Podcasts are an undoubtedly compelling way of storytelling or sharing information–add visuals to the audio in the form of video capture, and you have an even more powerful piece of content.
But if you’re wondering how to start a podcast on YouTube, you don’t need to worry–we’ve compiled everything you need to know about this medium, including how to boost your reach and monetize your content.
What Are the Benefits of Starting a YouTube Podcast🎙️Channel?
Especially in the last few years with the unique experience of the global pandemic, it seems that finding a way to “make it” online has become an unequivocal integration into the American Dream–and indeed, around the world.
There are an array of benefits associated with starting a YouTube podcast channel–some of which are almost unimaginable at this point in terms of future opportunities–but here are some that we know are built into the process.
1. Creates Unique & Intimate Content (With More Context)
Especially if you’re hosting guests or conducting interviews, adding visuals to your audio content offers a whole other layer of depth to the proceedings.
This allows your audience to connect with your content in a more engaging way, providing access to visual cues that might otherwise have gone without acknowledgement.
2. Boosts Engagement 🚀
Unlike most traditional podcast release platforms, YouTube offers unique features like timestamping your videos for easier user consumption. What’s more, uploading your podcast to YouTube offers you another platform to respond to comments, ask for audience feedback, and generally get to know your audience better.
3. Garners More Exposure
Especially if you also post your podcast to a popular platform like Riverside.fm, adding your content to YouTube provides an opportunity to release your content in front of yet another audience.
The better quality your content is, the higher the likelihood that you will be picked up by YouTube’s algorithm and featured…drawing in a crowd that may be interested in following not only your channel, but your original podcast, too.
4. Can Be Further Monetized
It’s fairly popular for podcasts to be sponsored by advertisers looking to promote their products or services–but uploading your content to YouTube opens up whole other avenues of revenue collection. Possibilities include affiliate marketing, capitalizing on YouTube ads, and offering a tiered membership program.
5. Another Platform Collecting Insights & Analytics
YouTube’s Studio is a rich resource for mining core metrics about your videos’ performance, your audience engagement and demographics, and even keeping track of revenue and ad spend.
Furthering the example of leveraging Riverside.fm, which does offer some analytics tracking, also uploading your content to YouTube can provide you with not only a deeper understanding of what’s resonating with your audience, but can provide you with ideas for future topics, as well.
Top 5 Tips💡for How to Start a Podcast on YouTube
Learning how to start a podcast on YouTube is the relatively simple part–the hard part is in consistently putting in the work to upload regular content! Once you can commit a certain block of time each week to your channel, you’re already off to a great start.
Here are some tips on how to start a YouTube podcast channel.
1. Decide on Your Niche
Understanding the topic material that you want to focus on is a huge determining factor in calling in your audience. After all, without them, you might as well be throwing your hard-won content straight into the trash folder on your desktop. Don’t fall into the trap of creating content “for everybody.”
This is a surefire way to create content that resonates with exactly nobody. In fact, it’s often said that “the riches are in the niches”–so don’t be afraid to get specific about precisely which types of content you want to feature.
2. Invest in Quality Recording Equipment
It’s no secret that high-production quality content performs better on YouTube; that’s because it’s more palatable to your viewers, which boosts your engagement and gets you noticed by YouTube’s algorithm.
While it’s not necessarily crucial that you start with top-of-the-line recording materials, it can be a great investment in yourself and your business that pays dividends for years to come. It’s also important to consider your comfort level, however, when it comes to purchasing high-performing equipment.
For example, there’s no sense in buying the most elite video editing software money can buy if you have no idea how to use its many functionalities. Consider your goals and skill sets, and set appropriate benchmarks for yourself for when it’s time to reinvest in your channel in the future with better recording devices Including Lighting, Sound-Proofing, and Green Screen Tech.
3. Connect Your YouTube Channel to Podcast Via RSS Feed OR Create Podcasts
Of course, you’ll have to decide how many platforms you want to upload your podcast to–whether that’s Apple Podcasts, PodBean, Spotify, Riverside.fm, or exclusively to YouTube.
If you do choose to upload your podcast to multiple streaming platforms, one simple way to achieve this (without manually uploading each podcast to every host) is to connect them all via an RSS Feed. “RSS” stands for “Really Simple Syndication” and essentially converts files into an “easily digestible” form for various platforms, while blasting them to connected accounts when you want to go live.
Once your accounts are connected, clicking “upload” on one platform means that you can also send the content to as many accounts as you wish. Another option is to create your podcast right within the YouTube Studio.
4. Organize Your Content Into Playlists
YouTube prefers an organized channel–and so do your viewers. The better coordinated your playlists, the more likely you are to boost user retention (that is, the cumulative amount of hours a viewer spends consuming your content)–which boosts engagement.
This is particularly helpful if you have extremely long form content that can be broken down into multiple videos, repeat guests, or thematically separated content.
5. Cross Promote and Monetize
Finally, it’s vital to leverage your content for all you can–make the hours spent cultivating strategy and inviting guests worth the effort! Whether this means converting long-form conversations into YouTube Shorts or Instagram reels, the more you can cross-promote your recent releases on all social media channels, the better your likelihood of calling in new viewers.
Once you’ve got a handle on this, you’ll want to collect money for your content, too–such as through AdSense. This can all be tracked right on YouTube.
Next Steps
Once you get dialed in with your RSS Feed and cross-platform promotion strategies, uploading regular content can become a snap. You’ll need to optimize all the time-saving hacks you can so you can further leverage each podcast and video to become sound bites, Shorts, or even TikTok material, inviting even more viewers into your mission.
If you remember that consistent posting is key and to always keep your audience at the forefront of your strategy, you’ll set yourself up for channel success! So, what are you waiting for? Get creating!
