How Many Episodes Should You Launch Your Podcast With?

One of the strategies that I provide to my clients and my students (and one that I’ve followed both times I launched my podcasts) is launching with three episodes live and ready for listening. 

Most people already do this, but there are a lot of people who don’t and that’s fine — but there’s a reason I recommend it and why it works.

As always, you can listen to the related episode on Moms Who Podcast here:

Why You Shouldn’t Launch Your Podcast With One Episode

Technically, you can launch your podcast with one episode, but if you CAN do more, it’s going to benefit you! When you launch with only one episode live, you’re not really giving your listeners any substance — you’re not getting them excited for your next episode.

This is even more true when you use your first episode to share what your podcast should be about (as you should; it’s one of the best uses of your first episode). But this doesn’t give as much value alone; it’s more like a welcome and an introduction.

When the goal is to connect with loyal listeners and fit into the same category as their favorite TV show (excited and ready to watch/listen to the latest episode each week), you have to use your episodes at launch to captivate your audience, get them to hit subscribe/follow, and get them excited and ready for more, and that’s just so much harder to achieve when you only launch with one episode.

Why You Should Launch With Three Episodes

How much of a difference can two episodes really make? A lot, actually. When you have a brand new podcast, and you have three episodes to listen to, they’re going to listen to them! And since they’re actually consuming more content, they’re getting a chance to know you on a deeper level.

They’re also going to be able to leave you a thorough review, and they’re going to be hooked because your episodes are just that good. They get to know you, who you’re for, the content you’re creating, and know if it’s for them. 

Three episodes also give you so much more to market your podcast launch with. For example, I launched Moms Who Podcast on a Monday and trickled out the links to my different episodes throughout the week, attracting new and different listeners each time!

How to Make an Impact With Your Podcast Launch

Those first three episodes are extremely valuable, and while the exact topics may vary, the goal is to set your show expectations in episode one and use episodes two and three to add value and build trust. 

Each episode is strategic; it’s the first impressions you’re making on your potential long-term listeners (who will, ideally, turn into clients, customers, or referral partners — sometimes even other hosts who would love to have you on their show).

I’m not saying that any other way is wrong because it’s not. But, I am sharing that you will have a stronger start to your podcast if you launch with three episodes.

If you need a little help figuring out your three episodes, join the Moms Who Podcast Community, a community for podcasters ready to start, streamline, and scale their show – Learn More Here!!