How to Title Anything, From Podcast Episodes to YouTube Videos

When I published my very first podcast episode back in 2010, I titled it "Episode 1".

I doubt this had many would-be listeners scrambling for their iPods.

These days, titles are the very first thing I'll look at when helping a creator improve their reach. This applies not only to podcast episodes but also to YouTube videos, blog posts, and almost any kind of content.

You can spend hours making something brilliant. You research, record, edit, polish and share. But all that hard work can be wasted if your title doesn’t do its job.

A strong title is what makes someone pause, click and give your work their time.

So how do you write titles that people actually want to click on? The trick is to plan for them, to lean on proven formats, and to pay attention to what your audience responds to.

Whether you want to improve existing titles or choose the right one for your next piece, our WHISPER TITLES framework will help you craft headlines that grab attention and earn clicks.

The WHISPER TITLES Framework

The WHISPER TITLES framework offers reliable title styles you can adapt for podcasts, YouTube videos, or written content. Some spark curiosity, others promise results, and some invite the sharing of stories.

It also works as an idea generator. You’ll find inspiration just by skimming the list, and if you copy your podcast description and this framework into an LLM like ChatGPT or Claude, you’ll be surprised by how many fresh ideas it produces.

Here are 13 ways to title your next podcast episodes, YouTube videos, email newsletters, or blog posts...

What or Why Titles

Because people are curious.

What or Why titles pose a question and promise a clear answer.

For example: Why Gen Z are quitting social media in 2025, Why we still crave physical books in a digital world, or What nobody tells you about buying an electric car.

How to Titles

These are timeless.

People search for answers in this format every single day.

A title like How to grow on TikTok without dancing, How to start investing with just £50, or How to cook restaurant-quality pasta at home sets the expectation that you’ll provide step-by-step guidance.

Insider Titles

These are about giving people access.

They suggest that you’re sharing what happens behind the curtain.

Think Inside Spotify’s playlist machine, Inside the Battle Over Ocean Plastics, or Inside the life of a Formula One engineer.

Secrets Titles

These pull people in with the promise of hidden truths.

They work because we all like to feel we’re in on something.

Examples include The secret to actually sticking to New Year’s resolutions, The hidden truth about influencer sponsorships, or The secret world of luxury hotel upgrades.

Problem Solution Titles

These call out the struggles your audience already faces, then promise a way forward.

Struggling to get views on YouTube? Try this, Hate networking? Here’s a better way, and Tired of dieting without results? Fix this first all fit this approach.

Emotion-Driven Titles

These connect through feelings.

They make people want to click because the emotion resonates.

Examples could be The heartbreaking cost of chasing fame, Why burnout is the new badge of honour and how to ditch it, or The joy of failing fast and moving on.

Results-Oriented Titles

These highlight transformation.

They’re motivating because they show what’s possible.

You might use Double your freelance income in 90 days, Learn any language in 15 minutes a day, or Run your first 5k in just four weeks.

Trending and Timely Titles

These tie into what’s happening right now.

They work best when your content connects to the moment.

For instance: Will AI-generated music kill creativity, The rise of intermittent fasting among busy professionals, or What the Wildfires Teach Us About the Future of Cities.

Intrigue and Mystery Titles

These leave just enough unsaid to spark curiosity.

They hint at something surprising but hold the detail back.

Titles like The one mistake that could ruin your side hustle, The surprising link between sleep and creativity, or The everyday habit that’s silently draining your energy do this well.

Top List Titles

These are simple and structured, which makes them easy to consume.

Five gadgets under £50 that make travelling easier, Ten lessons from running my first marathon, and Seven books that changed how I think about money all fit this style.

Life-Changing Titles

These are bold and dramatic.

They suggest content that could genuinely make a difference.

Examples include The simple habit that changed my mornings forever, Life lessons from deleting Instagram for a year, and How saying no saved my career.

Expert or Contrarian Titles

These stand out because they challenge what people already believe or lean on authority.

Why budgeting apps might be keeping you broke, Everything you know about healthy eating is upside down, and What top scientists get wrong about willpower are good examples.

Storytelling Titles

Finally, storytelling titles are the most personal.

They invite your audience into a journey.

How I failed my way to a six-figure business, The chance encounter that changed my career path, and What I learned from living out of a suitcase for a year are all built around stories.

Writing Titles That Get Found

I know folks worry about "clickbait". But it isn't clickbait if you deliver on your promise. Hopefully "How to Title Anything" hasn't brought you here under false pretences. Though maybe I could've called it "Blog Post 47"...

Podcast apps, YouTube and even your own website all work like search engines. People are typing in questions and looking for answers. If your titles are close to the language they use, you’re more likely to appear.

That doesn’t mean stuffing in as many keywords as you can. It just means being clear and direct. Promise what you’re going to deliver and then actually serve it up. That way, you’re never writing clickbait.

Keep Them Short and Clear

One more thing to keep in mind, here, is the length of your titles.

Titles should be as long as they need to be and no longer. Once you go past about sixty characters, most apps or search engines cut them off. Aim for six to ten words, and put the most important words at the front.

Don’t waste space with your podcast or channel name in the title. And don’t put episode numbers at the start. If you want them for your own reference, you can always tuck them at the end.

Test & Learn

Over time, there’s no need to guess what works. Just look at your stats. Which episodes or videos are getting more plays? Which titles attract more clicks? Keep an eye on this, and you’ll begin to spot the patterns that show what your audience actually wants.

Some platforms offer A/B split testing, too. This can give you real-world feedback on your titles, and will help you develop an instinct for what works.

How to Title Any Content: Summary

Your titles are the gateway to your content, so plan them carefully. Use the WHISPER TITLES framework to spark ideas, keep titles short, clear and easy to find, and always learn from what the numbers tell you.

When you get it right, your titles won’t just attract attention; they’ll keep bringing the right people back to your work again and again.

Of course, getting clicks means nothing if your content is bland or poorly made. Alitu helps you create episodes that not only get discovered but also build a loyal audience who keep listening.

From dodgy-Wifi-proof double-ender recording to automatic cleanup, levelling, and optimisation, Alitu takes care of the technical side so you can concentrate on the conversation.

And with tools like filler-word removal, transcripts, chapter markers, a drag-and-drop episode builder, and one-click publishing to Apple and Spotify, it’s ideal for creators who want to save time, avoid tech headaches, and put their energy into content and audience growth.