Welcome to Christine’s blogspot for internet marketing. Here, I discuss my thoughts, opinions and share useful resources for online marketing of MLM: Multi-level marketing, affiliate and network marketing programs.
Business and Social Networking:
Today’s discussion is Business and Social Networking. First, let me tell you how I came upon this topic. Last week as I was reading through my emails, I came across one that really peeked my interest. The ad read:
“You’re going to love this new site I found for social and business networking. It’s free to join and advertise in this business directory. You can even win cash and prizes for the best profile. You’re invited to post a free profile on my site. Many serious entrepreneurs will view your contact and business information”.
I read to the end of the email and noticed the person’s address was in Columbus, Ohio, where I currently reside. I clicked the link and arrived at DirectMatches.com – People Connection. I did indeed join free and posted my business profile at the site. AND, my upline sponsor is right here in Columbus!
Now, those who truly know me often describe me as a “straight shooter” or “tell it like it is” kind of person. So, I am telling you the honest- to- goodness truth when I say, immediately upon posting my profile, I started receiving a slew of email notifications of people wanting to be added to my personal contact list. It was a bit overwhelming at first, I had seen nothing exactly like this.
As Internet Marketers, we have focused so much on building our list, capturing names and email addresses, it seemed rather ironic to have people actually asking me to add them to my contact list. What A Welcome Change!
Since joining, I have connected with some of the most terrific people from all walks of life at all levels of internet marketing experience. Overall, it’s a connection of like-minded entrepreneurs committed to helping others, as well as themselves, achieve business success. Of course you know they eventually want to promote their business to you. However, it’s done in a more subtle way.
I decided this is so good, I have to share it with others. I was in the process of putting my thoughts together of what I was going to write, but thanks to Cody Moya, he just freed up a couple of hours of my time. I have been a subscriber of Cody’s Business Marketing Tips (BMT) newsletter since February 2005. Cody featured an article “Indirect Advertising” in his Jnauary 20, 2006 newsletter. Although, I call it "subtle advertising" while Cody refers to it as “indirect”, regardless, I’m sure you will get the point. Here it Is...
.:FEATURED ARTICLE:.
Indirect Advertising
I am reasonably certain that anyone reading this article is familiar with all the free online advertising methods such as the all-too familiar Sp-m emails, Classified Ads, FFA pages, Banners, Text Ads, Traffic Exchanges, Newsletters, Guaranteed Visitors, Paid to Read, Paid to Join, Link Swaps, Pop-ups, as well as many other types of 'In-Your-Face' advertising, some of which may have been dreamed up since this article was written.
What I would like you to consider is this: What do you think when you see this kind of stuff yourself? More to the point, what is your 'Frame of Mind' at that moment?
My guess is you think, "Here we go again..." and your shields go up. You pull up your waders and trudge on through, oblivious to the thousands of messages ricocheting off your armor as you collect a few more hits for your own website promotion or product offer.
With Millions of would be online Millionaires doing this hour after hour and day after day, is it any wonder that the Internet slows down to a crawl and even stops at times?
Now consider the "Frame of Mind" of a visitor that came looking for you to see what you are doing. Maybe even to ask a few questions and give you permission to email them. Does this sound like a more productive environment?
The online equivalent to this scene is being played out today and every day and you can participate for free. It is called 'Social Networking' and more information on this is easily found with your favorite search engine.
Imagine if you are no longer perceived as another 'Salesman' but as a "Fellow Business Person" with similar problems and often good ideas for their solutions. Much like Napoleon Hill wrote about in his world renown-book, "Think and Grow Rich", you could be a team member of a virtual Mastermind Group. Chamber of Commerce Mixers have been an example of this approach for years and have been very successful for some who get it. Now you can accomplish nearly the same thing for your home business from your own computer.
Keep in mind, this should not be just another place to plaster your links. The strongest relationships are formed by giving first. Do a mental inventory and come up with something you know or have that would help others more than yourself. Find a way to offer it with no strings attached, no signup or email address required, just give it freely. I know it sounds crazy in this dog-eat-dog world, but trust me it works.
Alright, now it is all up to you. Continue contributing to the degradation of Internet bandwidth with the huge numbers of attempts required (many not even reaching their target) to get a single response, or try something that builds future relationships with new friends that are truly interested in what you are doing and not just trying to sell you something.
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Bio paragraph (resource box) below:
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Cody Moya writes about Business and Marketing in his weekly Business and Marketing Tips Ezine. You can sign up for his free Ezine and get additional information at his website: http://bmtezine.com
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In closing, I do totally agree with Cody’s advice of not plastering affiliate links in your emails immediately upon making contact. While you may see a few others doing so, I believe the “indirect approach” will serve you and your business much better in the long run.
You can learn more about DirectMatches.com at: http://follow4more.info/?i=34569
Happy Connections,
Christine Range
www.RangeWorldwide.com
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
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