Maybe you’re already running an audio-only podcast, but you’re thinking about upgrading your show. Or perhaps you’re thinking about jumping in with both feet and creating a brand-new podcast with video.
But you may not feel sure how to get started, or you’re wondering if it’s something you can handle on your own.
If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. This article discusses exactly what you should know about starting a video podcast, plus its required equipment, setup process, and how to host, distribute, and grow your show.
P.S., this is a step-by-step to starting your video podcast, not necessarily recording one. You can learn more about recording video podcasts in our comprehensive guide.
- A Quick Introduction to Video Podcasting Fundamentals
- The Bottom Line on Starting a Video Podcast
A Quick Introduction to Video Podcasting Fundamentals
There are many different reasons why podcasters upgrade from audio to video. Sure, it might cost more (and is typically more complex than audio only), but the benefits speak for themselves.
For example:
- Video podcasts come with more platform opportunities and, therefore, a higher audience reach. For example, you can upload video podcasts on platforms like YouTube or post shorts on TikTok, which can reach millions of potential viewers who might not have otherwise listened to your podcast.
- Video podcasting may offer more monetization opportunities. Apart from subscriptions, ads, and read-based sponsorships, you can run visual ads on your show or partner with other sponsored brands that are only interested in shows with visual elements.
- Video podcasting may help boost SEO. For example, you might repurpose your content into blog posts, social media snippets, or audiograms. Alternatively, you might embed video content directly on your podcast website, which may improve site visit times, user engagement, and backlinks. You can learn more about podcast promotion strategies here.
Video podcasting offers an edge over audio podcasting, but keep in mind that it still requires more consideration than audio-only shows.
The good news is, it’s not as complicated as you might think.
This five-step guide explains the components in greater detail, including required equipment, recording software, production workflow, hosting and distribution, and growing your show.
Step 1: Gathering Essential Video Podcast Equipment
As you probably guessed, the first step in starting a video podcast is gathering the essential video podcast gear. This includes basic audio equipment such as microphones, mixers, and audio interfaces (which we’ll assume you already have or are already considering for your show).
You also need to consider the following for a video podcasting studio:
- Podcast cameras
- Podcast laptops
- Podcast lighting
- Podcast recording accessories
- Podcast headphones
Not sure how to set these up? You can compare your options and timetables in the following chart:
| Equipment Type | Setup Guide | Estimated Setup Time | Tips from the TPC Team |
| Camera | Mount to tripod or monitor → Connect via USB or HDMI → Adjust focus and exposure | 10 to 15 minutes | You might use webcams for solo shots and DSLRs for pro multi-guest setups |
| Lighting | Position lights at 45° angles → Adjust brightness and warmth → Avoid overhead lights | 10 minutes | Soft, diffused lighting may be best for skin tone and mood, but experiment with your space to see what looks best |
| Laptop | Install software → Connect external devices (camera, mic, lights) via USB or audio mixer/interface | 10 to 20 minutes | You may want to prioritize RAM (16GB+) and SSD storage for video editing |
| Headphones | Plug into laptop or interface → Test sound levels before recording | 2 to 5 minutes | You can use closed-back headphones to help prevent mic bleed while editing video |
| Recording Accessories | Depends on the accessory | 10 to 15 minutes | Don’t overlook cable quality. More often than not, bad/cheap cords = bad/cheap signal. |
💡 Related: Video Podcast Equipment: Cameras, Microphones, and More
Pssst — looking for a more in-depth breakdown of your actual equipment options? Check out our ultimate guide to video podcasts here.
Step 2: Selecting Recording Software and Platforms
You need one of two types of recording software for a video podcast: an editing tool for local recordings, or a program designed to capture remote recording sessions (aka, cloud recording).
There’s truthfully no such thing as the best video podcast software; only the software that makes the most sense for your podcast.
The trick is assessing both types, then comparing them against what you want for your show.
Let’s break it down.
How To Set Up In-House Recording Software
In-house recording software refers to recording technology designed to record your podcast in person. This means setting up a camera, tripod, or recording studio to capture yourself and your hosts within the same room.
There are many different types of cameras and setups to choose from, whether you want multicam, a single shot, or just a webcam attached to your built-in recording software.
You’ll just have to pick recording software that works directly on your computer, like:
- Your built-in webcam
- DaVinci Resolve
- Clipchamp
Each recording platform has different use cases and setup processes, but you typically just have to download the software, follow the setup wizard, and use built-in tutorials to get acquainted with the dashboard.
You can learn more about recording setup and techniques here.
How To Set Up Remote Recording Software
Remote recording, sometimes referred to as cloud recording, lets you record podcast video from multiple locations. For example, you might record yourself and your host in Virginia, then capture remote guests joining in from Canada, California, and Texas.
There are many different types of in-house recording tools:
The setup will depend on the software in question. However, it’s usually as easy as logging into your account, starting a room, or sending an invite, then pressing record once everyone is on your call.
Learn more about remote recording best practices.
Step 3: Creating a Production Workflow
The next step is creating a post-production workflow that takes your podcast from video clips to a fully fledged production.
The biggest piece of this puzzle is editing your clips together, which will look very different depending on the structure, setup, and presentation of your show.
You could always delegate the work to a trained podcast production team. Alternatively, you can build a workflow yourself using podcast editing software.
There are a few popular options worth considering:
- Descript: Great for adjusting video and audio using text-based edits (aka transcripts).
- Adobe Premiere Pro: Once considered the gold standard of video editing, it’s now mainly efficient for those already using the Adobe Suite.
- Hindenberg PRO: Lighter on video editing tools, but still allows you to master video alongside your audio.
Sidenote: You might want to consider recording in batches so you can complete your editing all at once.
Regardless of the software you pick, there are a few basic editing functions you should know how to perform. We break it down in this handy chart:
| Editing Function | What It Does | Why It Matters |
| Trimming | Cuts the beginning or end of a clip | Removes dead air, mistakes, or awkward pauses |
| Splicing | Joins multiple clips together seamlessly | Combines takes or segments into one smooth video |
| Cutting | Splits a clip at a specific point | Let’s you rearrange, delete, or insert footage easily |
| Transitions | Adds visual effects (e.g., fades or wipes) between clips | Makes scene changes feel smoother and more professional |
| Text Overlays | Adds captions, titles, names, or callouts | Helps explain visuals, introduce guests, or add context |
| Audio Syncing | Aligns separate audio (mic) with video (camera) | Ensures lips match audio and improves sound quality |
So, when and how do you decide to edit your video? Again, it mostly comes down to your show and personal preference.
That said, this is the workflow we follow at The Podcast Consultant to ensure the highest quality final product:
- Download and compile all necessary files
- Process the audio with about a dozen hand-picked plugins and apps
- Make preliminary cuts for unused sections or compliance reasons, if necessary, before assigning to a skilled editor
- Ensure lighting and color are good in the video, apply LUTs or other visual processing, and compress raw video thereafter as needed.
- Cut as many filler words, pauses, double speak, cross talk, stutters, and false starts as possible, while prioritizing the natural smoothness and visual flow of the podcast — so you sound smart without sounding like a robot! For video podcasts, avoid over-editing, or you’ll end up with a choppy mess visually!
- Finishing touches with music, graphics, and other audio or visual cues
Step 4: Distribution and Publishing
You have your podcast recorded, edited, and published. Now it’s time to publish and distribute.
The easiest way to do this is to find a video podcast host offering built-in features for distribution and syndication.
You can learn more about choosing a podcast host here.
But if you just want some base suggestions, you might consider:
- Spotify for Creators: Plenty of video hosting features for podcasters, plus additional monetization opportunities.
- YouTube: Easy to optimize for SEO with a good video description, keyword placements, and more.
- Cohost: An up-and-coming host and distributor working on a feature that will let you distribute podcasts to multiple platforms (yet to be released).
There are plenty of other podcast hosting options depending on your needs, but with these as a starting point, let’s take a look at the step-by-step process.
How to Publish a Video Podcast
The first step is publishing your video podcast on a podcast host that supports video.
We already gave you a few options above. But for the sake of simplicity, let’s assume you’re uploading directly to a podcast host.
Here are the general steps it takes to publish a video podcast:
- Export your final video. Using your editing tool (e.g., Adobe Premiere, Descript, iMovie), you can export your podcast for universal compatibility. We recommend 1080p MP4 at the least.
- Create a compelling thumbnail. You can use tools like Canva or Photoshop to design podcast artwork.
- Write a strong title and description. We recommend keeping your title short and searchable, with a few keywords and CTAs where appropriate. Don’t forget to add guest links and resources (if relevant).
- Tag your episode with metadata. This, of course, depends on the podcast host in question. Some video hosts allow you to add relevant tags, categories, and episode numbers to organize your content and improve discoverability.
- Double-check your settings. You should keep an eye out for issues with episode numbers, then make sure you’ve scheduled the proper publication date and/or uploaded the correct artwork.
How to Distribute a Video Podcast
First, make sure your video podcast host supports podcast distribution. If not, you should sign up for platforms such as Zencastr, Libsyn, or Podbean. This will allow you to set up a multi-platform distribution strategy and get your show featured on multiple platforms.
Otherwise, you’ll need to manually distribute your show. At least platforms like YouTube aren’t difficult to deal with.
But, imagining you’re using something like Zencastr for video podcast distribution, here’s the general step-by-step process you should know:
- Set up distribution channels inside your podcast host or distributor. This includes platforms like YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other popular locations. Keep in mind you’re not restricted to distributing only to other video hosts. Some distributors allow you to transform your video podcast into audio, then syndicate the content to an audio-only platform (like iHeartRadio, for example).
- Next, verify and optimize your RSS feed. You can usually find this in the settings portion of your distribution dashboard, regardless of the platform in question.
- Make sure your video format is compatible with each of your platforms’ requirements. For example, Spotify for Creators might expect certain file formats or audio codecs compared to other platforms, which could interfere with the upload process.
The final step here is promoting your show with relevant clips and links. Some podcast distributors can help you do this automatically (like CoHost), while others require you to do the legwork yourself.
And while we’re on the subject of clips and links, let’s talk more deeply about promoting your show.
Step 5: Growing Your Video Podcast
The final piece of the puzzle is growing your podcast, whether that’s by releasing video content, creating promotionals, or curating other marketing assets.
In other words, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel here. You just need to learn the basics of repurposing your content.
Here’s the step-by-step process of repurposing video content to grow your podcast audience:
- Record with repurposing in mind. For example, you might want to record video from multiple angles to get the right aesthetic for video clips.
- Highlight standout moments to turn into clips. In your editing software, mark out 15 to 60-second highlights, hot takes, or funny outtakes. Then, use them for social media promotion on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or X (formerly Twitter).
- Add captions and branding. This also adds an extra element of accessibility to your podcast. You can use tools like CapCut or Descript to add auto-captions, or use AI tools to automatically clip, cut, and label short videos for publication.
- Export in multiple formats. To save yourself the trouble (and headache) of multiple editing rounds, you might crop and export short-form videos that are compatible with TikTok (9:16), Instagram/Facebook (1:1), and LinkedIn/X (16:9).
- Embed clips or transcripts in your emails and blog posts. For example, you might drop short clips into your monthly newsletter, or add a teaser from the show notes or blog to capture your audience’s attention.
- Turn episodes into blog content. You can use an audio transcript plus a little elbow crease to create articles, listicles, or thought leadership pieces for SEO.
💡Related: How to Build an Engaged Podcast Community
The Bottom Line on Starting a Video Podcast
Video podcast production needn’t be painful. If you follow the steps listed above and are willing to put in the work, you’ll be well on your way to creating a thriving podcast.
But there’s an optimal sixth step not discussed above: delegating your video to a trained technical team. This can help with expert audio and video production, software hosting, and more, ultimately freeing you up to focus on other tasks (such as generating and refining your video podcast ideas).
The Podcast Consultant is a leading podcast production partner for financial consultants, financial marketing agencies, and marketers working in financial Institutions. We’ve served hundreds of the world’s biggest B2B financial podcasts with podcast launching, auditing, marketing, and more.
Whether you’re upgrading your podcast or establishing a new show, you can rely on our team to deliver the highest possible quality.
Learn more about delegating your video production process by booking a free consultation.