When podcasting started becoming popular, YouTube and podcasting were so different that it seemed impossible to merge them. This has since changed, and content creators now know you can optimize one of the platform’s content for the other.
More and more podcasters utilize YouTube in various ways to support their podcasting business. Most use YouTube as a distribution channel alongside other podcasting directories.
YouTube presents an avenue to grow your podcast audience in terms of audience and revenue. Currently, YouTube has over 2 billion active users worldwide. With meticulous search engine optimization and high-quality content, it can increase your podcast’s visibility and grow your audience.
How to Upload My Podcast on YouTube
Below are the steps for uploading your podcast on YouTube.
1. Prepare a Video File for YouTube
There are several strategies to employ to transform your podcast audio content into a video file suitable for YouTube.
The simplest way is to add your show art as the background of your podcast audio file and convert it into a video. You could also use any royalty-free image relevant to your podcast or the particular episode as the single image in your video.
This method works well, especially if you are testing the reception of your podcast on YouTube. You can have your video ready in literally less than 5 minutes. Even the most basic video editing software or web app will get the job done.
You can also make your video more interesting and engaging by animating, creating visual slides to accompany the audio file, or converting your audio into an audiogram.
When you are just starting, don’t get too caught up with making your video complex or outstanding, the primary goal is to get it in front of your audience as soon as possible.
As you progress, you can put more effort into creating your podcast content in a way that is suitable for YouTube. Some podcasters change their content creation strategy from mere podcasting to video casting.
Instead of recording audio-only, you film the episodes with a high-quality mic and camera. You edit the episode and once completely separate the audio from images in a video editor, export a copy of the audio content, and upload it to your hosting provider for distribution.
Although videocasting is more time-intensive and expensive, it improves your content’s organic ranking as the content is better optimized for YouTube.
Whichever approach you take, ensure that your final video content is in a format that is supported by YouTube. The formats supported by YouTube are:
- .MPEG-1
- .MPEG-2
- .MPEG4
- .MPEGPS
- .MOV
- .MP4
- .MPG
- .AVI
- .WMV
- .FLV
- .3GPP
- .ProRes
- .CineForm
- .WebM
- .DNxHR
- .HEVC (h265)
2. Upload Your Video on YouTube
Below are the steps for uploading your podcast video on YouTube video:
- Log in to your YouTube account
- Click on your profile picture icon on the top right-hand side of the screen
- From the drop-down menu, click on “Your Channel”
- Select “Manage Videos” on the top right-hand side of the screen
- On the next window, click on “Create” near your profile picture, then click on “Upload Video”
- Drag and drop your podcast video on the window or “Select files to upload” from your computer.
- Provide details about your video – title, description, and tags. Ensure that the details are SEO optimized to improve the video’s ranking and discoverability. Search for your topic and see the titles that are suggested. Create your title and suggestions using the titles. Input the relevant keywords in the tags section. Then, provide a brief overview of the episode in the description area. Include some of the relevant keywords in the description organically.
- Add a thumbnail for the video. The image should have a resolution of 1280X720 and a minimum width of 640 pixels. The thumbnail should be attractive to catch the attention of your target audience.
- Click “Next”. Publish your video or schedule it for publishing at a later date.
3. Share the Video on Your Social Media Pages.
It will drive traffic to the video, which will enable it to rank higher in the search results or suggested videos.
YouTube Podcast App
At the moment, there is no YouTube Podcast app. However, YouTube is keen to improve its audience’s listening experience on its platform. In May last year, it ran a test on listening controls to improve the efficiency and performance of the music player UI. YouTube could develop this feature in the future to enhance podcast listening on the platform.
YouTubers Podcast
The crossover between podcasting and YouTube is not limited to podcasters publishing on YouTube. Some YouTubers that have podcasts customize their video content for podcasts. In most cases, they create video episodes for their website as usual, and then they extract a copy of the audio content and publish it on a podcasting hosting provider for distribution. However, some opt to create dedicated content for each media.
YouTube Creator Podcasts
There are numerous podcasts on various podcast directories dedicated to helping Youtubers grow their channels. Most are created by successful YouTubers who share their experiences and strategies with other YouTubers. Below are the top five YouTube creators’ podcasts:
- YouTube Creators Hub by Dusty Power – This is one of the best podcasts by Youtubers. The certified Youtuber provides strategies, tips, and tutorials for YouTube successfully.
- The YouTube Power Hour Podcast by Erika Vieira. Shares the journeys of the top YouTube creators in fashion, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle.
- The Colin and Samir Show by Colin and Samir. They are successful YouTubers and podcasters who break down the latest developments in digital content from a creator’s perspective.
- The Think Media Podcast by Heather Torres & Sean Cannell. They provide tips and strategies for growing your business using online videos on YouTube and beyond.
- TubeBuddy Express. Another podcast by Dusty Porter. It discusses how to use the TubeBuddy plugin to grow your YouTube audience.
What Equipment Does a YouTuber Need?
To determine what equipment you need, ask yourself, what do you need for a YouTube setup?
When setting up to film a YouTube video, you need to think about the background, sound quality, lighting, and filming equipment. As such, you will need the following equipment and tools.
1. Backdrop
[amazon box=”B00MTF6ZVC”]Your background can be a backdrop, a blank wall, or you can take your time to set up a recording area. Create a backdrop of your show art, and consider how the color of the backdrop will appear in the video. You could use the background of the space you are in as-is.
Ultimately, it should not be cluttered. It should be aesthetically pleasing, work well with your lighting, and be flattering. Try out different backgrounds to establish what works well.
2. Microphone
[amazon box=”B082SYHRY9″]Since you will also use audio recording for podcasting, it must be high quality. You need an external microphone as the one built-in to your laptop, phone, or camera will not deliver crisp quality, well-balanced sound.
Different types of microphones would be suitable for both YouTube and podcasting. They range from dynamic mics, condenser mics, lapel mics, to USB mics. We recommend the Blue Yeti USB mic, Audio-Technica ATR2100X, or Shure SM7B.
3. Lighting
[amazon box=”B085973RRH”]Lighting equipment is essential, particularly if recording indoors or in a dimly lit area. Lighting can help to set the mood and ambiance of the show. Lighting equipment that would be suitable for your YouTube setup includes a softbox, umbrella light, ring light, and on-camera lighting.
Softbox lighting emulates natural light. It has a lower intensity and does not irritate your eyes or produce harsh shadows. Umbrella lights also produce soft light. They are inexpensive and produce more controlled lighting than softboxes as the light reflects on the shiny interior of the umbrella before bouncing to the host.
Ring lights are the most common type of lighting among vloggers and YouTubers. Since it radiates light all-round the subject, it prevents the formation of shadows. Finally, on-camera lighting is mounted on top of the camera. They are suitable for extremely dim places or large setups.
4. Camera
[amazon box=”B097BQS4H2″]Choose from camcorders, DSLRs, Webcams, and mirror cameras. If you are just starting, a camcorder or a webcam will suffice. Otherwise, go for DSLRs or mirror cameras. They are pricier but worth the investment. The key is to use a camera whose quality is at least 1080p.
To ensure high-quality video content that is steady, you will need a tripod. Depending on the size of your camera and the setup, you may need a standard tripod, a mini tripod, or a phone tripod.
5. Video Editing Software
[amazon box=”B09CRVC6WH”]Finally, you need video editing software for post-production to bring your video content together. Choose from the various paid or free options. Some of the popular ones include Adobe Premiere Elements and Final Cut.
YouTube Music
All YouTube music is free to listen to, but there are restrictions on using it in your own content. YouTube has strict copyright policies that seek to protect content creators’ work. As such, you are not allowed to publish any content on YouTube that you have not created yourself. You can only use other people’s copyrighted content with their authorization.
Therefore, if you are wondering if you can source some music for your YouTube video on the YouTube music library, the answer is that it depends on the type of license the particular music has.
If it is copyrighted, you would have to seek authorization from the music owner to use it. If the music is royalty-free or has a creative commons license, you can use it.
There is a wide collection of royalty-free music options on YouTube. But since there is a larger collection of copyrighted music, it is best to be sure that the piece of music you want to use is copyright-free.
Otherwise, the copyright owner may mute, block, or monetize your video and earn from it. They may also get access to your analytics for the video. If the YouTube content ID system picks on copyright infringement or the music owner reports your content to YouTube, you risk receiving a copyright strike from YouTube. In the worst-case scenario, you will face account suspension or closure.
Therefore, use a YouTube copyright music checker, such as eProves, to confirm that what you are considering is royalty-free. Once you have confirmed, you can use the music as:
- Background music for Youtube videos
- Free trailer music for Youtube
- Transition sound effects for Youtube
If you receive a copyright claim due to certain music in your content, remove it and swap with copyright-free music.
Shutterstock & YouTube: Can I Use Shutterstock Videos on YouTube?
Shutterstock has a wide collection of royalty-free videos that you can use if you subscribe to its plans. The royalty-free stock videos are available in super high quality, including 4K, HD, and SD.
Once subscribed, the plan gives you unlimited access to the Shutterstock videos. If you have a free Shutterstock account, you will have access to up to 40 free videos that you can download and use on your videos as you like.
However, you should use the footage within its licensing. Stock videos have a Footage Use License. It allows you to use the footage in multimedia productions and distribute them to an audience of up to 500,000. In most cases, you can edit the footage and use it within your content as you like. However, you are not allowed to resell or redistribute the content as is.
Conclusion
Consolidating podcasting and YouTube in your online business plan can help you grow your audience and revenue significantly. Whether you are a podcaster or a Youtuber, you are already creating content. You can employ strategies to re-use the content in one platform in the other. If you haven’t already, come up with a strategy to utilize both simultaneously.
