Audio vs video podcasting: what works best?

Last updated on June 8th, 2026 at 10:35 am

Why starting a video podcast could be hurting your podcast growth in 2026

Everyone seems to be talking about video podcasting right now. Scroll through social media and you’ll see creators filming in expensive studios, using multiple camera angles and turning every episode into a full production.

But here’s what most people won’t tell you. You don’t need a video podcast to build a successful show. And in many cases, starting with video can actually slow down your growth, drain your energy and make podcasting feel harder than it needs to be.

If you’re thinking about starting a podcast for your business, this is something you really need to hear.

This blog is based on insights originally shared in The Long Game, sign up here.

Why this matters before you start a podcast

A lot of new podcasters believe they need to do everything at once. They think they need:

• A professional studio
• Multiple cameras
• Fancy editing
• YouTube videos
• Viral clips
• Daily content

But most successful podcasts didn’t start that way, they started simple. And when you’re building a podcast strategy, simple is often what helps you stay consistent. Because consistency is what grows a podcast. Not expensive equipment, trends and trying to copy what everyone else is doing.

If your podcast becomes too overwhelming too quickly, there’s a high chance you’ll stop showing up altogether. That’s where podcast burnout happens.

The biggest mistake new podcasters make

One of the biggest mistakes I see is people creating content for themselves instead of creating content for their audience. I worked with a client who launched her first season as an audio podcast only.

It worked really well for her because it fit naturally into her life and business. Then for season two, she decided to move into video. She invested in:

• A studio
• Professional editing
• Cameras
• More production time

And her podcast didn’t grow. Not because her content wasn’t valuable, but because her audience weren’t consuming podcasts that way. Her listeners were busy parents. They listened while:

• Driving to school drop-off
• Walking the dog
• Cleaning the house
• Exercising
• Cooking dinner

They didn’t have time to sit and watch a full video episode. So eventually, she went back to audio. And it worked better for her audience and her lifestyle.

That’s why understanding your listener is more important than following trends.

Are people watching video podcasts?

This is the question you need to ask before adding video to your workflow. Because yes, video content is powerful, but that doesn’t automatically mean your audience wants a full video podcast.

A lot of podcast listeners still prefer audio because it fits into their daily routine. Podcasting is unique because people can consume it while doing other things. That’s why audio podcasting is still incredibly effective in 2026. Especially for:

• Coaches
• Consultants
• Service providers
• Busy business owners
• Parents
• Professionals

If your audience mainly listens on the go, video may not add much value at all.

The hidden cost of video podcasting

People often underestimate how much extra work video creates. Adding video usually means:

• Longer editing time
• More equipment
• More storage
• More setup
• More pressure to “look good”
• More content management

And if you’re already struggling to stay consistent, video can make podcasting feel exhausting. Your podcast should support your business, not take over your life. That’s why I always recommend starting with the simplest version first. You can always expand later.

What to do instead

If your goal is to promote your podcast on social media, you don’t need a full studio setup. You can simply:

• Record short clips on your phone
• Film behind-the-scenes moments
• Use simple talking-to-camera content

That’s often more than enough to market your podcast effectively. Focus on building a strong podcast foundation first. Then later, if video genuinely makes sense for your audience and business, you can add it in.

This is exactly why I created my Podcast Launch Roadmap, to help business owners launch a podcast in a way that feels sustainable.

What grows a podcast?

Not video, expensive microphones or fancy editing. What grows a podcast is:

• Knowing your audience
• Creating valuable content
• Being consistent
• Building trust
• Showing up regularly

That’s it. And if you can do that with an audio-only podcast, you’re already ahead of most people who spend months overcomplicating the process.

You don’t need to start perfectly

One of the biggest reasons people never launch their podcast is because they think everything needs to be perfect first. But podcasting works best when you learn as you go.

Your first episodes won’t be perfect, and that’s okay. Because your audience cares far more about your message than your camera quality. Being relatable and valuable will always matter more than looking polished.

Ready to start your podcast without overcomplicating it?

If you’ve been putting pressure on yourself to launch a perfect video podcast, let this be your permission to simplify things. Start with audio, build confidence, create consistency, then grow from there.

And if you want support creating a podcast that feels simple, strategic and aligned with your business goals, that’s exactly what I help my clients do. If you need support to launch your podcast see how we can work together here.

Key takeaways

You don’t need a video podcast to build a successful show. Focus on creating valuable content for your audience first, because consistency and connection will grow your podcast far faster than expensive production.

Laura McRae
Podcast Strategist & Podcast Producer