Podcast or video: which one is better for you?

To Podcast or to YouTube, that is the question. And the answer is: it depends on many factors, from the type of content you want to create to the audience you want to reach. Both platforms have their pros and cons, none is better than the other, so it is just a matter of finding the right one for you.  

Why should you choose YouTube?

It is no news that YouTube is one of the most visited sites in the world and the second most used search engine (Google takes the first spot, of course). YouTube has 2 billion logged-in users a month and 73% of adults in the U.S. use it, meaning that basically, it is probably hard to find a person who has never seen at least one video on YouTube. The numbers are for sure impressive and there are even more advantages: starting with SEO, as posting high-quality videos on YouTube and growing a viewership can help you score better on Google—after all, Google owns YouTube. 

If you are targeting millennials or aiming to create content that is highly visual, then YouTube is the place where you will grow a following. The only real disadvantage of YouTube is the effort that is involved in producing videos and editing them, as well as the consistency, a key factor to have a successful channel. Don’t forget that YouTube is a social network, so interaction with your followers will be key, even more as your subscribers number goes up. Answering comments, delivering new content regularly and taking advantage of all the possibilities YouTube has to offer, will help you to create a community of fans. 

Why should you choose Podcasts?

As great as YouTube is, podcasts are quickly making an impact, especially since 2019 when the number of podcast listeners in the US jumped from 44% to 51%, and they don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The great thing is that the podcast audience tends to be highly committed to this type of content, and once they like a show, they are more likely to tune in every week. In fact, 80% of podcast listeners usually finish or listen to mostly an entire episode, mainly because listening to a podcast allows you to multitask, while watching a video requires more attention. 

Another thing about podcasts is that, contrary to videos, there is not one main platform to post them. Spotify, iTunes, and many more offer the chance to reach diverse audiences around the world. Even YouTube is jumping on board and nowadays, there are many podcasts around in the form of videos with no images. Research is key here, as each platform has its own niche, so depending on your topic, you will want to find the right place to post it. If podcasting is your thing, then read our tips on how to create a successful podcast to get you started.

Both require some technical skills and some equipment, keeping in mind that the better the equipment you use—cameras, microphones, editing software, and even lighting—the result will be more professional. For sure podcasting requires fewer tools, as you basically only need a mic, something to record (could be even your phone), and an editing program, while the aesthetic standards on YouTube are definitely high, meaning that you should invest more time and efforts on creating a high-quality final product. 

Another thing both types of content have in common is their need for royalty free music. Using any copyrighted music in your show or videos can be risky as you could be penalized by Spotify, iTunes or YouTube by being demonetized or kicked out. As we imagine no creator would like that, finding the right music for your creations is a must as no video or podcast episode is complete without royalty free music. Thankfully at HookSounds you will find plenty 🙂