There are many companies and businesses, including health and wellness practitioners, that use the strategy of teleseminars very successfully. But, that's just the point. So many companies are already using this solid strategy, how can you make your company stand out among the rest? Updating the traditional teleseminar format to become a podcast allows you to make use of many modern technological advances. In today's tough business market, you really must do anything you can to gain an advantage!

Podcasting is simply the use of the Internet to transmit your teleseminar, rather than the old fashioned standard use of the telephone. Adding in the visual component will make your teleseminar far more meaningful and memorable. Participants love to "put a face with the name." People who conduct most of their business over the Internet often find themselves craving any kind of personal connection. And, believe it or not, seeing your face on a screen often is enough! Keep in mind that podcasting doesn't have to be just a video image of you sitting there presenting your information. This type of presentation allows you to incorporate screen shots, video clips, photos and any other type of visual support you can dream of. It can be a very dynamic way to project your message and promote your product or service! For the best success with your podcast teleseminar, consider the following important tips:

Remember that image does count, especially for health and wellness practitioners-you want your audience to believe that what you tell them will get them on the right path toward health and wellness! Using podcasting for a teleseminar adds a visual component to your image that wasn't an issue with the audio-only type of presentation. Be professional, and be sure that the environment that is around you and visible to others is also professional-appearing. This means that if you conduct your successful Internet business while sitting in your boxers on your living room couch, you will need to spruce things up a bit for this occasion.Prepare what you are going to say ahead of time. Nobody wants to hear you ramble on and on. Have an outline, and follow it, but don't simply read from a script. If your podcast or teleseminar does not allow for direct user interaction, encourage your listeners to email you with questions or comments, and develop a regular "series" for your site! Answer last week's questions today.Keep it short, and stick to the designated time frame. Be respectful of your listeners' time-they have set aside a certain time to pay attention to you and have other things to do, too!Use good equipment, like a good quality video camera and a good quality microphone. Make it easy for people to listen!Include frequent references, both verbal and visual, to your site's URL. Make this piece of information one of the most important "take home" messages from your teleseminar, podcast or presentation.

Using the Internet to promote your health and wellness products and services is getting easier by the day-if you know the right techniques and strategies to use!

Cheryl Heppard is a business and marketing coach/consultant to health, nutrition, and practitioners. Visit her website to claim your free marketing tips, resources and tools designed specifically for health and wellness practitioners w at http://www.cherylheppard.com/

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One of the things you always want to do when creating content is to make it look professional. Or, in the case of a podcast, make it sound professional. After all, a professional podcast is the measuring stick your audience is going to use when they grade you. And they will.

But how do you make your podcasts sound professional?

In this article I'm going to share seven tips to making a professional podcast. Now let's get something clear from the beginning. Hiring a sound studio is not in the budget. In fact, none of these tips require much money. Sounding professional can now be done with the barest of budgets.

1. Always start with a plan!

Podcasts are usually a simple form of learning content. Like any learning content they don't just appear. At least not if they're good. Always plan your podcast for what content and format you'll use. Organization needs to be built. It doesn't just appear. In other words, write an outline before you script the show!

2. Don't make it up as you go!

It may sound like professionals make it up as they go. But that's what makes them professionals. Practice! Specifically practice at making it sound like the script being read is really an off the cuff speech. Even if you only work from an outline, always have a script. And then practice it.

3. Get a head start!

How many times have you heard people on a voice chat where you hear their kids playing in the next room? Usually better than you hear them! That's the result of using the wrong microphone. Don't use a desktop microphone. Desktop microphone bad! Headset microphone cheap. Headset microphone good. Yes, there is a technical explanation. But bottom line use a headset -- even a five dollar one is better than a twenty dollar desktop!

4. Take it on the chin!

Want that deep rumbly voice that all good radio broadcasters have? The voice of doom... even if you aren't planning a career on a ranch! Move the microphone to just below your jaw line. Say half an inch below your closed jaw or at the bottom of a stretched open jaw. Well out of the way of your mouth and the pops and sputters.

5. A different view of the bar stool!

How many bar stools have you seen the underside of? Too many? Okay this one's easy. When you record you should always stand up. If it's going to be a long recording session, use a bar stool. Just perch on the edge of it. That'll take the weight off your feet. But you'll still get the lung expansion that standing gives you.

6. Smile -- the audience will wonder what you're up to!

Sorry, this one is a little obvious. Smile when you are recording. It sounds silly but your audience can hear if you like them. So smile! You do like having an audience don't you? Tell them with your smile.

7. Spit shine and boot black.

What makes a professional sound like a professional? A good editor. Don't worry about mistakes. Just record enough material to give the editor something to work with. Record all your practice sessions. Then edit your podcast. Clean up the mistakes. Add music. Add audio packaging. You'll be surprised how good a little editing will make you sound.

Do you want to learn how to create information products (learning content)? Check out my new free eBook "7 Myths and Seven Tricks in Nine Steps": http://www.learningcreators.com/myths.htm

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

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