TPU89 – What is the Best Day to Publish a Podcast Episode?

Is there something like the best day to publish a podcast episode?

And is there a good time to release an episode?

These are some of the most common questions that newbie podcasters have.

I have released around 600 episodes to date and here’s what my analysis says along with a backstory to the reason why I picked this topic for discussion.

BACKSTORY:

I happened to come across this study done by Podchaser about the best day to publish an episode. Link here!

The ISSUE:

The study appears to be based on when podcasts were publishing episodes.

I, as a podcaster, can possibly get influenced by this data and can start publishing my episodes on either a Wed or, Thur which will further skew the data in favor of these days.

But does it mean that listeners are consuming podcasts on these days?

It is difficult to tell.

Why?

Because podcast downloads happen automatically and manually.

Automatic downloads could happen as soon as an episode is released which will indicate that the listener is listening to the episode on that day.

But that might not be the case.

Manual listening or, downloads are the right indicator of when a listener listens to an episode.

But that data is difficult to find.

So does that mean there is no best day to publish a podcast episode?

Not really?

Your best date and time are unique to you and your audience.

Remember, podcasts are “audio on demand” which is what differentiates them from conventional radio.

So, when it is “audio on demand”, the listens can happen anytime.

Remember that “listening to podcasts” is still a leisure activity and is done when people have free time like when they are driving, exercising, jogging, having food, etc.

So how do you find the best day to publish your episode?

Finding the best day to Publish a Podcast Episode

Finding the best day could be a difficult task primarily because of data availability limitations. But there are some simple ways you can determine that.

Here are 3 things to do to find the best day to publish a podcast.

Reach out to your audience

The best way to know more about your audience and their consumption pattern is to reach out to them.

Do a survey with a couple of simple questions like

• when do they usually listen to your podcast?
• Do they listen to it as soon as the episode is released?
• Is there a specific day that they prefer listening to podcasts?

These questions should give you a rough idea about their consumption pattern.

But keep in mind that you should do this only after you have about 30 episodes and after you have a listener base.

Use your analytics

Your analytics dashboard is a good place to start. If your podcast host gives you day-wise download data, then use it.

Pick your most popular 3 episodes and see how the download pattern show.

If the downloads are the highest on the next day of publishing, then you are doing just the right thing.

Else pick the day just before the day you see the highest downloads or, listens.

Just Publish the day you find ideal

That’s right!

Podcasts program your listeners to listen to an episode based on when they are released (Remember! Audio on Demand)

So when your listeners learn that you are publishing an episode on a Monday, it is likely that they will check to see if there are any new episodes released, on a Tuesday.

When you release episodes every Monday, your listeners are programmed to listen to your show on Tuesdays.

It is hence that you will find an uptick in your episode downloads, the immediate next day of publishing your show.

CONCLUSION:

Don’t worry about what is the best day to publish a podcast episode. Do it the day you feel most comfortable with.

Thank you for joining

Thank you all for joining me on the show today.

If you enjoyed this episode then I am sure you will love some of the previous episodes as well. Pick your favorite ones and give it a listen.

The podcasting university is available on all podcasting platforms. You can pick your favorite one to listen to the show there. The links to some of the prominent ones are mentioned below.

CASTBOX: https://thepodcastinguniversity.com/castbox
STITCHER: https://thepodcastinguniversity.com/stitcher
TUNEIN: https://thepodcastinguniversity.com/tunein
GOOGLE PODCASTS: https://thepodcastinguniversity.com/googlepodcasts
APPLE PODCASTS: https://thepodcastinguniversity.com/itunes
PLAYER.FM: https://thepodcastinguniversity.com/playerfm
SPOTIFY: https://thepodcastinguniversity.com/spotify
HUBHOPPER: https://thepodcastinguniversity.com/hubhopper
AMAZON PRIME: https://thepodcastinguniversity.com/prime

Recommended Resources for Podcasting

Here are some of the recommended resources for Podcasting. These are the ones that I personally use and am satisfied with and hence am recommending them.

• Acast Podcast hosting – Acast is my favorite podcast hosting company. They have excellent customer support, have a pocket-friendly plan, and even have a free option with no limits.
• Behringer Audio Interface – You will need an audio interface if you are using an XLR microphone. This is my recommended audio interface.
• Zencastr – Zencastr is the easiest option to record interviews, both audio-only and audio+video. This is a must for an interview podcast. Go to zencastr.com/pricing and use my code “thepodu” You’ll get 30 percent off your first three months of Zencastr professional.
• Audacity – This is the best and the most feature-rich free audio editing software. It gives you a lot of options while editing your interviews.
• Blue Yeti USB Microphone – My recommended microphone
• Tidycal – My recommended calendar and booking solutions
• Fusebox – Embeddable Podcast Player
• Descript – Audio Editing, Transcription and Video editing software
• Zlappo – Twitter scheduling tool

AMAZON DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Podcasting University is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

MICROPHONES –

1. ATR-2100x
2. MAONO AU-HD300T : https://geni.us/ro48q
3. Maono AU-WDM01 : https://geni.us/PhZ3V2v
4. Samson Q2U – https://geni.us/k9cuk
5. Audio Technica AT 2035 – https://geni.us/g2URDI
6. Rode NT USB – https://geni.us/O6b65K
7. Shure MV7X – https://geni.us/w7rZ4

AUDIO INTERFACE –

1. Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 – https://geni.us/gBCjm
2. M-Audio M-Track Solo – https://geni.us/RnhHr
3. HAYDEN HY-229 – https://geni.us/c80KbWB

MIXERS –

1. HAYDEN 4 Channels – https://geni.us/cXQ0
2. Behringer Q502USB

MONITORING HEADPHONES –

1. Oneodio Studio Pro-10 : https://geni.us/IQI88Se
2. Maono AU-MH501 : https://geni.us/AbNrU
3. Audio-Technica ATH-M20X : https://geni.us/eEUf9

POP-FILTER –

1. JEYANG Metal Pop Filter – https://geni.us/JMfuY
2. Wright WP 101 – https://geni.us/OcOAzj

DESK-STAND/BOOM ARM –

1. MY-STANDS MC 18 : https://geni.us/Lwnb
2. Bulfyss Professional Recording Microphone Stand : https://geni.us/mV4S

If you are on Pinterest, do share the below image there.