Your podcast title is important and something that you should consider seriously when preparing to release your show to the public, but the task itself can be daunting. Here are some tips on how to name your podcast.
Keep it relevant
Probably the first question anyone should ask themselves when coming up with podcast names is “what is my podcast about?” It may seem obvious, but the podcast title should match the content of the show. Think of the tone and the style – anything that makes your show unique. A witty, pun-filled title may suit a comedy show, but not a hard-hitting political series. An audiodrama or fictional podcast may be better suited to titles similar to books or films. True crime podcasts can be like documentaries, so the name shouldn’t be too cryptic and will likely specifically name the event or person discussed in the show. In fact, any podcast that aims to teach its listeners about a certain event, topic or person might want to include that topic in its title, so it is easy to find.
When you start brainstorming names, write out a list of relevant words which describe your podcast. Work out which words fit, and which ones you can avoid from the offset. The last thing you want is to do is confuse your listeners or make them think your show is about one thing, when its focus is entirely different.
Make it unique
Once you’ve made your basic list relating to your podcast content, now you will want to see how you can make the title memorable. Definitely the most difficult task when devising your podcast name is finding a way to get the name to stick out in people’s minds, but it will be worth it if it is achievable. Consider how easy or difficult it will be to share this name with others. If the name is easily forgettable or too difficult to spell or pronounce, people might not be able to pass it on to others.
So, what makes a podcast title memorable? There’s no definitive answer unfortunately, but there are some things you can do that might help.
People enjoy clever names. Is there a play on words or a pun buried within the name which will stick out in your audience’s mind and keep them thinking about it after?
In some cases, it might be better to keep the name straightforward and to the point. No matter what, the name must be unique. Make sure there are no other podcasts or media with the same name. This will help listeners find the podcast much easier.
Always do a quick google search before settling on a name to make sure there isn’t already a show with this title. It is difficult enough to get any podcast to stand out from the crowd, so make sure it can’t get confused with something that already exists. Look out for similar handles on social media, too. Most podcasts will perform some of their most valuable promotion through the likes of Instagram and Twitter (for more on how to promote your podcast on social media, check out this article), so even if there aren’t any other podcasts, shows, books, films etc that share this name, check the social handle isn’t already taken on social media.
Pay attention to language
Be careful of the type of language you use to title your show. While it’s a good idea to be clever in naming your podcast, don’t be too clever. Don’t choose a string of words that may not be universally understandable.
Be conscious of how many words are in the title, and how are you using them. A short name is better than a longer one. Three to four words maximum is the ideal length. While that might seem small, it will challenge you to keep the name direct and to the point. For the most part, platforms restrict the podcast name length and you don’t want to see your show rejected from a platform just because the name is too long.
There are two words you can probably go without. “The” and “podcast.” There are so many names with “the” in the title, it’s best to avoid it. Think about how your podcast title will look if listed alphabetically with others in the same category. With a long list of names with “the” at the front, it can be easy to skip past it. The same rules apply for the word “podcast.” People will know your show is a podcast, it does not need to be a part of the title unless there is a specific reason to include it.
The last thing to note when paying attention to language, is to stay away from offensive words. Apple Podcasts in particular could reject your podcast outright if your show’s name includes offensive terms and phrases.
Take advantage of names connected to the show
Finally, you may want to take advantage of any names connected to the podcast. If your podcast is produced on behalf of a recognisable brand, or the host is a well-known public figure, then it might be no harm to include these names in your title. If listeners are already familiar with the person involved or the brand responsible for the podcast, then you can promote directly to them and entice them to give your podcast a try.
Be careful, though. Only include such names if they are genuinely attributed to the podcast and play a big role in the show. People won’t like it if you take advantage of someone’s name or brand if they only play a small role.
At The Podcast Studios we work with companies, organisations, and individuals to help them tell their stories in audio form. If there is any part of your podcast journey that needs a professional touch, from start to finish, get in touch today by contacting us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.thepodcaststudios.ie
