video podcast and practice your delivery. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment set up and running smoothly before you start recording.
Keep it engaging: Video podcasts can be more engaging than audio-only podcasts, but you still need to keep your audience interested. Consider adding visuals, animations, or other elements to keep the video interesting.
Optimize for YouTube: YouTube is the biggest video platform on the web, so it's important to optimize your video podcast for the platform. This includes creating a compelling thumbnail, writing a detailed description, and adding relevant tags.
Be consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to building an audience on YouTube. Set a regular schedule for your video podcast and stick to it. This will help you build a loyal audience and grow your channel over time.

Hosting Video Podcasts on Your Existing YouTube Channel

One option for hosting your video podcasts is to use your existing YouTube channel. This has a few advantages, such as the fact that you don't need to create a new channel from scratch. However, there are also some disadvantages to using your existing channel for video podcasts, including:

Cons of Using Your Existing YouTube Channel

Confusion: Your subscribers might be confused by the addition of video content if they are used to only seeing your audio podcasts.
Algorithm changes: If your channel is primarily focused on a certain style or kind of video and your podcast is on a different topic, the algorithm might not know what to do with this new style of content, leading to less reach. (This happens with any kind of niche change)
Lower engagement: If you have a large audience for your audio podcasts but they are not interested in video content, your video podcasts might not receive as much engagement as your audio podcasts.

Pros of Using Your Existing YouTube Channel

Larger audience: If you already have a large audience on your YouTube channel, you can leverage that audience to promote your video podcasts.
Cross-promotion: You can cross-promote your video podcasts on your existing channel and promote your audio podcasts on your video podcasts.
Brand consistency: Using your existing channel can help maintain brand consistency across all of your content.

Tips for Hosting a Video Podcast on Your Existing YouTube Channel

And, if you decide to host your video podcast on your existing YouTube channel, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Consider creating a unique style of thumbnail for your video podcast episodes to differentiate them from your other content. This can help catch viewers' attention and make it clear that this is a different type of content.
You can actually use YouTube’s new built-in “podcast” feature. Essentially, you create a playlist specifically for your video podcast episodes to make it easy for viewers to find and watch them in one place.
Experiment with different formats and styles for your video podcast to keep things fresh and engaging for your audience. (Include lots of visuals to make the watching part worthwhile)

Creating a Separate YouTube Channel for Your Video Podcasts

Another option for hosting your video podcasts is to create a separate YouTube channel specifically for your video content. This has a few advantages, including:

Pros of Creating a Separate YouTube Channel

Focus: A separate channel allows you to focus specifically on your video podcasts and create a dedicated audience for that content.
Algorithm optimization: A separate channel allows you to optimize the YouTube algorithm specifically for video podcast content, which can improve your visibility and view count.
Clear branding: A separate channel allows you to create a clear brand identity for your video podcasts.

Cons of Creating a Separate YouTube Channel

Extra work: Creating and managing a separate channel requires extra work and resources.
Smaller audience: A new channel will have a smaller audience than your existing channel, which means it will take longer to build a dedicated audience for your video podcast content.
Fragmented brand: Having a separate channel can fragment your brand identity if you don't maintain consistency across all of your content.

Tips for Creating a Separate YouTube Channel for Your Video Podcasts

If you're creating a new YouTube channel for your video podcast, remember that the same general rules for growing on YouTube still apply, some examples would be:

Creating a strong brand identity for your channel, including a logo, channel art, and consistent colors and fonts.
Optimizing your channel for search by including relevant keywords in your channel description and video titles and descriptions.
Promoting your video podcasts on your audio podcast if you have one and your social media channels to encourage your existing audience to check out your new channel.
Collaborating with other YouTube creators in your niche to expand your reach and grow your audience.
Also, you might want to choose a name that's different from your existing YouTube channel (if you have one) to avoid confusion, but also - I would make sure this is on brand if the type of content relates to your existing channel.

And if you want to learn more about growing on YouTube, check out my YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/katie. I have tons of videos on this topic.

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Regarding hosting your video podcast on your existing channel or a new one, both options have their pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your specific situation. If you already have a large audience on your YouTube channel, and your subscribers are interested in video content, then it might be a good idea to use your existing channel. However, if you want to focus specifically on your video podcasts and create a dedicated audience for that content, then creating a separate channel might be the best choice. Regardless of which option you choose, it's important to optimize your content for YouTube and other video platforms to maximize your visibility and reach a larger audience. If you have any questions about this, feel free to email us at hello@creatorlymedia.com and we might feature your question in an upcoming podcast episode. You can also feel free to send me a DM with questions too!