Video podcast or audio podcast: which one fits you

A podcast used to be a sound file and nothing more. Now many shows are recorded on video as well, and people watch them on laptops, phones and even TVs. If you're starting a new show, you face this question almost from day one: record video too, or stick to audio?

There's no answer that suits everyone. This article goes through what each option takes and what it gives you, with a few questions to help you decide.

The practical difference

An audio podcast is something people hear. They listen while driving, walking, cooking or tidying up, so the show keeps them company while they do something else. A video podcast is something people can watch. Some of the audience treats it like a programme, and some just leave it running in the background and listen, exactly as they would with audio.

That last group matters. A good video podcast has to work without the picture. If a listener who isn't looking misses half the content because you showed something without describing it, you'll lose part of your audience.

What audio gives you

• Simplicity. A good microphone, a quiet room, and you're set. No thinking about lighting, backgrounds or what to wear.
• Comfortable guests. Many people relax when there's no camera, and the conversation comes out more open and natural.
• Easier editing. You're only cutting sound, which is quicker, and you can trim mid-sentence without a visible jump.
• Smaller files. Easier to upload, store and send.

Audio is a particularly good fit for long conversations, storytelling, subjects where there's nothing to show, and anyone who wants to get started quickly without complications.

What video gives you

• More places to appear. A video podcast can go on video platforms, which opens it to people who aren't necessarily looking for podcasts.
• Short clips for social media. A good moment from the conversation, cut to a minute, works much better on social feeds when people can see the face of whoever is speaking.
• A closer connection. When the audience sees the host and the guest, their reactions and their smiles, they feel they know you better.
• The ability to show things. If you talk about design, a product, a recipe or software, you can simply show it.

What video asks of you

Video adds work, and it's better to know that up front:

• A camera and light. A decent webcam is fine, but you need good light on your face, usually from a window or a lamp in front of you.
• A background. Whatever is behind you appears in every episode. Plain and tidy beats a busy room. If you don't have a good spot, you can blur it.
• Prepared guests. Each guest needs to sort out their own light and camera, and not all of them are comfortable with that.
• Longer editing. Video takes more time to edit, and a cut in the middle of a sentence is visible.
• Bigger files. Uploading and storing take longer and need more space.

None of it is hard, but together it adds time to every episode. If you're planning a weekly show, ask yourself honestly whether you'll have that time every week.

Five questions to help you decide

1. Where is your audience? If they spend a lot of time watching video on social platforms, video has an edge. If they listen on the go, audio is enough.
2. Do you have things to show? If the content is mostly conversation and ideas, the picture adds less. If there's a product or a process, it adds a lot.
3. How much time do you have per episode? Video takes more, in preparation and in editing.
4. Do you plan to post short clips? If so, video is close to essential.
5. Will your guests be comfortable on camera? In some fields, yes. In others, a camera will make them clam up.

The middle road: record video, publish what fits

There's a third option, and plenty of shows take it: always record video, and decide later what to publish. You can always pull an audio file out of a video recording. You can't do the reverse.

That lets you launch as an audio podcast, keep the video, and use it for short social clips. If the clips do well, you can start publishing full episodes on video too, without changing anything about how you record.

The cost is small: you need to look presentable on camera at every recording, even if the picture never gets used. And again, your guests need to know they're being filmed.

Common mistakes

• Choosing video because everyone else does, then giving up on the editing after three episodes. Consistency matters more than format.
• Recording video through an ordinary video call. Picture and sound depend on the connection, and every glitch stays in the recording. A tool that records each speaker on their own device is a better choice. We explain why in how to record a remote podcast.
• Neglecting sound because of the picture. Even in a video podcast, audio matters more. Viewers put up with an average picture, but they leave when they can't hear.
• Forgetting the people who only listen. If you show something, describe it in words as well.

So which should you choose?

If you're starting out and want to get a first episode out quickly, audio is a good way in. If your audience lives on social media and you plan to post clips, video is worth the effort. And if you're unsure, record video and decide later, so you haven't closed off either option.

If you're just getting started, our guide on how to start a podcast covers the whole process, and the article on webinar and podcast equipment is worth reading before you buy anything.

Try it without committing

The Kolcast podcast studio records video or sound only. On a video episode you get a video file (MP4) and a clean sound file (WAV) for each speaker, plus one mixed file of the whole episode. You can also blur your background or use one of your own. The details are on the podcasts page.