Have you ever thought about starting a podcast? If so, you’ve probably played around with different podcast names, asking questions like what sounds the best? Or what would work best with your current business or business ideas? Did you know that there are certain components that are required in order to create an excellent name for your podcast? That’s right, considering these things when naming your podcast allows your show the best chance of becoming a successful podcast. In this blog (and podcast), I look at the four must-have components of a memorable podcast name.
First of all, what is a podcast name?
It is simply the title of your podcast, which allows you to be found on different podcasting platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Google, or Spotify.
So why do we care about the name of our podcast? When I started my show, I didn’t put any time, research, or prayer into my podcast name. Originally it was called The Mompreneur Mastermind Show, which I picked because that was what I had called my Facebook group. And because there was no heart behind it, and I hadn’t thought deeply about the brand’s sustainability, it was confusing.
So learning from my past and my work as a successful podcaster and podcasting coach, here are my top four components for a successful podcast name.
The Four Components of a Successful Podcast Name
1. Pick a podcast title that has four words or less (preferably only 2-3 words long)
An ideal podcast title is short, memorable, and clear.
You don’t want to use the tagline as the name; it’s too long and won’t be as memorable as a short, catchy name.
If you only have a tagline, take the key components of that sentence and make that the name.
For example, Debt-Free Lawyers is a much better option than Become Debt-Free for Lawyers.
2.Put WHO the podcast is for or WHAT the podcast is about in the podcast name.
You want to give listeners an idea of what your podcast is about and who it is for. This allows the person looking at your podcast to know if it’s something they should listen to.
Here are some examples to explain what I mean:
WHO the podcast is for: Freelancer to CEO (by Aubree Malick) is a podcast for who? Freelancers (who want to become a CEO)
WHAT the podcast is about: The Dream Planning Podcast (by Polly Payne) is a podcast about what? Planning your dreams
Combining WHO and WHAT: Christian Pregnancy Podcast (by Gladys Lee) Who is the podcast for? Christians. What is the podcast about? Pregnancy.
Stay away from names that don’t have a clear meaning, particularly emotional ones, like Free and Fierce. These names make it very hard for the right people to find you, as nobody knows what the podcast is about or who it is for. If you are determined to use an unclear podcast name, your tagline (6-10 words at most) must be super clear! Say who the podcast is for and what it is about. For example: Free and Fierce. Break free from debt as a fierce lawyer.
3.A successful podcast title is scalable.
A great podcast name is very niche but allows freedom to grow.
It’s important that the name allows you multiple options to monetize and scale your business.
For example, the name Christian Pregnancy Podcast allows room for Gladys to create a course, write a book, offer coaching or create partnerships on different aspects of being a pregnant Christian woman as ways to monetize her podcast.
Whereas Essential Oil Mom is very clear on who the podcast is for and what the show is about but doesn’t allow much flexibility to scale.
Finally, it’s super important to make sure the name you like is available. You can’t run and scale a business using an already taken name. This means checking:
Ideally, the name has a beautiful combination of meaning and heart, which helps your audience connect with you and your podcast.
What if I want my name in my podcast title?
If you want to have a personal brand (or any generic business name), I wouldn’t recommend starting with that as your podcast title. A non-specific title makes it very hard for you to get found and grow your podcast, whereas an optimized name benefits podcast growth.
It’s best to wait until you have 500,000 to 1,000,000 podcast downloads before changing your podcast title. Waiting allows you to build and establish your voice and podcast. It also means that your podcast will have gained optimization such as keywords and searchability from the episode names, and you are no longer relying on the name to assist with being discovered.
Lastly, you can redirect your podcast website to the podcast page on your personal brand website to start building your personal brand while still using an optimized podcast name.
I hope this has given you clarity on how to create a successful podcast name. While it may feel like it’s just a name, what you choose to call your podcast can make a big difference in getting found online. Having a name that is: short and catchy, clear on who you serve or what you do, allows room for growth, and is available will give your new podcast the best chance at success. Remember, this doesn’t have to be your forever name; it can grow as your business grows; just wait until you’ve made significant growth before moving on. If no one can find your podcast, it can’t grow.
Start your own podcast
If you’re ready to start a podcast but feel overwhelmed, check out my course, Podcast Pro University. This course makes starting a podcast simple AND will answer all your podcasting questions to get your show up and running.
How does your podcast name stack up? Did you manage to get all four parts? Let us know in the comments below how you went and what you’ve called or are planning to call your podcast. We’d love to hear from you!
I pray this blesses you!
Xo,
Stef
P.S. Listen to podcast episode 350 for the 4 Must-Have Components for a Podcast Name That Attracts!
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