Blog vs Podcast vs YouTube: Where should you create content for your business?

Trying to work out whether you should start a blog, podcast or YouTube channel for your business? It is easy to get overwhelmed when trying to choose the right platform to create regular content, however, I’m here to help you. Keep on reading as you’ll find out the pros and cons of each platform and then hopefully be able to choose the right platform for your business and start creating!

 

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BLOG

First, let’s discuss blogs. Out of blogs, podcasts and YouTube, blogs have been in the mainstream for the longest. There are lots of stories of bloggers who managed to turn their successful blog into a business. However, blogging for your business is different. When you are blogging for your business you’ll be creating blog posts to attract your ideal client and help move them along the customer journey.

 

Pros

• Easy to get started. If you are using WordPress or Squarespace for your website then you can easily add a blog section in.
• Blogs are low cost. If you already have a website then you probably won’t have to pay anything additional.
• You don’t need additional equipment. Unlike creating a podcast episodes or videos you don’t need any other equipment, software etc. You just need something to type with and a platform to post on.
• An optimised blog will help your website to rank better on Google. If you use search engine optimisation techniques on your blog posts then you’ll increase the number of keywords your website can rank for and the position your website appears at in Google searches.

Cons

• Creating blog posts is time consuming. Creating high-quality blog posts takes time. You have to decide the topic, research, write, edit, proofread, add in graphics and then publish.
• Some people believe blogs are dead (or dying). As people become lazier lots of people say that blogs are dying as people can’t be bothered to read and would rather listen or watch instead.
• You have to write. This might seem obvious but blogging requires you to be confident putting your written words into the world and this is daunting for some people.

 

 

PODCAST

Podcasting has hit the mainstream last (in fact so many people are still unaware of what a podcast is). However, it has quickly become a very popular option for content creation for good reasons.

Pros

• You will get your audience’s attention for a longer time. People will easily listen to a podcast episode that is 30 minutes to an hour-long. Whereas they’ll spend a few minutes reading a blog post and around 10 minutes watching a video.
• It requires less equipment than creating videos. For a podcast really all you need is a quiet space and a microphone.
• No one can see you. Unlike video, no one can see you, which means you don’t have to worry about what you look like.
• Very guest friendly. Interviews are a popular format choice for podcast episodes and usually perform well. This means it is great for you to be able to grow your network and collaborate with others.

 

Cons

• You will need to pay for a hosting service. Technically you can self-host, but most people use a hosting service.
• Editing can be a lengthy process. You may have to learn how to edit, get the necessary software and then edit. If your podcast is long in length or you have a specific style of editing then it could take a long time.
• Requires a quiet space. You need to have a quiet space to record a podcast. Many American podcasters will record in their closet. I’ve resorted to recording in a cupboard.
• The search functionality in most podcast apps isn’t great. A major downside to podcasts is that the search functionality is so poor compared to YouTube and Google. However, hopefully as podcasts become more popular and more episodes are produced this will get better.

YOUTUBE

Launched in 2005, YouTube is now the second most popular website and search engine in the world. With the focus for the future being ‘video’ you may think that creating a YouTube channel is the place to be, but here are the pros and cons.

Pros

• Free. It is free to open an account and start uploading videos
• Increases the know, like and trust factor. Video allows your audience to get to know you faster than a podcast as they can see and hear you
• Can use search engine optimisation (SEO) techniques to ensure your videos appears in front of more people than just your followers.
• Repurposing opportunities. The same video you create for YouTube can be used natively on platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn.

Cons

• You don’t own YouTube. Hosting your videos on YouTube is a risk. YouTube could disappear (although given that Alexa ranks it is the second most visited website in the world that is unlikely). However, you could be unfortunate like Alex Beadon and wake up to find your whole account has been erased.
• You may need to invest in equipment. Whilst you can record on your smartphone you may invest in a camera, as well as lighting and microphone.
• You have to get ready. Since people can see you it means you have to make yourself ‘presentable’ to record. This will require more effort and time for some people than others. Also, you’ll need to get your space ready too.
• You will need to know, or learn, how to edit.

 

 

Blog vs. Podcast vs YouTube: Which should you choose?

By now I hope you can see that there is no one option that is better than another. A podcast, blog and YouTube channel all offer different pros and cons.

When it comes to choosing what is best for you and your business you should consider the following:

• Which option is preferred by your target audience and market?
• Which option will allow your business to be presented in the best way possible?
• Which option works best for you and your lifestyle?

By thinking about your audience, your business and yourself you’ll hopefully be able to make a decision about what option is best for you.

 

Examples of business that have a successful blog, podcast or YouTube channel

To help reiterate the fact that I truly believe you can build a successful business using either a blog, podcast or YouTube channel I wanted to share some successful businesses that are based around one of the three content options.

 

BLOG

• Pat Flynn create the Smart Passive Income blog back in 2008 and has now turned that blog into a successful education and training company.

 

PODCAST

• Jenna Kutcher is the host of The Goal Digger Podcast and is a massive advocate of how creating a podcast changed her business and life.
• Lewis Howes is the host of The School of Greatness. After working with Rory Vaden he decided to concentrate the majority of his efforts into the podcast (which resulted in his closing his inner circle membership).

 

YOUTUBE CHANNELS

• Denise Duffield-Thomas is a money mindset and manifestation coach. For years she released a new video every week on her YouTube channels with everything ultimately leading to her Money Bootcamp.
• Gary Vaynerchuk loves video and has built a YouTube channel with millions of followers and hundreds of millions of views. This has helped reinforce his position as a leading authority in marketing, which impacts his agency, as well as his book sales and opportunities to speak.

 

Hopefully, by now, you’ll have decided whether you want to start a blog, podcast or YouTube channel. However, choosing where to create your content is just the beginning.

 

Want help with starting your blog, podcast or YouTube channel?

Whilst you might have thought choosing where to create your content was the hard part, the fact is that it is only the beginning.

Now you’ll need to learn about creating content for that platform and ensuring you are creating the right content to grow your business.

Luckily, I’m here to help!

Over the last 5 years, I have had the experience of running multiple blogs, a podcast and a YouTube channel. On top of the practical experience of creating content on all the platform, I also specialise in content marketing strategy.

I focus on helping business owners to create strategic content. Content that puts them in front of the right people, content that positions them as an authority in their nice and content that leads to sales.

If you are ready to start your blog, podcast or YouTube channel in style and ensure that from the beginning you are creating the right content to grow your business then book a content strategy day. You can drop me a message here or if you would prefer to discuss your situation on a call then you can book a call here.