video podcast on YouTube - How it's Going After 12 Months

Is a video podcast on YouTube worth it?

After 12 months of running my video podcast on YouTube, I’m sharing my honest review!

It’s weird to say but my YouTube podcast kinda saved my butt over the last year.

What I mean by that is, there have been a few months in a row that I just wasn’t able to get a “regular” YouTube video out there (like a how-to or tutorial style video–my usual stuff).

But with some pre-planning, a just-turn-the-camera-on-and-talk style video is relatively low lift.

Yes, it takes some time to record, edit, upload, etc, but not as time-consuming as a typical tutorial.

Luckily, starting a video podcast on my channel is one of the best decisions I have made for my business–not only because it made being consistent a little easier for me, but also because of these numbers…

I’ve been running my podcast for 12 months now, and the numbers tell an interesting story: 82,000 views on YouTube versus 2,600 downloads across audio platforms.

At first glance, it seems like YouTube is the clear winner (I mean… if it were a competition between video and audio…)

But as a solo business owner and content creator, I’ve learned that surface-level stats don’t always tell the complete story.

Wild podcast experiment: 82k YouTube views vs 2.6k audio downloads. Turns out, putting your podcast on YouTube isn’t just smart – it’s genius.

VIDEO: YouTube Podcast – How it’s Going After 12 Months | Ep. 48

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The Numbers: Video Podcast on YouTube vs. Audio Platforms

After running my video podcast on YouTube as both a YouTube video series and an audio-only show for 12 months, I’ve gathered some eye-opening insights that might change how you approach your content strategy.

When I first looked at the raw numbers, I was astounded:

– 82,000 views on YouTube

– 2,600 downloads on audio platforms

It’s easy to look at those numbers and think YouTube is the obvious winner. But when you dig deeper, you’ll see it’s not just about views and downloads. The real ROI comes from connection, visibility, engagement, and ultimately, leads and sales.

Sure, YouTube’s a discovery engine. It’s where billions of people go to find content. In contrast, audio platforms rely heavily on external promotion and loyal listeners who seek out your show. That’s why having a presence on YouTube gave my podcast a head start—it lives on a platform built for search and visibility.

Engagement: The Video Podcast on YouTube Advantage

Why I Started a Video Podcast

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let me explain why I decided to start a video podcast in the first place:

1. To learn more about video podcasting

2. To see where YouTube was heading with its podcast feature

3. To explore a new content format beyond my usual how-to videos

4. To address topics that didn’t fit neatly into tutorial-style content

As a long-time YouTube creator, I was initially skeptical about podcasts on the platform. But when YouTube introduced the podcast tab, I knew I had to give it a shot.

The Challenges of Audio-Only Podcasting

One of the biggest hurdles I encountered with the audio-only version of my podcast was the lack of engagement. As a creator, I thrive on interaction with my audience. Comments, likes, and subscriptions are what keep me motivated and help me improve my content.

With audio-only podcasting, I found it incredibly difficult to build that same level of community and communication. Even with features like Buzzsprout’s fan mail, the interaction felt one-sided and limited.

Audio-only platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify are fantastic for listeners who prefer to consume content on the go. But they have major limitations for creators:

Limited Engagement: Most podcast apps don’t offer robust commenting or community features. Even with new tools like Spotify’s comments, engagement is minimal.
Discoverability Issues: Audio podcasts rely on RSS feeds and are harder to find unless you already have an audience or get featured in-app.
One-Way Communication: Features like Buzzsprout’s fan mail allow listeners to send messages, but I can’t reply directly-making it a one-sided conversation.

Despite these challenges, I still value the audio format. Many listeners have told me they love tuning in while commuting, working out, or doing chores. For just $12/month on Buzzsprout, it’s a small price to pay to reach those fans where they are.

The Power of YouTube as a Discovery Platform

Here’s where things get interesting. While it’s true that I already had an audience on YouTube, that’s precisely the point. YouTube is a search and discovery platform with billions of active users. By putting my podcast on YouTube, I was placing my content in front of an enormous potential audience.

Consider this: YouTube recently announced that they have 1 billion active monthly podcast listeners. That’s a staggering number and a huge opportunity for content creators like us.

One of the biggest differences between YouTube and traditional audio podcasting is community interaction. On YouTube, viewers comment, like, and subscribe. These interactions not only boost my motivation as a creator but help the content get discovered more broadly through YouTube’s algorithm.

In contrast, audio podcasting has minimal built-in engagement. Even with tools like Buzzsprout’s “Fan Mail,” the feedback loop feels clunky. For example, when someone sends a message, I can’t reply or see who sent it. While it’s a nice gesture, it doesn’t build the kind of two-way relationship I can nurture on YouTube.

Beyond Vanity Metrics: Business Growth and ROI

Now, let’s talk about what really matters – how this experiment impacted my business. After all, creating content is great, but it needs to contribute to our bottom line.

Lead Generation and Sales

Spoiler alert: Yes, it did.

This podcast wasn’t just a passion project—it needed to support my business. I sell digital products, run a membership program, and offer courses. So if the podcast didn’t lead to sales or leads, it wouldn’t have lasted a full year.

Here’s what happened:

I created a podcast-only offer to track sales directly tied to podcast listeners and viewers.
That offer alone generated 18 sales and approximately $10,000 in revenue.
I also captured about 500 leads that I can reasonably attribute to the podcast.

And that’s not even counting the long-term impact: subscribers who stick around, binge episodes, then enroll in higher-ticket offers like Video Brand Academy or my 90 Days to 1K YouTube Subscribers Bootcamp.

📌 Pro tip: Creating a podcast-exclusive offer is a smart way to track real results from your show.

While it’s challenging to track direct attribution perfectly, these numbers show that the podcast is definitely contributing to my business growth.

Is It Worth Doing Both Video and Audio?

Based on my experience, here’s my advice:

If you have an audio-only podcast:

YES, absolutely add video! Turn on your webcam when recording and upload to YouTube. You have nothing to lose by putting your content on YouTube and almost nothing to gain by sticking with audio-only platforms.

YouTube is a search and discovery powerhouse. Even if you’re just talking to the camera, you’ll benefit from new eyeballs, engagement, and the chance to build a community. It’s as simple as recording your podcast with a webcam and uploading the video. Don’t miss out on YouTube’s massive audience!

If you have a YouTube channel:

YES, consider adding an audio podcast version if your content works in audio format. For just about $12/month on a platform like Buzzsprout, you can reach listeners who prefer consuming content through podcast apps while driving, exercising, or doing household chores.

If your content is mostly “talking head” or audio-friendly, it’s easy to repurpose it as a podcast. Platforms like Buzzsprout make it a breeze to distribute your episodes to all major audio apps. You’ll reach listeners who prefer podcasts and expand your brand’s reach.

The Unexpected Benefits of Video Podcasting

Beyond the metrics, I discovered some surprising advantages to maintaining a video podcast:

Content creation efficiency – When I haven’t had time to create tutorial-style videos, I’ve been able to sit down and record podcast episodes with significantly less production time.
Sustained channel performance – I was surprised to find that publishing only podcast episodes didn’t cause my channel metrics to drop as I’d feared. In fact, the longer-form content generates substantial watch time.
Lower barrier to entry – Video podcasting offers a simpler way to start creating content, especially for those intimidated by more production-heavy YouTube formats.
Audience preference accommodation – Some people have specifically told me they appreciate having the option to listen in their preferred format.

Conclusion: The ROI is Worth It

In my experience, the return on investment for running both a video and audio podcast has been significant. The additional effort required to distribute the audio version is minimal compared to the benefits it brings.

For YouTube creators considering starting a podcast, I highly recommend giving it a try. And for audio podcasters looking to expand their reach, don’t hesitate to turn on that camera and join the YouTube ecosystem.

Remember, the key to success is consistency, quality content, and a willingness to experiment. So why not give it a shot? Your next big audience breakthrough might be just a podcast episode away.

After 12 months of running both a YouTube and audio podcast, I can confidently say it’s worth the effort to maintain both. The incremental work required to create the audio version is minimal compared to the additional reach and engagement it provides.

For me, the podcast has become an integral part of my content strategy and business growth. It allows me to connect with my audience in different ways while providing valuable content that actually converts to leads and sales.

If you’re considering starting a podcast or adding video to your existing audio show, I encourage you to take the leap. The barriers to entry have never been lower, and the potential rewards have never been higher.

Ready to start your own YouTube podcast journey? Check out my Video Brand Academy, where I provide all the resources and guidance you need to launch and grow your channel effectively. The YouTube Roadmap Planner inside VBA includes my Niche Clarity worksheets and Spider web planner to help you map out your content strategy for maximum impact.

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