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/
Saturday, October 31, 2009
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
