5 Steps To Start Your Podcast In YouTube Podcasts
When most people think of podcasts, they don’t think of YouTube. Well, at least that used to be the case before YouTube announced that Google Podcasts was sunsetting, and they launched their Podcasts on YouTube page.
Add to that the fact that YouTube is now allowing audio podcasts to submit their RSS feed to the platform to be played on YouTube and YouTube music, and a lot more podcasters are laser focusing their sights on YouTube. If you want to learn more about starting your podcast in YouTube podcasts as well, this post is for you.
Understanding YouTube Podcasts - What is a YouTube podcast?
A YouTube podcast is essentially a podcast that is distributed on the YouTube platform. While traditional podcasts are typically audio-only and distributed through podcast hosting platforms and apps like Apple Podcasts or Spotify, YouTube podcasts incorporate video elements and leverage YouTube's vast user base and discoverability features.
But wait - does that mean you have to create videos for all of your podcast episodes?
Not exactly. You can create audiograms of your podcast episodes if you prefer to keep recording in an audio only format.
Many popular podcasters are now choosing to film their recording sessions and post the videos on YouTube to expand their reach. Additionally, some creators produce podcast-style content exclusively for YouTube, taking advantage of the platform's unique features and audience.
Even YouTube admitted that podcasts that feature hosts on video compared to those using what they refer to as “static visualization” (i.e. audiograms featuring audio playing in the background of one static image) get two times the views.
That doesn’t mean you have to follow suit though. You could use B-roll videos with your audio playing in the background, hire someone to animate your audio, or play a slideshow of images with your audio. There’s also nothing wrong with choosing the static image option for your podcast.
This is especially true if YouTube is only one of your marketing streams for your podcast. The main goal of getting your podcast on YouTube is more about promotion than adding more work to your process. So don’t feel like you have to learn how to record your podcasts for video and audio right away, if ever.
Benefits of choosing YouTube for your podcast
YouTube offers several compelling benefits for podcasters:
Reach and accessibility: With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube provides massive potential for reaching new listeners. YouTube is widely accessible across devices and has a strong presence in Google search results, making it easier for people to discover your podcast.
Visual content: YouTube allows you to enhance your podcast with visual elements. You can record video of your podcast sessions, providing a more engaging experience for your audience. You can also include graphics, images, and text overlays to reinforce your message and brand.
Robust analytics: YouTube provides detailed analytics that can help you understand your audience, track engagement, and measure the success of your podcast. You can see data on views, watch time, audience retention, demographics, traffic sources, and more, allowing you to optimize your content strategy.
Starting Your Podcast on YouTube - The Broader Steps
Define your concept and target audience
Determine what your podcast will be about and who your ideal listeners are. Having a clear niche and understanding your target audience will guide your content creation and marketing efforts.
Plan and produce your first episode
Develop a format for your podcast episodes and create an outline for your first episode. Record and edit the episode, incorporating any visual elements you want to include. Most importantly, make sure the audio quality is high. If you do choose to add visual elements, it’s a good idea to keep the video engaging.
Launch your podcast on YouTube
Create a dedicated YouTube channel, or playlist, for your podcast if you don't already have one. Optimize your channel with relevant keywords, an eye-catching icon, and branded artwork. Upload your first episode with an enticing title, description, and tags. Consider creating a trailer or intro video to give potential listeners an overview of your podcast.
Launching a Podcast on YouTube in 5 Steps
Here’s a brief overview of creating a podcast in YouTube Studio directly from the platform’s help guide:
1. Create a new podcast in YouTube Studio:
- Within YouTube Studio, click "Create" and then "New podcast"
- Enter your podcast details, including title, description, visibility (public or private), and a square thumbnail image
- Click "Create" to save your new podcast
2. Add videos to your podcast:
- To upload new videos, go to the "Podcasts" tab in YouTube Studio, select your podcast, click "Add Videos", and then "Upload videos"
- To add existing videos, select "Add your existing videos" instead and choose the videos you want to include in your podcast
Again, remember these videos can be audiograms. You don’t have to record full videos of your podcast if you don’t want to!
3. Set an existing playlist as a podcast
- If you already have a playlist you want to turn into a podcast, go to the "Playlists" tab in YouTube Studio
- Hover over the desired playlist, click the menu icon, and select "Set as podcast"
- Review and update your podcast details, then click "Done" to confirm
4. Optimize your podcast
- Choose a descriptive, keyword-rich title for your podcast (avoid generic titles like "Podcast" or "Full Episodes")
- Order your episodes appropriately - newest to oldest for episodic shows, oldest to newest for serial shows
- Use the "Podcasts" tab in YouTube Studio to edit your podcast details, thumbnail, visibility, and episode order as needed
5. Measure your podcast's performance
- In YouTube Studio Analytics, select your podcast from the "Your Podcast(s)" card to see an overview of views, watch time, and other key metrics
- Click "See Podcast Analytics" for a deeper dive into performance, audience, and revenue data
By following these steps and adhering to YouTube's podcast best practices, you can effectively set up and manage your podcast on the platform to reach and grow your audience.
Considering the Tech Aspects for a YouTube Podcast
Recording and editing tools
Invest in a good quality microphone for clear audio. You can use a camera or screen recording software to capture video. For editing, there are various options like Adobe Audition, GarageBand, or Audacity for audio, and Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, or iMovie for video.
Click here to read our guide Podcasting Tools: Essential Equipment For Quality Audio.
YouTube's video requirements
Familiarize yourself with YouTube's recommended video formats, resolutions, and file sizes to ensure optimal playback quality. Generally, MP4 format with H.264 codec is preferred. Aim for HD resolution (720p or 1080p) and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
By following these guidelines and best practices, you'll be well on your way to starting a successful podcast on YouTube. Remember to consistently produce high-quality content, engage with your audience, and promote your podcast across other platforms to maximize your reach and growth.
Related: Be sure to read our Video Podcast Essentials guide for even more ideas to set your YouTube Channel up for success.
Creating and Optimizing Your YouTube Podcast
To make your podcast stand out on YouTube, it's crucial to create engaging content that keeps viewers interested and encourages them to return for future episodes.
Create a compelling video alongside your podcast audio
- Record video footage of your podcast recording sessions to give viewers a more immersive experience
- Use multiple camera angles and engaging visuals to keep the video dynamic and interesting
- Consider using a visually appealing background or set to enhance the overall look of your video
Include additional elements to enhance your podcast
- Incorporate relevant images, graphics, or text overlays to reinforce key points or provide additional context
- Include interviews with guests or experts to add variety and depth to your content
- Use video clips, animations, or screen recordings to illustrate concepts or break up longer segments of talking
Remember, while the audio is the foundation of your podcast, the visual elements you include can greatly enhance the viewing experience and help your content stand out in a crowded YouTube landscape.
Growing your YouTube Podcast Audience
Growing your YouTube podcast audience requires a combination of quality content, effective promotion, and audience engagement. Here are some strategies to help you expand your reach:
Promote your podcast on social media and other channels:
- Share your podcast episodes on your social media profiles, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Read our post 10 Effective Strategies For Podcast Social Media Promotion for some ideas that might help you with promoting your podcast.
- Engage with your followers and encourage them to share your content with their own networks
- Reach out to other podcasters, bloggers, or influencers in your niche and propose cross-promotion or collaboration opportunities
- Optimize your podcast's title, description, and tags to improve its visibility in YouTube search results
Engage your audience through comments and collaborations:
- Encourage viewers to leave comments on your videos by asking questions or soliciting feedback
- Respond to comments regularly to build relationships with your audience and foster a sense of community
- Collaborate with other YouTubers or podcasters in your niche to tap into new audiences and provide value to your existing listeners
- Consider creating a dedicated website or blog for your podcast where you can engage with your audience and provide additional resources or content
We also recommend reading our post Podcast Content Marketing: Best Practices For Growing Your Audience.
By consistently creating high-quality content, actively promoting your podcast, and engaging with your audience, you can gradually build a loyal following and establish your podcast as a go-to resource in your niche.
Streamlining Your Podcast Workflow with Castmagic
Creating a successful podcast on YouTube involves a lot of work behind the scenes, from recording and editing to transcription and content repurposing. This is where Castmagic, an all-in-one transcription and AI-powered content platform, can help streamline your podcast workflow and save you time and effort.
Transcription Made Easy
One of the key features of Castmagic is its transcription service. By simply uploading your podcast audio or video file, CastMagic can generate accurate transcripts with speaker diarization, supporting over 60 languages. This not only makes your content more accessible to a wider audience but also provides a solid foundation for repurposing your podcast content.
AI-Powered Content Creation
Castmagic's AI-powered content creation tools can help you quickly generate various assets from your podcast episodes, such as:
- Podcast show notes and timestamps
- Blog posts and articles
- Social media posts and quotes
- Video summaries and highlights
By leveraging Castmagic's AI capabilities, you can easily create engaging, SEO-friendly content to promote your podcast across multiple platforms, driving more traffic and growing your audience.
Customizable Workflows
Castmagic offers customizable workflows and integrations to fit seamlessly into your existing podcast production process. You can connect Castmagic with your preferred tools for recording, editing, and publishing, as well as set up custom presets and prompts to generate content tailored to your specific needs and style.
Collaboration and Seamless Integration
Castmagic's platform also enables collaboration among team members, allowing you to assign tasks, leave comments, and track progress in one centralized location. Additionally, Castmagic integrates with popular platforms like YouTube, making it easy to publish your podcast episodes and related content directly to your channel.
Reel Scripts to Make Quick Work of YouTube Shorts
With Castmagic, you can generate scripts to create short podcast video clips to promote your podcast. Podcasters that want more downloads know they have to create compelling content that teases the listener or viewer just enough to convince them click through and listen to the entire episode. Click here to learn how to create engaging podcast clips that drive traffic and increase your number of listeners.
By leveraging Castmagic's powerful features and integrations, you can streamline your podcast workflow, save time on content creation, and focus on delivering high-quality, engaging content to your YouTube audience.
Publishing Your Podcast on YouTube - It’s Time to Start!
Starting a podcast on YouTube can be an exciting and rewarding way to expand your reach, engage with your audience, and build your brand. Remember, while the process may seem daunting at first, tools like Castmagic can help streamline your workflow and make the creation process more efficient. With features like automatic transcription, AI-powered content creation, and seamless integration with YouTube, Castmagic can save you time and effort, allowing you to focus on what matters most: creating high-quality, engaging content for your listeners.
So why wait? Launch your podcast on YouTube today and see how far your voice can reach. And if you want to experience the power of Castmagic firsthand, be sure to sign up for a free trial and discover how this all-in-one platform can revolutionize your podcast creation process.
