How to build a profitable podcast.
Should you put your podcast on YouTube? This post shares the answer...
The traditional way to podcast involves audio directories and hosting platforms.
However, there are more ways to get people to listen to you. After all, podcasting is all about putting content out there, and then getting as many people as possible to listen to it right? 👂
Your website is an excellent way to drive traffic and get more core listeners for your podcast episodes, but sadly, not everyone knows your web address. You will have to put in a lot of work into driving the audience to your site.
To grow a huge following, people must easily access your podcast. This makes a case for the use of podcast listening platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
One of such platforms is YouTube, the most prominent content repository platform available on the internet.
Although YouTube is not an audio specific platform, it still gets more audio content listens than other platforms. Studies from Music Consumer Insight revealed that YouTube accounts for 47 percent of music streaming content worldwide. The music industry receives over $1bn in revenue annually from YouTube.
People on YouTube like to listen...
As a podcaster, you do not need to put up a video to be successful. People do not mind listening to content on YouTube whilst they engage in other activities.
If you get your podcast on YouTube, it has the potential to double the current digital footprint of your show. It will increase your exposure, presenting to a platform with billions of visits per day.
Here's a guide on how to start a podcast on YouTube but before we proceed... let's get some simple stuff sorted ;)
Unfortunately, you can't upload mp3 files to YouTube. This site requires video files, so you'll need to convert your audio files to video.
Additionally, you will have to add some video elements if you want to get your podcast on YouTube. It could be as basic as a still image, but you must add something for the background.
Here are four common ways to get your podcast on YouTube:
1. Audio file conversion to video file
This approach is the easiest and simplest one. If you do not have the luxury of time to upload your podcast to YouTube, this is the best step to start with. The process only involves converting your audio file into a video file, then adding a still image/graphic to the background.
Firstly, design the image for the background. You can make that easy by using easy-to-use design software like Snappa, Canva, or Picmaker. These platforms have pre-designed templates, which saves you time. bCast will also do this for you in two clicks once you have uploaded your audio... click here to find out how.
In the graphics, you should include your podcast logo, the host's name, your website URL, and other information essential to your podcast. For the size, the image recommendation on YouTube is 2560 by 2240px, as it gets you the best view across different devices. After you are done with the image design, you can convert the audio file and add the image in the background.
2. Record by presenting into your webcam
You could go further by creating an actual video for your podcast by recording directly into your webcam. On the scale of easy accessibility, this method is the best one when you want to start with actual recording video on YouTube. All you need to do is plug in your microphone to your PC, then make use of the PC's webcam.
However, you have to carefully check that your mic settings are intact when using tools like QuickTime or Zoom to record your video. It could potentially pick up your PC's in-built mic rather than the podcast mic, and this will affect your audio quality.
There are two approaches to post-production editing. It's either you use v-log style editing, where you take out minor mistakes and join the pieces at the end. Or you record the entire episode in one shot, needing little post-production editing. There are several tools, Light works, for example, easy trimming and editing of the video. You can also add effects while editing.
3. Record yourself with a regular camera during episodes
If you use a well-arranged room to record your podcast, you can consider setting up an external camera on your desk to capture you while you speak into the microphone. Several podcasters do this, and one of them is the popular podcaster, Gary Vee.
This method doesn't require a high-end camera, as you can capture high-quality video recordings with your smartphone. You might want to purchase a tripod stand if you don't have one, as it helps you keep steady footage.
You do not need an elaborate set either, as all you need is a well-designed frame that the camera can capture. Set your camera and note the frame it captures; go ahead to design the captured frame and make it look presentable.
In most cases, podcasters that use this style capture their video in one shot. Although this reduces post-production editing, it also means that you must capture a great shot on the first try. To make this work, you should spend more time fine-tuning your podcast script and getting your guest and co-host to do the same for a smooth recording.
4. Capture you and your guest/co-host on the screen
If you use a remote podcast/video tool like Zoom or Squadcast, you can set it to capture video and audio at the same time. To achieve this, you will have to enable video while using the software.
This episode also helps to capture an episode in one take, which means better preparation and fine-tuning of the script before the show, and as there will be no editing after.
Now you know HOW to get your podcast on YouTube, you might question the effort, is it worth it?
YouTube has several benefits, one of them being their vast user base. You can use the platform to grow both listenership and revenue for your show.
A recent report revealed that listeners prefer to listen to comedy-themed shows on Spotify and news on Apple Podcasts. YouTube podcast listeners prefer music, entertainment, tutorial videos, and pop culture. However, that doesn't limit other shows on YouTube, as they also experience success on the platform. The significant point here is that people love YouTube and will listen to your content as far as your content is engaging.
Using YouTube as one of the platforms for your podcast has several benefits, they include:
As earlier stated, YouTube's user base is massive. Several people prefer to get all the content they consume from YouTube, as they are more used to the platform. This set of people rarely find a tangible reason to try other platforms, as they have that tie with YouTube. You will have access to this type of audience if you extend your show to YouTube. This way, your followership can grow, along with your revenue.
You can use YouTube as a driver for your podcast through short clips. Because YouTube is originally a video-centric platform, you can leverage this by putting up snippets of your episodes.
With this tool, you can entice more people to download and listen to the full episodes of your podcast via other listening platforms. If this number increases, it means more sponsor revenue could come in.
Also, you increase the chances of organic promotion for your show, as there is an increased chance for people to share shorter clips than a 30-minute full episode. These videos always look great when you share them on your podcast's social media accounts.
YouTube has the most uncomplicated process for audience comments. The same cannot be said about most podcast directories, as it can sometimes be difficult for listeners to share feedback and leave reviews on them. But YouTube's interface is very smooth, making it easy for your listeners to leave reviews and feedback on your show.
The easy-to-use comment section also promotes interaction, as you can respond to these comments in real-time. This way, you are building a bond with your listeners. You could even find out the type of content that resonates with them through these interactions.
In the podcasting world, data is a game-changer. This is because having access to data can help you grow your show and mould your content to resonate with your audience.
On most podcasting platforms, data is limited in the way it tells you about your show's streams and the download numbers. Although some podcast hosting platforms like bCast can offer you valuable data for your show, YouTube generally has a good data value as it tells you who and where your audience is, how they discovered your show, and how long they stayed listening to your show.
YouTube is a search engine, and if you optimize the SEO on YouTube, it will show up on Google. YouTube SEO contains the correct titles, tags, descriptions, and transcripts to help you rank better during searches. If you pay more attention to your video's metadata, it helps your searchability and visibility for new listeners.
Finding podcast sponsors can be difficult when you do not have substantial download numbers. However, YouTube doesn't bother about download numbers before offering you a chance to earn. Although it might not be a lot, you will get the chance to earn your content using the platform, regardless of your show's size. As you grow, your revenue will increase, and YouTube takes up all the work of monetizing your content.
Another advantage is how you can leverage these ads while pitching to a new sponsor. This will positively affect your ad rate.
If you use a platform like Patreon, it means you are likely to have loyal subscribers that support your show. You can offer them something extra and special through YouTube videos. Create content specifically for this set of people, offering them what regular listeners cannot get.
You can use YouTube for this in two ways:
1. Set your video as "unlisted" when publishing it. This way, regular users of YouTube will not be able to find your content as they search. However, you can send the URL to your loyal subscribers. While this method is simple and straightforward, these users can pass the Link to other people, which takes away the exclusivity of the content.
2. The other way is publishing the video as "private". This method will cover exclusivity, but it requires more stress. After you click on the menu and select the option to share privately, you will have to paste your email list into the box that pops up. YouTube will notify these users via their email address, and only they can view it. However, you will have to repeat this process every time you upload your content.
The truth about these platforms is that there are always cons to adding your content there, but you have to weigh the pros and cons before deciding to go ahead.
Before you proceed to publish on YouTube, it is essential to know if you can live with the downsides of the platform:
Over the years, YouTube has honed a name for itself as an entertainment hub. While you are likely to get listeners that stay for the full episode on podcasting apps, listeners that watch your episodes on YouTube are less likely to complete the whole episode.
On YouTube, you have to hook your audience from the start, as the users are known to be more passive than others. If you fail to grab their interest from the start or put up lengthy content, they will likely skip your content.
You will find how long your listeners stay on your content through YouTube analytics.
Although if you put your show on YouTube, it might help you rank better on search engines, this doesn't immediately equate to success.
YouTube considers several factors before ranking video popularity. These factors include Likes and comments, retention, click-through rates, and subscriptions.
For your show to get significant benefits on YouTube, you need to retain audience attention, result in comments and convert to subscriptions.
One of the podcasting appeals is that it doesn't cost a lot of money to get started. Regular podcasting appeals to many people because it is not cost-intensive. However, when recording good video quality, you need equipment and more time to do a good job. A YouTube podcast channel requires about thrice or quadruple of what you need for regular podcasts.
Recording a quality video podcast requires that you make videos that meet the minimum expectations on YouTube. People on YouTube expect a certain quality of the video, and low-quality content will likely reflect negatively in your analytics.
It is easy to get lost in the mix of views when posting your podcast episode on YouTube. As much as YouTube analytics is beneficial for podcasters, it can distract and deceive people who cannot interpret it correctly.
Your views can keep on increasing when some viewers only stay 30 seconds into your show. You might rake in thousands of views, but what matters is if they are listening to your content. You will do better with few viewers that listen to your entire content than thousands that only stay for a few minutes into your show.
If you stay too focused on YouTube analytics, there is a potential to lose the essence of podcasting, producing content that you love, and attracting a core audience that will bring high engagement.
Before you begin YouTube podcasting, you need specific equipment. You need the regular podcasting equipment like a microphone, headphone, boom mount, PC, pop filter, etc. you can read up on this essential equipment in this blog post.
However, if you want to add a video to your podcasting, you will need a camera. There are inexpensive cameras that are easy to use. Depending on your budget, you can get more than one camera to cover different angles. This will bring a bit of depth by offering different views, especially if you bring guests.
Some cameras we recommend include Sony DSCHX80, GoPro Hero8, and Marantz Professional Turret
With the level of knowledge you now have on utilizing YouTube for your podcast, you might be curious about people who have done it.
We have collated a list that includes 20 of the top podcasts (our opinion) that you can find on YouTube. You can check out some of these podcasts to take inspiration on how to create yours.
1. Jenna & Julien
Jenna Marbles is a top YouTube personality and has been in the game for a while. She co-hosts this podcast along with Julian. It is an unconventional, off-the-wall podcast where they discuss almost everything and anything. In their words, "If you are looking for your everyday, normal, by the book podcast, then you're in the wrong place." They hold random conversations, which are primarily ridiculous and usually driven by adult-themed content.
Their success on YouTube comes from the fact that they frequently stream the show on Twitch as they record. The audience gets to watch the show while it's in progress. Jenna or Julien sometimes respond to comments from the chat box.
2. H3H3 podcast
The H3H3H Podcast is one of the top YouTube podcasts you will find around. Hila and Ethan Klein are the producers, the same producers of the H3H3 YouTube channel. They focus on something different on their YouTube podcast, in contrast to their YouTube channel. While their YouTube channel uses a funny approach to analyze videos, their YouTube podcast is from a non-comedic angle, with discussions around politics, movies, music, writers, YouTubers, and comedians. The entire podcast takes between two and three hours.
Hila and Ethan also have a YouTube H3H3 Podcast Highlights channel. This channel consists of snippets and short clips of each podcast episode. With this channel, they utilize the YouTube algorithm to the fullest, and this is seen in how well their podcast is performing. The audience is also likely to share these shorter clips than the full episodes, contributing to the organic growth.
H3H3 Podcast video titles include the interviewer's full name in this format: "Gary Andre – H3 Podcast #185." While the H3H3 Podcast highlights channel has titles that include the subject, like this: "Gary Andre on Politics today."
3. A Conversation with…
A Conversation With… is hosted by YouTube personality Philip DeFranco. The show includes interviews with different authors, various experts, internet stars, musicians, politicians, and every other type of individual that the host can find. The host tends to make his guests feel at home through his easy-going conversation style. This helps him to get juicy and controversial conversations from them.
If you are a podcaster that wants to get better at interviews, this show right here is excellent as a case study. The host has a distinctive way of coming up with powerful questions that gets his interview guests to go deeper into their mindset. His questions are stimulating to his guests yet so simple to understand by the average listener.
4. Tiësto's CLUBLIFE
Tiësto's CLUBLIFE is a radio show hosted by DJ Tiësto's every week. It was formerly broadcasted in the Netherlands on Radio 538. DJ Tiësto selects a range of electronic dance music that includes electro, progressive house, downtempo, and trance. Other DJs appear on the show as guests, and he has successfully grown his show to be one of the best YouTube podcasts to discover new music.
The show has two segments, one segment is all about a mix of current hits, and the other is a selection of electronic genres that includes music released by Tiësto's label. He releases his show on a free podcast and puts it on YouTube videos on the ensuing Monday.
5. The Church of What's Happening Now
Comedian Joey Diaz, a personality that you might know on Joe Rogan Experience, has a podcast where he airs his opinion on almost anything and everything. His style is loud and bold humour that is best suited solely for adults. Many of his guests are comedians who amuse you with their stories about life on the road, antics of a party lifestyle, and on-stage bombs.
6. Peter Schiff Podcast
Peter Schiff is an economist, author, financial broker/dealer and frequently appears as a guest on national news programs. The goal of his podcast is "to educate the audience about free-market economics and the principles and benefits of individual liberty, limited government, and sound money." He offers financial advice that will give you the knowledge and prepare you better for tough economic times.
7. Completely Unnecessary Podcast
Pat Contri and Ian Ferguson discuss the latest happenings in the video game industry. They also address retro game topics and movies on the Completely Unnecessary Podcast. Their discussion includes the hottest things in nerd culture, the things that were formerly hot but still cool, and the following hottest things. The duo sometimes delves deeper into how games and movies influence our lives. The setting is a room surrounded by movie memorabilia and nerdy games. In some episodes, they take questions from their audience.
Peter Schiff's YouTube podcast doesn't involve recording video footage of himself. Instead, he converts his audio file into an MP4 with a static image in the background. He uses this simple and easy way to get his podcast on YouTube, requiring minimal extra work.
8. Art of Manliness Podcast
The Art of Manliness Podcast is aimed at helping men become better and have a deeper understanding of their lives, culture, and being. They bring on expert authors and deep thinkers to the show, conducting in-depth interviews to recapture the traditional principles of manliness. The show spans several aspects, Including history, self-defence, parenting, physical training, social, professional skills, and literature.
The Art of Manliness Podcast uses the static image concept for the YouTube version of this show instead of the full video. The static image is that of the host and the guest on the particular episode.
9. Dear Hank & John
Dear Hank and John is a podcast that is centered on self-help. This weekly comedy show has both hosts answering questions covering life's small and big problems, and they offer "dubious advice." Although both hosts often point out that they are unqualified to dole out any form of advice, the show offers many valuable lessons. They also entertain you with several odd news stories, which may be the oddest ones you will ever hear.
10. Ear Biscuits
Ear Biscuits is one of the top entertainment YouTube podcasts. Rhett and Link host the show, and the duo comes on every Sunday to "butter your brain with pop-culture commentary, personal stories, and offbeat anecdotes." For each episode, the hosts hold a deep and candid conversation that often includes a guest. Notable personalities like Grace Helbig, Phillip DeFranco, PewDiePie, Julian Smith, and Rainn Wilson have been on the show.
After the hard work of recording podcasts, with the process involving; finding the guests, preparing for the show as a host, scheduling, recording, and recording the episodes – you are likely to feel tired and exhausted after all of that.
However, that is when the real work starts. This is because after putting so much energy and time into producing a great show, you want it to get the right level of exposure – and that is where bCast comes in.
With YouTube being one of the best places to get exposure for your podcast, bCast's publish to YouTube will be of great help to you. This feature simplifies the step for you, as all you have to do is: combine your audio with the image and post it into your YouTube playlist, all in three clicks.
It doesn't take your time, and it only requires a one-time connection. While other podcast hosting platforms complicate the process every time, bCast recognizes that all episodes within a podcast should go into the same playlist.
So there you have it… All you need to know about how to make a podcast on YouTube.
Putting your podcast on YouTube is a great way to increase visibility and grow your audience. This also helps you as a revenue source for your podcast. Also, the simplicity of the process and interface of YouTube makes it all worthwhile.
As a podcaster, you already have content. Podcasting can only be profitable if your contents are great, and we believe if you have been following our blogs recently, you already know how to create great content and what will interest your listening.
The next thing is to take your perfectly drafted and carefully edited content to YouTube by adding the video element, whether as a static image or a camera recording of the show. As long as you’re listening and can see some form of visual content and also audio in the background, you are good to go.
More so, at bCast, we even make it better and less stressful for you. Publishing your show with bCast makes taking it to YouTube easier. Our Publish To YouTube feature simplifies the process and saves you the hassle of uploading your awesome content to YouTube manually.
Questions? Hit us up on support@bcast.fm and we will share more on how to grow your show on YouTube 🚀
