First things first…
Disclaimer: I do not claim to be an expert. This is not gospel. I leave the gospel to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Paul. However, I do feel that you will get some value out of what I have to share here.
When marketing a product or service, you need to clearly identify your niche - target population. Some people say that everybody is a potential customer or business builder, and that thinking is flawed. Successful business people focus on one or at most, very few specific target groups - niches. According to the recent best-selling book The Long Tail, the secret to success is to sell more of less to a very specific group of buyers — a niche.
More on this at a later date. I just wanted you to have a taste of it to prepare you to understand some of the language and reasoning in this article.
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In your network marketing career, you're going to come across 3 types of people: Helpers; Heroes/Heroines; and Haters.
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Let's examine these three types…
Helpers are people that look up to you and feel that it is an honor and a privilege that you asked them to assist you in some way. These people generally look up to you for one reason or another. Perhaps you have a job position, a particular social status, or a bank account balance that they desire and respect. Whatever the case may be, they are always willing to help.
Here is a good way to ask a Helper to assist you by referring customers to help you grow your network marketing business:
[HELPER], I really need your help with something. I market a product/service to [YOUR NICHE] that helps them to [BENEFITS TO THE NICHE]. Who do you know who would be interested in learning more about a product like that? I would really appreciate any and all help.
Here is a good way to ask a Helper to assist you by becoming a business builder - join your team:
[HELPER], I got something to show you. I'm putting a team together and I'd like for you to be part of it. What we're doing is working with a company that markets a product/service to [YOUR NICHE] that helps them to [BENEFITS TO THE NICHE]. I need you to review this [TOOL — DVD, CD, recording phone overview, magazine, brochure, website, etc.) and let me know by tomorrow if you'd like to join our team, okay?
There are also Heroes/Heroines. Heroes/Heroines are people that you look up to for the same reason that a Helper looks up to you. These are people like a good teacher, your doctor, lawyer, accountant, a respected business person that you know, etc.
Here is a good way to ask a Hero/Heroine to assist you by referring customers to help you grow your network marketing business:
[HERO/HEROINE], I know that you keep a busy schedule, but can you please do me a favor? I market a product/service to [YOUR NICHE] that helps them to [BENEFIT TO THE NICHE]. Who do you know who would be interested in learning more about a product/service like that? I would really appreciate any and all help, and any referrals you send my way will be given the utmost customer care. I will not embarrass you or let you down.
Here is a good way to ask a Hero/Heroine to assist you by becoming a business builder - join your team:
[HERO/HEROINE], I really respect you and your opinion. I know that you keep a busy schedule, but if you would be so kind as to squeeze in 15 minutes to review a [TOOL — DVD, CD, recorded phone overview, magazine, brochure, website, etc.). I'm looking for people that are interested in earning extra money from home in their spare time, by telling other people about the product/service explained in in/on the [TOOL]. Please let me know when you can get back to me on this, okay? I really appreciate your help.
Now, they may be interested themselves, but don't approach them that way as there may be an ego situation going on. They are your hero/heroine, remember? What could you offer them. Also, do not let their less than favorable opinion about your company, and/or its products/services get you down. If you have thoroughly researched your company, and there is a lot of positive press, and/or it is positioned in a growing industry, don't worry about it. Hey, they don't know what they don't know.
Finally, let's talk about Haters. Haters are your peers — family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. These are your warm market contacts. When dealing with your warm market, remember Napoleon Hill's words from pages 140-141 in his book Think and Grow Rich: "Close friends and relatives…often handicap one through 'opinions' and…ridicule…meant to be humorous. Thousands of men and women carry inferiority complexes with them all through life, because some well-meaning but ignorant person destroyed their confidence through 'opinions' or ridicule." Hmmm… Why do our companies and sponsorship lines tell us to go after our warm market? They talk about Napoleon Hill's book all the time. Didn't they read this passage from his book? Hmmm…
Anyway…
Your job with Haters is to inform them. This group is called Haters because they are the ones most likely to knock the average person out of the box. The key here is to not ask them directly for anything - it is not about them.
Here is a good way to ask a Hater to assist you by referring customers to help you grow your network marketing business:
[HATER], I started a business where I market a product/service to [YOUR NICHE] that helps them to [BENEFITS TO NICHE]. Who do you know who would be interested in learning more about a product/service like that?
If they say something slick, which it is very possible that they will, your response should be, "Well, I wasn't asking YOU. I was asking who do you know who would be interested in learning more about a product/service like that."
Here is a good way to ask a Hater to assist you by referring business builders to help you grow your network marketing business:
[HATER], I'm looking to make a change in my financial status and the quality of my life. I recently started my own business where I market a product/service to [YOUR NICHE] that helps them to [BENEFITS TO NICHE]. I'm looking to assemble a team to help me spread the word about this product/service. You may not be interested in this, but who do you know who would like to earn extra money in the spare time by helping to spread the word about this company? I have a [TOOL — DVD, CD, recorded phone overview, brochure, website, etc.) that I'll give to them. So who do you know that would like to learn more about this?
So as Kim Klaver teaches, go pick a niche, and go for it. I'll give you two examples how to identify a niche for your products/services.
Felicia Richardson, Independent Associate with Pre-Paid Legal Services told me that one of her target niches/ideal customers are single moms in the Bronx. So, her "quick pitch" sounded like this: I market a service to single moms in the Bronx who would like to protect their family for less than the cost of a bottle of water a day. Who do you know who would be interested in learning more about a service like that?
I'm an Independent Distributor with Send Out Cards. One of my target niches customers are insurance agents. So my "quick pitch" sounds like this: I market a service to insurance agents that helps them to triple the amount of referrals they currently receive. Who do you know who would be interested in learning more about a service like that?
Folks, I sincerely hope that this helps you get more customers and business builders. I look forward to learning from you all, and I am committed to sharing with you. That is what the Network Marketers Alliance is all about.
We also have a monthly radio broadcast. Go to www.HomeBizRadioShow.com to learn about upcoming shows and to listen to recording of past shows in our archive.
All the best to you and your business.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
The B.A.D. Principle of Networking
Main Points to Remember
Join casual contact networks and social/business networks to build breadth (i.e. sheer numbers)
Join strong contact networks to develop depth (i.e. deep relationships)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
How to network and follow-up
Not sure of how to network and follow-up to increase sales? Check out this 8-minute video:
How to Network and Follow-up
by Tyrone Turner, Copyright © 2008, All rights reserved
You can have great marketing brochures, a killer website, and an awesome product/service. However, people will buy from those that they like, know, and trust, and the only way that you're going to accomplish that is to build a relationship.
Here is a 10-step follow-up system on how to build relationships with new people that you meet:
First things first, have your "quickie pitch" and your "60-second commercial" prepared
Here is the format for the quickie presentation (approximately 10 seconds long):
My name is ___. I market a (product/service) that (what it does). My ideal customers are (describe target customer). Who do you know who would be interested in learning more about a product/service like that? Let me know, okay?
Here is the format for the 60-second presentation:
My name is ___. I market a (product/service) that (what it does). My ideal customer are (describe target customer). My motto/tagline is (your catchy motto or tagline here). Please let me know if you know somebody that would be interested in learning more about a product/service like that, okay?
1) Approach and Interview the new person and ask "Who are you, and what do you do?" Ask the new contact what they do and who their ideal customer is. Take notes on what they say. Make sure to have a little notepad. Gather as much contact information as possible (i.e. mailing address, e-mail, and fax). Note: If the person is reluctant to give you their mailing address, just tell them that you want to send them product samples or information about your business.
2) Quick Pitch or 60-Second commercial - If they haven't already asked you, ask them if you can briefly tell them about your business. Usually, the quick pitch is the way to go but if the environment allows it, and they person is asking you a lot of questions, go with the 60-second commercial.
3) Graceful exit - Give them permission to work the room, and promise them that you will be in touch as you want to learn more about them and their business.
4) Update your contact manager - When you get back to your office, input their information into your contact management system (e.g. Outlook, Sugar, Act, Goldmine, SendOutCards, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc., or an Excel spreadsheet)
5) Email (or fax) them a "nice meeting you" note.
6) Direct mail - Send them a "nice meeting you" greeting card via the U.S. Postal Service. A greeting card is 11x more likely to be read when compared to a letter.
7) Phone call to check-in - 5 business days later, if the new contact hasn't already called you, pick up the phone and call them. Make sure to ask them if you have caught them at a good time! Schedule a phone conference or a face-to-face meeting to discuss business matters. The purpose of this meeting is to learn more about their business to see if you two can somehow help each other out down the road - if the chemistry is right and after you have developed trust.
8) Appointment (face-to-face, video conference, or phone conference) and Exchange Marketing Material. On the phone conference/at the face-to-face meeting, learn all that you can about their business. Ask questions about who their ideal customers are, and what other types of businesses service their target market. At the end of the meeting, ask them to give you brochures and other information about their business, and hand or mail them info about your business. On a face-to-face meeting, bring a small gift. I typically bring a small bag of candies, or some company-branded giveaway like a pen or mug. Sometimes, I'll give them an educational CD (Ivan Misner, Robert Kiyosaki, or David Bach). Make sure to tell the other person that you will be following up on "x" date to discuss what you've read about their product/service, and to get feedback on what they learned about yours.
9) Follow-up phone call - The million dollar question: "So, what do you think?" Commit to them, that as you two get to know, like, and trust each other over time, you will be keeping your eyes and ears open to send business their way when possible.
10) Never stop following-up - periodically check-in with them to to share information and just to say "hi". Mix up and space out your approach. Use text e-mail, audio e-mail, video e-mail, fax, direct mail, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings. Never, ever, ever try to hard-sell them. The info you gave them about your business and your character will do the selling for. Just remind them from time to time what is is that you do, and you'd be surprised how people will buy from you and/or send referrals your way.
TOOLS
You may want to consider adding some of the following to your marketing arsenal:
Autoresponder (for mailing lists, newsletters, and special reports; you may also want to use audio enabled e-mail; and/or video enabled e-mail
Send real greeting cards via the Internet. You can create a personalized greeting card over the Internet in less than 60 seconds. The company's back office prints the cards out, stuffs it in an envelope, and sends it off to the recipient via the United States Postal Service
Telephone/virtual assistant/fax -- also called a unified messaging system.
When meeting face-to-face, give the person a small bag of candy. Keep a steady supply chocolates and other candies. They are available at discount prices.
You may want to also consider video blogging, and broadcasting, and maybe even podcasting and teleseminars.
A lot of my clients, family, and friends like to burn scented candles, so I became a "Candle of the Month" subscriber as candles make great gifts.
If you'd like to know my specific recommendations for the products and services described above, just contact me.
I've had people buy from me because I am pleasantly tenacious in my follow-up. You have to show people that you are really interested in them, and that you believe in your product/service. It is very, very important that during the follow-up, "courting" process, you develop a relationship. People are more likely to do business with people that they know, like, and trust.
Always remember that new customers are the life blood of any business, and the best way to get new customers is through the referrals of other satisfied customers.
Take care of your customers, and they will take care of you.
"Givers gain." - Ivan Misner, Founder and Chairman of Business Network International (BNI)
"Appreciation beats self-promotion any day of the week." - Kody Bateman, Founder and CEO of Send Out Cards, Inc.
"We shower our customers with attention. There is no doubt in my mind that our philosophy can be applied to selling just about anything - from aircraft engines to beanbags." - Jack Mitchell, CEO Mitchells/Richards, author of Hug Your Customers®
I hope this helps.
How to Network and Follow-up
by Tyrone Turner, Copyright © 2008, All rights reserved
You can have great marketing brochures, a killer website, and an awesome product/service. However, people will buy from those that they like, know, and trust, and the only way that you're going to accomplish that is to build a relationship.
Here is a 10-step follow-up system on how to build relationships with new people that you meet:
First things first, have your "quickie pitch" and your "60-second commercial" prepared
Here is the format for the quickie presentation (approximately 10 seconds long):
My name is ___. I market a (product/service) that (what it does). My ideal customers are (describe target customer). Who do you know who would be interested in learning more about a product/service like that? Let me know, okay?
Here is the format for the 60-second presentation:
My name is ___. I market a (product/service) that (what it does). My ideal customer are (describe target customer). My motto/tagline is (your catchy motto or tagline here). Please let me know if you know somebody that would be interested in learning more about a product/service like that, okay?
1) Approach and Interview the new person and ask "Who are you, and what do you do?" Ask the new contact what they do and who their ideal customer is. Take notes on what they say. Make sure to have a little notepad. Gather as much contact information as possible (i.e. mailing address, e-mail, and fax). Note: If the person is reluctant to give you their mailing address, just tell them that you want to send them product samples or information about your business.
2) Quick Pitch or 60-Second commercial - If they haven't already asked you, ask them if you can briefly tell them about your business. Usually, the quick pitch is the way to go but if the environment allows it, and they person is asking you a lot of questions, go with the 60-second commercial.
3) Graceful exit - Give them permission to work the room, and promise them that you will be in touch as you want to learn more about them and their business.
4) Update your contact manager - When you get back to your office, input their information into your contact management system (e.g. Outlook, Sugar, Act, Goldmine, SendOutCards, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc., or an Excel spreadsheet)
5) Email (or fax) them a "nice meeting you" note.
6) Direct mail - Send them a "nice meeting you" greeting card via the U.S. Postal Service. A greeting card is 11x more likely to be read when compared to a letter.
7) Phone call to check-in - 5 business days later, if the new contact hasn't already called you, pick up the phone and call them. Make sure to ask them if you have caught them at a good time! Schedule a phone conference or a face-to-face meeting to discuss business matters. The purpose of this meeting is to learn more about their business to see if you two can somehow help each other out down the road - if the chemistry is right and after you have developed trust.
8) Appointment (face-to-face, video conference, or phone conference) and Exchange Marketing Material. On the phone conference/at the face-to-face meeting, learn all that you can about their business. Ask questions about who their ideal customers are, and what other types of businesses service their target market. At the end of the meeting, ask them to give you brochures and other information about their business, and hand or mail them info about your business. On a face-to-face meeting, bring a small gift. I typically bring a small bag of candies, or some company-branded giveaway like a pen or mug. Sometimes, I'll give them an educational CD (Ivan Misner, Robert Kiyosaki, or David Bach). Make sure to tell the other person that you will be following up on "x" date to discuss what you've read about their product/service, and to get feedback on what they learned about yours.
9) Follow-up phone call - The million dollar question: "So, what do you think?" Commit to them, that as you two get to know, like, and trust each other over time, you will be keeping your eyes and ears open to send business their way when possible.
10) Never stop following-up - periodically check-in with them to to share information and just to say "hi". Mix up and space out your approach. Use text e-mail, audio e-mail, video e-mail, fax, direct mail, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings. Never, ever, ever try to hard-sell them. The info you gave them about your business and your character will do the selling for. Just remind them from time to time what is is that you do, and you'd be surprised how people will buy from you and/or send referrals your way.
TOOLS
You may want to consider adding some of the following to your marketing arsenal:
Autoresponder (for mailing lists, newsletters, and special reports; you may also want to use audio enabled e-mail; and/or video enabled e-mail
Send real greeting cards via the Internet. You can create a personalized greeting card over the Internet in less than 60 seconds. The company's back office prints the cards out, stuffs it in an envelope, and sends it off to the recipient via the United States Postal Service
Telephone/virtual assistant/fax -- also called a unified messaging system.
When meeting face-to-face, give the person a small bag of candy. Keep a steady supply chocolates and other candies. They are available at discount prices.
You may want to also consider video blogging, and broadcasting, and maybe even podcasting and teleseminars.
A lot of my clients, family, and friends like to burn scented candles, so I became a "Candle of the Month" subscriber as candles make great gifts.
If you'd like to know my specific recommendations for the products and services described above, just contact me.
I've had people buy from me because I am pleasantly tenacious in my follow-up. You have to show people that you are really interested in them, and that you believe in your product/service. It is very, very important that during the follow-up, "courting" process, you develop a relationship. People are more likely to do business with people that they know, like, and trust.
Always remember that new customers are the life blood of any business, and the best way to get new customers is through the referrals of other satisfied customers.
Take care of your customers, and they will take care of you.
"Givers gain." - Ivan Misner, Founder and Chairman of Business Network International (BNI)
"Appreciation beats self-promotion any day of the week." - Kody Bateman, Founder and CEO of Send Out Cards, Inc.
"We shower our customers with attention. There is no doubt in my mind that our philosophy can be applied to selling just about anything - from aircraft engines to beanbags." - Jack Mitchell, CEO Mitchells/Richards, author of Hug Your Customers®
I hope this helps.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The 7 Different Types of Networking Groups
All networking groups are not created equal. I'm not saying that one is necessarily better than the others, but your expectations and the rules of engagement are different.
According to the Guru of Networking, Ivan Misner, Founder of Business Networking International (BNI), you should belong to at least three of the below seven different types of networking groups, but not more than one of the same type to maximize your exposure.
Let's discuss the different types of networking groups, and who should and should not join the different types of groups.
Strong Contact Networking Groups
This type of networking group meets on a regular basis (usually every week). You will be meeting with the same people each week and there may be visitors from time to time. Attendance and the giving and receiving of referrals are strictly monitored. Also, when you are a member of this type of networking group, you will have exclusive dibs on your profession - there will be no one else from your profession allowed to join the group. Any and all referrals for whatever it is that you sell will be given to you. Examples of a strong contact network are Business Networking International (BNI); Le Tip; and Leads Club.
These networking groups tend to meet in the morning before the start of the business day - typically over breakfast. For instance, I am a member of a chapter of BNI and we meet at 7:00am every Tuesday morning.
Who should join? B2B sales agents, self-employed individuals, and small business owners.
Who should stay away? Network marketers who are looking to recruit.
Casual Contact Networking Groups
Your local chamber of commerce is a good example of this genre of networking group. These networking events are usually well attended, but there will be overlap amongst vocations. For instance, if you're an insurance agent, you will most certainly bump into other insurance agents. The best way to get noticed in this type of networking group is to volunteer for a leadership roll. That way, you will stand out over your competitors. Chambers of commerce are also cool because they tend to have very good workshops.
Who should join? All sales agents, self-employed individuals, and small business owners
Who should stay away? N/A
Community Service Organizations
Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis, fraternaties, sororities, community boards, environmental groups, civil rights / civil liberties groups, and houses of worship all fall under this umbrella. Everyone should join something that supports their community. As my partner, Lisa Torres says, "The grass is not greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water the grass!" Make sure to take care of home first. However, do understand that these organizations were formed for a specific cause - not for getting more customers for your business. However, once you get people to know you, like you, and trust you, you very well may end up doing business with them.
Who should join? Everyone - take care of home!
Who should stay away? Anyone looking to get quick customers. If you are found to be the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing, you're finished.
Women's Networking Organizations
These organizations are unique in that they tend to be combinations of two or more of the other kinds of groups. For instance, you have the National Association of Women's Business Owners (NAWBO), but you also have Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). The first one is for business networking, but the latter is built around a social issue. Also, women's groups do allow men to join. I myself am a member of the Manhattan Women's Chamber of Commerce.
Who should join? Sales agents, business owners, freelancers, civic-minded individuals - anyone.
Who should stay away? Men who are looking for dates. Gents, the ladies will see that coming a mile away. You have been warned.
Cocktail Mixer Business Networking Events
These are probably the most prevalent among all networking groups. They are typically held in bars and restaurants, and are usually very well attended. I have met most of my contacts at these type of events. They are the quickest way to build your rolodex. However, only seasoned networkers can really flourish in this environment. More on that at a later date. One thing to be careful about is not to drink too much, and be advised that some will drink to much. Some come looking for a date, rather than seeking business opportunities. Please remember that.
Who should join? Everyone one.
Who should stay away? N/A, but be advised that loud music and alcohol will be two things that you'll have to contend with.
Professional/Trade Organizations
If you're serious about your particular profession, you probably should belong to a professional/trade organization. Examples are the Direct Selling Association (DSA), American Medical Association (AMA), National Association of Public Accountants (NAPA), National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), NY Bar Association, etc. Typically, there aren't very many sales opportunities within a professional/trade organization, but there may be opportunities for joint venturing and/cross-selling.
Who should join? All professionals/tradespersons
Who shouldn't join? Outsiders (to the profession/trade) looking for a quick sale.
Hybrid Networking Organizations
These are organizations that do not neatly fit into one category. Grassroots Business Network, fits into this category because we are a casual contact networking group, with strong contact network, and community service organization tendencies. Also, the workshops feature uniquely qualified experts in various industries (e.g. wellness, sales, marketing, tax planning, business development, among other topics). Another example of a hybrid networking organization is The Network Marketers Alliance. It is a professional trade organizationThey are a casual contact network with very strong professional/trade organization, but it's networking events tend to have strong contact networking tendencies.
Who should join? Depends.
Who should stay away? Depends.
I hope that this blog post gives you some guidance when you're out and about on the networking scene. Please let me know how things work out for you, okay?
Tyrone Turner
According to the Guru of Networking, Ivan Misner, Founder of Business Networking International (BNI), you should belong to at least three of the below seven different types of networking groups, but not more than one of the same type to maximize your exposure.
Let's discuss the different types of networking groups, and who should and should not join the different types of groups.
Strong Contact Networking Groups
This type of networking group meets on a regular basis (usually every week). You will be meeting with the same people each week and there may be visitors from time to time. Attendance and the giving and receiving of referrals are strictly monitored. Also, when you are a member of this type of networking group, you will have exclusive dibs on your profession - there will be no one else from your profession allowed to join the group. Any and all referrals for whatever it is that you sell will be given to you. Examples of a strong contact network are Business Networking International (BNI); Le Tip; and Leads Club.
These networking groups tend to meet in the morning before the start of the business day - typically over breakfast. For instance, I am a member of a chapter of BNI and we meet at 7:00am every Tuesday morning.
Who should join? B2B sales agents, self-employed individuals, and small business owners.
Who should stay away? Network marketers who are looking to recruit.
Casual Contact Networking Groups
Your local chamber of commerce is a good example of this genre of networking group. These networking events are usually well attended, but there will be overlap amongst vocations. For instance, if you're an insurance agent, you will most certainly bump into other insurance agents. The best way to get noticed in this type of networking group is to volunteer for a leadership roll. That way, you will stand out over your competitors. Chambers of commerce are also cool because they tend to have very good workshops.
Who should join? All sales agents, self-employed individuals, and small business owners
Who should stay away? N/A
Community Service Organizations
Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis, fraternaties, sororities, community boards, environmental groups, civil rights / civil liberties groups, and houses of worship all fall under this umbrella. Everyone should join something that supports their community. As my partner, Lisa Torres says, "The grass is not greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water the grass!" Make sure to take care of home first. However, do understand that these organizations were formed for a specific cause - not for getting more customers for your business. However, once you get people to know you, like you, and trust you, you very well may end up doing business with them.
Who should join? Everyone - take care of home!
Who should stay away? Anyone looking to get quick customers. If you are found to be the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing, you're finished.
Women's Networking Organizations
These organizations are unique in that they tend to be combinations of two or more of the other kinds of groups. For instance, you have the National Association of Women's Business Owners (NAWBO), but you also have Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). The first one is for business networking, but the latter is built around a social issue. Also, women's groups do allow men to join. I myself am a member of the Manhattan Women's Chamber of Commerce.
Who should join? Sales agents, business owners, freelancers, civic-minded individuals - anyone.
Who should stay away? Men who are looking for dates. Gents, the ladies will see that coming a mile away. You have been warned.
Cocktail Mixer Business Networking Events
These are probably the most prevalent among all networking groups. They are typically held in bars and restaurants, and are usually very well attended. I have met most of my contacts at these type of events. They are the quickest way to build your rolodex. However, only seasoned networkers can really flourish in this environment. More on that at a later date. One thing to be careful about is not to drink too much, and be advised that some will drink to much. Some come looking for a date, rather than seeking business opportunities. Please remember that.
Who should join? Everyone one.
Who should stay away? N/A, but be advised that loud music and alcohol will be two things that you'll have to contend with.
Professional/Trade Organizations
If you're serious about your particular profession, you probably should belong to a professional/trade organization. Examples are the Direct Selling Association (DSA), American Medical Association (AMA), National Association of Public Accountants (NAPA), National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), NY Bar Association, etc. Typically, there aren't very many sales opportunities within a professional/trade organization, but there may be opportunities for joint venturing and/cross-selling.
Who should join? All professionals/tradespersons
Who shouldn't join? Outsiders (to the profession/trade) looking for a quick sale.
Hybrid Networking Organizations
These are organizations that do not neatly fit into one category. Grassroots Business Network, fits into this category because we are a casual contact networking group, with strong contact network, and community service organization tendencies. Also, the workshops feature uniquely qualified experts in various industries (e.g. wellness, sales, marketing, tax planning, business development, among other topics). Another example of a hybrid networking organization is The Network Marketers Alliance. It is a professional trade organizationThey are a casual contact network with very strong professional/trade organization, but it's networking events tend to have strong contact networking tendencies.
Who should join? Depends.
Who should stay away? Depends.
I hope that this blog post gives you some guidance when you're out and about on the networking scene. Please let me know how things work out for you, okay?
Tyrone Turner
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Do you have a blog page?
The Internet can be a very cold, impersonal place. How can you
warm people up to you? One way is to set up a blog page. Blogs
are free to set up, and you can let your visitors know that you
are a real person.
Most network marketing companies offer replicating websites
(e.g. http://www.yourcompanyname.com/username) and those sites
are set up to tell visitors about the features of your company's
product(s)/service(s), and the business opportunity. Your
unique personality is not on display.
######### Sidebar Begins #########
Make sure to purchase a unique domain name to redirect to
your replicated website. It is not a bad idea to run the
name by your network marketing company's corporate office
before actually purchasing the domain name.
######### Sidebar Ends #########
However, a blog page can serve as your "gateway" page - a page
designed to get people to know you better. Remember, network
marketing is a person-to-person business. So, let people in on
some of your personal business like your hobbies and interests.
Generally, people do business with those that they know, like,
and trust. As a matter of fact, these three elements are very,
very necessary if you plan to build true "walk-away" (i.e.
residual) income with your home-based network marketing
business.
You see, sales people can sign up a lot of customers and recruit
a lot of business builders in short order, but can they keep
them?
Hmmmm...
I'd say, not normally.
However, if you build a solid relationship, by letting people
know who YOU really are, they'll most likely stand by you
through thick and thin.
So, I recommend that you have at least two (2) websites with
unique domain names: Your blog; and your company's replicated
website
You can get your FREE blog page at http://www.blogger.com
You can get unique domain names at http://www.directnic.com
I recommend Directnic over GoDaddy because even though the
initial domain purchase is cheaper for the latter, the former
will charge you additional fees for setting up e-mail accounts
and such.
Again, don't forget to clear a unique domain name that you're
intending to redirect to your replicating website with your
network marketing company's corporate office before actually
purchasing it. Companies selling financial services and or an
insurance or insurance-like product (e.g. Pre-Paid Legal) are
very strict about this policy and may subject your
distributorship revoked.
My blog is usually entered through my gateway page with it's
unique domain - http://www.tyroneturner.com
A good example of a replicated website with a unique domain name
redirected to it is at http://www.GetAPeaceOfMind.com
Let me know what your blog page and uniquely-named replicated
website is when you set it up, okay?
warm people up to you? One way is to set up a blog page. Blogs
are free to set up, and you can let your visitors know that you
are a real person.
Most network marketing companies offer replicating websites
(e.g. http://www.yourcompanyname.com/username) and those sites
are set up to tell visitors about the features of your company's
product(s)/service(s), and the business opportunity. Your
unique personality is not on display.
######### Sidebar Begins #########
Make sure to purchase a unique domain name to redirect to
your replicated website. It is not a bad idea to run the
name by your network marketing company's corporate office
before actually purchasing the domain name.
######### Sidebar Ends #########
However, a blog page can serve as your "gateway" page - a page
designed to get people to know you better. Remember, network
marketing is a person-to-person business. So, let people in on
some of your personal business like your hobbies and interests.
Generally, people do business with those that they know, like,
and trust. As a matter of fact, these three elements are very,
very necessary if you plan to build true "walk-away" (i.e.
residual) income with your home-based network marketing
business.
You see, sales people can sign up a lot of customers and recruit
a lot of business builders in short order, but can they keep
them?
Hmmmm...
I'd say, not normally.
However, if you build a solid relationship, by letting people
know who YOU really are, they'll most likely stand by you
through thick and thin.
So, I recommend that you have at least two (2) websites with
unique domain names: Your blog; and your company's replicated
website
You can get your FREE blog page at http://www.blogger.com
You can get unique domain names at http://www.directnic.com
I recommend Directnic over GoDaddy because even though the
initial domain purchase is cheaper for the latter, the former
will charge you additional fees for setting up e-mail accounts
and such.
Again, don't forget to clear a unique domain name that you're
intending to redirect to your replicating website with your
network marketing company's corporate office before actually
purchasing it. Companies selling financial services and or an
insurance or insurance-like product (e.g. Pre-Paid Legal) are
very strict about this policy and may subject your
distributorship revoked.
My blog is usually entered through my gateway page with it's
unique domain - http://www.tyroneturner.com
A good example of a replicated website with a unique domain name
redirected to it is at http://www.GetAPeaceOfMind.com
Let me know what your blog page and uniquely-named replicated
website is when you set it up, okay?
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