How Often Should You Release Podcast Episodes? The Ultimate Guide to Podcast Release Frequency
The frequency at which you release new episodes is critical for building and keeping your audience. It's one of the most important factors in your podcast's success.
After nearly a decade in the podcast industry, I've watched countless creators struggle with this question. Weekly? Daily? Monthly? While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, I can share proven strategies that will help your show succeed.
The Reality About Podcast Release Schedules
Most popular shows publish weekly episodes. Some opt for biweekly or monthly schedules, while a few ambitious creators attempt daily releases (though this is extremely challenging to maintain).
Here's what many podcasters miss: choosing a frequency isn't just about picking a schedule and hoping for success. You need a strategic approach to build a loyal audience.
3 Essential Rules for Podcast Release Frequency
1. Consistency is everything
Pick a specific release day and time, then stick to it religiously. Your goal is to become part of your listeners' routine. When your podcast becomes a habit they can't break, you've won.
If you need to deviate from your schedule or take a break, communicate clearly with your audience about when you'll return. Always let listeners know exactly when to expect new episodes.
While listeners will naturally learn your pattern over time, I strongly recommend explicitly telling them your schedule so they know precisely when to return.
2. Be realistic (this could save your podcast)
If you can manage one episode per week, that's an excellent place to start.
I've seen many podcasters start with ambitious plans for multiple weekly episodes, only to quickly realize they've taken on too much. When they scale back, listeners who expected that higher frequency feel disappointed—and some never return.
Choose a sustainable cadence from the beginning. It's always better to underpromise and overdeliver than the opposite. You can always increase your frequency later to exceed listener expectations.
3. Work ahead (learn from my mistakes)
It happens to everyone: no matter how far ahead you work, eventually the release schedule catches up, and you're producing week-to-week under pressure.
When producing shows like Culpable, we started with five completed episodes before launching. I thought being five weeks ahead was plenty of buffer. By episode seven, we were scrambling to finish episode eight just in time.
While working on Up and Vanished with Payne Lindsey, we regularly worked until midnight on release days to get episodes out on schedule.
My advice? Whatever time you think you'll need, double it until you develop an efficient system and process.
How Long Should Your Episodes Be?
"How long should my episodes be?" is a question I hear constantly.
There's no single correct answer. Consider your specific situation and audience. The average podcast runs 35-45 minutes, but shows like Joe Rogan Experience regularly exceed four hours.
When deciding on length, consider your content depth, audience preferences, and aim for a duration that maintains engagement.
Focus less on episode length and more on creating valuable, engaging content. Don't make episodes so short they lack substance or so long they bore listeners.
Find the sweet spot where you deliver significant value while leaving listeners wanting more.
Generally, less frequent shows tend to run longer, while more frequent podcasts (daily or multiple times weekly) tend to be shorter.
The Bottom Line
Consistency is the key to gaining and keeping listeners. Be realistic about what you can accomplish, plan for more time than you think you'll need, and always work ahead when possible.
Your release schedule isn't just about logistics—it's about building trust with your audience and creating sustainable systems that help you produce quality content without burning out.
Whether you choose weekly, biweekly, or monthly releases, the most important thing is maintaining that schedule consistently long-term. Your listeners count on you to show up when promised.
Ready to dive deeper into podcast strategy? Download our comprehensive podcast workbook that covers everything from planning to launch at podcastprimer.com/workbook. It's packed with the same strategies I've used with successful shows like Culpable and Up and Vanished.
