"His content is great and very relevant to my business, but [his Texan] accent grabs me every time," says Eissinger.

While spontaneity, humour and personality can add some sizzle to a podcast, Angelo Cerase, a Toronto-based financial advisor who has a list of podcasts he enjoys listening to, draws the line when a podcaster lacks focus in their program.

"I really, really, really hate it when a podcast has the author going on and on about absolutely nothing, without a real plan or script of what he was going to say," says Cerase.

"A little 'useless' filler is welcomed in a podcast, it ma

PowerPoint Tips
1. Talk to your audience, not the screen. Trust the image behind you. Look at the laptop screen in front of you, if you have to.2. Stand centre stage and put the screen off to the side.3. Place the screen at a slight angle on the left side of the room or stage (and to your right). Adult learning research shows that people use the left-brain to process data, so put PowerPoint words, statistics, and graphs on the audience’s left.4. Learn to command your equipment. When in ‘slideshow’, the B key toggles to a blank screen (or W for white) when visuals aren’t required5. A numbe

Launching a podcast can be a fun adventure. You're able to bring your voice, your rant and your thoughts to the world without having to go through editors, segment producers or other filters.

Although you may have great content, you may be missing the mark when it comes to adding a little pizzaz to your podcast. Interviews with experts, monologues on an issue you're passionate about and energizing music are all equally liked by listeners. However, if your podcast lacks intrigue, it will sit in a podcast directory with no downloads and very little subscribers.

Because I just launched a podcast, I wanted to ensure that I'm on the right track. So, I asked some other podcasters on what makes a great podcast. While they agreed that it's an awesome marketing tool, they disagreed on the two ingredients that could make or break the popularity of your podcast - the use of humour and the presence of personality.

One podcaster, Donna Papacosta, president of a communications company in Oakville, Ontario and who hosts a podcast herself, suggests that when communicating with a business audience, leave the humour out.

"For a B2B podcast, I would skip the humour. People want content that is relevant to them," says Papacosta.

However, Penny Haynes, CEO of Georgia-based company that teaches people how to create their own podcasts through a virtual course, disagrees. She doesn't think your podcast should be dry and stiff, no matter who's your target audience.

"Everyone has their own ideas and tastes regarding programs, but I love a little humor. A little bit of someone's personal side can add a lot to it," says Haynes.

Paige Eissinger, who hosts a computer call-in radio show in Missouri, says that she is immediately attracted to podcasts that inject a little humour.

"The worst people in the world to do business with are the ones who are humorless and I sure wouldn't listen to their podcasts," says Eissinger.

"I don't mean that you should have a ready joke for all your B2B podcasts, just that if your message lends itself to humor, take advantage of it. Don't pass up a witty remark just because 'It's business'," says Eissinger.

Being witty is one thing, but being silly can really turn off a listener. Just ask Papacosta, who's not afraid to unsubscribe from a podcast if it turns out to be a total dud.

"I've hit the stop button on many a podcast because of content I deemed stupid or a waste of my time," says Papacosta.

At the end of the day, it's a podcaster's personality that will win many fans and garner tons of downloads.

"Content [of a podcast] is important, but surprise, surprise - personality wins out," says Haynes. "When it came down to a choice between great content and great personality, personality was the winner."

Haynes recounted a podcast where she shared her thoughts and feelings about celebrating the one-year anniversary of her business. She was surprised by the response of her listeners.

"They loved it, as it made me 'real'. They felt invited and involved in my private world," says Haynes.

Eissinger can relate. One of her favourite podcasts is hosted by a man who has a southern accent. Although she learns alot from his podcast, she's a sucker for his accent and in her mind, this lends alot of personality to his podcast.

"His content is great and very relevant to my business, but [his Texan] accent grabs me every time," says Eissinger.

While spontaneity, humour and personality can add some sizzle to a podcast, Angelo Cerase, a Toronto-based financial advisor who has a list of podcasts he enjoys listening to, draws the line when a podcaster lacks focus in their program.

"I really, really, really hate it when a podcast has the author going on and on about absolutely nothing, without a real plan or script of what he was going to say," says Cerase.

"A little 'useless' filler is welcomed in a podcast, it mak

Six Sure-Fire Ways to Get Yourself a Pay Rise
Many employees do not care too much for their bosses or supervisors. It is an all too common trait. Most feel as though the boss knows nothing, has a superiority complex, is arrogant, is unapproachable, expects too much and pays too little. Are you nodding your head?Having stated all of the above, what are YOU doing to improve the situation? You see the boss or supervisor did not get to where he or she is by being a complete nincompoop. Oh, I can almost hear some people saying: "Yeah, but you don't know MY boss!"Let's face a little bit of stark reality. Your boss or supervisor, for what

or break the popularity of your podcast - the use of humour and the presence of personality.

One podcaster, Donna Papacosta, president of a communications company in Oakville, Ontario and who hosts a podcast herself, suggests that when communicating with a business audience, leave the humour out.

"For a B2B podcast, I would skip the humour. People want content that is relevant to them," says Papacosta.

However, Penny Haynes, CEO of Georgia-based company that teaches people how to create their own podcasts through a virtual course, disagrees. She doesn't think your podcast should be dry and stiff, no matter who's your target audience.

"Everyone has their own ideas and tastes regarding programs, but I love a little humor. A little bit of someone's personal side can add a lot to it," says Haynes.

Paige Eissinger, who hosts a computer call-in radio show in Missouri, says that she is immediately attracted to podcasts that inject a little humour.

"The worst people in the world to do business with are the ones who are humorless and I sure wouldn't listen to their podcasts," says Eissinger.

"I don't mean that you should have a ready joke for all your B2B podcasts, just that if your message lends itself to humor, take advantage of it. Don't pass up a witty remark just because 'It's business'," says Eissinger.

Being witty is one thing, but being silly can really turn off a listener. Just ask Papacosta, who's not afraid to unsubscribe from a podcast if it turns out to be a total dud.

"I've hit the stop button on many a podcast because of content I deemed stupid or a waste of my time," says Papacosta.

At the end of the day, it's a podcaster's personality that will win many fans and garner tons of downloads.

"Content [of a podcast] is important, but surprise, surprise - personality wins out," says Haynes. "When it came down to a choice between great content and great personality, personality was the winner."

Haynes recounted a podcast where she shared her thoughts and feelings about celebrating the one-year anniversary of her business. She was surprised by the response of her listeners.

"They loved it, as it made me 'real'. They felt invited and involved in my private world," says Haynes.

Eissinger can relate. One of her favourite podcasts is hosted by a man who has a southern accent. Although she learns alot from his podcast, she's a sucker for his accent and in her mind, this lends alot of personality to his podcast.

"His content is great and very relevant to my business, but [his Texan] accent grabs me every time," says Eissinger.

While spontaneity, humour and personality can add some sizzle to a podcast, Angelo Cerase, a Toronto-based financial advisor who has a list of podcasts he enjoys listening to, draws the line when a podcaster lacks focus in their program.

"I really, really, really hate it when a podcast has the author going on and on about absolutely nothing, without a real plan or script of what he was going to say," says Cerase.

"A little 'useless' filler is welcomed in a podcast, it ma

Insider Secrets about Corporations: Or, Why Should I Incorporate?
-"Why should I incorporate? I can just do this business as a sole proprietor, right?" -"Isn't it complicated and expensive to form a corporation?" -"I run my business with my spouse, and we have a partnership. Why would we need to have a corporation?"These have to be the most frequently asked questions that I--and my own financial and legal advisors--get from our clients. The vast majority of people who operate small business or home-based business are sole proprietors or mom-and-pop shop-type partners. Yet, leading authorities on small business estimate that at least 90% of all sma

add a lot to it," says Haynes.

Paige Eissinger, who hosts a computer call-in radio show in Missouri, says that she is immediately attracted to podcasts that inject a little humour.

"The worst people in the world to do business with are the ones who are humorless and I sure wouldn't listen to their podcasts," says Eissinger.

"I don't mean that you should have a ready joke for all your B2B podcasts, just that if your message lends itself to humor, take advantage of it. Don't pass up a witty remark just because 'It's business'," says Eissinger.

Being witty is one thing, but being silly can really turn off a listener. Just ask Papacosta, who's not afraid to unsubscribe from a podcast if it turns out to be a total dud.

"I've hit the stop button on many a podcast because of content I deemed stupid or a waste of my time," says Papacosta.

At the end of the day, it's a podcaster's personality that will win many fans and garner tons of downloads.

"Content [of a podcast] is important, but surprise, surprise - personality wins out," says Haynes. "When it came down to a choice between great content and great personality, personality was the winner."

Haynes recounted a podcast where she shared her thoughts and feelings about celebrating the one-year anniversary of her business. She was surprised by the response of her listeners.

"They loved it, as it made me 'real'. They felt invited and involved in my private world," says Haynes.

Eissinger can relate. One of her favourite podcasts is hosted by a man who has a southern accent. Although she learns alot from his podcast, she's a sucker for his accent and in her mind, this lends alot of personality to his podcast.

"His content is great and very relevant to my business, but [his Texan] accent grabs me every time," says Eissinger.

While spontaneity, humour and personality can add some sizzle to a podcast, Angelo Cerase, a Toronto-based financial advisor who has a list of podcasts he enjoys listening to, draws the line when a podcaster lacks focus in their program.

"I really, really, really hate it when a podcast has the author going on and on about absolutely nothing, without a real plan or script of what he was going to say," says Cerase.

"A little 'useless' filler is welcomed in a podcast, it ma

3 Ways To Effectively Advertise In E-zines And Reap A Profit From Affiliate Products
So how can you affectively advertise in E-zines and reap a profit from affiliate products? There are a number of different ways, of which, I will cover three below:1. Target E-zines that are related to your specific affiliate product.Create a viral report that is related to your affiliate Purchase sponsor ads in reputable E-zines and send all of those interested to a page where they can download your viral report for free. This report will have an embedded affiliate link, which will generate sales on your behalf.2. Create a persuasive solo ad.Again, start off by purchasing

many a podcast because of content I deemed stupid or a waste of my time," says Papacosta.

At the end of the day, it's a podcaster's personality that will win many fans and garner tons of downloads.

"Content [of a podcast] is important, but surprise, surprise - personality wins out," says Haynes. "When it came down to a choice between great content and great personality, personality was the winner."

Haynes recounted a podcast where she shared her thoughts and feelings about celebrating the one-year anniversary of her business. She was surprised by the response of her listeners.

"They loved it, as it made me 'real'. They felt invited and involved in my private world," says Haynes.

Eissinger can relate. One of her favourite podcasts is hosted by a man who has a southern accent. Although she learns alot from his podcast, she's a sucker for his accent and in her mind, this lends alot of personality to his podcast.

"His content is great and very relevant to my business, but [his Texan] accent grabs me every time," says Eissinger.

While spontaneity, humour and personality can add some sizzle to a podcast, Angelo Cerase, a Toronto-based financial advisor who has a list of podcasts he enjoys listening to, draws the line when a podcaster lacks focus in their program.

"I really, really, really hate it when a podcast has the author going on and on about absolutely nothing, without a real plan or script of what he was going to say," says Cerase.

"A little 'useless' filler is welcomed in a podcast, it ma

Using Niche Marketing For Your Online Work At Home Business
Many online entrepreneurs get started using affiliate marketing and the most successful still employ this method. Affiliate marketing has recently been taken to the next level by those who are making money with niche affiliate marketing. Niche affiliate marketing can turn a huge profit for those who understand the principals but in order to use this method you must understand what affiliate marketing is and how to integrate the niche marketing strategy into your system. To be successful you must also understand how to choose and promote a product and it is the goal of the article to discuss these ite

hosted by a man who has a southern accent. Although she learns alot from his podcast, she's a sucker for his accent and in her mind, this lends alot of personality to his podcast.

"His content is great and very relevant to my business, but [his Texan] accent grabs me every time," says Eissinger.

While spontaneity, humour and personality can add some sizzle to a podcast, Angelo Cerase, a Toronto-based financial advisor who has a list of podcasts he enjoys listening to, draws the line when a podcaster lacks focus in their program.

"I really, really, really hate it when a podcast has the author going on and on about absolutely nothing, without a real plan or script of what he was going to say," says Cerase.

"A little 'useless' filler is welcomed in a podcast, it makes the person on the other end seem more human. But too much is, well, too much," says Cerase.

Having a great mic, snazzy music and earth shattering content is not enough. You need to inject a little bit of humour and personality into your podcast to really get people to subscribe to your feed week after week.

Special thanks goes out to the members of the Podcaster Central Network who contributed their comments for this article. If you want to learn more about how to create, publish and host a podcast, join Podcaster Central by clicking here: http://podcastcentral-network.ryze.com.

Copyright 2005 Leesa Barnes. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.