Sports media has been changing over the past decade or so, and with good reason.

The rise of streaming online and YouTube has led many fans to turn their backs on traditional media and create their own content, by the fans, for the fans. Often, these supporters care deeply about their teams, or their chosen subjects, and speak from a position of knowledge and authority.

Fan driven podcasts based on a sports team are often analytical and visit moments from history as well as breaking down current seasons. They can be engrossing, entertaining and far more in-depth than a national news channel running a 30-second piece on an event. It is the personalization that often draws in viewers or listeners, and platforms have sprung up which help to facilitate such programs.

If you are a fan of a sports team or want to air your views on the sport in general, how would you start a successful video sports podcast? Well, we have drawn up a handy ‘how to’ guide for you right here.

Knowledge and Passion

Think about why you watch a fan-driven podcast or video show, and understand what engages viewers. Whatever you are choosing to discuss, you must be passionate and knowledgeable, otherwise, you will not be creating anything that the viewer cannot get elsewhere. You might find a niche, within a sport, such as a particular division or level of sport, or you may focus on your team. Whatever you choose, know your subject inside out so that you are considered an authority and respected enough for people to watch.

Choose a Platform

One keyword within the industry is ‘reach’, which covers how you get out to your prospective viewers. To increase your reach, you will need to understand the platforms you can release a video show on. YouTube is hugely popular, but if you choose to use that alone you may find yourself lost in millions of other content creators. By using a service such as Streamyard or BeLive, you can broadcast to several social media platforms at once. Try to tie in your video with dedicated social media accounts and when not on camera, make sure you engage via those to build your reputation in your chosen field.

Equipment

You could just film your show on a smartphone, but higher quality audio and visuals will attract more viewers, and keep them coming back. You should consider investing in professional-grade cameras, which will deliver crisp pictures and sound. You can check out the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K by Blackmagic Design, a digital film camera that can give your footage a Hollywood-level look. However, even the most advanced cameras usually still need an external mic and audio support. If you are looking to do two-person interviews, the Rode Wireless GO II is a dual-channel mic that is perfect for podcasts and vlogs. Plus, it offers up to 7 hours of uncompressed recording or 24 hours of compressed recording, so you do not have to worry about back-ups. If you are filming indoors and at a desk, a great podcasting microphone is the Blue Snowball, as it combines low cost with good quality.

Viewer Experience

Think carefully about what the viewers see on camera. If it is you, with messy hair, an old T-shirt and the kitchen cupboards in the background, they might not be totally engaged. If they see you wearing your team’s shirt, with some graphics along the bottom of the screen explaining the subject you are debating and a backdrop featuring a collection of your team’s memorabilia, it will add authenticity to your show. Your content is not purely judged on what you say, but also on the images you project. Have Fun The key is to enjoy what you do. If you have good knowledge, solid visuals and a wide reach, then you have all the ingredients for success, but if your delivery is devoid of fun and emotion it will not hit the target. People turn to fan-driven media because they feel as though you understand them, their highs and lows, the emotions they go through on game day. Those emotions are not best expressed from dour lines read from a script – they should be about fun, spontaneity and passion. Add that to the other elements we have discussed, and you are well on your way to creating a video podcast that could be a huge success.