Can’t wait to launch the first episode of your new podcast? Launching a new podcast is an exciting milestone, but its success hinges on valuable and engaging content that resonates with your audience and so much more!
One critical decision is how many episodes to publish on launch day. Should you release just one, or should you start with multiple episodes? In this article, we’ll explore some common podcast launch approaches and understand why publishing more than one episode at launch is often the best strategy.
Overview
Why Publish More Than One Episode at Launch?
1. First Impressions Matter
When potential listeners discover your podcast, they evaluate its quality, value, and style and decide if they will stay tuned for more. Especially if you have been building up towards a launch and sharing about it, a single episode come launch day may not provide enough content for them to make a meaningful assessment. Multiple episodes give them the opportunity to explore your podcast and determine if it’s worth subscribing to.
2. Binge Opportunity for Early Fans
Ever since Netflix started releasing all episodes of a new show or season, the habit of binge-consumption is pretty much ingrained into the mindset of audiences.
A study by Edison Research shows that 78% of podcast listeners consume a deluge of podcast episodes in one sitting. On a weeklt basis, they are binge-listening podcasts at an average of 7.7 hours per week
Hence, launching your brand new podcast with multiple episodes caters to this behavior, giving your audience a chance to dive deep into your show. A positive binge experience increases the likelihood of them subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing your podcast with others.
3. Algorithmic Benefits
Podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube rely on algorithms to promote new shows. A strong launch period signals to these platforms that your podcast is gaining traction, increasing the likelihood of being featured in search results, trending sections, or curated playlists.
Releasing multiple episodes at launch boosts these engagement metrics by encouraging listeners to binge several episodes rather than just one, leading to higher overall download numbers.
Additionally, multiple episodes give new listeners more opportunities to interact with your content, increasing the likelihood of shares, ratings, and reviews—all of which further enhance your podcast’s visibility and discoverability, as well as boost the likelihood of your show being featured under Top New Releases / Shows on the podcast apps.
4. Catering to Different Interests
Listeners are diverse, and not every episode will appeal to everyone. Launching with multiple episodes allows you to showcase a variety of topics, themes, or styles, increasing the chances of resonating with a broader audience.
Additionally, this approach helps potential listeners quickly find an episode that aligns with their interests, reducing the likelihood of them abandoning your podcast after a single episode that may not have been their preferred style.
A varied launch strategy also enables you to test which types of content perform best, helping to shape your ongoing production decisions based on early listener feedback and engagement patterns.
How Many Episodes Should You Launch With?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all ideal number as an answer, I would recommend launching with at least 3 episodes. Here’s why this number works well:
1. Episode Variety
Three episodes provide enough content to highlight different aspects of your podcast, allowing new listeners to get a comprehensive feel for your show. For instance:
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- Episode 1: An introduction to your show’s purpose, who you are, and what listeners can expect. This helps set the stage and build a connection with your audience.
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- Episode 2: A deep dive into a key topic or an interview with a notable guest, offering substantial value right from the start.
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- Episode 3: A lighter or complementary topic that showcases versatility, helping listeners see the range of content your podcast will provide.
In addition to these three episodes, most shows would also have a trailer episode (or Episode Zero), making them have a total of 4 episodes at launch. This mix not only increases the chances of attracting different listener segments but also gives early adopters multiple options to engage with your content.
2. Engagement Depth
Launching with multiple episodes enables new listeners to binge-listen without feeling overwhelmed. A single episode might not be enough to create a lasting impression, but 2–3 episodes give them more exposure to your style and content, increasing the likelihood of them subscribing, following, or sharing your show. When people invest time consuming multiple episodes, they’re more likely to develop a habit of tuning in regularly.
3. Manageable Workload
Producing three episodes for launch strikes a balance between having enough content to engage your audience and maintaining a sustainable production workflow. More than three episodes may delay your launch or lead to early burnout, while just one might not provide enough content to establish momentum. By launching with three well-produced episodes, you maximize impact without overwhelming yourself with excessive pre-launch production.
Additionally, having a few episodes ready in advance allows you to put in a buffer time of at least 3 weeks (or even up to 6 weeks if yours is a fortnightly show) to work on new episode content. The buffer time also allows you to focus on marketing and audience engagement in the crucial first few weeks, rather than scrambling to create new content immediately after launching.
Best Practices for a Multi-Episode Launch
1. Make All Initial Launch Episodes Shine
Your launch episodes are crucial, especially the latest one, as that is what your target audience will likely consume first rather than episode 1. Ensure that all initial launch episodes are strong in content and deliver value. A compelling first impression encourages listeners to explore more of your content. Value is what makes the audience subscribe for more, so each episode should offer insightful discussions, engaging storytelling, or expert perspectives to build audience interest and loyalty from the start.
2. Diversify Content
Use the initial episodes to showcase a variety of topics within your niche. If your podcast covers multiple subject areas, introduce this early on to appeal to different audience segments. For example, if your show is about entrepreneurship, one episode could focus on startup challenges, another on funding strategies, and another on personal productivity. A diverse launch ensures that new listeners can find content relevant to their interests, increasing the chances of engagement and long-term retention.
3. Create a Consistent Publishing Schedule
After launching with three episodes, maintain a regular release schedule, such as weekly or biweekly. Consistency builds trust with your audience and keeps them coming back for more.
Craig Hewitt, founder of Castos, puts it very well about this point on consistency.
When you publish your podcast episodes consistently, you give your listeners the power to build your show into their lives. But if you aren’t dependable, they won’t make adjustments to fit your show into their schedule.
The latest podcast statistics suggest that most people wont be able to consume more than 8 episodes of podcast each week. Hence, you are always fighting for the top-of-mind attention of your audience. Announce your publishing schedule upfront, so listeners know when to expect new content. A predictable schedule helps in forming listening habits, which is key for audience retention and growth.
4. Promote Aggressively
A successful launch requires robust promotion and a well-executed marketing strategy. Simply publishing episodes isn’t enough—you need to actively drive traffic to your podcast. Use a mix of organic and paid strategies to maximize reach:
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- Social Media Marketing: Create engaging posts, teasers, and audiograms to promote your episodes on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Tailor your content for each platform to increase engagement.
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- Email Marketing: Notify your existing network and subscribers about your podcast launch. Consider a drip email campaign to highlight different episodes and encourage ongoing engagement.
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- Collaborations & Cross-Promotion: Partner with other podcasters, influencers, or bloggers in your niche to gain exposure to their audiences. Appear as a guest on other podcasts and invite relevant guests to yours.
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- Paid Advertising: Utilise Facebook Ads, Google Ads, and podcast-specific ad networks to reach targeted listeners. Retarget website visitors with podcast promotions.
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- Podcast Directories & Communities: Engage in online forums, Reddit communities, and Facebook groups where your target audience discusses relevant topics. Submit your podcast to niche directories beyond the major platforms.
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- Launch Event or Contest: Create buzz by hosting a virtual launch event, giveaway, or listener contest to encourage sharing and word-of-mouth promotion.
Highlight the variety and quality of your initial episodes in all marketing efforts. A strong promotional push from day one significantly increases your chances of gaining traction and building a loyal audience.
Alternative Approaches
While three episodes are ideal for many podcasts, certain formats may benefit from a different strategy. For example, for narratice-driven podcasts where you tell a serialized story, consider launching with 4–6 episodes. This provides enough content to hook listeners into the narrative and encourages binge-listening.
If your podcast comprises short-form episodes that are only a few minutes long, then you may want to release 5 or more episodes at launch to give listeners sufficient content to explore.
Conclusion
For most podcasts, launching with 3 episodes is the sweet spot. It provides enough content to engage and retain listeners, maximises visibility on podcast platforms, and allows for a manageable production workload. Follow up with a consistent publishing schedule and a strong promotional plan to sustain momentum and grow your audience.
By starting strong and strategically, your podcast can make a memorable debut and set the stage for long-term success.