Let’s talk about something that’s been coming up a lot lately, the pressure to turn your podcast into a full-blown video production.
You’ve probably seen the high-end podcasts on YouTube like Diary of a CEO with glossy lighting, multi-camera angles, beautiful sets, and celebrity guests. It’s easy to feel like that’s the gold standard, and if you’re not doing that, you’re somehow behind.
But you don’t need to film your podcast to make it successful. In fact, for most business owners, it’s completely unnecessary.
Podcast vs. YouTube Show
Let’s start with a simple reminder: a podcast is audio-first. People listen to podcasts while they’re cooking, driving, walking the dog, or folding laundry. They’re not sitting down to watch a split-screen Zoom interview for 40 minutes. That’s just not how podcast listeners behave.
YouTube, on the other hand, is a video-first platform. People go there for visual content — things like makeup tutorials, tech reviews, or walkthroughs. If you’re wondering what works on YouTube, check out channels like Marques Brownlee, you’ll see what I mean.
If you’re uploading full episodes to YouTube without a clear strategy, it might be time to rethink your approach.
What Actually Matters for a Successful Podcast
There’s nothing wrong with repurposing a clip or soundbite into a Reel or TikTok, that’s a brilliant visibility move. But creating an entire video version of your podcast? That’s a huge investment of time and energy that might not give you anything in return.
Here’s what actually makes a podcast successful:
- Clear, quality audio (a tool like Descript or Audacity can help here)
- Helpful, valuable content that solves a problem
- A format that fits your time, tech level, and business goals
- A consistent presence that builds trust and authority
Most business owners don’t have a video team, a full set, and a six-hour editing window. And that’s totally fine, because podcasting is meant to be practical and sustainable.
Actionable Tips
If you’ve been feeling the pressure to film your podcast or upload to YouTube “because everyone else is,” here’s what to do instead:
- Focus on high-quality audio, that’s what your podcast audience is here for
- Use short-form video intentionally to drive awareness (don’t just upload full episodes)
- Plan your episodes with your ideal client in mind, not an algorithm
- Build your podcast strategy around your business goals, whether that’s lead generation, authority, or community-building
Your podcast should serve you just as much as it serves your audience.
Want to hear more about this?
In the latest episode of Podcasting for Business Owners, I’m sharing more about the growing confusion between video shows and podcasts, the impact of YouTube’s push into podcasting, and how to stay focused on what works.