The Big Question: What’s Your Podcast Video Plan?

One question keeps popping up whenever we develop new podcast shows or refresh old ones: “What’s the video plan?”

It’s the same story at industry events like The Podcast Show in London or Podcast Movement in the US. You can barely grab a drink before someone brings up “the video thing” and asks how we’re visualising podcasts. It’s the hot topic everyone wants to crack.

Video Podcast? The Honest Answer: It’s Complicated

So, what’s the answer? Honestly: It’s complicated. Let’s talk about what you want to achieve so we can get it right. Now, take a deep breath.

Since YouTube opened its doors to podcasts, there’s been a mad rush to film everything. Some shows make the leap brilliantly, especially those with big budgets, professional production, and celebrity hosts who know how to play to the camera. These talk or panel shows are hard to get wrong. But it raises a question: are we making podcasts, cheap TV, or both?

The Reality: Not All Video is Created Equal

As budgets shrink, so does production quality. Many shows are now recorded via production apps using webcams, with AI tools editing to the speech rather than the beat. The result? Contributors who are badly lit, poorly framed, and grainy on screen, with guests’ eyes darting everywhere except the camera. Still, it’s content and sometimes, it’s nice to see the people talking to us, or at least have the option.

Then there are documentary formats, branded podcasts, and audio dramas. For these, a pivot to video could mean re-financing the entire company. Not always practical or necessary.

Back to Basics: Who’s Your Audience? What’s Your Goal?

The answer to the video question always comes back to basics: Who are we talking to, and what are we trying to achieve?

The beauty of the original podcast concept is its simplicity. The RSS feed (Really Simple Syndication) delivers a tiny audio file straight to your device, ready to listen on demand - while walking the dog, at the gym, or driving. Try watching a video in those situations and see how quickly things go wrong!

Video: A Tool, Not a Requirement

Video can work wonders, but sometimes, it just doesn’t. YouTube can help people discover your podcast and boost your ad revenue, if that’s your thing. But always ask: Are we going “audio first” or “video first”?

If it’s video first, go all in and do it well - just don’t forget your listeners. If it’s audio first, you can still experiment with YouTube or other video platforms. Try uploading a still image or simple visual and let the audio play.

The Takeaway: Choose What’s Right for Your Show

The key is to pick the right format for your show - not just follow the latest hype. Focus on your audience, your goals, and what makes your podcast unique. That’s how you’ll get it right  - on audio, video, or both.

Want help figuring out your podcast’s video strategy? Let’s talk!

Video in Podcasts: It's complicated.