Podcast Frequency
One of the most important questions when it comes to any podcast show is how often to release new episodes? Some schedule to release every week, every two weeks or even once a month. There really is no rule to how often to release new episodes. But whatever frequency you decide, stick to it on a regular basis. It may be better to release episodes less frequently so they’re well-crafted. If you release too frequently, they risk becoming sloppy and unappealing to people who may want to listen. If you give yourself enough time, there’s less stress involved, and you can do a better job which is a win-win for everyone.
The time it takes to do good work varies from person to person so it’s best to figure out a schedule that is comfortable for you. Some are able to edit their shows quickly while others it takes longer. If you feel like you may need more time, have episodes finished (recorded, edited, mixed, mastered) in batches and schedule when to have them released. If you work 40 hours a week, and you spend 20 hours a week working on each episode, a weekly release schedule probably isn't healthy for you. If your podcast is a five-minute show with one voice, few sound cues, and one topic, releasing weekly or more often might be easy. Know your strengths and weaknesses and use them to your advantage.
Many podcast creators believe that keeping content as new as possible is what’s important but I’m here to tell you it’s not. Releasing content too fast and in large quantities can turn off the listener. They get fatigue from all the listening they have to do, and you run the risk of repeating yourself. It’s a misconception that quantity is needed to grab people’s attention. If you produce a great quality podcast, people will see that and be more inclined to give your show a chance. And word of mouth will be positive leading to more listeners which is always a plus!
Some podcasters judge how often to release episodes based on their subject. If your podcast is reporting on the latest news, you may want to release on a daily basis. But even then, it’s a good idea to keep them short say 5 minutes or so. Some topics may have limited information so releasing more often may use up your research faster. Count your number of ideas and analyze how often you can publish an episode with them. If you have 50 solid ideas, a once-a-week podcast sounds about right. 100? You may be able to do two each week. Think about your topic and how long each episode will be.
Ultimately, the schedule you choose should be in the realm of what you can actually handle. If you try to push out episodes too frequently and can’t keep up, you risk quality degradation, and may lose listeners. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for each episode so they can be the best they can be. Remember, work with what you can and go in all 100. There are no shortcuts, only hard work. This is your passion and you should be proud of it!