Video Podcasting: Smart Growth Move or Just a Time-Suck?

Video Podcasting is not the magic growth hack you’ve been sold. In fact, for a lot of podcasters, it’s turned out to be a total waste—costing them time, energy, and even listeners.

Yet everywhere you turn, someone’s saying you need to be on video. That if you’re not recording your episodes with a camera on, you’re missing the boat. But is video really the key to growing your show, or is it just another distraction?

I sat down with Bryan Fittin, founder of GoRogue Studios, to dig into what video podcasting can actually do for your show—and, more importantly, where it can go horribly wrong.

The Hidden Cost of Video Podcasting

The Hidden Cost of Video Podcasting

1. The biggest mistake podcasters make with video?
2. It usually goes like this:
3. They hear video podcasting is the “next big thing.”

They flip their camera on, record their episodes, and upload them everywhere.

… And nothing happens. No extra downloads, no engagement—just wasted hours editing footage with zero ROI.

Why? Because video doesn’t serve your audience just because it’s there. It serves them when it’s structured to keep them watching.

Many podcasters assume adding video means adding value. But just because your show has video doesn’t mean it’s engaging. A well-structured audio episode will outperform a poorly executed video every time.

"If video doesn’t serve your audience, don’t do it," Bryan said. "It’s only going to add complexity to what you’re already doing—which could dilute your efforts, not enhance them."

So before you hit record, ask yourself: Is this video strategically built for the platform I’m posting it on? Is it crafted to attract and keep viewers watching? Or am I just adding video for the sake of adding video?

Now we’re getting somewhere.

Why YouTube Isn’t Always the Best Starting Point

So let’s say you’ve thought it through, and you’re ready to add video the right way. Naturally, your first thought might be: Well, I’ll just put my podcast on YouTube. But hold up.

Most podcasters assume YouTube is the go-to for video podcasting, but it’s not always the best choice.

According to Bryan, Spotify is actually one of the easiest platforms to start with. Why? Because podcast listeners are already there, and unlike YouTube, there’s far less competition for video content. They don’t have to jump from Instagram to YouTube to a podcast player—you’re meeting them where they’re already listening.

"If you are a podcaster right now looking to go to video, Spotify is your go-to," Bryan explains. "You already have podcast listeners in that feed. You're not moving them from social media to try to go into a podcast player."

Not to mention, Spotify lets users swipe between audio and video seamlessly, which means you’re adding value without forcing a behavior change.

So before you default to YouTube, ask yourself: Where are people already listening to podcasts—and how can I meet them there?

Don’t Fall for the AI “Video Podcasting” Trap 

AI video editors promise to make repurposing content effortless. Just upload your episode, and boom—16 viral clips, ready to post.

Except… that’s not how it actually works.

I tested one of these tools once. Once. It cut my sentences off mid-thought, randomly selected clips that made zero sense, and completely butchered the captions. Unacceptable.

Bryan had a similar experience. "AI video podcasting tools reminds me of how businesses used to hand social media to the intern—just throw it at someone and hope for the best. That’s what people are doing with AI right now," he said. "But you still have to protect your brand and your voice. AI is a tool. It’s not a strategy."

If you’re just hitting "generate" and posting whatever it spits out, your content will blend in with the thousands of low-quality, forgettable clips flooding social feeds.

If you’re just hitting "generate" and posting whatever it spits out, your content will blend in with the thousands of low-quality, forgettable clips flooding social feeds.

And when your content looks like everyone else's? It gets ignored like everyone else's.

AI can assist your strategy—but it can’t be your strategy. Because at the end of the day, listeners don’t connect with automation. They connect with you.

The Right Way to Approach Video Podcasting

Okay, so you’re still here—set on doing video podcasting. Bold move. I respect it.

If you want video to actually work for your podcast, here’s what you need to do:

• Start with one platform. Pick where your audience already is (hint: this might not be YouTube).
• Format your episodes with video in mind. Lead with a strong hook, trim all dead air space, keep visuals engaging, and cut the long-winded intros.
• Keep your audio quality high. People will put up with slightly lower video quality—but bad audio? They’re out.
• Use AI wisely. Let it speed up your workflow, but don’t rely on it to create your content for you.

At the end of the day, video podcasting is a choice—not something you should feel pressured into. It can be a powerful tool, but only when you use it for the right reasons.

"At the end of the day, it's about knowing your audience and knowing your strategy," Bryan said. "If you can answer those two things, then video can absolutely work for you. But don't do it just because you think you're supposed to."

So if you’re thinking about adding video, don’t do it because you feel like you should—only do it when it actually makes sense for your show.

Up Next:

So now you know where to post video and how to make it work—but what about what to post?

Most podcasters assume any video content will bring listeners back to their show, but that’s not the case. In the next episode, Bryan and I break down the one type of video content that actually gets people hooked on your podcast—and it’s not what you think.

So if you want to use video to attract real listeners without hiring a production team, spending hours editing, or posting content that goes nowhere, make sure you’re following Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast so you don’t miss the next episode.

Or if you’re an established coach, consultant, or creator who’s ready for a proven strategy to build a bingeworthy top podcast that actually grows your business, book a free strategy call with our team to find out if you’re a fit for PodLaunch® — we’re here to help.