E126 - Listener Question - Should I Start a Live Podcast, A Video Podcast or and Audio Only Show

Chris left a message about I am thinking of starting a podcast. Chris was wondering what the best path is to start on.

Should he start an audio only podcast, a video podcast or a live show?

Chris asked if I have ever considered doing a live podcast?

In this episode we look at where the easiest place is to start. As in all things in life, it depends! If you are gifted with video, then a video podcast makes sense based on what you already know - if you are a live gamer, than a live podcast might be great - I, unfortunately am neither of those! So I choose audio only to start. A few reasons why...

Audio is widely available to the majority of consumers without hurdles to consume your podcast - you reach is wider and evergreen. Your hosting site might charge you by file size per episode - audio file sizes are lower than video thus saving you money.

Video and Live Podcasting include extras - cameras, lights, streaming software, strong internet connection, money etc. If you are new and have very little budget this might makes thing difficult for you starting out.

Live podcasting to me, based on the limited live podcasts that I have attended (there in lies one big problem - I am busy when they go live) tends to lean toward podcasters that seem bored with the audio only podcasts that they have been creating for a long time. It is the new shiny thing and when they host a live podcast they seem distracted, unfocused, unedited and all over the place leaving us audio only listeners in the dark as to what is going on.

"Look at this mic" "Check out this image" "Charlie in the chat just made a great comment" (but we don't hear Charlie's comment, ever)

Podcasting from day one was built on anyone can speak to everyone, anytime, anywhere and how the audience wants to listen. Video and live have limited ways to hear/see the podcast - so there in lies the problem that I have with ignoring the audio only podcast listeners - the moment we purposefully alienate potential listeners becomes the opposite of what podcasting was designed to do.

Audio is where I would start based on my audience, my skill level and my current financial situation - be realistic and inclusive to all!

... and for all things podcasting, edit your live and video podcasts for those listening later on an audio platform - don't be a lazy podcaster - we see you!

___ ⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠ Leave Dave a message - ⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/HelloDave⁠⁠ Get a podcast review of your show! - ⁠⁠https://podcastfeedback.ca/⁠⁠