How to Edit Podcast Videos: A Complete Guide
Video podcasts are exploding. YouTube is now the #1 podcast platform, and short clips from podcast episodes drive millions of views on TikTok and Instagram. But editing hours of footage into shareable content can be overwhelming.
This guide shows you how to efficiently edit podcast videos for YouTube and create viral clips for social media.
Recording Setup Basics
Good editing starts with good footage. Before recording:
- Use multiple camera angles - Even just two angles adds visual variety
- Consistent lighting - Soft, even lighting on faces
- Clean background - Branded backdrop or tidy space
- Quality microphones - Audio quality matters more than video quality
- Record locally - Remote calls should record locally on each end
Editing the Full Episode
For your main YouTube upload:
- Remove dead air - Cut long pauses, technical issues, "umms"
- Add timestamps/chapters - Help viewers navigate long episodes
- Include intro/outro - 5-10 second branded segments
- Add captions - Essential for accessibility and SEO
- Balance audio levels - All speakers should be equally audible
- Cut tangents - Keep the episode focused (optional)
"Remove silent parts and add captions"
Editly can automatically clean up your podcast and add captions with a simple prompt.
Creating Clips for Social Media
The real viral potential comes from short clips. Here's how to identify clipable moments:
- Hot takes - Controversial or surprising opinions
- Emotional moments - Laughter, vulnerability, passion
- Quotable insights - Bite-sized wisdom that stands alone
- Stories - Self-contained anecdotes
- Debates - Moments of friendly disagreement
Each clip should work without context. Viewers shouldn't need to watch the full episode to understand.
How to Edit Podcast Clips
Transform horizontal podcast footage into vertical clips:
- Extract the moment - Trim to 30-60 seconds of gold
- Crop for vertical - Focus on the speaker's face (9:16 ratio)
- Add captions - Word-by-word animations perform best
- Hook immediately - Start with the most compelling second
- Include context - Add text overlay if needed (guest name, topic)
"Keep 15:30 to 16:15 and add animated captions"
Extract specific moments with timestamps and add engaging captions.
Repurposing Strategy
One podcast episode can become:
- 1 full YouTube video - The complete episode
- 5-10 short clips - For TikTok, Reels, Shorts
- Audio podcast - Strip video for Spotify, Apple Podcasts
- Audiogram clips - Audio with waveform visualization
- Quote graphics - Static images for Instagram, Twitter
- Blog post - Transcribe and edit into written content
This multiplies your content output dramatically without creating new material.
Efficient Workflow Tips
- Timestamp while recording - Note clip-worthy moments live
- Batch clip creation - Create all clips in one editing session
- Create templates - Use consistent caption styles and branding
- Schedule posts - Space clips throughout the week
- Use AI tools - Let AI handle captions and silence removal
Turn Your Podcast into a Content Machine
The best podcasters aren't just creating one piece of content - they're creating a content ecosystem. Each episode feeds YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and more.
Editly can help you quickly clean up full episodes, add captions, and create engaging clips for social media. Upload your podcast footage and start repurposing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should podcast clips be for social media?
30-60 seconds works best for most platforms. The clip should be long enough to deliver value but short enough to maintain attention. Always hook viewers in the first second.
Should I edit out all the mistakes and tangents?
It depends on your podcast style. Some authenticity and imperfection makes content relatable. Edit out technical issues and long dead air, but don't over-polish if casual conversation is your brand.
How do I convert horizontal podcast video to vertical?
Crop the video to focus on the speaker's face, or use split-screen layouts showing multiple speakers. Editly can help with cropping and reformatting for vertical platforms.
