What’s in a Name?

Very specific names can help a podcast (or any project) get established, but also add limitations to growth and future options. For example, Fiverr, an online marketplace for freelance services—the name comes from the original concept that services would start at a cost of $5. Or Dollar Tree.

It’s hard to find anything in Fiverr for $5 today and, even if you do, with fees, upsells, and taxes, you’re likely to spend a lot more. And Dollar Tree raised its traditional $1 price point to $1.25 for most products. 

When I started Big Podcast Daily, I knew I was locking myself into a specific frequency. I could publish “every weekday” and take things down to five days per week, but any fewer than that and the name doesn’t work.

The word also overwhelms some people, who think they have to “keep up” with the daily pace to get any value from the content.

So I’m changing the name. “Big Podcast Daily” is now Big Podcast Extra. It’s the same thing, with the same daily frequency (at least for right now), but packaged differently to give me options for the future. It’s also most fitting for what i publish here, since these are the ideas that I’m working through that don’t go into other current projects, like books, podcasts, or my newsletter, but I still feel have value and want to get out to the world.

If you’re wondering if you should change the name of one of your projects, consider these three things:

1. Future Flexibility

You want a name that is specific for what you do, but also allows for potential shifts in content, frequency, or focus. This adaptability ensures that your podcast (or other project) can evolve without the need for significant rebranding.

2. Audience Perception and Accessibility

The name of a podcast sets the first impression and can significantly affect how accessible and appealing it is to potential listeners. It's crucial to choose a name that’s easy to remember, spell, and search for online. It should resonate with the target audience and give them a hint of what to expect in terms of content, tone, and value. 

3. Distinctiveness 

In a saturated market, standing out is key. A distinctive name can help capture attention and make your podcast more memorable. 

This is something I considered with this rebrand. Which is why I skipped options like:

• Big Podcast Letter

• Big Podcast Flyer

• Big Podcast Brief

• Big Podcast Insights

• Big Podcast Dispatch

• Big Podcast Report

• Big Podcast Post

• Big Podcast Newsletter

• Big Podcast Digest

• Big Podcast Reader

• Big Podcast Paper

Is Big Podcast Extra any better? Arguably not, but attaching the story of how it’s a place for me to put my “extra” content that doesn’t fit in other current projects helps.

No name is perfect. And your podcast, just like you, will change over time. This is why I went with a name that would give me flexibility for the future more than anything.

In the end, it’s better to publish with an imperfect name than delay your podcast, trying to come up with something that’s perfect. Don’t let “perfection” keep you from getting your message out to the world.