What's the best length for a podcast?

Steve, I'm going to a podcast party tonite. To wit: "EasyStreet/OPB Business Partners Podcasting Party." It's supposed to go from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., so apparently it will break your 12-minute rule, the 45-minute rule and almost certainly the 2-minute rule to which you take exception.

I have no idea what to expect, other than the promised drinks and heavy appetizers. (I don't think podcasters can spell hors d'oeuvre.) EasyStreet is a local online services provider. OPB is Oregon Public Broadcasting. So I'm not sure what exactly they intend to podcast. My question is: What does one wear to a podcast party? Keep in mind this is Portland, but it may be that people around the nation (or even the world!) will be pod-monitering. So I want to look both serious and yet hip, in-the-know but not so in-the-know that it bleeds over into nerdy. Please advise.
Dan

I think that 20 minutes is ideal, because you can easily use it when working out. I like listening to one thing while running to keep my mind off the fact that I am running.

Ten minutes wouldn't be too bad, but anything under 5 minutes is useless unless you are very professional and can cram a lot of interesting content into those 5 minutes without the "ums" and "ahs" and boring digressions.

unny you brought that up-- I feel the same way as Mr. Conrad-- I too listen to podcasts on the desktop, and anything more than 5 minutes is unlistenable to me. I also know that if I listen on the go that I am more likely to tolerate-- and want-- longer podcasts, becuase I can devote my attention to them when I am driving or on the train-- it's all about how you are able to divide your attention.

The question for any podcaster is-- which is your audience most likely to be, desktop or mobile listener?

When I podcast, I find that my ideal length is about 20 to 25 minutes. Many of my listeners are commuting to and from work and this works out well for them. On the other hand, maybe they would prefer if I were a bit more concise and spoke about five minutes instead?

If you are like me, if a book or a movie is terrific then whatever length it is, is too short. On the other hand, if you are uncomfortable in your seat, picking at popcorn kernels instead of watching the screen, maybe the problem is the movie (or the podcast) and not the duration.

Maybe some of your readers should stop by and visit my podcast at http://bobsadviceforstocks.podomatic.com and let me know if the my podcast is too long, too short, or just right.

Then again, that reminds of the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. She also had a problem determining which podcast was just right.

Steve, the folks I spoke to at the podcasting party hosted by EasyStreet out here in Portland argued for 2-5-minute-long podcasts. Here's why: They say that most podcast listeners want to aggregate 5-10 podcasts on a single topic and listen to them at their iPods, and a half hour of such pod-bytes is about enough. For instance, if you're going for a jog and you want to know what your 5 or 10 favorite Wall Street podcasters have to say about the Fed's lastest interest rate policy vis a vis inflation, you can harvest a handful and digest them during your jog. You're not looking for deep analysis here, just a range of reactions. Make sense?

Dan, the stakes in the "what-to-wear" category are only growing, because there's a very good chance that someone will be video podcasting the event. So that crooked tie of yours or--since it's Portland--drenched anorak, could be popping up on desktops and iPods around the world.

Two minutes is way too short for any meaningful content, IMHO. I tend to stick with podcasts that are at least 10 minutes in length. I consume podcasts via my iPod on the bus during my commuute.

I think that 15-20 minutes is just about right for most podcasts. Of course, those guidelines should be modified based on your topic, audience, etc. For some 3-5 minute podcasts are just fine. For others, 3-5 minutes is just enough time to warm up and get their podcast rolling.

But, if I'm investing the time to subscribe to your podcast, download it to my iPod and listen on a regular basis, I want more than 5 minutes of content. I want something I can sink my teeth into and that takes me at least 10 minutes.

My movie review podcast clocks in each week at just slightly over fifteen minutes. I couldn't imagine streching it out any longer than that.

The shorter the better imo.
10-15 minutes should be ideal

Steve, thanks for the fashion tips. The anorak goes into the Good Will bag today.
Dan

The various opinions on the lengths of a podcast remind me of the story of the three blind men and the elephant. Each had a different perspective.

IMHO, you should ask your audience for feedback. Different audiences will prefer different lengths.

But don't say "blah blah" when "blah" will do. Too many podcasts need to cut out every third word.

If you don't know how long your podcast should be, then keep the content relevant. When it's no longer relevant, stop it.

I do podcasts for my employees. Each is a "best practice" podcast consisting of one topic. It's done in a Q and A format so there will be two voices heard ( in an attempt to lengthen the attention span). My first was 16 minutes and needed to be that long. The rest have been under nine minutes.

Hello:

I am a post graduate student working toward a doctrate, and my research topic is finding the optimum Podcast/Webcast length. I am very much interested in your finding and also available to share information and do the research. The private learb=ning communties are growing and the ideal and optimum lenght will paly a very important role. It is quite possible that we end up finding more then one length.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks

Moiz Khan

I think the ideal length of any podcast is exactly as long as the content is engaging and interesting dealt in 22 minute segments. If the length of this content goes beyond commute time of 22 minutes, a cliffhanger and a "part 2" are a good idea.