Spotify has always had a thriving community of artists posting audio-only podcasts. Since podcasts are shareable, they can be posted and listened to anywhere, and they often include candid commentary or interviews with musicians. With their new video podcasting feature, Spotify hopes to give more artists a chance to reach their biggest fans and to appeal even more strongly to music fans who prefer visual content over audio.
How does it work?
It would be best if you had a few things to create a video podcast for your listeners on Spotify. First, you must join the Video Podcast Partner program. This is a separate Spotify account with a unique username and PIN. It also includes an option to connect your Spotify account so these accounts are linked. Next, you need to upload a video file of your choosing (mp4 format isn’t required). The video can be up to 30 seconds long, but it should have good sound quality. You can also add text commentary describing why this video is important for you and your listeners. Once uploaded, the video will be available on Spotify’s site as well as through its app on iPhone, Android, and desktop computers (Mac or PC).
What can your podcasts include?
When you start creating a podcast on Spotify, you can add a video or an image. If you choose a video, you will be presented with a library of videos from your computer already in mp4 format. If not, you can use the built-in camera on your phone or tablet to shoot the video. Video podcasts only last for 15 minutes each, and artists must be sure to upload every episode into Spotify separately, as they will not just automatically be added together onto one playlist. Your podcasts can also include text. You can use this text to add a description of the video or even start out the episode by saying something on camera. Your listeners will not read the text aloud, so it can be a big block of text or a few words.
Why should you try it?
Spotify is working hard to ensure that people listen to relevant content from artists they enjoy. Their new video podcasts feature allows artists to reach listeners with different methods. First, it allows them to share photos and videos from their own lives with their fans and followers. If you create a video podcast, your fans can be able to see where you are and what you are doing.
This helps artists build a personal connection with listeners, which could lead to greater sales of tickets and merchandise. Spotify suggests that people will also want to listen to a podcast to learn more about the artist they’re following, which can lead back to support and loyalty. And it’s not just a one-way relationship. The idea of impromptu live streaming gained momentum earlier this year as people began mixing YouTube and Periscope in creative ways to connect with their fans and make a connection that couldn’t be broken.
How does it affect Spotify’s paid Premium model?
Spotify has two different paid models, a free ad-supported service and a premium subscription service. The free plan offers radio playlists but not video podcasts or album streams. There are also limitations on how many hours of a song can be played in a day and how many times the same song can be played. With video podcasts, there are no limitations on how many times your video can be viewed or how long it will last. Premium subscribers get all of these premium features, so this addition should give them more chances to listen and watch.
Why such a big change now?
Spotify is aggressively growing its user base and has been working hard to make sure that they have the most effective way of reaching its audience possible. For example, in March, they launched the ability to add songs to playlists via text messages or Facebook Messenger in order to reach people wherever they are. Their prior solution for reaching people was radio playlists and recommendations, which covered most of their audience.
However, Spotify has continued research into other ways that people listen to music on Spotify, and video podcasts would be another way to connect with listeners. Spotify is also working hard to make sure that they don’t lose paying users. They recently increased the number of hours a free user could stream music in a month to 10 hours and removed the limit for premium users.
