Things for a professional video podcast – 6 keys

In the early days of podcasting, all you needed was a mic and a great story. Today, things are different. Podcasts have become visual. Many shows are now on YouTube and Spotify Video, and that means how your podcast looks is just as important as how it sounds.

A professional-looking podcast doesn’t just happen by accident. It takes planning – from your podcast set design to your lighting setup, your background branding, and your audio levels.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the simple but important things that make a professional video podcast and how you can easily achieve them, even if you’re just getting started or recording at a podcast studio in Saigon.

1. Clean Set Design: Less Is More

When it comes to podcast studio design, the number one rule is simple: keep it clean.

Your set is the visual foundation of your show. A cluttered, messy background distracts your audience from what really matters – your conversation. A clean set design helps the viewer focus on the hosts and guests, and gives your podcast an organized, professional feel.

Here are a few practical tips:

• Use simple furniture. A neutral table, comfortable chairs, and a few tasteful decorations go a long way.
• Avoid visual noise. Too many props, cables, or random items in the background can make your set look chaotic.
• Create depth. If possible, position your hosts a few feet away from the background wall. It adds a cinematic look.
• Balance the frame. Keep your camera shot centered and avoid dead space or distractions on one side.

When I designed our Saigon Podcast Sudio, I learned that small touches make a big difference – like hiding cables, keeping surfaces clean, and choosing color tones that complement skin tones on camera.

A clean set doesn’t mean empty or boring. It just means intentional. Everything in the frame should have a purpose.

2. Branded Background: Make It Yours

Your podcast background is more than decoration – it’s part of your brand identity.

When someone watches a clip of your podcast on social media, you want them to recognize it immediately. That’s where a branded podcast background comes in. It helps you build consistency across episodes and platforms.

Here’s how to do it:

• Use brand colors. Add small accents or lighting that match your logo or theme.
• Include your logo subtly. You can use a neon sign, lightbox, or even a printed backdrop – but keep it tasteful.
• Stay consistent. Use the same podcast setup for every recording so your show always looks familiar to returning viewers.

Think of popular podcasts like The Diary of a CEO or Hot Ones. Their sets are instantly recognizable. You can do the same – even on a smaller budget – by being intentional with your podcast background design.

In our podcast studio in Ho Chi Minh City, we offer branded set options where creators can display their logo or color theme behind them. This simple step makes the show look 10x more professional and helps with brand recall.

Your background tells your story visually so make sure it’s telling the right one.

3. Consistent Lighting: The Secret to a Professional Look

If there’s one thing that separates amateur podcasts from professional ones, it’s lighting.

Lighting can make or break your video. Even if you have great cameras, poor lighting will make your podcast look flat and uninviting. On the other hand, a good podcast setup for lighting can make your show look like a TV production.

Here’s a simple way to understand it:

• Key light: The main light that brightens the host’s face.
• Fill light: A softer light that removes harsh shadows.
• Back light: Adds separation from the background and gives a nice glow around the subject.

Keep your lighting consistent across episodes. If one episode is dark and the next is bright, your show will look unprofessional. Consistency builds visual trust.

You don’t need to spend a fortune. LED panels or softboxes are affordable and give you full control. Avoid mixing different color temperatures (like warm and cool lights together), it can make skin tones look unnatural.

When we built our studio lighting setup in Saigon, we tested many options before finding a balance that works for both light and dark skin tones, day or night. Good lighting doesn’t just make your podcast look better, it makes your guests feel confident too.

4. Balanced Audio Levels: Don’t Let Sound Ruin a Great Video

Even though this post focuses on visuals, let’s not forget the most important part of podcasting – sound.

A beautiful set and perfect lighting mean nothing if your audio levels are inconsistent or distorted. Listeners will forgive average visuals, but they’ll quickly leave if the sound hurts their ears.

Here’s what consistent audio levels mean:

• Voices should stay at a similar volume throughout the episode.
• No sudden jumps in volume between speakers or segments.
• Background noise and echoes should be minimized.

To achieve this, use good microphones, sound treatment, and audio compression. Compression helps even out the volume so everything sounds smooth.

If you record remotely, always do a short test before starting. If you record in a professional space like our Saigon podcast studio, we handle this for you, adjusting gain, removing background noise, and checking balance before every session.

When your audio levels are consistent, your audience won’t even think about it. And that’s the goal: good production should feel invisible.

Remember to do your soundcheck: 5 Steps for a smooth video: Sound Check for a Podcast Recording

5. Keep It Cohesive Across Episodes

Once you’ve set up your podcast design, background, lighting, and sound, the next step is consistency.

Every episode should look and feel like it belongs to the same show. This builds a strong brand and helps your audience connect more deeply with your content.

Try to:

• Use the same camera angle and framing every time.
• Keep your set layout and lighting setup unchanged.
• Maintain similar audio settings and post-production style.

It’s okay to evolve your look over time, but do it gradually. A consistent visual identity makes your show easier to market, and clips look cleaner when shared on social media or YouTube.

When your audience recognizes your podcast setup at a glance, they’ll start associating that look with your brand. That’s powerful.

6. Your Set Reflects Your Brand

At the end of the day, your podcast set design is a reflection of your brand. It shows how much care and attention you put into your content.

You don’t need expensive gear to look professional. You just need intentional design, consistent lighting, and balanced sound. Whether you record at home or in a professional space, remember that every visual detail sends a message about your brand.

If you’re in Vietnam and want to skip the setup headaches, our podcast studio in Saigon is designed exactly for this, clean set design, branded backgrounds, perfect lighting, and professional audio levels. You can simply walk in, record, and walk out with high-quality podcast videos that look amazing on YouTube or Spotify.

Conclusion – How to make a professional video podcast

A professional-looking podcast doesn’t come from fancy cameras or expensive gear, it comes from consistency, clarity, and intention.

Focus on these four key things:

1. Keep your set design clean and simple.
2. Use a branded background to make your show recognizable.
3. Maintain consistent lighting for every recording.
4. Keep your audio levels balanced and smooth.

When you get these elements right, your podcast will instantly stand out. Viewers will take you seriously, and your content will feel polished and trustworthy.

Vietnamese Version