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
Saturday, September 26, 2009
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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