Episode 479: AI Without the Ick: Real‑Time Title Workshop with Tenille Register and Roger Lipp

In this hands-on episode, Kathi Lipp invites listeners into a live title lab—no hype, just practical help. With guest creators Tenneil Register and Roger Lipp, Kathi models how to use AI as a brainstorming partner (not a writer) to craft clear, connected, curiosity-building titles for blogs, series, pitches, and books.

Listeners will hear:

• A simple prompt that keeps your unique voice while getting better title ideas fast.

• The 3 Cs filter (clarity, connection, curiosity) applied in real time.

• How to iterate: cherry-picking words, combining phrases, and refining subtitles.

• Faith-adjacent, audience-first language that invites readers in—without the hype.

• Kathi's practical "title frames" and the all-important ear test.

Tenneil shares a live case study from her "Christmas through the decades" content, and Kathi workshop-tests options for her next decluttering book (for readers low on money, energy, emotional bandwidth, or time). Plus, Roger shows how AI can speed up production without losing the human touch.

If you want faster, stronger titles that truly serve your reader, press play and follow along with the prompt in the show notes.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

The Title Editor Prompt

Copy and customize this prompt to generate titles in your unique voice:

Act as a title editor for [insert your working title].

Keep [your name]'s voice [describe your voice - e.g., warm, practical, faith-adjacent, edgy, academic].

[Special instructions - e.g., no hype, avoid clichés, keep it under 6 words]

We need:
- An audience felt need
- An outcome promise

Non-negotiables: [anything that MUST be included]

Banned word list: [words to avoid, if any]

Give me titles only, no explanations.

Example from the episode: "Act as a title editor for 'What I Learned About Christmas Through the Decades.' Keep Tenneil's voice warm, practical, faith-adjacent. No hype. We need an audience felt need and an outcome promise. Titles only, no explanations."

The 5 Title Frames for Manual Tweaking

Use these elements to strengthen your titles—with or without AI:

1. Specific Noun over general noun
   Example: "paper piles" vs. "clutter" | "decision fatigue" vs. "overwhelmed"

2. Power Verb
   Examples: cut, tame, build, reclaim, map, create, unwrap

3. Concrete Frame
   Examples: in 15 minutes, 40 days, this weekend, for caregivers, when you're low on energy

4. Contrast
   Example: from messy to managed, what we lost and what we found

5. The Ear Test
   Say it out loud repeatedly. If it's hard to say or sounds awkward, keep refining.

The 3 Cs Filter

Rate every title option on these three criteria:

• Clarity – Is it instantly understandable?

• Connection – Does it speak to a felt need?

• Curiosity – Does it make you lean in?

Pro tip: For books, prioritize clarity. For articles and blog posts, lean into curiosity.

Bonus Tips from the Episode

• AI is a collaborator, not the creator. You guide, iterate, and cherry-pick.

• Don't settle for the first batch—keep refining by telling AI what you like and don't like.

• Words you don't use for the title can become subtitles, chapter titles, or marketing copy.

• If working with a traditional publisher, confirm title choices align with their publication standards.