Do you feel like you are getting off to a slow start in your Network Marketing business? Do you feel like most of the day is spent unfocused with no real game plan?
Most people who start a MLM home based business probably already had a "full" day. With family, and a full time job it can be frustrating to feel like your not doing enough for your business. Guilt sets in because your children and your spouse just aren't getting the quality time they need from you.
Feeling overwhelmed, busy, and unorganized is a NORMAL part of starting a network marketing business. You must remember you are not going to know everything in the beginning. As you learn and grow there will be activities that are not focused, which create a lot of wasted time.
I want to give you some focused steps to take. As a new business owner you need to learn what actions are the most important and become very efficient in fitting them into your day.
So let's get focused!
1. Have a goal. Have you ever gone to the grocery store without a list? I can always count on spending more time and money if I don't have a grocery list. I'm indecisive when it comes to what dinners to make for the next week, I'm frustrated because I have to go back two isles because I forgot the tomato sauce... you get the picture. Have a goal and have it written out exactly what you want to accomplish.
2. Educate yourself. Spend some daily time learning more about yourself, your company, your products, how to communicate, and learn about the MLM industry.
3. Advertise your new business. No one is going to call and ask you to talk to them about your business until you advertise. Pick a way to communicate your business and products. Using the Internet, buying leads, newspaper, direct mail, calling people you know. Start with one way to advertise and get good at it, then try something else. Just do it. You have to promote yourself!
4. Pick up the phone. Wherever you are getting your leads, make sure you call them. Don't just email them. Can you make 30 dials a day? Yes, you can! Remember it only takes 2-3 minutes to determine if your prospect is a good fit for your team.
5. Connect with a potential business partner.
6. Make an appointment. However that looks for you. Coffeehouse, your house, their house, or through Skype.
7. Make that presentation. One on one, a home party, a website are all ways to take your prospects through your presentation.
8. Get and keep your customers. A lifetime customer can be quite rewarding.
9. Get a new distributor.
10. And train that distributor. How? Tell them to start at #1.
These are all focused actions that will grow your business, a lot of time on other things could be valuable time wasted.
Get your calendar and a piece of paper. For the next 90 days block off the days you are available to market your opportunity or sell your product.
Whatever your marketing is - Internet, home meetings, fundraisers, one-on-one's - block some time in your schedule and stick to it. This is your "work schedule", except this time YOU make it not your boss!
Then take a piece of paper and write down the hours you are awake.
For example:
7:00am
8:00am
9:00am
etc.
Then, go back and create a daily action plan or routine.
7:00am wake up, exercise
8:00am eat breakfast, help with kid's
9:00am go to work, listen to training cd's or mp3 in car
12:00pm lunch, make 5-10 prospecting calls
5:00pm make 5-10 prospecting calls
6:00pm dinner, spend time with family
7:00pm make 5-10 prospecting calls
8:00pm help with kids, ready for bed
9:00pm training calls with downline or upline
10:00pm go to bed
If your family doesn't have a routine, try it for a week. You would be amazed how much frustration will disappear when the kids and your spouse can look ahead on the daily action board and know what to expect. Just remember if you say you are going to help with homework at 8:00, be there at 8.
Don't forget to schedule fun with family and friends on the weekends. Quality time with the ones you love is important, too. At this point in your life you are working two jobs, (one of them YOU make the rules!)
you are going to need a break! Keep your goals and your why in front of you everyday, so you know there is a wonderful reward from all the hard work.
Investing time now to work your business will create the time freedom you so desire for the future.
For more free online training visit www.Paula-McKinney.com
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Social Networking Websites to Create YOU, INC.
Social networking websites have become a mecca for mlm leads. But, so many are having trouble connecting with their audience. They are posting and tweeting but not getting heard. One reason might be their profiles. How are you putting yourself out there and are you putting yourself out there enough?
Branding yourself instead of your company is the preferred method taught by top Internet Network Marketers. Here are some quick tips to get started right for creating a brand that sells YOU.
The first step to getting your name out there is to create accounts at all the major social networking websites.
Here is a list to get you started:
1. Facebook
2. Twitter
3. YouTube
4. Squidoo
5. Better Networker
6. Google Profile
7. Meetup
8. LinkedIn
9. Ezine Articles
10. Go Articles
Always use your name for the username. Don't make it too cutesy, like, top-gun-recruiter or directsales-r-us. This is your chance to brand your name, so use it. For example http://www.facebook.com/paula.mckinney.
When setting up your profiles on social networking websites always link back to your website or blog. In your bio description, any mention of your name use as anchor text and link back to your website if it's allowed.
When publishing any content on these social networking websites include your name and link back to your website or other social networking sites.
All this linking to and from your website, blog, and your social networking website profiles creates this web of links that Google loves.
Why is it so important to brand yourself with your name online? Google rankings!
When prospects want to know more about you what are they going to do? Google you! You want to place yourself in the top 10 positions that puts you on the front page of Google with content that you have created on all the major social networking websites. You control what is said about you, and where these prospects will go to learn more about you.
Your blog and all those social profiles will begin to show up in the top 10 rankings.
So every article, video, and bio, should sell you.
So, first things first, register your name as a domain. Very important! http://www.godaddy.com/ is a good one.
If it's taken, use a hyphen, your middle initial, or even a dot between your first and last name.
Your name should link to your website or blog not your company generated website. Creating a personal website or blog that sells you first is the best way to start creating that relationship between you and your prospect.
Continue to create valuable content for your blog or website, as your value and authority rises so will all your social media profiles, any website affiliated with your blog and your blog categories will rise in ranking.
Creating YOU, INc. is not going to get you a ton of traffic but it will create credibility and position you as a leader in your industry with Google rankings.
This week, break it down into bite size actions. Everyday create a rock star profile for each social networking website and link to your blog or website. Be patient. Grow your web of links and get yourself positioned on the first page of Google.
For more free training on creating an online presence visit http://www.paula-mckinney.com/
Branding yourself instead of your company is the preferred method taught by top Internet Network Marketers. Here are some quick tips to get started right for creating a brand that sells YOU.
The first step to getting your name out there is to create accounts at all the major social networking websites.
Here is a list to get you started:
1. Facebook
2. Twitter
3. YouTube
4. Squidoo
5. Better Networker
6. Google Profile
7. Meetup
8. LinkedIn
9. Ezine Articles
10. Go Articles
Always use your name for the username. Don't make it too cutesy, like, top-gun-recruiter or directsales-r-us. This is your chance to brand your name, so use it. For example http://www.facebook.com/paula.mckinney.
When setting up your profiles on social networking websites always link back to your website or blog. In your bio description, any mention of your name use as anchor text and link back to your website if it's allowed.
When publishing any content on these social networking websites include your name and link back to your website or other social networking sites.
All this linking to and from your website, blog, and your social networking website profiles creates this web of links that Google loves.
Why is it so important to brand yourself with your name online? Google rankings!
When prospects want to know more about you what are they going to do? Google you! You want to place yourself in the top 10 positions that puts you on the front page of Google with content that you have created on all the major social networking websites. You control what is said about you, and where these prospects will go to learn more about you.
Your blog and all those social profiles will begin to show up in the top 10 rankings.
So every article, video, and bio, should sell you.
So, first things first, register your name as a domain. Very important! http://www.godaddy.com/ is a good one.
If it's taken, use a hyphen, your middle initial, or even a dot between your first and last name.
Your name should link to your website or blog not your company generated website. Creating a personal website or blog that sells you first is the best way to start creating that relationship between you and your prospect.
Continue to create valuable content for your blog or website, as your value and authority rises so will all your social media profiles, any website affiliated with your blog and your blog categories will rise in ranking.
Creating YOU, INc. is not going to get you a ton of traffic but it will create credibility and position you as a leader in your industry with Google rankings.
This week, break it down into bite size actions. Everyday create a rock star profile for each social networking website and link to your blog or website. Be patient. Grow your web of links and get yourself positioned on the first page of Google.
For more free training on creating an online presence visit http://www.paula-mckinney.com/
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Your Email Marketing Strategy - 5 Tips to Grow Your List of Subscribers
Creating an effective email marketing strategy is one of the most important tasks in your business. As we all know "The fortune in is the follow up."
Gathering all you contacts, online and off, and plugging them into your email marketing system is going to save you time and money. Once you have your visitor opt in to your list, providing consistently great content in your follow up messages is key to turning your subscribers into devoted readers.
Here are some tips to get those visitors on your list and eager to hear from you.
1. Easy Opt-In Forms - Put your form in a prominent location, usually at the top of the page. Unless you have a multi-page site and visitors browse the entire site, put the form on every page. Keep it short. Long forms can turn visitors off. Always ask yourself "What do I need from the reader to get the relationship started?" Usually it's just the first name and e-mail. Remember, your visitor doesn't know you yet. If you need more information get it later.
2. Always give the reader a clear benefit of subscribing - What's in it for them? Your visitor is bombarded with dozens of emails already, so, give them something of value. Tell them exactly what they will get and make it worth their time.
3. Use a privacy policy - Can your visitor trust you with their information? using a privacy policy or statement close to your opt in form will address your visitors concerns. They want to know how you are going to use their information and who you might share it with. Your privacy statement doesn't have to sound like you went to law school, just tell your visitor their information is safe with you. Then make sure you respect it! They are just one click away from unsubscribing if you sell, rent, or abuse their information. Just Google some sample privacy policies online to get an idea of what you should say.
4. Getting Valid Email Addresses - You can expect about 5-20% of the submissions will be invalid. Some of those are from visitors not entering their email address correctly, but some include bots who intentionally enter bogus information to get to your thank you page in order to obtain marketing information. So, should you ask your visitors to enter their email address twice? Not a great idea. The best way to make sure your visitors receive your emails is to use confirmed opt-in. Have them validate their address after they sign up. On your thank you page, show them how to confirm. Tell them if they don't get that confirmation email it might be due to their mis-typing. They should then return to your sign up page and try again.
5. If you are offering a download to your subscribers - Make sure you protect it. If you are offering a free e-book or some other download make sure that the people who are getting it are valid subscribers. Don't offer your download on your thank you page. Make sure you ask you subscriber to check their email to confirm their address then redirect them to another site that includes the free download. You can also include a link in your email message for subscribers who missed the download page after confirming. Follow this rule and you will decrease your bogus submissions just to get the free download.
Mastering this task and using a great email marketing service is key to saving you time. Advertising experts say you must repeatedly be in front of your prospect 7 times before they buy! Following up by phone seven times per lead is a big task. Make it easy, and never again forget to follow up with a prospect - use an email direct marketing tool that has a proven track record and great training articles. Your business will never be the same.
For more infomation on autoresponders and email marketing solutions visit
http://www.MLM-Action-Guide.com/Automated-Follow-Up.html
Gathering all you contacts, online and off, and plugging them into your email marketing system is going to save you time and money. Once you have your visitor opt in to your list, providing consistently great content in your follow up messages is key to turning your subscribers into devoted readers.
Here are some tips to get those visitors on your list and eager to hear from you.
1. Easy Opt-In Forms - Put your form in a prominent location, usually at the top of the page. Unless you have a multi-page site and visitors browse the entire site, put the form on every page. Keep it short. Long forms can turn visitors off. Always ask yourself "What do I need from the reader to get the relationship started?" Usually it's just the first name and e-mail. Remember, your visitor doesn't know you yet. If you need more information get it later.
2. Always give the reader a clear benefit of subscribing - What's in it for them? Your visitor is bombarded with dozens of emails already, so, give them something of value. Tell them exactly what they will get and make it worth their time.
3. Use a privacy policy - Can your visitor trust you with their information? using a privacy policy or statement close to your opt in form will address your visitors concerns. They want to know how you are going to use their information and who you might share it with. Your privacy statement doesn't have to sound like you went to law school, just tell your visitor their information is safe with you. Then make sure you respect it! They are just one click away from unsubscribing if you sell, rent, or abuse their information. Just Google some sample privacy policies online to get an idea of what you should say.
4. Getting Valid Email Addresses - You can expect about 5-20% of the submissions will be invalid. Some of those are from visitors not entering their email address correctly, but some include bots who intentionally enter bogus information to get to your thank you page in order to obtain marketing information. So, should you ask your visitors to enter their email address twice? Not a great idea. The best way to make sure your visitors receive your emails is to use confirmed opt-in. Have them validate their address after they sign up. On your thank you page, show them how to confirm. Tell them if they don't get that confirmation email it might be due to their mis-typing. They should then return to your sign up page and try again.
5. If you are offering a download to your subscribers - Make sure you protect it. If you are offering a free e-book or some other download make sure that the people who are getting it are valid subscribers. Don't offer your download on your thank you page. Make sure you ask you subscriber to check their email to confirm their address then redirect them to another site that includes the free download. You can also include a link in your email message for subscribers who missed the download page after confirming. Follow this rule and you will decrease your bogus submissions just to get the free download.
Mastering this task and using a great email marketing service is key to saving you time. Advertising experts say you must repeatedly be in front of your prospect 7 times before they buy! Following up by phone seven times per lead is a big task. Make it easy, and never again forget to follow up with a prospect - use an email direct marketing tool that has a proven track record and great training articles. Your business will never be the same.
For more infomation on autoresponders and email marketing solutions visit
http://www.MLM-Action-Guide.com/Automated-Follow-Up.html
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Killer Advantage of Niche Marketing
What is niche marketing? And, are you taking full advantage of this important skill in your business?
The first thing that every business owner has to embrace is -
Everyone is not your prospect or customer!
Niche marketing is talking to the right person, with the right message, through the right medium, at the right time.
Picking the right audience and qualifying your prospects will determine your long term success.
Let's take a look at a specific market and break it down to a niche.
I'll use my business as an example. I market candles. So candles would be my general market. However, if I clearly define my group the better my results will be.
A niche for the market of candles would be natural candles. To go even further would be a sub niche - people specifically looking for alternative wax, long lasting, soot free candles that smell great. Why would I waste valuable marketing resources to target people who don't care if they use cheap paraffin candles from Walmart. No offense, but they aren't who I am talking to, so I don't waste time on that market. See the difference?
How can you find a niche to target? Observing social interaction on the internet can help you identify the challenges and needs of a developing niche.
Google can be your best friend here. Search for "groups", "forums", or "discussion boards" (in quotes).
For example: candle "groups".
Watch best selling book lists or magazine racks to watch for market trends. Research competing services or products, so you know what is out there.
Remember, you are a solutions provider. Your passion for your product or service doesn't mean anything if it doesn't provide a solution for your prospect.
Clearly define your "customer avatar" (just a fancy name for "your best customer").
Knowing what your customer wants, how they want the marketing message delivered is critical.
If you are looking for a business opportunity but not sure what service or product you want to market, let the market tell you what it wants and how it wants it.
When I first started looking into marketing candles, I have to be quite honest, my first response was - how is anyone getting rich selling candles? But I did my homework and researched the market to see if this was something that I could get behind. I would have missed a great opportunity if I hadn't checked out the market.
So do yourself a favor, don't jump into a market that is performing poorly. Your business is your future, poor planning and not listening to what the market wants will only create frustration. Also, be careful about marketing a niche that is saturated. Know that the more saturated the market place is, the more competition. You will have to be unique and the give more value to your prospect or customer.
In the words of marketing guru Seth Godin -
"Focusing obsessively on one niche, one feature and one market is almost always a better idea than trying to satisfy everyone."
Good advice.
See how I create income using the Internet and Network Marketing - http://www.MLM-Action-Guide.com
The first thing that every business owner has to embrace is -
Everyone is not your prospect or customer!
Niche marketing is talking to the right person, with the right message, through the right medium, at the right time.
Picking the right audience and qualifying your prospects will determine your long term success.
Let's take a look at a specific market and break it down to a niche.
I'll use my business as an example. I market candles. So candles would be my general market. However, if I clearly define my group the better my results will be.
A niche for the market of candles would be natural candles. To go even further would be a sub niche - people specifically looking for alternative wax, long lasting, soot free candles that smell great. Why would I waste valuable marketing resources to target people who don't care if they use cheap paraffin candles from Walmart. No offense, but they aren't who I am talking to, so I don't waste time on that market. See the difference?
How can you find a niche to target? Observing social interaction on the internet can help you identify the challenges and needs of a developing niche.
Google can be your best friend here. Search for "groups", "forums", or "discussion boards" (in quotes).
For example: candle "groups".
Watch best selling book lists or magazine racks to watch for market trends. Research competing services or products, so you know what is out there.
Remember, you are a solutions provider. Your passion for your product or service doesn't mean anything if it doesn't provide a solution for your prospect.
Clearly define your "customer avatar" (just a fancy name for "your best customer").
Knowing what your customer wants, how they want the marketing message delivered is critical.
If you are looking for a business opportunity but not sure what service or product you want to market, let the market tell you what it wants and how it wants it.
When I first started looking into marketing candles, I have to be quite honest, my first response was - how is anyone getting rich selling candles? But I did my homework and researched the market to see if this was something that I could get behind. I would have missed a great opportunity if I hadn't checked out the market.
So do yourself a favor, don't jump into a market that is performing poorly. Your business is your future, poor planning and not listening to what the market wants will only create frustration. Also, be careful about marketing a niche that is saturated. Know that the more saturated the market place is, the more competition. You will have to be unique and the give more value to your prospect or customer.
In the words of marketing guru Seth Godin -
"Focusing obsessively on one niche, one feature and one market is almost always a better idea than trying to satisfy everyone."
Good advice.
See how I create income using the Internet and Network Marketing - http://www.MLM-Action-Guide.com
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Network Marketing - Creating a Fast Track to Success for You and Your Partners
Why is it so important to be on a fast track the first 30 days of your business?
A great way to counteract the frustration of the beginnings of a business in the direct selling industry is to reinforce a comprehensive 30 day fast start training program, then 60 days of mentoring to gain confidence and at the end of 90 days (using the new distributors goals), they can develop another business plan.
Most compensation experts say that earnings need to be at $25 to $30 an hour by the end of the 90 days.
Building a game plan for you and your new recruits is essential to get your new babies into profit the first 30 days. There is a lot of talk about online branding and marketing right now. This is a great way to get leads and target a market for your specific business. However, there is a learning curve to develop an online presence. Most people don't create overnight success with online marketing.
Yes, there are a few Internet Network Marketers who have made it big online almost overnight, but that is not the majority. Patience, perseverance, and education to learn new skills will create success online. So, what can you do to get your new business partners into profit quickly?
If you have a strong retail product, NOW is the time to get them started right.
The next three months are the biggest retail season of the year. Don't pass it up. The first thirty days of business are critical for new network marketers.
So here are some ideas to get them going.
Launching a business is an exciting time. Having an Open House is a great way to notify friends and family that you are open for business. Keep things simple, but festive. This is a great time to commit to having at least two open houses - one for Fall and one for Christmas.
People are in the buying mood and are always looking for new gift ideas. Have some available for your guests. People like cash and carry, so have some product available for immediate purchase. Cookies and punch are an easy and affordable way to entertain.
Ask some friends to help you host your open house. Have someone help keep the snacks going and one to help you take orders. This allows you to meet and greet. Remember it's not about the food or the products it's all about the guests! Asking friends or family to help you host who are interested in the business is a great way for them to get their feet wet and see if this business opportunity is really for them.
Set it up to where people have an opportunity to continue to be involved. Having a few catalogs or "Gift Bag Parties" available for them to take home and earn more product by selling to their friends, family, and coworkers is a great way to leverage your business.
Have a sign up sheet available for fundraising if that suits your product. Give a small gift for every five referrals that a guest gives you to follow up with about a possible fundraiser.
Don't overwhelm your guests with EVERY product from your catalog. Focus on your flagship product(s). If guests have to decide on a hundred different products to choose from your sales will go down. Keep it simple.
If home parties are your thing, offer something to your guests if they book a party with you that day. If home parties aren't something that you have focused on in the past, you may want to try a few just through the holiday season. It would be a shame to leave all that retail profit on the table. If Interent marketing is your primary method, think about how much retail profit this season could fund your marketing budget online next season!
Have a small thank you gift for each of your guests as they leave. This doesn't have to be big and expensive. Presenting in a nice wrapping paper could make all the difference.
As your new business partners are creating right now money through retailing, slowly introduce them to some online methods if they are interested.
I know open houses, home parties, and fundraisers could be called "Old School" (Gasp!), but they are creating right now money for many business owners. It's much easier to set new recruits up for success if they are making money from day one. Take a look at your new recruits first 90 day business plan.
Are they set up for failure? Or are they going to be jumping for joy and ready to take on the next 90 days?
For more free online training visit http://www.paula-mckinney.com
A great way to counteract the frustration of the beginnings of a business in the direct selling industry is to reinforce a comprehensive 30 day fast start training program, then 60 days of mentoring to gain confidence and at the end of 90 days (using the new distributors goals), they can develop another business plan.
Most compensation experts say that earnings need to be at $25 to $30 an hour by the end of the 90 days.
Building a game plan for you and your new recruits is essential to get your new babies into profit the first 30 days. There is a lot of talk about online branding and marketing right now. This is a great way to get leads and target a market for your specific business. However, there is a learning curve to develop an online presence. Most people don't create overnight success with online marketing.
Yes, there are a few Internet Network Marketers who have made it big online almost overnight, but that is not the majority. Patience, perseverance, and education to learn new skills will create success online. So, what can you do to get your new business partners into profit quickly?
If you have a strong retail product, NOW is the time to get them started right.
The next three months are the biggest retail season of the year. Don't pass it up. The first thirty days of business are critical for new network marketers.
So here are some ideas to get them going.
Launching a business is an exciting time. Having an Open House is a great way to notify friends and family that you are open for business. Keep things simple, but festive. This is a great time to commit to having at least two open houses - one for Fall and one for Christmas.
People are in the buying mood and are always looking for new gift ideas. Have some available for your guests. People like cash and carry, so have some product available for immediate purchase. Cookies and punch are an easy and affordable way to entertain.
Ask some friends to help you host your open house. Have someone help keep the snacks going and one to help you take orders. This allows you to meet and greet. Remember it's not about the food or the products it's all about the guests! Asking friends or family to help you host who are interested in the business is a great way for them to get their feet wet and see if this business opportunity is really for them.
Set it up to where people have an opportunity to continue to be involved. Having a few catalogs or "Gift Bag Parties" available for them to take home and earn more product by selling to their friends, family, and coworkers is a great way to leverage your business.
Have a sign up sheet available for fundraising if that suits your product. Give a small gift for every five referrals that a guest gives you to follow up with about a possible fundraiser.
Don't overwhelm your guests with EVERY product from your catalog. Focus on your flagship product(s). If guests have to decide on a hundred different products to choose from your sales will go down. Keep it simple.
If home parties are your thing, offer something to your guests if they book a party with you that day. If home parties aren't something that you have focused on in the past, you may want to try a few just through the holiday season. It would be a shame to leave all that retail profit on the table. If Interent marketing is your primary method, think about how much retail profit this season could fund your marketing budget online next season!
Have a small thank you gift for each of your guests as they leave. This doesn't have to be big and expensive. Presenting in a nice wrapping paper could make all the difference.
As your new business partners are creating right now money through retailing, slowly introduce them to some online methods if they are interested.
I know open houses, home parties, and fundraisers could be called "Old School" (Gasp!), but they are creating right now money for many business owners. It's much easier to set new recruits up for success if they are making money from day one. Take a look at your new recruits first 90 day business plan.
Are they set up for failure? Or are they going to be jumping for joy and ready to take on the next 90 days?
For more free online training visit http://www.paula-mckinney.com
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Social Networking Websites - Are You Being Ruled By The Internet?
When Jennifer Fong, a former direct sales company CEO and now a Direct Sales and Media Associate at Luce & Associates trained her own salesforce to use Facebook, it quickly became one of the top five referrers to her company Web site, and the visit lengths were on average three-to-five times longer than visits from any other source.
In February 2009 alone, 6 million hours were spent on Facebook. Imagine if even a small fraction of that time were spent on your company, and your message. What could that potentially do for your business?
Tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and blogs are all part of the social media explosion, and they offer a great way to put the power of social media to work for you.
With so many social networking websites, how do you manage your online social networking?
Marketing online is a great way to build your business. However, taking on additional marketing methods using social networking websites can actually stall your business or even bring it to a schreeching halt!
Before you begin social networking marketing, learn how to budget your time.
Most social sites offer social networking clients that are other websites or free downloadable software to simplify your networking experience. Here are just a few:
Tweetdeck: This is a free download that manages all the messages that come directly to you or involve your Twitter name in a conversation. This saves you time allowing you to only respond to those Twitter conversations.
Networkedblog: This partner allows you to connect your blog to your Facebook.
SlideShare: This allows you to upload your PowerPoint presentations or slide shows and share them on you Linkedin page.
Another time saver is automated setup, where you can connect your Twitter account to your Facebook page and your Linkedin page to Twitter and so on.
This way you only have to post in one or two places. This will automatically post to other sites on which you have set this up.
Social networking doesn't have to take all of your time. Set up you profiles from the beginning and know which social networking sites suits your business. Set a daily or weekly schedule and stick to it! If you don't have a system in place you risk being controlled by the Internet.
To keep things under control you don't have to e-mail back or talk to every single connection that responds to your post or every thank you. Only respond to conversations where the person is asking for an answer, guidance, or for further information.
Stay on task with social networking by setting up a response system. A few days a week set aside 15-20 minutes to respond to your social networking e-mails and posts.
Direct all your post and emails from all your site to a personal or business e-mail address and set up a file in your email system called social follow-up. Go through these emails and give a quick one-minute response and move on. Create a file for your contacts that you want to do business with or stay in touch. This is a file that you set up in your database management program.
Not effetively managing your time for social networking can be a death sentence for your business.
Do those all important money making tasks first, then set a certain amount of time to connect on your social networking sites.
Set a timer if you have to, and make sure you stop when it goes off. It's easy to get caught up in a conversation or new site, but it could keep you controlled by the Internet. Rule your business, don't let it rule you!
For more free online training visit www.Paula-McKinney.com
In February 2009 alone, 6 million hours were spent on Facebook. Imagine if even a small fraction of that time were spent on your company, and your message. What could that potentially do for your business?
Tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and blogs are all part of the social media explosion, and they offer a great way to put the power of social media to work for you.
With so many social networking websites, how do you manage your online social networking?
Marketing online is a great way to build your business. However, taking on additional marketing methods using social networking websites can actually stall your business or even bring it to a schreeching halt!
Before you begin social networking marketing, learn how to budget your time.
Most social sites offer social networking clients that are other websites or free downloadable software to simplify your networking experience. Here are just a few:
Tweetdeck: This is a free download that manages all the messages that come directly to you or involve your Twitter name in a conversation. This saves you time allowing you to only respond to those Twitter conversations.
Networkedblog: This partner allows you to connect your blog to your Facebook.
SlideShare: This allows you to upload your PowerPoint presentations or slide shows and share them on you Linkedin page.
Another time saver is automated setup, where you can connect your Twitter account to your Facebook page and your Linkedin page to Twitter and so on.
This way you only have to post in one or two places. This will automatically post to other sites on which you have set this up.
Social networking doesn't have to take all of your time. Set up you profiles from the beginning and know which social networking sites suits your business. Set a daily or weekly schedule and stick to it! If you don't have a system in place you risk being controlled by the Internet.
To keep things under control you don't have to e-mail back or talk to every single connection that responds to your post or every thank you. Only respond to conversations where the person is asking for an answer, guidance, or for further information.
Stay on task with social networking by setting up a response system. A few days a week set aside 15-20 minutes to respond to your social networking e-mails and posts.
Direct all your post and emails from all your site to a personal or business e-mail address and set up a file in your email system called social follow-up. Go through these emails and give a quick one-minute response and move on. Create a file for your contacts that you want to do business with or stay in touch. This is a file that you set up in your database management program.
Not effetively managing your time for social networking can be a death sentence for your business.
Do those all important money making tasks first, then set a certain amount of time to connect on your social networking sites.
Set a timer if you have to, and make sure you stop when it goes off. It's easy to get caught up in a conversation or new site, but it could keep you controlled by the Internet. Rule your business, don't let it rule you!
For more free online training visit www.Paula-McKinney.com
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Developing A Newsletter That Your Prospects and Customers Will Actually Read
Developing a newsletter for your business prospects and customers is a great way to keep you in front of your audience. People are busy and their minds are full of work, kids and the stresses of life. If you don't stay connected with them, well...out of sight out of mind.
Developing a newletter that is full of value for the reader is so important. Going on and on about how much you love a product or your business doesn't matter to anyone. When you write an article ask yourself "so what?". How is this going to benefit the reader. It's not about YOU!
There are two elements that you need to incorporate into your newletters that are very effective:
1. Relationship Building - Letting your customer or business prospect know a little about who you are is a great way to get that "Know you, like you, trust you" factor that is so important. Create a great story on why you wanted to start your own business and how it has changed your lifestyle. Be real. Share with them your struggles and be honest. No hype here. Have a family and a home business? Share with them how you incorporate you children into the business, or what you had to do to balance family and work. What does your day to day schedule look like as you try to run a business and a household? Share with them your successes AND failures. People like authenticity.
2. Training and Education - Educate your reader. For example, teaching potential business partners about software that could make their business better, or easier is a great way to offer value. Teach them what to say to potential business prospects or how to build a website or blog. Have a travel business? Educate them on how to to save money on their next vacation, or what they need to look out for as a tourist in a certain country. The big question after your reader finishes is "so what?" Can they walk away with something that will make a difference in their life or business? Again, it's all about them.
Before you can talk to your target market, make sure you know your target market intimately. What does your audience think about, or talk about. What are their needs, their wants, or pains. What are some of their problems that you can help solve? Do some research on keywords that they are searching for. Hang out in forums and see what they are discussing. Provide solutions to their problems!
Once you committ to a newletter, decide on how often you are going to publish it. If you are just starting out, creating great content once a week or even once a month is doable. Just make sure you are consistant. Tell your readers when they can expect to receive information from you. Make sure you put some thought into each newsletter. It only takes one bad issue to get them off your subscription list. So make sure you provide value to your audience. Take some time to write and rewrite your content. Leave them with wanting more!
Create a great name for your newletter. Make it relavent to the content that you are putting out there. This part is somewhat important because you are branding yourself. Create a catchy name, but not too cutesy, that people will remember.
When develpoing a newletter, create a great format that is easy to read, and stick to it. Develope a template from the very beginning, and them just plug in new content as you go. People like to have familiarity when it comes to reading their magazines, ezines, or newletters.
Once you create a newletter, you need subscribers! Building a list is key. Without readers you have nothing. Placing a subscription form on your website, blog, or any profile page can get your visitors access to your newsletter.
No matter who your target market is or how often you reach out to them, give them something they can use in their own life or business. This is essential in growing an audience that can't wait for your next issue!
For more free online training visit http://www.paula-mckinney.com/
Developing a newletter that is full of value for the reader is so important. Going on and on about how much you love a product or your business doesn't matter to anyone. When you write an article ask yourself "so what?". How is this going to benefit the reader. It's not about YOU!
There are two elements that you need to incorporate into your newletters that are very effective:
1. Relationship Building - Letting your customer or business prospect know a little about who you are is a great way to get that "Know you, like you, trust you" factor that is so important. Create a great story on why you wanted to start your own business and how it has changed your lifestyle. Be real. Share with them your struggles and be honest. No hype here. Have a family and a home business? Share with them how you incorporate you children into the business, or what you had to do to balance family and work. What does your day to day schedule look like as you try to run a business and a household? Share with them your successes AND failures. People like authenticity.
2. Training and Education - Educate your reader. For example, teaching potential business partners about software that could make their business better, or easier is a great way to offer value. Teach them what to say to potential business prospects or how to build a website or blog. Have a travel business? Educate them on how to to save money on their next vacation, or what they need to look out for as a tourist in a certain country. The big question after your reader finishes is "so what?" Can they walk away with something that will make a difference in their life or business? Again, it's all about them.
Before you can talk to your target market, make sure you know your target market intimately. What does your audience think about, or talk about. What are their needs, their wants, or pains. What are some of their problems that you can help solve? Do some research on keywords that they are searching for. Hang out in forums and see what they are discussing. Provide solutions to their problems!
Once you committ to a newletter, decide on how often you are going to publish it. If you are just starting out, creating great content once a week or even once a month is doable. Just make sure you are consistant. Tell your readers when they can expect to receive information from you. Make sure you put some thought into each newsletter. It only takes one bad issue to get them off your subscription list. So make sure you provide value to your audience. Take some time to write and rewrite your content. Leave them with wanting more!
Create a great name for your newletter. Make it relavent to the content that you are putting out there. This part is somewhat important because you are branding yourself. Create a catchy name, but not too cutesy, that people will remember.
When develpoing a newletter, create a great format that is easy to read, and stick to it. Develope a template from the very beginning, and them just plug in new content as you go. People like to have familiarity when it comes to reading their magazines, ezines, or newletters.
Once you create a newletter, you need subscribers! Building a list is key. Without readers you have nothing. Placing a subscription form on your website, blog, or any profile page can get your visitors access to your newsletter.
No matter who your target market is or how often you reach out to them, give them something they can use in their own life or business. This is essential in growing an audience that can't wait for your next issue!
For more free online training visit http://www.paula-mckinney.com/
Saturday, September 12, 2009
A Pain Free Way to "Work" Your 100 Person List
You know the "100 person list". You've joined your company and received the manual and there it is...
Make a list of everyone you know, make five phone calls everyday and sell them your business. If they aren't interested in the business sell them some juice or face cream.
YIKES! I'm sure you have felt the pain of rejection and embarrasment from those phone calls.
Maybe you were even taught to call your 100 person list again in a month or two.
There is an epidemic in the network marketing industry that is creating way too many dead bodies in the water.
The rejection of friends and family and the ruining of reputations is the number one reason so many people quit the business or don't even get started.
Many MLM business owners don't want to tell any friends or family about the business until they are making money. I think that is a mistake. Let me tell you why...
Building your list of 100, 250, or as many people you know is critical to the long term success of your business.
Think of your list of people not as prospects but a web of people who know thousands of other people. Make your list to get them on your side.
If you were to open up an ice cream shop you would let them know, right? You wouldn't call them up and try to sell them ice cream on the phone, you would NOTIFY them that you are open for business.
And when they are ready for ice cream they call or come by or tell someone else you have a nice ice cream shop.
Think of your list as a hundred people looking out for referrals for you. Call them and tell them you are open for business and would like to know if they know anyone who might like to know about what you are offering.
Send them a postcard or e-mail notifying them of what you are offering.
When you start your business, creating a list of your resources and strengths is a good idea.
You may have brains, money for advertising, great writing skills, maybe your a good public speaker, or love to talk one on one with people.
Think of your 100 person list as one of those resources for your business.
If you don't notify your friends and family someone else will. It would be tragic if Aunt Sally or your best friend from high school became someone else's business partner only because they didn't know you had your own business.
For more free online training visit http://www.paula-mckinney.com/.
Make a list of everyone you know, make five phone calls everyday and sell them your business. If they aren't interested in the business sell them some juice or face cream.
YIKES! I'm sure you have felt the pain of rejection and embarrasment from those phone calls.
Maybe you were even taught to call your 100 person list again in a month or two.
There is an epidemic in the network marketing industry that is creating way too many dead bodies in the water.
The rejection of friends and family and the ruining of reputations is the number one reason so many people quit the business or don't even get started.
Many MLM business owners don't want to tell any friends or family about the business until they are making money. I think that is a mistake. Let me tell you why...
Building your list of 100, 250, or as many people you know is critical to the long term success of your business.
Think of your list of people not as prospects but a web of people who know thousands of other people. Make your list to get them on your side.
If you were to open up an ice cream shop you would let them know, right? You wouldn't call them up and try to sell them ice cream on the phone, you would NOTIFY them that you are open for business.
And when they are ready for ice cream they call or come by or tell someone else you have a nice ice cream shop.
Think of your list as a hundred people looking out for referrals for you. Call them and tell them you are open for business and would like to know if they know anyone who might like to know about what you are offering.
Send them a postcard or e-mail notifying them of what you are offering.
When you start your business, creating a list of your resources and strengths is a good idea.
You may have brains, money for advertising, great writing skills, maybe your a good public speaker, or love to talk one on one with people.
Think of your 100 person list as one of those resources for your business.
If you don't notify your friends and family someone else will. It would be tragic if Aunt Sally or your best friend from high school became someone else's business partner only because they didn't know you had your own business.
For more free online training visit http://www.paula-mckinney.com/.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Yes the Larry King rumor is true...
Tim Sales, the "Ambassador to Network Marketing", is once again in the public eye sharing the truth about MLM. ---
Paula,
The Buzz
There's quite a buzz going around because I sat down with Larry King at a network marketing company's convention and explained to him how and why M.L.M is NOT a pyramid or a Ponzi scheme...and he understood it.
To say that it was an honor to sit and be interviewed by Larry King would be the understatement of my life!
I'm sending this message to you because I want you to know the facts surrounding this event because the rumor mill has been busy!
I sat down with Larry in his home a couple of months ago and had a discussion about Multi- Level- Marketing (M.L.M). It only lasted 40 minutes but in that 40 minutes he became intrigued.
I believe that part of his trust in me was my honesty that there are things about M.L.M that need correction. Meaning, some of the concerns he brought up I agreed with and told him that I was working on correcting those things but those things do not make it a pyramid scheme, Ponzi scheme or a scam.
He liked my purpose in getting factual truth known by people and the media. This is what Larry King does better than anyone else in the world.
Timing was in my favor
Larry had recently been scammed for millions by Bernard Madoff's investment Ponzi scheme. He was appreciative of my candid conversation and because I could clearly differentiate between a Ponzi scheme, pyramid scheme and a legitimate M.L.M business. Up until that time, it was not clear to him.
We ended our morning meeting with an agreement that we'd talk more. That came when he invited me to dinner that night. During dinner I asked him what he loves to do and he replied "comedy." Long conversation reduced, I asked him if we could continue our discussion about M.L.M in front of 10,000 M.L.M people in exchange for him doing a little comedy for them afterwards.
He said yes.
It just so happened that I had already been invited by a network marketing company (not the M.L.M company I built my downline in) to speak at their convention. Timing was in their favor too! It has been truly a win-win for everyone - including you.
Larry and I are planning future projects together - I promise to keep you posted :)
Sharp Eye
Pretend you're me for a moment...as I'm planning what I'm going to take with me to be ready for any question Larry King could ask me...what tool(s) did I decide to take? Using a sharp eye, look closely at the images and you will see that I'm holding the Build Your Own Business Brochure.
I'm bringing this to your attention because I assure you, if the brochure is good enough (and it was) for me to do a one on one with Larry King - I think it's good enough for your prospect. No matter how tough you think they are!
With admiration,
Tim Sales
PS: There's a gentleman named Paul who opened Larry's door for me. We all owe him a high level of gratitude. So, Paul, thank you sir!
This is just the beginning of what my true purpose has been since I retired from building my organization in 1995. My purpose is to be the M.L.M industry's public relations ambassador, promoting the industry's values to the public. But, as I've stated before, I felt the industry needed a few corrections so that it's squeaky clean for the public. :)
Paula,
The Buzz
There's quite a buzz going around because I sat down with Larry King at a network marketing company's convention and explained to him how and why M.L.M is NOT a pyramid or a Ponzi scheme...and he understood it.
Tim Sales and Larry King
In case you don't know, Larry King has interviewed over 40,000 celebrities. From every President of the United States since the Ford Administration to Vladimir Putin (second President to Russia) to Tony Blair (former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom).
To say that it was an honor to sit and be interviewed by Larry King would be the understatement of my life!
I'm sending this message to you because I want you to know the facts surrounding this event because the rumor mill has been busy!
I sat down with Larry in his home a couple of months ago and had a discussion about Multi- Level- Marketing (M.L.M). It only lasted 40 minutes but in that 40 minutes he became intrigued.
I believe that part of his trust in me was my honesty that there are things about M.L.M that need correction. Meaning, some of the concerns he brought up I agreed with and told him that I was working on correcting those things but those things do not make it a pyramid scheme, Ponzi scheme or a scam.
He liked my purpose in getting factual truth known by people and the media. This is what Larry King does better than anyone else in the world.
Timing was in my favor
Larry had recently been scammed for millions by Bernard Madoff's investment Ponzi scheme. He was appreciative of my candid conversation and because I could clearly differentiate between a Ponzi scheme, pyramid scheme and a legitimate M.L.M business. Up until that time, it was not clear to him.
We ended our morning meeting with an agreement that we'd talk more. That came when he invited me to dinner that night. During dinner I asked him what he loves to do and he replied "comedy." Long conversation reduced, I asked him if we could continue our discussion about M.L.M in front of 10,000 M.L.M people in exchange for him doing a little comedy for them afterwards.
He said yes.
It just so happened that I had already been invited by a network marketing company (not the M.L.M company I built my downline in) to speak at their convention. Timing was in their favor too! It has been truly a win-win for everyone - including you.
Larry and I are planning future projects together - I promise to keep you posted :)
The tool that worked with Larry
Sharp Eye
Pretend you're me for a moment...as I'm planning what I'm going to take with me to be ready for any question Larry King could ask me...what tool(s) did I decide to take? Using a sharp eye, look closely at the images and you will see that I'm holding the Build Your Own Business Brochure.
I'm bringing this to your attention because I assure you, if the brochure is good enough (and it was) for me to do a one on one with Larry King - I think it's good enough for your prospect. No matter how tough you think they are!
With admiration,
Tim Sales
PS: There's a gentleman named Paul who opened Larry's door for me. We all owe him a high level of gratitude. So, Paul, thank you sir!
This is just the beginning of what my true purpose has been since I retired from building my organization in 1995. My purpose is to be the M.L.M industry's public relations ambassador, promoting the industry's values to the public. But, as I've stated before, I felt the industry needed a few corrections so that it's squeaky clean for the public. :)
MLM / Network Marketing - How Do I Get Paid?
Direct selling has become a vibrant and growing industry.
MLM or Network Marketing is simply a form of direct sales. Unfortunaltely, MLM is often misunderstood. This is a very exciting business model that many find hard to explain.
Let me help you understand why this is so exciting and how anyone with the right training and motivation can create wild success...
Direct sales is a way for a company to distribute their product through independent representatives, or consultants.
Products are sold primarily through the internet, in-home parties or one-on-one demonstrations.
More and more people are purchasing goods through this avenue.
The convenience of shopping online or through personal consultants has given consumers a way to purchase high quality products at wholesale prices.
Public interest in buying through the direct selling industry has increased and is continuing to show dramatic growth.
Maybe you are like I was and wondered how network marketing business owners get paid. When I started my business the little voice in my head was screaming "Beware!". Fortunatly, I educated myself on a career in Network Marketing and didn't let my ignorance keep me from a great opportunity.
Watch "Brilliant Compensation" and learn what MLM is and isn't. (And find out what the wealthy buy on payday!.)
Business owners please leave your comments and share what you thought of MLM before you became successful!
MLM or Network Marketing is simply a form of direct sales. Unfortunaltely, MLM is often misunderstood. This is a very exciting business model that many find hard to explain.
Let me help you understand why this is so exciting and how anyone with the right training and motivation can create wild success...
Direct sales is a way for a company to distribute their product through independent representatives, or consultants.
Products are sold primarily through the internet, in-home parties or one-on-one demonstrations.
More and more people are purchasing goods through this avenue.
The convenience of shopping online or through personal consultants has given consumers a way to purchase high quality products at wholesale prices.
Public interest in buying through the direct selling industry has increased and is continuing to show dramatic growth.
Maybe you are like I was and wondered how network marketing business owners get paid. When I started my business the little voice in my head was screaming "Beware!". Fortunatly, I educated myself on a career in Network Marketing and didn't let my ignorance keep me from a great opportunity.
Watch "Brilliant Compensation" and learn what MLM is and isn't. (And find out what the wealthy buy on payday!.)
Business owners please leave your comments and share what you thought of MLM before you became successful!
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