How to Start a Video Podcast on a Budget

Starting a video podcast doesn’t have to mean buying expensive cameras or building a studio. You can begin with your phone, clear sound, and good light. If your co-host or guest lives somewhere else, you’ll also need a way to record together without making the process complicated.

Recording with a co-host or guest

If you’re in the same room, one camera showing both of you is enough to start. Separate cameras give you more editing options, but they aren’t essential.

When you’re in different places, the challenge is finding a recording setup—and a time—that works for everyone.

MicRelay makes that easier. You record your question or contribution and send it. Your co-host or guest watches it and records their reply whenever they’re free. Each person records directly on their device, so you aren’t relying on the picture from a live video call.

There’s no shared recording appointment to arrange, which makes it easier to include busy guests or people in different time zones. You can also send written questions without recording yourself, letting your guest’s answers take center stage.

And the best part is that when you’re done, you don’t have to piece the whole conversation together yourself. MicRelay puts your questions and your guest’s answers in order, ready for you to review, edit, and export as one video.

What you need

A camera. Your phone is a good place to start. Before buying anything, make a short test recording with the camera you already have.

Clear sound. Record in a quiet room, stay close to your microphone, and listen back before recording a full episode. Curtains, rugs, and soft furniture can help reduce echo. If you have money for one upgrade, consider a microphone that works with your phone or computer.

Good light. Sit facing a window. If that’s not an option, place a lamp or a small light behind your camera, pointed toward you. Avoid having a bright window behind your head.

A simple background. It doesn’t need to look like a studio. A bookshelf or a plain wall works. Clear away anything distracting and check what’s visible in the frame.

You can make your first test episode without buying equipment. That gives you a chance to find out what actually needs improving before you spend money.

Setting up your phone

Put the phone at eye level so you’re looking straight into it. Turn it sideways if you want a landscape video for the full episode. Use a tripod or a stable stand to keep it steady.

The back camera may give you a sharper picture, but the front camera makes it easier to check your framing. Use whichever helps you record comfortably and consistently.

Make a short test with your actual recording setup. Check that your face is well lit, your voice is clear, and your microphone is working. Plug in your phone for a longer recording and silence notifications before you begin.

Editing your episode

Start by reviewing the assembled conversation in MicRelay. Check the order, trim anything you don’t need, and make sure the episode begins with something worth watching.

You don’t need elaborate transitions or a long animated introduction. A clear opening and a conversation that keeps moving are enough for a first episode.

Once you’re happy with it, export the finished video. If you want additional graphics, music, or effects, you can bring that export into a separate video editor.

Where to post

YouTube is a natural place to publish your full video episode. Give it a title that tells people what they’ll get from watching, and use a thumbnail that’s easy to understand at a glance.

Then choose a few moments that work as short clips for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, or Instagram Reels. A useful answer, surprising observation, or compelling story can give someone a reason to watch the full conversation.

Choose clips that make sense on their own, and tell viewers where to find the complete episode.

Start with one episode

You don’t need to plan a big launch. Choose one topic and one person you’d like to hear from. Set up your phone, create your questions in MicRelay, and send the invitation.

Your guest can answer when they’re free. When the conversation is complete, review it, export it, and publish your first episode.

You’ll learn more from making that first one than from spending weeks planning the perfect setup.