When podcasts first appeared their popularity skyrocketed! It seemed that everyone had a series to rave about.
Podcasts evolved into vodcasts, which have spiked interest after celebrities, sports players and business tycoons have all entered the space.
Vodcasts are more engaging because people respond better to visuals and face-to-face communication. This makes producing a vodcast a bit more involved and requires more equipment.
But creating a vodcast is easy as long as you know what you’re doing. It’s a new opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs to boost brand awareness and visibility.
What is a Vodcast?
The term ‘vodcast’ is short for ‘Video-On-Demand-cast’. In simple terms, it’s easiest to think of a vodcast as the video version of a podcast.
Also known as video podcasting or vlogging, the podcast recording session is turned into a video. You can add the video to the downloadable sound file that podcast listeners are used to.
Vodcasts give you the option of tuning in not just with your ears but with your eyes as well. This flexibility is what makes vodcasts great.
When creating a vodcast the video quality is often more important than audio quality. This is because we engage more with our eyes than ears, so we are more forgiving when it comes to sound quality.
Key Differences Between Vodcasts and Podcasts
Podcasts are audio-only, while vodcasts feature both audio and video. Podcasts are also easier to edit because there is no video that also requires editing. But vodcasts are essentially more versatile than podcasts.
Video content is huge on social media. So, vodcasts can be repurposed for visual social media posts on platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. This opens your business up to more opportunities for a broader and more diverse audience.
Both podcasts and vodcasts use content marketing to build your audience, increase your authority and develop a relationship with your target customers. But people respond to face-to-face communication better and this can build a connection and trust more than just a voice.
You can further show off your personality and flare in videos, which builds rapport with your audience. Videos can help you gain recognition to grow both your profile and your brand.
3 Steps to Create an Epic Vodcast (That Will Build Your Audience)
If you’re creating podcasts, chances are you’re recording them on video platforms such as Zoom or Riverside FM, so you may as well turn them into vodcasts. You also have the advantage of recycling your podcast content by adding videos to existing episodes.
1. Before You Film Your Vodcast
As is often the case the brunt of the work happens before filming and is in the planning and research. You first need to decide on a video style that suits you and your brand.
The most common and straightforward one is the livestream approach. This is where you set up a camera, which can be as simple as the one on your phone and record the entire session.
It’s important you create a running sheet for your vodcast so that you stay on topic and that it doesn’t turn into waffle or conversely to avoid dead air.
If you’re doing an interview, be sure to have thought-provoking questions and give your interviewee a heads-up on the content covered, so that they too can prepare.
Planning intro and outro scripts are also important to again take the guesswork out of your session.
2. Filming Your Vodcast
Vodcasting requires more equipment than podcasting does, but as mentioned a good camera phone on a sturdy tripod can create amazing footage. Other equipment that’s needed includes:
- Good microphones: AirPods in this instance won’t cut it. Your host and guests will need a microphone. And be sure to test their sound quality.
- Lighting in front of the host and guest: Usually a ring light is good enough, but natural light from a window can work too.
- Studio space or background to record in front of: Props such as plants, a painting or a couch can help set the vibe that you want. Minimise all possible distractions that may interrupt the recording, such as phones, outdoor noises or people around you.
3. Editing Your Vodcast
After recording, it’s time to edit, which can often take longer than the recording itself. Editing is a process that can take time to refine both your video and audio.
There are a variety of video creation software and editing tools that are available to suit different budgets and needs of a business. Software ranges from beginners to advanced and you’ll need time to learn how to use the equipment if you don’t already have the know-how.
Partnering with a content agency can take the guesswork out and saves you time. They will typically do a content strategy workshop with you to create a video that reflects your brand.
Editing involves adjusting colours, changing sound levels, editing out mistakes, stitching footage together and adding titles. The process usually requires piecing audio and video together, to achieve one seamless vodcast episode.
Also, an important part of the process is editing small sections of your vodcast to repurpose for social media reels. This is what’s great about vodcasts because one piece of content can go a long way.
If your business is in need of video content then vodcasting can address this need in various ways. It’s not impossible to figure it out yourself with lots of how-to guides available. But why not let us do what we do best so that you can do what you do best? Contact us to help you create video content that converts.
