The Pros and Cons of Going Video: Let’s Talk

Hey, it's Dave Jackson! In this episode, Ishare my talk that I did at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) about video podcasting. What are the real benefits, the costs, and the drawbacks? I also tackled the recent Apple announcement about HLS video, shared my NRB event experience, and got into some real stats and stories about YouTube and podcasting.

This episode uses chapters to enable you to jump to the most important parts for you.

Key Topics Covered:

1. The difference between a podcast and a YouTube show
2. Stats on how many podcasters are actually doing "real" video
3. YouTube's change to how Shorts views are counted
4. Pros and cons of YouTube for discovery and monetization
5. Cost breakdowns of starting both audio and video podcasts
6. Completion percentages for audio vs video shows
7. Algorithm reality and how audience recommendations work
8. Major drawbacks of relying on video platforms for income
9. The new Apple HLS video announcement: what it means, who it's for, and whether you should care
10. Real examples of creators' experiences on YouTube

My Takeaways:

You don't have to do video if you don't want to. Video can help with discovery, but the audio side offers significantly more opportunity—sometimes a 15x larger audience! Also, while YouTube provides community and powerful analytics, the algorithm and monetization risks are real. The new Apple HLS video support is mostly about helping advertisers, not creators, and comes with new costs.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

1. School of Podcasting: schoolofpodcasting.com
2. Podcast Host Survey (Dr. Colin Gray): thepodcasthost.com
3. The Truth About ‘Video Podcasts’ on YouTube
4. These 5 Podcasters Added Video – Here’s What Happened
5. PodcastIndex stats: podcastindex.org
6. Hosting Recommendations:
7. Captivate: captivate.fm
8. Buzzsprout: buzzsprout.com
9. RSS.com: rss.com
10. Blubrry: blubrry.com
11. Think Media (YouTube demonetization video): thinkmedia.com
12. Truth Unveiled with Ralph (Ralph Eastep):
13. Sponsor Magnet book by Justin Moore:
14. Profit from Your Podcast (my book):
15. Streamline Solopreneur with Joe Casabona
16. Around the Layout (Ray)
17. Podpage (Podcast Website builder): podpage.com
18. Podnews details on Apple announcement on HLS
19. Jordan Harbinger on the New Media Show
20. Professor of Rock on AI Ruining YouTube.
21. Rob Walch talks about Club Random

Other Tools Mentioned:

1. Samson Q2U mic, Rode PodMic USB, Shure MV7 and SM7B, Audio-Technica AT897 Shotgun Condenser Microphone (mic options)
2. Elgato Facecam Pro, Sony ZV-E10 II (camera options)
3. Descript & Riverside (remote video recorders/editors)
4. Patreon & SuperCast (crowdfunding)
5. Ecamm Live (live streaming tool)
6. Inexpensive Lighting Rig

Final Thoughts:

If you want to do video, go ahead—but know the realities and risks. Don't let anyone (especially YouTube or Spotify) pressure you into it unless it suits your content and goals. And keep in mind, when Apple rolls out its new features, it’s likely to come with extra charges, so stay informed!

If you need help planning, launching, or growing your show, check out schoolofpodcasting.com and use coupon code LISTENER.

Please share the episode with a friend if you found it helpful!

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Mentioned in this episode:

Starting a podcast can be daunting. Fear of failure, uncertainty about where to begin, and doubts about your abilities can hold you back. But what if you had a guide? The School of Podcasting is here to help you confidently launch, grow, and monetize your podcast. With over 20 years of experience and tons of successful podcasts launched, I'll walk you through every step. From planning to promotion, you're never alone." Learn at your own pace with video courses, join a...