Podcasting connects people who have a message with people who want to hear it. Yet, how can coaches take advantage of creating and hosting a podcast for their own coaching businesses?
In Part 3, you’ll discover how to incorporate elements of your coaching personality into a podcast so you connect with listeners.
Here are some tips on how to build rapport with your listeners so that your coaching style comes through:
If you’re funny, be funny. Nothing can get listeners to tune in to your podcast week after week than to hear witty and humourous remarks. Even if you target executives, don’t be afraid to let your fun side show through.
Include personal details. This doesn’t mean that you reveal you darkest secret or a list of your cardinal sins. Instead, offer your listeners a taste of who you are by talking about the weather in your area, your thoughts on a major news story, a funny encounter you had with a business associate or the great time you had at a family dinner. Be careful what you reveal about yourself, but on the flipside, don’t be afraid to let your human side show through.
Don’t read from a script. It’s okay to have bullet points written down, but don’t read word for word from a document. Your listeners will be able to sense this and you’ll end up sounding boring. Try your best to be conversational and you can really only do this without the presence of notes.
Be controversial, be witty, just don’t be boring. Podcoaching is a form of entertainment and while you should be nice to your clients, that niceness will come across as boring while you’re podcoaching. Don’t be shy about taking an unpopular position on a topic in your podcast. Having an opinion will shake your listeners and get them to subscribe to your podcast.
Use music, but not copyrighted music. Jazz up your podcast with some music. Add it to your intro, your outro and everything in between. Just remember not to use copyrighted music. Even that tune you love from ABBA that you recently bought from iTunes is copyrighted music, so don’t use it. Instead, type in royalty-free music in your favourite search engine and you’ll be able to buy tunes that sound similar to the sound you’re looking for at a low price.
No matter who your target audience is, when you podcoach, it’s important to use a bit of personality to spice it up. In Part 4, we’ll look the reasons why focusing on your target market’s pain points in your podcast will make you more successful then just winging it.
Leesa Barnes, Chief Divapreneur, helps consultants, virtual assistants, professional organizers and coaches pull clients to them using a podcast. Leesa’s advice is based on her experience producing and hosting a podcast where she saw a spike in subscribers to her ezine list and signed up a few new coaching clients, all without scheduling any complimentary sessions. Her audio program called Podcoach Your Way to Success: Secrets for Coaches on How to Use a Podcast to Market Your Business & Gain More Clients contains worksheets and exercises to help any coach set up their own podcast in as little as 4-hours.
Go to http://www.podcoachyourwaytosuccess.com and sign up for her free ecourse that will teach you how to use a podcast to grow your coaching business and pull clients to you.
Although Apple had nothing to do with the podcasting technology, the iPod and podcasting quickly became linked. With the advent of the iPod Video, podcasting entered a whole new level. Now, more than the usual audio broadcasts, aspiring film makers can also share their work with the world.
So how do you go about making your own video podcast? To make it easier on you, use a digital video camera. If you have an analog video camera, it is still possible to convert the footage to digital format but it adds another step to the process. So assuming you have a digital video camera, what do you do?
First, take great footage. Of course, making a film is not simply shooting. Create a concept and make it good. When you have finalized your ideas, it is time to shoot. When taking your shots, bear in mind your target media - the iPod. The small screen will not be able to display too many details so it is a good idea to get close when shooting. Do not use the wide-screen mode but use the standard mode instead. Optimize bandwidth and battery power by shooting several short segments instead of one full-length film. Edit! Small screen viewing will not show text clearly unless they are large enough. Also bear in mind that fast motion and high contrast might not show very clearly on the small screen.
Now that you have your video, it’s time to compress it. This needs to be done so that the video will be optimized for web and iPod viewing. There are different ways you can do this. If you have a MAC, it’s no big deal. You can compress and export your video using iMovie HD6 simply by clicking the following: FILE>Export>iPod>Share. It’s as easy as that - the software automatically converts the file and shares it on iTunes. For PC users, you can also use QuickTime Pro, version 7.0.3 or higher. Again, simply click Export > Using Quick Time Conversion. The resulting *.m4v file is the one you will upload to your web server. Other options are Sorenson Squeeze and Spasm Software’s Podner.
Describe or tag your movie. This is very important as all the information you supply will be the basis of searching later on. This is how your movie can be found and singled out, out of all the video podcasts out there. If you’re using the latest iMovie version, all you need to do is drag the file onto iTunes and click the Info Tab. Then enter the necessary information. You can also change the filename. For PC users, create an XML document. You can find a sample XML file at http://playlistmag.com/features/200…dcast/index.php. Just change the details to suit your movie. When this is done, all you need to do it upload your file to your web server.
Now what? Distribute! Let people know that your video podcast exists. You can do this in a variety of ways. To reach as many people as possible, submit your podcast to iTunes. You can also provide a URL for your podcast by including it in your blog. First create an RSS feed (www.feedburner.com is a good one) so that you can attach your video to your blog. Then create an entry in your blog and then place a link to your video. Of course, if you really want people to notice your work, you have to promote it. Go to websites such as www.podcastalley.com Now wait for the world to discover the budding film maker in you.
Podcastblaster.com supplies podcasting software and provides information all about podcasting including podcasting for profit.
Podcasting is a powerful, inexpensive and easy new medium for sharing your message with a focused and passionate audience. As a podcaster you’ll become a recognized expert in your area of interest or expertise.
You can use podcasting to boost your credibility, build your list of customers and gain a fan base very quickly. This makes podcasting a great tool to promote a product or service.
Here are four reasons you need to start a podcast today whether for fun or for business.
1. Become a Recognized Expert or Celebrity in Your Chosen Niche
How would you like to be recognized as an authority in your area of interest or expertise? Podcasts are popping up all over the internet on every imaginable subject.
But things are just getting started. Chances are you can still be one of the first to start a podcast in your chosen niche.
You can quickly be recognized as an expert in your field. This is a powerful way to build a following or strong customer base.
Think about when you hear or see someone on the radio or TV. They have instant credibility. As a podcaster you will enjoy the same credibility. People will value your opinion.
You can leverage this position to influence your audience, promote yourself and even make money. If you have an audience that is interested in a specific niche, there will always be others who want to reach that audience, too. This is how you find advertisers or sponsors.
2. Quickly Gain a Very Focused Audience
With the right content, you will gain listeners fast. Not only that, but your audience is potentially worldwide. You can offer quality content to keep in touch with your customers and keep yourself, your product or your service in the front of their mind.
Podcasting is a great way to cut through the clutter and reach your audience. This is not like the radio where your listener is waiting for something that interests him. He has chosen to listen to your podcast because it interests him.
This makes podcasts very effective for promotion, marketing and growing a focused audience.
3. Podcasting is a Convenient, Automatic and Inexpensive Way to Reach Your Audience or Customers
One reason that podcasting has become so popular is that it’s automated. Listeners subscribe to your feed. This means they don’t have to remember to return your site to check for new content. When you post new content, it’s automatically downloaded to your listener.
Because listeners subscribe to podcasts, they have chosen to receive your content. They have already shown interest in your message by subscribing. In addition, a podcast does not get lost in SPAM like with e-mail. You can be sure your message is reaching a focused audience.
This means your content automatically reaches your audience without any barriers increasing the efficiency and ease of delivering your message.
Because your podcast is delivered over the internet, it’s a very inexpensive means of communication.
4. With Equipment You Probably Already Own and For Very Little Cost, Your Podcast Could be Online in Just Hours
All you need to start your podcast is a computer, a microphone and a broadband internet connection. Later, you can buy nicer gear if you want. For now you can get started with very little cost. All you need is something to say and a desire to say it.
If you were to try and do the same thing on the radio, you would have to face all kinds of FCC regulations to learn and follow. Plus you would have the expense of broadcasting. Podcasting removes all of that cost and trouble.
With my how to podcast tutorial web site, your first podcast can be online in less than a day.
SUMMARY
Podcasting is a powerful and easy way to reach a focused audience. Whether for fun or to make money, podcasting allows you to easily reach a focused and loyal audience. You can brand yourself as an expert or celebrity in your niche.
You can get started with no more gear than your computer, a microphone and a broadband internet connection. People could be listening to your podcast in less than a day. Make your voice heard.
Jason Van Orden is the creator of www.How-To-Podcast-Tutorial.com, the home of the free podcast tutorial that will take your podcast from concept to launch fast and for minimal cost. Click here to learn how to podcast with step-by-step instructions (in everyday terms) and video tutorials.
Have you heard that new babies get a free £250 voucher from the the State to place in a Child Trust Fund. The child’s voucher can be invested in any one of threekinds of CTF account, Stakeholder - a shares-based account that changes into cash, a savings account or a shares account.
Scottish Friendly is an accredited provider of the Child Trust Fund. The State is eager for people to have access to Stakeholder accounts and this is the form of account that we supply. This means that:
• Investments go into our Managed Growth Fund, which
intends to provide good growth potential.
• It invests in part in shares to get the benefit of potentially higher returns over 18 years,compared to a cash deposit account (although the value of shares can go down as well as go up whereas capital would be protected in a deposit account).
• It comes with a low ‘Stakeholder’ funds charge of just 1.5When attaining the age of 18 per year
• young person the receive will totally a lump sum, prevailing law free of Capital Gains and Income Tax under It’s.
• extra affordable - put payments can be as little as in the account from can £10
Anyone - parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends - contribute an uppermost limit to the Child Trust Fund to increase of £1,200 per year to help cannot
the child’s Fund (once added, this money All this means be withdrawn).offers our Stakeholder account possible a good balance between lower high returns and a There’s level of risk. additional also the complies assurance that our account Nevertheless with the Government’s stakeholder criteria. does not this guaranteed mean that returns are suitable or that Stakeholder accounts are Bear in mind for everyone. decrease that the value of shares in the Managed Growth Fund (where your Child Trust Fund money is invested) can rise as well as whose birthday is and is not guaranteed.
Only children eligible on or after 1st September 2002 are open a to older kids Child Trust Fund. If you have qualified who are not contemplate you could saving intended for them with a Child Bond - it’s a tax-free savings plan for long-term growth.
Do you sometimes feel that all your time is focused on dealing with problem employees? It seems that when you’re not addressing performance or discipline issues, you’re creating new policies, procedures, and work rules that are geared to correct the bottom 10% of your workforce. In all my years in consulting, working with large organizations and small, I regularly hear this from executives who are totally exasperated by both employee issues and the inability to focus on anything else.
But how do you know when enough is enough? What barometers can you use to determine whether you’ve hit a wall and need to get some expert help? Here’s a quick quiz:
1. When recruiting, are you finding that the people coming through the door are not qualified to do the job?
2. When a new hire starts working, do you sometimes wonder: “Is this the same person I interviewed for the job?”
3. Are your employees not learning the job as fast as you need them to?
4. Are your supervisors ill equipped to manage their employees?
5. Are you losing top performers because you haven’t been able to provide them enough challenge?
6. Do you often wonder what the heck your employees are thinking?
7. Do you find that increases in wages do not result in any increase in productivity?
8. Do conducting performance appraisals seem to create more problems than they’re worth?
9. Do injured workers seem to stay out of work longer than you think they should?
10. Do you often wonder if some employees are even going to show up for work?
11. Does it seem like your turning over people at a faster rate than you can replace them?
12. Is it sometimes easier to do the job yourself rather than try to train someone to do it?
13. Do you often hear “it’s not my job”?
14. Do you struggle to get projects done on time and within budget?
15. Are you unsure of your obligations under the law?
16. Do you find yourself so focused on problem solving that you have no time to think about innovation?
17. Do you sense that your employees are not focused on the customer?
18. When dealing with employees, do you constantly worry that you might get sued?
19. Is soliciting ideas and suggestions from your employees like pulling teeth?
20. Do you sometimes feel that things just aren’t working?
If you answered “yes” to more than 2 or 3 of these, you’ve got problems. Things need to changeand need to change now. Get some professional help. If you are to survive and prosper, you need to start doing things differently. Successful organizations depend on well trained, engaged employees. When your workforce is operating effectively, you will find that you are in better control and problems with employees disappear.
Rick Dacri is an organizational development consultant, coach and featured speaker at regional and national conferences. Since 1995 his firm, Dacri & Associates (http://www.dacri.com) has focused on improving the performance of individuals and organizations. Rick publishes a monthly newsletter, the Dacri Report (http://www.dacri.com/enewsletter.htm) with the intent to provide clients and friends critical information on issues that impact them, their organization and their employees. Rick can be reached at 1-800-892-9828, or rick@dacri.com
Sophisticated or not, IP geo location technologies give web operators the possibility to discover the location of abusive users around the Globe and apply national or international laws on them. The virtual world of the Internet offers freedom to the users more than the offline world. The reason why so many laws are broken with the help of the Internet is that people get caught less online. Authenticity, fraud, copyrights and so many more couldn’t be as easily detected in a network as in the real world until recently and the perpetrator often got away with the crime. IP geo location saved the day and will probably save it even more in the future. This technological mean of location is becoming very useful and demanded because of security, access and network efficiency. To transform the borderless Internet environment to a place where laws do apply just in the same manner as in the geographical territory IP geo location is an imperative.
Let’s take the example of a web site that has an increasing number of visitors. This site deals with a lot of clients that use their services. There is no guarantee for the safety of any transactions unless the clients offer their information online. What if this info would be false? The location can be obtained if the client voluntarily gives the IP address away (with the help of a site registration) or, if he does not, then it can be detected with approximate accuracy through different methods. An online form, registration, sign-up - all can be tricked with false information. There is no other mean of verification of authenticity and legal constraint than IP geo location.
Software solutions help web operators find out the IP geo location of a person through a number of methods:
1. The simplest one is the less effective also. Looking up the Regional International Registry for “Whois” records can prove to be a useless struggle. There are 5 R.I.R.s and each serves a designated area in the world. The R.I.R.s allocate IP addresses to organizations, ISP’s and users in their specific region or area and they allow the free download of the files with the information. Records with IP addresses have actually been downloaded by various persons who now offer them for free in online databases you have to access. However these IP geo location files are not very accurate and might not help.
2. Basic network tools like ping, traceroute and nslookup are more effective in IP geo location. A network of servers can prove to offer a more accurate IP address location. IP addresses all over the Internet are “probed” and used by the network to find the exact location of just one IP address. Some solution providers use a lot of servers (thousands) while others use only 10-12.
Ping = Packet Internetwork Groper (It is a tool also received with the TCP/IP software package and it determines if a host is active or not determining the round-trip delay)
Traceroute = used as a debugging tool to determine the route from a local to a remote host
Nslookup = name server look up program (The TCP/IP software package includes this program in order to determine a host name or an IP address)
3. While this last category of IP geo location methods (number 2) is considered of medium effectiveness, there are other solutions who use even more sophisticated technology such as artificial intelligence and special systems. Some also make a more thorough verification and comparisons of IP addresses and IP geo locations for a perfect result.
There are many things to say about this rather complicated topic that requires knowledge about the ever-changing Internet environment. The guideline is that IP geo location is earning more popularity everyday just like any aspect regarding the full expansion market, the Internet. Safety is an issue in the virtual world just as much as in the real one because the two interact. IP geo location takes care of this by acknowledging true identities.
Amelie Mag is an Internet writer.
To find out more about IP addresses visit http://www.iprelated.com
This article can be republished as long as the byline active links are saved.
Entity structuring is the use of limited partnerships, limited liabilities, and corporations. These can help you accomplish three things:
1. Bullet-proofing your assets so that the bad guys are worse off if they try and take them away from you.
2. Slashing your taxes so that they are within single digits.
3. Protecting your privacy and building lasting wealth.
Let me explain how this works with the following example:
A case study: My friend Patrick grew up with the family business. His family sold expensive boats. His business grew. He was a financially intelligent man so he wanted to add a stream of income. Therefore, he decided to start a Marina, a land storage facility, a parts shop and a show room. I wanted to make sure he was properly protected and that he had bullet-proofed his assets. However, he was too busy making money to focus on it at that time. This was his fatal flaw. One day, I got that dreaded call from Patrick. The sheriff deputy was there to shut down his businesses: the Marina, the parts shop, the storage facility, and the show room. His business was locked down with pad locks in a matter of hours. Within six months, he lost all of his personal assets and filed both personal and corporate bankruptcy. The tragedy here is beyond his loses but the fact that this situation was completely avoidable. You can prevent this from happening to your business by using two power tools:
1. Limited Partnerships: separate legal entities. They separate your personal assets from business investments.
2. Limited Liability: similar to Limited Partnerships as they form a wall between you and the creditors and predators.
These two power tools include a built-in charging order that does not apply to your typical “S” or “C” corporations. A charging order basically states that the “bad guys” cannot go after your assets. They will be able to go after income but not after you employ the following strategy. We can set up a separate management company for you. Then, you can shift your money from your LLC or LP into your separate management company. The last step in your protection is called imputing income, and it finalizes the prevention of lawsuits. The IRS can step in and tax these bad guys for the money they are suing for (even when they are unable to collect this money.) This ensures the fact that suing you will not be worth the effort.
In summary: They cannot touch your assets because you have protected them. They cannot receive the income because you have shifted it out. They are left with heavy taxes imposed by the IRS. Therefore, the likelihood of you being sued is next to nothing.
Pathfinder is offering consumers who visit their website a free tax savings special report & Free Tax Saving Webinar.For information about these tools visit www.Save10kinTaxes.com
Many have said that Democracy is on the march and we now have 126 countries in the world; nearly half which have a democracy style of government. Decades the prior we were all worried about Beehive Syndrome and Communism, as the “Domino Affect” was to be prevented at all costs, including US countrymen and soldiers blood. But today we see a new trend towards socialism and communism in South America and one would have thought in watching all the national successes due to Democracy that indeed this would continue.
However, today we see Bolivia, conveniently stealing foreign business and taking over gas and oil companies in their country. Refusing to honor contract renewal arrangements and spitting in the face of capitalism, one of the main components of their economies strengths and of their Democracy. Why? Have we failed to show the best side of Democracy or are those entrusted by the people too short sided to see the benefits for the leadership and the whole of the people?
Are communism style dictatorships on the March in South and Central America? Is Democracy fading away and those nations who ditch this gift of freedom, liberty and rule for the people and by the people doomed to repeat the fall of past civilizations of mankind in this Hemisphere? Is the leader of Bolivia, busy taking advice from Castro, Red China, Venezuela? If so, doesn’t the USA need to send out Video Tapes, manuals, visual presentations to all these nations to educate them on the reality of the flows of civilization and why Democracy is the best long term choice?
“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Many legal malpractice claims share common allegations/themes that can be avoided if law firms have the proper risk management measures in place. Implementation and maintained use of some very rudimentary systems and procedures can reduce the likelihood of being sued, or in the event you are sued, can bolster your defense. Below are some basic tips law firms can utilize to help reduce their legal malpractice exposure.
Engagement Letters - Legal malpractice claims often hinge on whether or not the claimant can establish that they were a client of the attorney (or at least owed a duty of care in 3rd party claims) and that the attorney agreed to handle the matter in question. A written engagement letter prepared for each client or potential client can serve to establish the facts of the lawyer-client agreement. Ideally an engagement letter would include the following:
• Name of client
• Scope of services (and in certain circumstances specifying what services are not being performed/included is also appropriate)
• Fee amount and billing schedule, including payment expectations
• Identification of any potential conflicts of interest
• Name and contact information of primary attorney handling the matter including outline of firm’s communication guidelines (i.e. timeframes for responses to phone calls, faxes, letters, etc.)
• Client’s obligations to the attorney and/or firm
• Dispute resolution method and initiation procedure
Non-Engagement/Declination Letters - These are often the difference in getting a meritless claim dismissed. As important as engagement letters are, non-engagement/declination letters are equally important. Written documentation to the former potential client advising that you will not be representing them is critical in establishing that no professional relationship existed. Non-Engagement/Declination letters should include the following:
• Name of potential client
• Date the attorney and/or firm met with potential client to discuss representation
• Details of the potential case which were discussed
• Statement clearly advising the potential client of the attorney’s/firm’s decision not to accept the case
Disengagement Letters - Various circumstances may arise that prompt a severing of the professional relationship between a lawyer and client. This often occurs before the matter for which the attorney was hired has reached a final resolution. In such circumstances it is crucial the “disengagement” be documented in a letter to the client. If the client subsequently hires new counsel who makes an error, the disengagement letter may be the best defense to establish who the responsible attorney was at the time the error occurred. Disengagement letters should include the following:
• Name of client
• Date the attorney and/or firm are terminating their representation of the client
• Statement clearly advising the client of the attorney’s/firm’s reason for disengagement (i.e. case concluded, client request, non-payment of fees, etc)
• Successor counsel: if known include their name, if not include a statement advising client to seek new counsel
Professional Liability Insurance - Consistent use of the letters described above may help you reduce the possibility of being named in a malpractice suit, however they won’t eliminate the possibility of claims. Lawyers professional liability insurance won’t eliminate claims either, but it can serve to minimize the impact a malpractice claim might have on your firm.
When deciding whether or not to carry professional liability insurance, consider the following:
• Frequency of client claims and malpractice law suits are on the rise. The National Law Journal has reported that an attorney can now expect to be sued at least once during their career.
• Defending a malpractice claim is expensive. History tells us that approximately 35% of loss payments in professional liability claims are due to litigation expenses, so even if you prevail with your defense it will be costly.
• Your personal assets may be at risk without appropriate professional liability insurance in place.
• Many clients, especially larger companies, are now requiring proof of professional liability insurance before they will enter into an engagement.
• Many, if not most, referral services require the attorney or firm have professional liability insurance in place before they will begin referring cases.
• Some states and jurisdictions now require that you disclose to clients whether or not professional liability insurance is in place.
If you are a small or mid-sized law firm that has experienced difficulty finding lawyers professional liability insurance due to paid claims or disciplinary actions, DefenseProSM Lawyers Professional Liability may be able to help. Administered by Lockton Risk Services, a subsidiary of Kansas City-based Lockton Companies, the largest independently-owned commercial insurance broker in the United States, DefenseProSM is specifically designed to meet the professional liability needs of distressed law firms. For more information, visit the DefenseProSM website at http://www.defenseproliability.com.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is provided for general discussion purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. For specific advice contact your own legal, financial, insurance and/or other advisor.
Jason Ingle, RPLU
Sr. Underwriter
Lockton Risk Services
7300 College Boulevard, Suite 500
Overland Park, KS 66210
Parrots make wonderful family pets because they are great companions, they are beautiful birds with colorful feathers and you can teach them to talk. But you must have a strong level of commitment to your parrot because he will need daily and weekly maintenance, as well as plenty of attention.
What a Parrot Needs
When you consider how to take care of you parrot, you will have to consider what you will need to get started. The first thing you will need is a large cage for your parrot to live in. Make sure it is big enough for him to move around a bit and be comfortable. To occupy his time and make him feel comfortable you should place a mirror, a swing and a toy in the cage. You will also need something to properly line the cage.
What To Feed Your Parrot
A parrot should have a healthy, well-balanced diet. It should consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat and grains. Peanut butter and cooked eggs are other sources of protein that are good for parrots. Pre-packaged parrot food is certainly another valid option. It takes the guesswork out of feeding your bird a wide variety of balanced nutrition.
As with most pets, avoid feeding your parrot caffeine, alcohol, chocolate and salty foods.
Teaching Your Parrot To Talk
One of the most attractive features of this type of bird is that you can teach them to talk and whistle. Most people get a lot of enjoyment out of it. It does require a lot of time and repetition though and training should begin when the parrot is young. New words should be introduced with an activity so the parrot can link the two. He may even pick up on words you don’t really want him to learn just because he hears them often.
Whistling may come more natural for the birds and may be encouraged after you have trained him to talk.
Provide Exercise
Your parrot will need to get daily exercise. Let him out of the cage for small amount of time, starting with fifteen minutes at a time. Let them fly around the house and tire themselves out. See a professional for wing clippings when necessary.
Beak Care
Never try to trim your parrot’s beak at home. Seek a professional’s help when needed. Some things you can do at home to help your bird with beak care is to provide a concrete perch or a cuttle bone for him.
Maintenance
The basic things you need to commit to for taking care of your bird are quite simple, but they do require some effort on the owner’s part. In addition to never leaving his food bowl empty, you will need to provide him with fresh water twice a day. You will need to clean his cage on a weekly basis. You will also need to groom him 2-3 times per week. This can include a full bath given in a sink or washtub or by simply misting the bird and using specialized bird shampoo on him.
When all the work is done, you will have a beautiful pet that will provide hours of entertainment and joy.
Please explore more Resources about Parrots with lots of Information
