The pros and cons of episode frequency/infrequency

[retrocrush]

I'm 60 episodes in to retroCRUSH now, and I've settled into a near weekly schedule now. When I first started I was just gushing with new ideas doing 3-4 a week, but that pace is pretty insane to maintain with a full time site to run, a family, etc.

I'm finding, however, that the weekly shows end up being better. I know there's no hard and fast rule, and every show is different, but TWIT, Gervais, Drink 'Til We're Funny, and other weeklies really have a great quality that I don't get sick of. I'm not sure if I'd enjoy them each day.

I was happy to hear Dawn and Drew go daily, at first, but after a couple weeks got pretty tired of them, as a result.

Plus as my show is getting larger in size, a weekly one is a bit easier on the bandwidth, that's for sure.

[Cali]

I agree with some of that, but it also completely depends on the content of the show. If all my favorite podcasts were daily, I think I might go insane trying to listen to all of them. There are some that are daily, though, that just work (Daily Source Code). And then there are some that don't come out on a regular basis at all and that really works well for them (Tiki Bar TV). It's good that you played around with different scenarios for your show. I think it really is an issue that has to be answered per show, and possibly with a little trial and error and listener/viewer feedback.

[retrocrush]

I agree with some of that, but it also completely depends on the content of the show. If all my favorite podcasts were daily, I think I might go insane trying to listen to all of them. There are some that are daily, though, that just work (Daily Source Code). And then there are some that don't come out on a regular basis at all and that really works well for them (Tiki Bar TV). It's good that you played around with different scenarios for your show. I think it really is an issue that has to be answered per show, and possibly with a little trial and error and listener/viewer feedback.

True it's all about the show.

On the other end, Martin Sargent's show is updated so infrequently, I forget about it sometimes. I really dig it and wish it was at least weekly.

[mongrel]

It helps me to have a show that is focused on what's happening in the music scene in the upcoming week--kinda gives me the material to work with. I'm struggling to get one in a week though, and I end up finishing it at, like, 3:30 in the morning. My last show kinda sucked because of it.

I need to work out a better system!

[chicagosn]

Many of our shows broadcast 2-3 times a week in-season and once a week in the offseason, relative to their sport.

Pretty sure no one on this board is clamoring for hockey news more than once a week during the hockey offseason. Then again, it's totally dependent on how active the team is and/or any national stories on the sport. For example, the baseball steroids stuff happened back last March before the baseball season began.

It's a fine line to walk for sports commentary...a show that's more than a day old can sound ancient to a fan looking for an 'inside look.' More inspiration for us to try to stay on top of things and even break some news once in a while. :)

[bazookajoeshow]

When I first started podcasting I was doing sevn shows a week. After about six months or so of that I geared down to five shows a week. Another six months or so later I've settled on doing a show every other day.

I wish I could do a show every day but it takes a lot of time. The dream, which I share with a lt of podcasters, is to give up the day job. Believe me, I definitely have enough material to do a show a day.

Nearly all the podcasts that I listen to daily are 15 minutes or less. I have to agree, if all my favorite shows were 30+ minutes I'd have to drop a few. There's just only so many hours in a day. That's also the reason I'm comfortable dropping down to a show every other day.

[Steve Pinder]

When I started, I had to go to my producers studio to record a show.
After the 3rd show, I bought the software for my Mac and some gear and now I do a show a week. Sometimes I do 2 shows, but not often.


Steve Pinder
www.karatekast.com

[jeffoest]

It always makes me chuckle when when podcasters apologize at the beginning of their shows for not doing one yesterday or last week or whatever. (and hey, I used to do this too). But, even with my favorite shows - I really don't notice. I don't expect amateurs to be on some super rigorous schedule. I'm simply happy to receive shows that I enjoy upon looking at my iTunes in the morning before setting off for the day.

Quit apologizing. I truly don't think this is a big deal.

[jeffoest]

I was happy to hear Dawn and Drew go daily, at first, but after a couple weeks got pretty tired of them, as a result.

True that. I get tired of EVERY show at some point. An overhaul of subscriptions can be a real enlightening experience.

[Twilight]

The once a week format works great for me. Every day is too hectic to record and to listen to shows.

[GilPodcast]

Quit apologizing. I truly don't think this is a big deal.

Great topic. I think it is a big deal. This might sound strange to some here, but when I go home after work and Adam Curry hasn't uploaded a new show, it does negatively affect my mood. I rely on the Daily Source Code podcast to be there so I can listen to it as I eat my dinner. It sucks big time if I get home and there is no new Adam Curry podcast. Same goes for YeastRadio. If they don't do as we've come to expect, upload a daily podcast this in my opinion does affect listenership or listener enjoyment or listener involvement.

[womengrow]

Getting on some form of schedule helps me personally plan out the week. Record on Sunday, edit in the evening, release late Sunday or early Monday.

It doesn't always work out that well. If you podcast very frequently and regularly, I do believe you create an expectation within your listener base. Listeners know what to expect in terms of content. If you start on a set schedule, they will learn anticipate new shows on certain days.

It is totally understandable that a daily show is hard to keep up with (I couldn't do it). If you let your subscribers know during your show (like Rob from Podcast411 recently did) that your schedule will change, your audience will probably accept it with a lot of appreciation and good will as opposed to the show just suddenly dropping in frequency.

[jbisjim]

Quit apologizing. I truly don't think this is a big deal.

a lot of the casts i listen too are not daily. not weekly some are not even monthly. FWM is irregular and I really dont care. I am going to listen to it anyway.

Should we be on show 27 probably so we record show 8 last night instead. But to put a show out with little or no content is not a show imho

[Far From Subtle]

Us poor video podcaster are limited in our show frequency... especially when they are animated. I manage to pump out about 2-3 a month.

[Metaphore]

Yeah, Vidcasters have certain problems of their own if there are any effects or animations to do not to mention Filesize restrictions and such.

Because of my filesizes I can only release 2 episodes a month. Not that I would do anymore than that anyway due to the days of shooting, days of editing and hours and hours of transcoding it takes to make one of those darn things. You would be suprised how much work goes into making a cheezy crapfest. :)

[Far From Subtle]

Yeah, Vidcasters have certain problems of their own if there are any effects or animations to do not to mention Filesize restrictions and such.

Because of my filesizes I can only release 2 episodes a month. Not that I would do anymore than that anyway due to the days of shooting, days of editing and hours and hours of transcoding it takes to make one of those darn things. You would be suprised how much work goes into making a cheezy crapfest. :)

I gotta check out your show sometime soon.

[Cheri]

As a new podcaster, I was wondering about day release. Are there better days than other days? Is there any preference of a day to release our show? I was just curious if anyone has seen a larger increase in hits or circulation if they release on a specific day.

[SFEley]

As a new podcaster, I was wondering about day release. Are there better days than other days? Is there any preference of a day to release our show? I was just curious if anyone has seen a larger increase in hits or circulation if they release on a specific day.
Try it, and let us know what you find out. >8->

I don't see why it should matter, though. Sure, if you release on a Saturday or Sunday, you'll probably get fewer hits that day, but your listeners who are subscribed to your feed will get your podcast the next time they run their software. And the ones who visit your site can also grab at their own convenience. You real fans will eventually figure out what days you release on and start checking on that day.

[conradslater]

Yeah, Vidcasters have certain problems of their own if there are any effects or animations to do not to mention Filesize restrictions and such.


I agree but being as I'm new I'm compelled to build on my momentum and push for more episodes. Because I block filmed 6 episodes in one go the temptation always is to shove them all up in one go rather than hold them back to release them once a week.

I think though that this is normal, in order to add credabilty. So new viewers and listeners see there is tons of stuff on your feed and you know what you're doing.

[Metaphore]

I gotta check out your show sometime soon.

Downloaded yours and gonna watch it tonight.

Come on... Join the Cult of UHF. You know you want to.

[GilPodcast]

Metaphore, I wanted to check out your show, but it said it would take 4 hours to download. How long is your show?

[dbwilldo]

As a new podcaster, I was wondering about day release. Are there better days than other days? Is there any preference of a day to release our show? I was just curious if anyone has seen a larger increase in hits or circulation if they release on a specific day.

We have good luck with the late Sunday release. Everyone downloads the show during the week whenever they like and they don't get behind (we only do 1 show per week).

No matter which day or days you pick, make sure to stick to it! Even on weeks we didn't do a new show, we still put up a short out-take reel or material we didn't use so that our listeners STILL had something to download/listen too. Being consistent has really helped us grow our listener base.

[womengrow]

As a new podcaster, I was wondering about day release. Are there better days than other days? Is there any preference of a day to release our show? I was just curious if anyone has seen a larger increase in hits or circulation if they release on a specific day.

We have good luck with the late Sunday release. Everyone downloads the show during the week whenever they like and they don't get behind (we only do 1 show per week).

No matter which day or days you pick, make sure to stick to it! Even on weeks we didn't do a new show, we still put up a short out-take reel or material we didn't use so that our listeners STILL had something to download/listen too. Being consistent has really helped us grow our listener base.
More on this on the Pickle too: http://www.podcastpickle.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4918

[Twilight]

dbwilldo:
"No matter which day or days you pick, make sure to stick to it! Even on weeks we didn't do a new show, we still put up a short out-take reel or material we didn't use so that our listeners STILL had something to download/listen too. Being consistent has really helped us grow our listener base."

Agreed definately. Getting a pattern is essential. We try to record middle to end of the week and release Sat or Sun, no later than Monday.

[ElNacho]

You would be suprised how much work goes into making a cheezy crapfest. :)

i would imagine the most of the work would be cleaning up afterwards XD

oh whoa that was the first page this is well past that. sorry folks for the topic derailment hope ya catch ur legs 4 ya fall

[Metaphore]

You would be suprised how much work goes into making a cheezy crapfest. :)

i would imagine the most of the work would be cleaning up afterwards XD

oh whoa that was the first page this is well past that. sorry folks for the topic derailment hope ya catch ur legs 4 ya fall

Ha! Good one Nacho.

Metaphore, I wanted to check out your show, but it said it would take 4 hours to download. How long is your show?

The latest episodes are feature length movies with skits, so I'd say about an hour and a half.

[Craig]

Behind the Scenes has to have the most consistently erratic shedule of any podcast out there! 25 shows in 14 months (I just posted #25, an interview with Rob Walch from Podcast411) with anywhere from 2 days to 2 months between shows. I definitely wouldn't recommend this approach to anyone else unless you're not concerned about ratings, potential sponsors, and building up a huge listener base. (I still do this for fun.)

Craig

[SFEley]

Behind the Scenes has to have the most consistently erratic shedule of any podcast out there! 25 shows in 14 months (I just posted #25, an interview with Rob Walch from Podcast411) with anywhere from 2 days to 2 months between shows. I definitely wouldn't recommend this approach to anyone else unless you're not concerned about ratings, potential sponsors, and building up a huge listener base. (I still do this for fun.)
Heh. You've got a great head start on inconsistency, but Scott Fletcher of Podcheck Review is catching up with you fast, Craig. >8->

You do a great podcast, BTW!

[Craig]

Heh. You've got a great head start on inconsistency, but Scott Fletcher of Podcheck Review is catching up with you fast, Craig. >8->

Scott's just a wannabe. :wink:

You do a great podcast, BTW!

Thanks!

Craig