Should Your Podcast Have Seasons or Continuous Episodes? A 2024 Perspective

As a business owner looking to use podcasting to build authority and increase sales, one of the most important decisions you’ll face early on is how to structure your show. Should you divide your podcast into distinct seasons, or release episodes continuously without a break?

The structure of your podcast can play a big role in its growth and success. While seasons might feel more manageable or mimic the format of TV shows, the reality of podcasting in 2024 looks a bit different. The key to success isn’t in whether you choose seasons or not, but in how consistently you release episodes.

In this post, we'll explore why podcasting has evolved in favor of continuous content, why consistency is crucial, and how you can maintain a regular release schedule without burning out.

Why Breaks Hurt Your Podcast’s Visibility

Years ago, podcasting with seasons worked similarly to television shows – run for a few months, take a break, and return with fresh content. Podcasters would commonly release episodes from January through September, take a holiday or summer hiatus, and return with a new season.

Fast-forward to 2024, and this approach no longer cuts it. Podcasting platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts now heavily favor shows that maintain regular, uninterrupted release schedules. The rise of "podfade" – when podcasters start strong but abandon their show after a few episodes – has led to algorithm adjustments on these platforms.

What does this mean for your business podcast?

When you take extended breaks between episodes or seasons, platforms might assume your show is inactive or losing steam, pushing your podcast down in the search rankings. A lower ranking means fewer new listeners discovering your show, which can severely limit the growth of your audience and, by extension, your business.

In today’s podcasting ecosystem, taking a break can feel like dropping from the first page of a Google search to the fifth. Your visibility plummets, and with it, your ability to attract new leads and clients.

Consistency Builds Trust and Growth

In podcasting, consistency isn’t just about algorithms – it’s about building trust with your audience. Just as your listeners want to rely on your podcast for valuable content, platforms want to rely on your regular uploads to keep them engaged. Whether you opt for a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cadence, the most important factor is sticking to that schedule.

Why is this so important?

When listeners know they can count on your podcast to release episodes on a predictable schedule, they are more likely to stay subscribed and return for new content. This regularity encourages loyalty and establishes your podcast as a go-to resource. Missing an upload or taking long breaks between seasons disrupts this trust, potentially leading to a loss of listeners.

From an SEO perspective, consistency signals activity and relevance, which helps podcast platforms recommend your show to new listeners.

Tip: Many successful business podcasts focus on regularity, rather than dividing content into seasons. The content flows continuously, ensuring there are no gaps for listeners or algorithms to detect.

Batch Recording: Your Best Friend for Consistency

As a business owner or professional, life is busy, and creating new content every week might feel overwhelming. This is where batch recording comes in – a strategy used by top podcasters to maintain consistency while avoiding burnout.

With batch recording, you dedicate specific blocks of time to record multiple episodes at once. For example, you could set aside a weekend to record four to six episodes. This gives you a buffer of content, so even if things get hectic, you have episodes ready to release according to your regular schedule.

Benefits of batch recording:

• Ensures you always have episodes ready to go, even during busy periods.

• Reduces the stress of scrambling for new content every week.

• Helps avoid “podcast burnout” by managing your workload efficiently.

Batch recording also helps if you do decide to structure your podcast into seasons. You can record an entire season ahead of time and release the episodes without any gaps in your publishing calendar.

To Season or Not to Season?

At this point, you might be wondering if you should even bother with seasons. The truth is, whether you choose seasons or not is up to you – the structure matters less than the frequency.

If you do decide to label your episodes by season (Season 1, Season 2, etc.), that's completely fine. Just ensure there are no long breaks between seasons. Some of the most successful business podcasts use seasons but schedule their content so that there’s no downtime between them.

Ultimately, it's not the seasons that attract listeners or help you rank on platforms – it’s your commitment to consistent, valuable content.

The Secret to Podcast Success in 2024

Podcasting in 2024 is all about continuous content. Whether you choose a seasonal format or release episodes continuously, maintaining momentum is key to growing your audience and keeping your podcast discoverable. Here’s how to do it:

• Release regularly: Whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, choose a schedule and stick to it.

• Batch record: Prepare several episodes in advance to ensure your podcast stays on track, even during busy times.

• Don’t break for too long: Avoid long pauses between episodes or seasons. Even if you take a break, keep your audience engaged with updates, bonus episodes, or other forms of content.

By following these tips, you’ll keep your podcast top-of-mind for both your listeners and the algorithms that drive discoverability.

Final Thoughts: Partner with a Professional Podcast Production Company

The reality is, maintaining a consistent podcast schedule while running a business can be challenging. That’s where working with a professional podcast production company like [Your Company Name] comes in. We take care of the production, editing, and distribution so you can focus on what matters most – growing your business and delivering value to your audience.

With our expertise, you can rest assured that your podcast will stay consistent, high-quality, and always ready for your listeners – without the added stress.

Consistency is the key to unlocking the full potential of your podcast. By showing up regularly, offering valuable content, and staying on the radar of both your audience and platforms, you'll create a powerful tool for business growth in 2024 and beyond.

Ready to elevate your business with a professional podcast? Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your podcast to the next level, PodLab can help you become a market leader and attract more clients. Book a FREE podcast consultation call with us today and let's discuss how we can make podcasting a powerful tool for your business. Click here to schedule your session now!

Happy podcasting!