Why podcasters should think harder about episode titles.

One of the things podcasters typically trip up on is naming their episodes. It’s a world rife with inconsistencies and missed opportunities. So I really want to share some good practice. A simple refresh could really help grow your show.

One of the main issues is we don’t imagine the end user. Why do you click on an episode? Because the title hints at a topic that you find interesting. A well named episode sells the theme and subject matter, signaling to prospective listeners its purpose and reason to exist.

Often you see long  names like “EPISODE 32: Dr An Example- Chief Officer of Examples at Example Inc. The best examples of an example”

I understand why people cram a bunch of key words in the title for discoverability. But the title has more purpose. So let's break it down.

There is a lot of detail, some of it for the listener and some of it pure admin. If I was going to shave this down for a client I’d ditch “EPISODE 32:” for starters. What purpose does it serve? Don’t get me wrong, keeping track of episodes is important, but does it really need to take up prime real estate?

There is also a very practical reason for not wasting characters on the episode number. Many podcast apps cut titles short. It may just show as “EPISODE 32: Dr An Example- Chief Officer of Examples at E..” or less. I’ve heard that less than 60 characters is the safe zone, but the marketer in me says if you can say it in less, then why not?

Personally, the best part of this is “The best example of an example”. But let's develop it further. 

I just love a title that asks a question. Why? Because it implies an answer. It lets me know this episode has a purpose and I’ll learn something new by the end. It’s not Dr An Example- Chief Officer of Examples at Example Inc talking generally, they are here for a reason. This is communicating the theme.

Also, should you even name your expert? Maybe it’s super relevant and you really need to, but why not go for this “What is the best example of an example? We asked an Expert”. We can add more of an intro of Dr Example in the show notes and qualify them in detail. In fact, we just primed the listener with the information that they are an expert and just have to fill in the blanks.

This simpler, neater title is easier to consume while scrolling through a playlist. It also has some key search terms that will help with discoverability, so hopefully it balances both roles.

The best part is you can test and experiment. It’s your show!

If your looking to start or overhaul your podcast, let us know. We’d love to help.