I’ve modified my thoughts since 12 years in the past in episode 175, once I proposed that episode numbers had been pointless for many podcasts. Now, I see extra instances once you ought to think about using episode numbers together with your podcast.
It comes all the way down to this: use episode numbers after they matter to your viewers.
Particularly, this is the best way to decide when that applies.
1. Use episode numbers for serial podcasts
Consider podcasts that must be consumed in a specific order. This could possibly be like chapters of a e-book, steps in a course of, a chronological story, or something the place the viewers typically wants to start out at first.
It is a serial podcast. On this case, you need episode numbers so your viewers is aware of the proper order to eat the content material. Regardless that you may outline a present as “Serial” in podcast settings, you may’t assume each app will interpret that accurately. Most apps default to displaying the most recent episode first.
In the event you actually need individuals to hearken to your first episode first, episode numbers outline that path. When the numbers matter to your viewers, make them outstanding—even placing them at first of the episode title. I do know you would possibly gasp in case you’ve been following me for some time as a result of I really helpful in opposition to that for years, however my thoughts has modified on this.
2. Use episode numbers if ceaselessly referencing different episodes
That is the place my perspective has shifted essentially the most, largely as a consequence of taking a look at how we use podcast apps and the philosophy behind Podcasting 2.0. The purpose is to enhance what a podcast supplies with out leaving the podcast app.
The issue with URLs and title searches
If I need you to hearken to an outdated episode and I provide you with a URL, that URL takes you out of your podcast app and into an internet browser. That breaks the listening expertise.
Alternatively, if I let you know the title of the episode, it’s important to seek for it. You would possibly get the title incorrect, otherwise you might need to scroll by a listing of 400+ episodes studying each single title till you discover it. That isn’t a nice expertise.
The answer
Think about as an alternative if I gave you the episode quantity (like episode 175). In case your episodes are numbered and show that quantity in the identical visible location, it is rather straightforward to scroll by and discover the precise episode. You acquire a way of “spatial consciousness” within the checklist—in case you scroll again to 250, you might be getting near 175.
Till sensible linking options turn into commonplace in podcast apps, I feel one of the simplest ways to reference different episodes is by the episode quantity.
In the event you host a educating or informational podcast the place you ceaselessly reference previous classes, it’s best to use episode numbers. It helps your viewers get to that content material sooner with out leaving the app.
3. Use episode numbers for file and folder group
This utilization is completely hidden to your viewers, nevertheless it helps immensely with your personal workflow.
In the event you type your pc information by “Date Modified,” opening an outdated file modifications its place within the checklist. Nonetheless, in case you quantity your information and folders in line with an episode quantity, they keep ordered sequentially.
For The Audacity to Podcast, I exploit the format “faucet” adopted by a 3-digit quantity (e.g., tap175). I exploit this for the file names and the folders the place I archive my supplies.
This additionally works nice in case you use PodChapters. In the event you observe a file naming sample, you may inform PodChapters to robotically apply a preset to your information based mostly on that sample.
A Warning: In the event you pre-record many episodes upfront and quantity them, however then change your publishing order, you’ll have to renumber your information. That’s as much as you, because it solely impacts your inside group.
4. Use episode numbers when you may’t make higher episode URLs
I discussed episode 175 earlier. I do know that theaudacitytopodcast.com/episodenumbers hyperlinks to it, however theaudacitytopodcast.com/175 is far simpler to say and bear in mind if the key phrase is not apparent.
Think about this for podcasts the place a single key phrase URL does not make sense or is not memorable. You should use the episode quantity to simply direct individuals to notes, references, or downloads.
One other Warning: Similar to with file group, in case you document upfront and communicate the episode quantity within the audio, you might be locked into that order. In the event you change the order later, your audio will contradict the precise episode quantity. In the event you assume you would possibly shuffle episodes, attempt to keep away from talking the precise quantity within the recording.
5. Use episode numbers accurately and effectively in episode titles
There may be some misinformation that Apple says “don’t put episode numbers in your episode titles.”
That is going to blow your thoughts: They do not really imply you should not have numbers in your titles.
What they imply is that within the Apple ecosystem, they like you employ the precise metadata tags: <itunes:episode> for the quantity and <itunes:title> for the title with out the quantity. This permits their app to show the info optimally.
The way to do episode numbers proper proper for all podcast apps
The purpose is full compatibility.
- For Apple Podcasts and some different apps: Use the separate
<itunes:title>and<itunes:episode>tags so the app can show the quantity individually from the title. - For all different apps: Within the regular
<title>tag (the fallback), embody the quantity and the title collectively.
In the event you separate the info accurately, Apple Podcast listeners see a clear interface, however listeners in apps that do not assist these particular tags will nonetheless see the episode quantity in the principle title.
Watch out together with your internet hosting supplier; some break this fallback performance. You need to make sure that if an app does not learn the particular iTunes tags, the listener nonetheless sees the quantity.
Study extra about together with episode numbers in your titles from my episode 359.
Look ahead to my subsequent episode, which can be episode 421, once I’ll cowl when not to make use of episode numbers!
Particular thanks
- Brian Enztminger from Prime Tier Audio streamed 519§
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Disclosure
This put up might include hyperlinks to services or products with which I’ve an affiliate relationship. I’ll obtain compensation out of your actions by such hyperlinks. Nonetheless, I do not let that corrupt my perspective and I do not suggest solely associates.
