How to Name Your Podcast? (Avoid 8 Common Mistakes)

Starting a podcast is an exciting journey, but one of the first and often most challenging tasks is coming up with the perfect name. If you’re looking to focus on storytelling, music, or any other niche, finding a unique and catchy name that communicates your podcast’s essence is crucial.

In this article, I will walk you through the process I followed to come up with a podcast name, specifically for a show that explores the storytelling aspect of songs.

Let’s dive into how I brainstormed ideas, narrowed them down, and finally checked if my chosen name was available.

My Podcast Idea

I had an idea for a podcast that would highlight the storytelling elements in my favorite songs.

While there are podcasts like Song Exploder that dissect the music theory behind a song, my approach was different.

I wanted to focus solely on the lyrics and the progression of the story they tell, pinpointing what makes each song memorable as a narrative.

Brainstorming Name Ideas with ChatGPT

With this concept in mind, I turned to ChatGPT to help generate some potential podcast names.

Here’s the prompt I used:

“I’m starting a podcast where I want to highlight the intersection of storytelling and music by taking popular songs and breaking down the narrative of the lyrics. I’m having trouble coming up with names for a show like this. Can you give me 10 examples?”

Here are some of the names I received:

Lyric Chronicles
Unraveling Song Stories
Toon Tales: Stories Behind the Songs
Melody Mysteries
Songcraft Spotlight
Lyrical Lore
Narrative Notes
Song Stories Unplugged
Musical Narratives Exposed
Lyric Explorers

Not bad, right?

But choosing just one required some further thinking.

Refining the Name

One of the most important goals in selecting a podcast name is making sure it’s clear and recognizable to potential listeners who might be browsing podcast apps.

A title like Music Storytelling could work, but it didn’t feel unique enough.

I needed something that captured the essence of the podcast while standing out.

Some of the names ChatGPT generated, like Melody Mysteries: Decoding Song Narratives, were intriguing but might not be easy for people to search for.

For example, how many people would actually search for the term “Melody Mysteries”?

I liked Narrative Notes and Lyric Explorers the most. They were short, catchy, and conveyed the podcast’s theme well. However, I still wanted to explore more ideas.

So I asked ChatGPT to build upon Narrative Notes, and after some deliberation, I decided that this was the name I wanted to move forward with.

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Verifying the Name’s Availability

Now that I had decided on Narrative Notes, the next step was to make sure that the name wasn’t already in use by another podcast. It’s essential to check multiple platforms to ensure the name isn’t taken, especially on popular podcast directories. I checked three main sources:

1. Podcast Index

First, I went to Podcast Index to check if the name Narrative Notes was taken. After searching, there were no results for that specific title, which was a positive sign.

2. Spotify

Next, I searched on Spotify. This platform often mixes music and podcast results, so it’s important to filter by “Podcasts and Shows.” While I found a few similar titles like Taylor’s Notes and Rock Grind, there wasn’t anything that closely resembled Narrative Notes.

3. Apple Podcasts

Finally, I checked Apple Podcasts, and again, no exact match for Narrative Notes appeared. I also didn’t find anything that sounded too similar.

After checking these platforms, it seemed that the name was available, and I could proceed with using it for my podcast.

Checking for Similar Names and Competition

Just to be thorough, I decided to search for other podcast names related to my theme, such as Stories Within Songs or Storytelling in Songs.

These are general themes that others might have already covered, so I wanted to see how much competition I’d be up against.

It turns out that there is a recent podcast called Stories in Songs, but it appears to be a relatively short-form show and only exists on Spotify.

While it shares some similarities with my idea, my podcast is going to take a different approach, so I wasn’t too concerned.

It’s worth noting that competition shouldn’t necessarily deter you from using a name you like.

It just helps to be aware of other shows in your space, so you can differentiate your podcast and ensure it stands out.

Final Decision

After doing all this research, I felt confident in my choice of Narrative Notes. It’s clear, catchy, and available across the major podcast directories.

Plus, it perfectly captures the essence of my show, which is all about breaking down the stories within songs.

Tips for Naming Your Podcast

If you’re going through the same process of naming a podcast, here are a few tips that might help:

Clarity: Make sure your podcast name communicates what your show is about in a clear way.
Originality: Always check to see if the name is already in use on major platforms.
SEO-Friendly: Think about what potential listeners might search for and ensure your name includes relevant keywords.
Uniqueness: Make sure your name is memorable and stands out from similar shows in your niche.

With Narrative Notes as my podcast’s name, I’m excited to get started on this new creative journey. I hope this guide helps you find the perfect name for your podcast too!

Good Podcast Names (Avoid These 8 Common Mistakes)

Mistake #1: Being Too Cute

I get it – we all love wordplay, rhymes, and a good pun. However, while a cute or clever name might sound fun, it can actually hurt your podcast’s discoverability.

The key is to use keywords that people might actually search for in podcast directories.

For instance, a friend of mine ran into this issue.

He launched a podcast with a super cutesy name and went on to record over 200 episodes before realizing that the name was negatively impacting his business.

It was only after he rebranded that things started to improve, but it was a huge process to change everything.

Mistake #2: Being Too Generic

Imagine if I started a podcast and simply called it “The Marketing Show.” Would anyone really remember such a generic title?

The odds are slim. When naming your podcast, you want to pick something that stands out and makes a lasting impression, especially when people encounter your show for the first time.

A generic name like “The Marketing Show” isn’t going to cut it.

Mistake #3: Naming It Before Planning Out Episodes

Some people get so excited about a podcast name that they jump into recording right away.

Then, by episode four or five, they realize that their planned topics don’t align well with the name they chose.

My advice?

Before finalizing your podcast name, make a list of at least 10 potential episode topics.

This will ensure that the name you choose fits the content you plan to create, avoiding a situation where you feel stuck with a title that doesn’t quite fit.

Mistake #4: Using the Wrong Words

This one is crucial. Using words that your audience wouldn’t typically use can hurt your podcast’s visibility.

For example, if you’re in a technical industry but trying to attract beginners, using technical jargon might alienate your target audience.

Beginners likely won’t search for or recognise those advanced terms.

It’s important to speak the language of your audience. Whenever possible, use the exact words they would search for.

This will resonate with them more and make your podcast easier to find.

Mistake #5: Using Too Many Words

A podcast name that’s too long can be a problem. Buzzsprout recommends keeping your name to four words or less, which is ideal for simplicity.

But sometimes, it’s hard to make everything fit within that limit.

If you can’t get your name down to four words, up to seven is still okay.

The key is to make sure the most important words are at the front, because in some podcast apps, the title might get cut off after a certain length.

Placing essential keywords at the beginning ensures they aren’t lost.

(By the way, mistake number eight – which we’ll get to later – will actually help you shorten your title.)

Mistake #6: Being Overly Complex

A podcast name that’s too complicated can be hard to remember, and this can work against you in two ways.

Ease of Recollection: You want listeners to be able to easily recall your podcast’s name so they can tell their friends about it. If it’s complex, they might forget the name or get it wrong when recommending it to others.
Ease of Spelling: Using overly technical words or terms that are tricky to spell can make it harder for people to find your podcast. If people struggle with spelling, they may give up on searching for your show altogether.

Keep your podcast name simple and straightforward to avoid these issues.

Mistake #7: Choosing a Name That’s Already Taken

It’s surprisingly common for people to pick a podcast name that’s already being used by others. I once had a client come to me, frustrated that their podcast wasn’t getting discovered.

A quick search revealed why: there were at least 13 other shows with the exact same name.

Here’s how to avoid this mistake:

Search for your podcast name on Apple Podcasts, the biggest podcast directory.
Check on Google and YouTube as well.
Make sure to see if social media handles related to your podcast are available.
It’s also a good idea to check if the domain name for your show is available – this can help with branding down the road.

Mistake #8: Including the Word “Podcast” in the Title

This is a mistake I see far too often. People feel the need to include the word “podcast” in their show title, even though listeners already know it’s a podcast from the context of the platform they’re on.

Including “podcast” just makes your title unnecessarily longer.

Avoid this and save yourself the extra characters.

Bonus Tip: AI Prompt for Generating Podcast Name Ideas

Now, if you’re still stuck on naming your podcast, here’s an AI prompt that we use with our clients. Open ChatGPT (or any other AI tool you prefer) and input the following:

“I have a [insert your core offer, e.g., a membership, a book, or a course].”
“It’s called [insert the name of your offer].”
“It’s for [insert your ideal audience].”
“It helps them [describe what your offer helps them achieve].”
“I need a [insert the vibe – is it fun, serious, lighthearted, or something else?] podcast name written at a sixth-grade level.”

Why a sixth-grade level?

Because you want your audience to be able to quickly skim through and understand it without having to think too hard.

The easier it is for people to grasp, the better!

One Last Thing: Consider Your Show Format

When thinking about your podcast name, it’s also helpful to consider the format of your show.

Will it be a solo podcast, interview-based, co-hosted, or perhaps feature a sidekick?

The format might influence how you name your podcast.

For more insights, I’ve linked to a video where you can explore the pros and cons of each podcast format. You can check that out if you’re still deciding.

Conclusion:

Naming a podcast is a critical step in setting yourself up for success. By avoiding these eight common mistakes, you’ll ensure your show stands out, is memorable, and attracts the right audience. If you’re ready to dive in and start generating ideas, don’t forget to try out the AI prompt I shared – it’s a great way to spark creativity.

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Sonu

Sonu is a passionate blogger who reviews the latest AI tools. With a focus on providing insightful and unbiased reviews, Sonu helps readers navigate the evolving world of artificial intelligence.