A YouTube podcast sounds like it needs a camera crew, but most start with a still image and an audio file.
That is the part nobody tells beginners. You do not need lights, a studio or a second camera. You do not even need to show your face.
You probably have a few episodes already, or at least a plan for them. And you have probably wondered whether your show belongs on YouTube too.
I understand the worry. Video sounds like a second job on top of the first one.
A YouTube podcast is simply a podcast that you also publish on YouTube. It can be the full video of you talking or an audio episode with a static picture. It can also be a podcast feed that YouTube pulls in on its own.
The audience is already on the platform, and getting there is easier than it looks.
This guide shows you three ways to do it, in order from easiest to most effort. You can stop at the first one and still be on YouTube by this weekend.
Why Put Your Podcast on YouTube?
You put your podcast on YouTube because that is where many people already go to watch and listen. It also works as a search engine for your show. A podcast app only reaches people who already know what a podcast app does.
YouTube is owned by Google, and it shows up in Google search results. That means someone who types a question into Google can find your episode, even if they have never opened a podcast app in their life.
Three benefits of a YouTube podcast
- New people can find you. YouTube search and suggested videos bring in people who were not looking for a podcast.
- You get a second home for every episode. If one platform changes its rules, your show is not stuck in one place.
- Short clips can bring people to the full show. One episode can turn into several small videos.
A fair warning before you start
Does that mean YouTube will make your show grow overnight? No. It adds one more door to your show, and the door is not always busy.
Treat each platform as a slow build. You publish, you keep going, and you check after a few months. If you want help on that front, my post on ways to promote your podcast covers the wider picture.
Three Ways to Put a Podcast on YouTube
There are three ways to get a podcast on YouTube.
You can upload an audio episode as a video with a still image. You can record a simple video with your phone. Or you can connect your podcast feed.
Start with the cheapest and move up only if you like it.
Here is a quick comparison:
- Still image video: easiest, no camera needed, costs nothing. It works well for listening, but there is nothing to watch.
- Simple phone video: takes more effort, but viewers see you talk, which builds trust faster.
- RSS feed connection: the least work after setup, since new episodes appear on their own. The feed is the link your podcast host gives you, and it tells apps about each new episode.
Let me go through each.
Option 1: A still image with your audio
For this option, you take your finished audio episode and turn it into a video file. The picture is usually your podcast cover art, and it stays on screen the whole time.
You can do this in free tools like Canva or any simple video editor. Export the file as an MP4 video. Then upload it to YouTube like any other video.
This is how many shows start. It takes about ten minutes per episode once you have done it twice.
Option 2: A simple video recorded with your phone
Here, you record yourself talking while the phone films you. You do not need a film crew, because the phone camera in your pocket is good enough for YouTube.
I cover the setup in the steps below. This option takes the most effort, but it gives you the most to work with, including short clips for social media.
Option 3: Connect your podcast feed to YouTube
YouTube Studio, which is the dashboard where you manage your channel, has a way to link your podcast's RSS feed. Once you connect it, YouTube creates your episodes for you.
The steps change from time to time, so check the current instructions in the YouTube Help Center before you start. Look for the section on submitting a podcast.
This is a good choice if you already publish audio every week and want YouTube to follow along without extra work.
Which option should you pick?
If you have never uploaded to YouTube, start with Option 1 or Option 3. Both are low effort, and you can switch to video later.
If you enjoy being on camera, go straight to Option 2. You can still add the feed later.
How to Start a YouTube Podcast Without a Film Crew
To start a YouTube podcast, create a channel, decide your option, record your episode, edit it, and upload it with a clear title and thumbnail. The whole setup can take one afternoon.
Here is the full list, in order:
- Create a YouTube channel for your show. Use your podcast name, not your personal name, so people can recognize it.
- Add your cover art as the channel picture. Keep it simple and readable at small sizes.
- Pick one of the three options above. Do not try all three at once.
- Record your episode. Use the steps in the next section if you choose video.
- Edit it. Remove long pauses and mistakes.
- Write a title, a thumbnail and a description. I explain how below.
- Upload and set up a podcast playlist. Group your episodes together so viewers can binge them.
Do the first two steps today, even if you are not ready to record. They take about five minutes.
Make a playlist for your episodes
A playlist is a list of videos grouped together. On YouTube, you can mark a playlist as a podcast. This helps people find your show as a series and helps YouTube understand what the videos are.
Add every new episode to this playlist right after you upload it.
How to Record a Video Podcast With Your Phone
You can record a video podcast with the phone you already own. Place it at eye level, face a window for light, and record in landscape mode.
A landscape video is one held sideways, so it is wider than it is tall. YouTube's regular videos use this shape. It fills the screen on a computer or TV.
The simple gear list
Here is everything a beginner needs, with rough prices:
- Your phone: free, since you already have one.
- A small tripod: about $15 to $30 (₹1,300 to ₹2,500). It holds the phone steady.
- A light source: a window is free. A small ring light costs around $20 to $40 (₹1,700 to ₹3,400).
- A microphone: the one you already use for audio.
If you wonder which camera suits you best, the answer for a beginner is the phone camera. I would not buy a separate camera for your first 20 videos.
Use your real microphone, not the phone's
The phone's built-in microphone is fine in a quiet room, but a separate microphone sounds better. If you already own a USB microphone, like the Samson Q2U, use it for the audio and let the phone record only the picture.
Record your audio on your computer or recorder at the same time as the video. Later, you swap the phone's sound for your better audio in the editing step. This takes a little more work, but your audio is the heart of the show.
If you only have the phone, record in a quiet room with soft things around you. That alone improves the sound a lot.
Five settings to check before you press record
- Turn on airplane mode. Calls and notifications ruin takes.
- Set the video to 1080p. That means 1920 by 1080 pixels, which is sharp enough for YouTube.
- Hold the phone sideways. Landscape fits the YouTube screen.
- Clean the lens. A smudge makes the whole video look soft.
- Put the camera at eye level. A camera looking up your nose is a classic first-video mistake.
Light and background
Face the window. The light should fall on your face, not behind your head. If the window is behind you, your face becomes a dark shape.
Keep the background simple. A plain wall, a shelf or a plant looks fine. You do not need a studio.
What to Say and Do on Camera
You do not need a script for a video podcast, but you do need a shape. A simple structure keeps you calm in front of the lens and keeps viewers watching.
Use this four-part shape for each episode:
- Open with the promise. In the first 15 seconds, say what the viewer will get. "Today I will show you how to choose a podcast topic you will not get bored of."
- Give the answer early. Viewers decide in the first minute whether to stay. Tell them the main point before the stories.
- Move through three or four points. Pause between them, so editing is easy.
- Close with one next step. Ask them to watch one related episode or visit one link.
Small habits that help on camera
Sit up a little straighter than feels natural. Smile when you greet viewers, because it changes how your voice sounds. Talk to one person, as if a friend were sitting behind the phone.
If you freeze, stop and start the sentence again. You will cut the pause out later. Most people are far more relaxed by the fifth video than the first.
Should you publish the same episode in both places?
Yes, for most beginners. Publish the audio episode on your podcast feed on your normal day. Then upload the video version to YouTube the same day or the next.
Keep the titles close to each other, so listeners recognize it as the same episode. This saves you writing twice, and it spreads each episode to more people with no extra recording.
How to Edit Your YouTube Podcast
Editing a video podcast means trimming the start and end, cutting mistakes, and lining up your good audio with the video. You can do all of that in one simple tool.
I use Descript for this. It turns your recording into a text transcript, and you edit the video by editing the words, the same way you edit a document.
If you delete a sentence in the text, it disappears from the video. This is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
If you want a free option, my list of the best free podcast editing software has choices that cost nothing.
What to cut
- Cut the first few seconds where you reach for the phone.
- Cut long pauses and false starts.
- Keep a few small imperfections, because they make you sound human.
Add captions
Many people watch videos with the sound off. Captions let them follow along, and they help viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Most editing tools can create captions from your transcript. Check them for mistakes before you publish.
How to Write a YouTube Title, Thumbnail and Description
A strong title, a clear thumbnail and a useful description decide whether people click. Treat them as seriously as the episode itself.
Your thumbnail is the small picture that represents your video in search results. YouTube recommends 1280 by 720 pixels. Keep the text big and short, with three to five words at most.
The title
Write a title that answers a question someone would type. "How to Pick a Podcast Microphone" beats "Episode 12." Put the main phrase near the start.
Keep it under about 60 characters, so it does not get cut off in search.
The description
The first two lines of a description show before people click "more." Use them to say what the episode covers. Add where to find the full show.
After that, add a short summary, links to your podcast apps and chapter markers. Chapters are timestamps that split your video into sections. To create them, write the time and a label, such as "0:00 Intro," with at least three entries.
Check your music rights
If you use music in your episode, make sure you have permission. YouTube can mute or block videos with copyrighted music. Use music from a royalty-free source, and keep a note of where each track came from.
YouTube Podcast Problems and How to Fix Them
Most beginner problems are small and fixable. Here are the five I hear most often.
The audio is out of sync with the video. This usually happens when you replace the phone audio with a separate recording.
Line up the claps. Clap once at the start of each recording, then match the sound spikes in the editor.
Your face is dark. The light is behind you. Turn around so the window is in front of you, or add a small lamp facing your face.
You stare at the screen, not the camera. Viewers feel like you are not talking to them. Look at the camera lens when you speak, and glance at your notes only briefly.
Very few people watch in the first month. That is normal for a new channel.
Keep publishing, and look at your numbers after 10 episodes. Do not judge the channel by episode two.
It takes too long to make each video. Go back to Option 1 and use a still image. It is better to publish consistently than to chase video quality.
If your show is not growing anywhere, my post on why your podcast isn't growing helps you find the real cause.
Is a YouTube Podcast Worth It for You?
For most beginners, a simple YouTube podcast is worth it, because the cheapest version costs nothing and adds a new way to be found. Full video is worth it only if you enjoy it.
Ask yourself these four questions:
- Do I already have audio episodes? If yes, Option 1 or 3 adds YouTube in an hour.
- Am I comfortable on camera? If yes, try Option 2 for one episode and see how it feels.
- Can I keep this up weekly? If not, choose the easiest option.
- Is my topic visual? Cooking, crafts and demonstrations gain a lot from video. Pure talk shows gain less.
If you answered yes to question one, you can start today.
Your Next Step: Day 6 of the Challenge
Getting your show onto YouTube is part of getting it out into the world. The hard part is deciding where your episodes will live and when each one goes out.
On Day 6 of the 7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge, you build your launch assets and plan your distribution. That includes choosing the places your show will appear, so you are not guessing on launch day.
If YouTube is on your list, that is the day to set it up.
Listen to the Podcast Episode
In this episode I answer a question I hear a lot: should your show become a video podcast? Most beginners picture cameras, lights and a studio, and decide it is too much work. The truth is that you can get your show on YouTube this weekend with a picture and an audio file.
I explain the three ways to put a podcast on YouTube, from easiest to most effort, and how to decide whether video is right for you. If you are curious about a video podcast but do not want a second full-time job, this will help.
What I cover in this episode
- Why YouTube works like a search engine for your show
- Three ways to publish: a still image, a phone video, or your podcast feed
- The only piece of gear I would buy first
- Four questions to decide if video is for you
- How to publish in both places without doing double the work
Tools I recommend
- Descript for editing video by editing the words
- Samson Q2U for clean audio, even when a phone films the picture
- Buzzsprout for hosting your audio feed
Deciding where your show will live and when each episode goes out is Day 6 of the 7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge. That is the day to set up YouTube, if it is on your list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my podcast on YouTube?
Yes. You can upload each episode as a video, add a still image to your audio, or connect your podcast's RSS feed in YouTube Studio. Many shows start with a still image because it needs no camera.
Do I need a video camera to have a YouTube podcast?
No. A phone camera is enough for video, and a still image is enough if you prefer not to be on screen. Skip separate cameras until you have published at least 20 videos.
How do I turn my podcast audio into a YouTube video?
Place your cover art on a single slide, add your audio file and export it as an MP4. Free tools like Canva can do this. Then upload the MP4 to YouTube with a clear title.
What is the best camera for a podcast?
For a beginner, the best camera is the phone you already own. It records 1080p video, which is sharp enough for YouTube. Spend your first $30 (₹2,500) on a tripod and a light instead.
Do I need to show my face on a YouTube podcast?
No. Plenty of shows publish audio with cover art. Showing your face can build trust faster, but it is a choice, not a requirement.
Does a YouTube podcast replace my audio podcast?
No. Keep publishing on podcast apps too. YouTube is one extra place to reach people, and your audio feed stays the main home of your show.
What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?
Use 1280 by 720 pixels, which is a 16:9 shape. Keep the text short and large, because most people see it as a tiny picture on a phone.
How long should a YouTube podcast episode be?
Match the length your topic needs. Many beginner episodes run 10 to 30 minutes. Keep your first few shorter, so editing stays manageable.
Should I use chapters in my YouTube podcast videos?
Yes. Chapters help viewers jump to the part they want. Add at least three timestamps, starting at 0:00, and give each a clear label.
How do I get more views on a YouTube podcast?
Write search-friendly titles, make clear thumbnails and add every episode to one podcast playlist. Then stay consistent for at least 10 episodes before judging results.
Conclusion
Go back to the picture in your head, the one with the lights and the camera crew. That picture was never required. A still image, a phone or a feed link can get your show onto YouTube this weekend.
Pick one option from this guide. Create the channel, add the cover art and publish a single episode.
Which of the three options are you going to try first?
Resources that I recommend
Here are some of the resources that I recommended in this episode and the ones that I recommend in Podcasting.
- Ubersuggest – The Keyword research tool that I recommend
Below are the tools that I recommend for podcasting —
- Buzzsprout – Podcast hosting
- Behringer Audio Interface – You will need an audio interface if you are using an XLR microphone. This is my recommended audio interface.
- Behringer Audio Interface (budget option) – A lower-cost alternative if you're just starting out and want to keep costs down.
- Riverside – Riverside is my pick for recording interviews, audio or video. It records each person on their own device, so a shaky connection on either end never ends up in the episode.
- Audacity – This is the best and most feature-rich free audio editing software. It gives you a lot of options while editing your interviews.
- Samson Q2U – My recommended microphone
- Audio Technica ATR-2110x – My recommended alternative microphone
- TidyCal – My recommended calendar and booking solutions
Thank you for joining in
I hope you enjoyed the information that I shared in this episode.
Do subscribe to the show on your favorite podcasting platform in order to stay updated with the latest episodes that I release.
The Podcasting University is available on almost all podcasting platforms. The link to the prominent ones are mentioned below –
Planning to start a podcast?
Then you might want to join my "7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge".
Disclaimer: Some of these links above are affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from the links above, I will earn a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. Also, The Podcasting University is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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