How to Use
Social Marketing to Generate MLM Leads For Your
Business
Social Marketing sites such as
Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube (just to name a few) have flung
the doors wide open for thousands of Network Marketers to
generate leads for their business and find others to connect
with.
Is it truly possible to meet people, share a business concept
and sponsor others into your business without that face to
face, "belly to belly" experience that we have been taught
about our Network Marketing business? Can a person really build
strong relationships using the internet?
The answer
is absolutely yes, and my goal is to offer you some thoughts
and ideas about using one of the most popular online methods
– Social Networking Sites.
To be
effective online, there are a few areas you'll want to
define for yourself. These include:
What is
your goal?
Who is
your target market?
How will
you add value?
How will
you develop an action plan within each group and be
consistent?
When I set
about defining goals around my participation in Social Networking Sites it always
starts with creating relationships. Meeting people online
follows the same basic principles as meeting people offline
- Say hello; ask questions and get your new
acquaintance talking about him or herself; find common
interests.
I like to
picture myself as walking into a party when I enter an
online forum. I may know one or two people, but that is
about it. So, I walk in with the intention of meeting lots
of new people and expanding my horizons.
Just as
you would not walk into a party flashing a neon sign that
says "Ask me about my business," you don't want to do this
online either. Leave your business in the background in the
beginning.
One
incredible tool with social sites is that most allow you to
create a profile about yourself. With one click, your new
friend can visit your profile page and learn more about all
aspects of you, including your business. Make your profile
very broad; and keyword rich. Make it about more than just
your business and you'll attract people of many
interests.
Learn more
about the keys to creating an effective profile in this
short video -
What do
you like to do? Do you travel? Have children? Home school?
Enjoy Cooking? Gardening? Belong to a wine club? Share much
about yourself so your prospect can get to know you in short
order. Always include some information about your business
and keep it as just another part of the "conversations."
Always include a picture.
You can
quickly develop a network of contacts online through the
"friend" and "network/groups" features offered by most
social sites. As you seek out people with whom you share
common interests, you can network with their contacts by
viewing and connecting with their database of
contacts. This is
similar to the "who do you know" concept networkers have
used offline for years.
As you
develop your profile, you'll define your answers to who your
target market will be in each site you are on. Certainly,
you are looking for people who share a common interest in
home business and network marketing. You are also looking to
connect with others who share your interests outside of
business because you never know who is also interested in a
business.
Don't
hesitate to make contacts with people in other companies.
You never know who might be looking for a change, or who you
can develop a referral relationship with. Each person you
connect with has the potential to put you in contact with
hundreds and even thousands of others. Some of my strongest
business builders have come from seasoned network marketers
who I have connected with online even though they weren't
looking for a business at the time.
Now, the
idea is NOT to blast into an online community, wowing
everyone with your product and your opportunity. Just like
offline, that’s a fast ticket to nowhere. Many people on
these forums are turned off by Network Marketing because of
unscrupulous “posters” who do nothing but blast their
opportunity. The time
to tell someone about your business is when they ask you
about what you do; where you work, etc. Or, if they visit
your profile, they can learn more and again, it's their
choice to do so.
When you
enter into a community or a friendship online always be
thinking about how you can add value; resist the temptation
to think about yourself or what might be in it for you. Ask
questions; offer ideas and advice if people are asking;
share your personal stories and what has helped you. Did you
read a great article online? Post the link so others can
also learn. Saw a great motivational quote? Pass it on. In
most cases, the link to your profile or personal website is
included so people always have the opportunity to learn more
about you and as you become known and consistent, more
people will click to your page.
Gain trust
with the other readers and visitors by being authentic,
honest and transparent. Build a presence and through that
presence, you will build a following. Be
consistent and be a contributor. Set yourself apart from
many of the others who show up.
Building a
successful business of any kind takes time, commitment and
patience. Developing a following of potential friendships,
prospects and partnerships online requires
consistency. Have a
daily and weekly action plan for visiting and contributing
to each social network you belong to and stick to
it.
As your
name becomes seen and known people will began to seek out
more information about you. You will establish yourself as
credible and knowledgeable. People then begin visiting your
website, requesting more information and gathering data.
This is your goal.
Here are
some guidelines to follow -
Always use your full, real name.
Never bash or trash another company.
Offer valuable ideas and suggestions.
Don't advertise, be subtle.
Be a consistent visitor, and establish yourself.
Always be honest, ethical and have integrity.
Give up your need to be right when a topic comes up that you
disagree with.
The only
secret to mastering this form of recruiting is to "show up"
regularly and have integrity. This is one method of getting
people coming to YOU, and that's the goal, right? Get out
online and have some fun; meet some people; and watch your
business take off by creating relationships.
It's a
happening party out there and you want to be
there!