You can feel the pressure. It’s practically unavoidable. Video is everywhere. YouTube and its short-form clips are everywhere. Apple Podcasts and Spotify are aggressively pushing video content on their platform.
And whenever you follow any podcasting circles, the question always seems to surface: Are you on video yet?
Podcasters are feeling something they don’t always say out loud. They’re feeling behind and wondering if an audio-only podcast is somehow no longer enough. They’re wondering if the only way to stay relevant, grow their audience, and build their business is to immediately turn their podcast into a full-scale video production.
Video is growing fast. But panic is not your strategy.
In my work as My Podcast Guy, I’ve worked with podcasters who started thinking about cameras before they had even clarified the core purpose of their show. They started researching lighting kits, editing workflows, studio options, thumbnails, and social media clip strategies before they answered the single most important question: What is this podcast actually here to do?
Video may be a very smart next move for your show. But it might also be a massive distraction from the real work. And the only way to know the difference is not by looking at what the podcast industry or your competitors are constantly shouting out loud.
It’s by looking at your podcast why.
The Pressure is Real, But It Doesn’t Get to Make the Decision
Video is creating more ways for some shows to be found. It’s helping some podcasters build visibility, authority, and highly shareable content. For the right kind of show, those things matter a great deal.
But here’s the mistake I don’t want you to make with your podcast marketing strategy: don’t confuse market excitement about the latest shiny object with your podcast alignment.
Just because video is becoming more common doesn’t mean your show automatically needs it right now.
I’m working with business owners whose podcast audiences are deeply loyal and highly responsive. And those listeners aren’t sitting around wishing for more camera angles. They want your insightful, consistent episodes they can take with them into the rest of their busy lives.
Your followers listen while driving, walking the dog, traveling, or working out. For them, audio isn’t a lesser format. It’s exactly the right format.
That matters infinitely more than trend pressure. Because if your audience primarily values usefulness, trust, and consistency, then adding video may help a little. Or it may add layers of complexity that don’t improve the core value of the show at all.
Yes, you should pay attention to the shift in the industry. But you shouldn’t surrender your strategic judgment to it.
Ask the Question Behind the Question
Before you buy a camera, update your home office space, or book time in a professional studio, there’s a foundational question you need to sit with.
Not what could it become one day, or would look impressive online. And definately not what seems to be working for that other entrepreneur in your feed.
What is your podcast for right now?
Is it here to:
- help you build authority in your niche?
- grow your reach?
- stay connected to an existing audience?
- support your business by generating better leads?
- deepen trust with the right people so they eventually want to work with you?
I’m working with podcasters who got immediate clarity the moment they answered that question honestly. Once they stopped asking the frantic question—”Should I do video?“—and started asking the strategic question—”What job is my podcast here to do?“—the pressure went down. The decision became much clearer.
That’s the shift I want for you. When your podcast why is clear, production decisions stop feeling random and reactive. They start feeling practical and grounded in real podcast strategy.
Make Production Decisions on Purpose
This entire season 6 of *The Podcast Why* is dedicated to this idea: making production decisions on purpose.
If you miss that step, then even a genuinely good opportunity like video can become a bad strategy for your business. Video is simply a tool. It’s a very loud, very popular tool right now, but it’s still just a tool. It can’t fix a broken strategy, or replace a missing “podcast why.”
If you’re using a podcast for business growth, your advantage isn’t in keeping up with every trend. Your advantage is knowing exactly why your show exists and making every decision. That includes whether to turn on a camera, from a place of clarity.
So, your next step is simple. Write down one sentence that answers this question: *What is my podcast actually for?*
If you can’t answer that yet, then don’t worry about video. Finding that answer is your first piece of work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Video Podcasting
Do I have to do a video podcast to grow my business?
According to Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy, no, you don’t have to do a video podcast to grow your business. While video can increase discoverability on platforms like YouTube, an audio-only podcast remains a highly effective format for building authority, deepening trust, and reaching an audience that prefers listening while multitasking. The decision should be based on your podcast’s specific goals and your audience’s habits, not just industry trends.
How do I decide if my podcast should be video or audio?
To decide between video and audio, first define the core job of your podcast. If your primary goal is rapid growth and visual discoverability, and you have the bandwidth for increased production complexity, video may be a good fit. According to Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy, if your goal is deep connection, consistency, and reaching listeners on the go, audio-only is often the more sustainable and effective choice.
What is a “podcast why” and why does it matter?
A “podcast why” is the foundational purpose and strategic reason your show exists. It defines what job the podcast is meant to do for your business, such as generating leads, building authority, or nurturing a community. According to Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy, knowing your “podcast why” matters because it guides every decision you make, from content creation and guest selection to production choices like whether to add video, ensuring your efforts actually support your business goals.
This is the kind of work I do every day as My Podcast Guy.
If your show feels slightly “off”—like you’re working hard but not really connecting—I can help you:
- Clarify your own why
- Clarify your listener’s why
- Redesign your intros, topics, and structure so those two whys stop pulling against each other
We’ll map out your engine, your listener’s destination, and how to get your podcast pointed toward both.
Need a studio in Central Ohio or the Columbus, Ohio area to record your podcast? Check out our go-to studio, Channel 511 in Columbus, Ohio.
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