Whether or not you publish new episodes of your podcast weekly, fortnightly, and even month-to-month, having an everyday launch schedule is at all times factor – for you and your listeners.
And it’s because;
A. It retains you accountable and constant by having an everyday routine with the way you produce your present, and
B. Listeners prefer to know after they can count on a brand new episode to drop.
In the identical means that all of us prefer to know that our favorite TV present airs on the identical time each week, it’s not unreasonable for listeners to count on you to stay to a brand new episode schedule.
In case you’re considering, “However what if my podcast is a mini-series?” In fact, there are many exceptions. And sure, with the ability to pay attention on demand is a part of what makes podcasts so well-liked.
However after we’re speaking about new, recent content material (not serialised podcasts), the need to listen to your favorite present recent off the press (mic) definitely nonetheless exists.
So right here’s the million-dollar query: What’s one of the best day of the week to launch a brand new episode?
To search out a solution, I did two issues: I dug into a number of the hottest podcasts on the planet proper now and obtained some anecdotal enter from seasoned podcasters to see if there was any consensus about what day works greatest and why.
Greatest Day of the Week: Based on the Podcast Prime 20
A few weeks in the past, I analysed the highest 20 exhibits within the US charts for an article on the perfect podcast intro formula. Whereas doing this, I took be aware of some additional particulars about these well-liked podcasts, together with every present’s launch schedule. I had a sense this data would possibly come in useful in some unspecified time in the future – and right here we’re.
Right here’s what I observed concerning the launch schedules of the highest 20 podcasts:
- Mondays are the preferred launch day – 13/20 (65%) of the exhibits I checked out revealed on Mondays. Of all of the exhibits that had an everyday schedule, there was just one that didn’t launch on a Monday.
- Each present that posted twice weekly launched episodes on Mondays and Thursdays
- A good quantity of exhibits (7/20 or 35%) launched episodes nearly each day (some solely weekdays) even after they didn’t market themselves as dailies
- 6/20 (30%) of the highest exhibits had no detectable schedule in any respect
As a facet be aware, don’t be intimidated by how content-heavy the discharge schedules are for the highest 20 podcasts. Any present that makes it into the charts will probably generate a good earnings from their present, so it’s in all probability their full-time job, too. These hosts can ‘afford’ (time is cash!) to launch episodes each day. Generally, this simply gained’t be potential for indies.
So should you had been to carry a gun to my head and say I had to decide on a ‘greatest day of the week’ for releasing podcast episodes, I assume the charts would counsel a Monday.
However why are Mondays so well-liked? Unsurprisingly, it will depend on who you ask. I caught up with just a few podcasters to search out out why some days work higher to launch new episodes than others.
Greatest Day of the Week: Based on Podcasters
After I began talking to podcasters and trade people about which day of the week was greatest to launch new episodes, all of it grew to become very nuanced and anecdotal. Which is completely truthful, and indicative of loads of what we see in podcasting; that best-of-anything recommendation typically varies relying in your present kind and viewers.
For instance, once I spoke to Rob from Libsyn, Mondays even didn’t enter the dialog:
Rob Walch
VP of Podcaster Relations at Libsyn
Essential takeaway: The most effective day will depend on who your viewers are
“At Libsyn, we see Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the largest days for downloads.
If you’re doing a enterprise podcast – or one whose viewers goes to commute to work – then Tuesday or Wednesday early mornings are one of the best days/instances. Cause for that’s there are much less holidays in the course of the yr on these days. Moreover, many individuals take lengthy weekends with Mondays or Fridays off.
In case your podcast is extra targeted on 21-35 yr olds and/or popular culture spin, then Thursday afternoons are greatest. Cause for that’s, for that group of individuals, the weekend (going out) begins on Thursday and you’ll give these individuals one thing to speak about with their pals over the weekend. That is why Rosanne Barr releases on Thursdays.
For all others – simply launch on the day /time that matches greatest in your schedule.”
Colin Grey
Founding father of Alitu and host of Podcraft
Essential takeaway: Which day doesn’t matter, so long as you decide one and keep it up
“I believe it’s actually highly effective to stay to a schedule. There’s little doubt in my thoughts that even when listeners don’t know precisely when a present comes out, they do discover if it often misses every week or two, and the behavior of listening could be damaged. However, should you miss every week, it wont kill you. Simply get again on the horse and attempt to hit the subsequent month or two with out a break.”
Shannah Recreation
Host of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money podcast
Essential Takeaway: Earlier within the week is best
“I’ve discovered Monday to be one of the best day to launch a money-focused podcast episode. Early within the week, persons are in a “recent begin” mindset, able to set objectives and sort out their funds. It’s when listeners are most motivated to take motion, making them extra more likely to interact with content material about constructing wealth, budgeting, or cash suggestions.
Releasing episodes earlier within the week has persistently led to extra downloads and higher listener engagement as a result of it aligns with that proactive vitality individuals really feel firstly of their week.”
Brian Thompson
Creator and host of Whatever Happened to Pizza At McDonald’s
Essential takeaway: Earlier within the week is best
“I launch my present roughly as soon as every week, however the days of the week aren’t constant. Nonetheless, I’ve discovered episodes that come out Monday-Wednesday are inclined to get extra fast consideration. Primarily, when I attempt to launch exhibits on the weekend, they don’t carry out as properly since individuals appear to be extra tuned out of social media promotion.”
Matthew McLean
Host of Podcraft
Essential takeaway: Dig into your knowledge to search out out what your greatest day is
“I don’t assume the day of the week issues for many podcasters, although there are exceptions – for instance, a podcast reporting on the weekend’s sporting occasions would wish to launch on a Monday on the newest.
Crucial factor is consistency, and as podcasting is on-demand, listeners will get to your new episode after they’re prepared.
Nonetheless, should you’re an “optimise in any respect prices” particular person, one tip I’d supply is to take a look at your present on Rephonic’s 3D audience graph tool. Right here, you’ll find the podcasts your viewers additionally listens to. A little bit of extra analysis would possibly present that the majority of them launch new episodes on a Wednesday, by which case, you can decide to drop new content material earlier or later within the week to unfold it out. That would make your episode extra noticeable, or much less more likely to be consumed at 3x velocity. However don’t get too within the weeds with these things on the expense of simply getting behind the mic and making actually good content material.“
So, all issues thought of, what’s the greatest day of the week to launch a brand new podcast episode? The reply is a powerful… “It relies upon.”
Bear in mind, releasing a podcast episode isn’t like releasing a YouTube video, the place the algorithm will resolve its destiny based mostly on views within the first few hours. Make consistency your primary goal, and whichever day you often launch on would be the good one for you!
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