Should You Record Video or Audio for Your Podcast?

The Arguments for Audio

One of the great things about podcasting is the sound. It sounds obvious to say it, but listening to someone speak in your ear, or having two people have a deep conversation, is compelling.

I hope that podcasting never gets away from these roots. If your impulse is to record audio, I’d say go with it. Listeners will dive in to your conversations and you’ll automatically give them more flexibility about where and how they can listen. They’ll find more time for your show in their schedule.

The Arguments for Video

If you’re making a podcast that may appeal to people who use YouTube often, then you basically have to record video. YouTube is its own special animal. You’ll turn up in search more often, but you’ll have to play by YouTube’s rules. You’ll need SEO-friendly show titles and you’ll need to make short clips you can use for promos.

When recording video, your recording environment becomes really important. You may not have a studio, but you will need a “set” — a place with a background that communicates what you need to say about your image. Lighting is as important as a good microphone. Your webcam might need an upgrade. You’ll need to put more time into prep before recording: Your “Zoom shirt” may not be enough.

The Compromise

With some of the podcasts we’re recording now, we record both audio and video, but only use the video for Instagram promotions and short YouTube clips. We get the value of being discovered on those platforms, but our guests are more relaxed about the recording sessions knowing that only a small part of the video will be used.

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