While biking home last night, I had a chance to catch up on podcasts from Michael Katz of Blue Penguin Development. Katz is an email newsletter consultant who works with business to help them make the most out of that important communications medium. Katz, of course, publishes his own e-newsletter, which can be found here, on the topic of - you guessed it - e-newsletters.

In addition to his e-newsletter, Katz podcasts his weekly columns. Personally, I prefer the podcasts because Katz is a great story teller and I get enough email already. They average around seven minutes, generally have a story tied to a point about business and e-newsletters, are entertaining, and make you think. I'd link to his podcasts, but I couldn't find an easy to do so on his site. I'll try to solve that below.

For now, here is what I'm calling the Best of Michael Katz - March 17 - September 22, 2006. The links below are to text versions of the stories rather than the podcasts.

Lose the Act; Gain the Client (8/18/2006): explains that you're going to close more deals if your marketing is aligned with your personality. The sale is half-way closed when you land the meeting, and will close easier if prospects find your personality to be similar to how you've marketed yourself.

If I Had a Million Readers (7/21/2006): explains why a large audience, by itself, is not always in your best interests. What do you really gain by enticing someone who isn't interested in what you do to subscribe to your newsletter?

Flash Your Insight (7/7/2006): explains how it takes time to test innovative ideas to make sure they're great and how corporations often kill ideas by looking for a cost justification on business concepts too early.

Sweet Home on the Market (6/23/2006): explains what's wrong with the description of most homes in the MLS system. If you're a Realtor, be sure to check this one out. Frankly, I can't understand why Katz sold his home after hearing him describe it on the site he built for it.

Handling Negative Reader Feedback (5/19/2006): explains how to address and find value in negative feedback received from readers.

Michael Katz's Podcast on E-Newsletters is available for free through iTunes here. Or search for the podcast within iTunes by clicking into the Music Store, then Podcasts, and search for "katz's".