How long should a podcast be?

A fifteen-minute podcast or one lasting an hour and a half? Both are possible. But how long should a podcast actually be? You want people to keep listening, especially if you’re producing a business podcast. Should you opt for short episodes or go into more depth? We’re here to help.

Is there an ideal length for a podcast?

To get straight to the point: no, there is no such thing as an ideal podcast length. Some podcasts last ten minutes, others two hours. And both can work perfectly well.

On average, a podcast lasts 35 minutes. But there are so many different types of podcasts that this duration isn’t a reliable guide. After all, how long a podcast should be depends on the topic. The format and your target audience are also important. For example, do you want to give a brief update on developments in the industry? If so, you’ll need less time than you would for an in-depth interview with an interesting expert.

So you’re not tied to a specific number of minutes. But … it’s a good idea to set a rough time limit in advance. That way, you and your guests know where you stand, and listeners have an idea of what to expect.

What do listeners expect from a podcast episode?

Speaking of expectations… Suppose you click on a twenty-minute podcast episode. You’d expect a complete and concise story. With an episode lasting an hour and a half, you’d expect an in-depth discussion. Put simply: listeners want to know what to expect. Consistency is good. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean every episode has to be the same length.

It’s also a good idea to think about your target audience. Who are they and when do they like to listen? Are you creating a business podcast for busy entrepreneurs? If so, it’s a good idea to keep the episodes short. That way, they can catch up on the latest news whilst on their way to a meeting. If you do want to explore complex topics in depth and need more time to do so, you can mention this in advance. You can also wrap up the topics and let your listeners know that you’ll continue the discussion in the next episode.

The most important thing is not to waste your listeners’ time. A fifteen-minute episode in which you share lots of interesting information can be far better than a long conversation that goes nowhere.

What length suits different podcast formats?

To give you an idea, we’ve listed a few commonly used podcast formats. These aren’t fixed durations, but you can use them as a guide.

• Short news update: 5 to 15 minutes
• Explanation or useful tips: 15 to 30 minutes
• Interview with an expert: 30 to 45 minutes
• Round-table discussion with several guests: 30 to 60 minutes
• Report: 30 to 60 minutes

Would you like to use a podcast for your organisation, but are you still unsure about the format and how to go about it? In our article ‘How do you start a business podcast?’, we’ll help you get started.

Quality over quantity: what works best?

Stretching out an episode just because you’d planned for forty minutes beforehand? Don’t do it. Listeners will see right through that. You run the risk of them switching off the podcast and losing interest. That’s a missed opportunity, because a good podcast can bring your organisation a lot of benefits.

Conversely, you don’t need to cut a good conversation short just because you’ve gone over 40 minutes. Is it still interesting? If so, it’s best to carry on for a bit. So take a critical look at the content. Ask yourself some key questions about the content. For example: do those examples really add anything? Or should the introduction be a bit shorter or longer? And do you need to ask every question, or have you already covered some of the topics?

How do you keep listeners engaged?

The length of your podcast is therefore important and depends on what you have to say. But how do you ensure that people actually keep listening? How do you hold their attention? Although listeners generally have more patience for listening than for reading, you’re still dealing with a short attention span. One of the pitfalls, for example, is an introduction about your organisation that goes on for too long. Start by explaining what the episode is about and why it’s an interesting topic to explore.

Pace is also important – the rhythm. Alternate between questions, don’t be afraid to probe further, and encourage guests to give examples. Draw up a script to help you with the interview, but don’t stick to it rigidly.
And perhaps the most important tip of all: kill your darlings. In other words: don’t be afraid to cut things out. Sometimes the conversation is really good or enjoyable, but that doesn’t mean everything is equally relevant to the listener.

How do you decide on the right length for your podcast?

Start at the beginning: choose your topic and format. How long do you think you’ll need for that? Then make a pilot episode and listen back to it. Is the story clear? Does it stay interesting? And are there any bits that could actually be left out?

Our best advice: choose a length that suits your story, not the other way round.