Welcome Back Fellow Home-Based Business Owners!
...and MLM'ers. It matters not what you're promoting. What matters is HOW you promote yourself online. I'd like to share a few basics today explaining how many companies expect you to utilize their online marketing services, but what makes this post unique is that you don't have to spend a lot of money online just to build your own qualified, targeted lead list.
I'll explain further.
When I talk about building your own list, you're building the list of clientelle (or prospects) you need in order to promote your thriving business. There's a tendency for people to get locked into a mindset which says:
"Yeah...Barbara. I'm in a multi-level marketing program...or I do direct sales".
Online, it does NOT matter.
So no matter what kinds of promotions you're facing (to ultimately move your products), marketing is marketing. Whether it's offline or online, you need a blend of both.
I'm going to share someone very special with you to show you how online marketing works. All you have to do is follow this gentleman for ...say...a decent year. SEE what he's doing. Don't get so lost in what is being said. LOOK closely at every small point you see appearing on every site he owns. Notice how it's all linked together. See how every website, blog, or forum addresses what's most relevant to consumers.
His name is Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues. He's the lead visionary and singer of a very established British rock group.
What I want you to do for me are these few things:
1. Go to You Tube
Google...Justin Hayward, Moody Blues, Forever Autumn
Play the music. Enjoy. Relax. Now look at what's happening. How many You Tube videos do you find under this name? This is important because we're talking about establishing a very solid web presence so that anyone can Google your name, find out what you're promoting, and contact you for more information.
2. Notice -- where does the You Tube lead?
Does the You Tube video carry your own advertised ad? It should say..."Go to (mywebsite.com) for more help".
Does the video simply build a following or will it begin to build your clientelle (prospect, fan) list?
In early stages of online marketing, that's all you're doing. You're building a loyal fan base.
In MLM or even when promoting say Zappos (a shoe and clothing website), there are elements of promotion at work.
3. You want your own Free You Tube account
4. You will want your own independent website. Don't spend $$ on corporate sites that do one thing -- move traffic only to them. Companies do this all the time, naturally, because it's in their best interests to do so.
Now head over to Justin Hayward's website:
http://moodybluestoday.com/
See ...what's on that website. Look at the smallest things. What do fans see? Where do they next go to obtain help on their questions? Does the website connect to Facebook and Twitter?
Get free Facebook and Twitter accounts. Form your own profiles at Facebook. Start a fan page for your own following. Do this in baby steps.
5. So...Barbara, what about my company? They forbid me from using my own website?
My Answer: What? Which land do you live in? If it's the U.S., this is a free country. As long as you promote neutral products (no company specific information), you're okay. They cannot sue you. You cannot mention names, product names, or reference articles written by some company pro. You want everything written by you. It's really not too hard...but post comments. Ask me questions. I interact with people all the time, helping them set up what they need to independently own their own power (without stepping on corporate toes).
Kindly remember -- a company cannot prevent you from building your own following. They cannot.
This is about building your own name and image online, called branding.
6. You're attracting willing buyers who will only want your help -- not someone in the company who could care less about what's really happening.
This is true in an MLM.
It's true for online affiliate marketing.
It's true for an online retail store.
It's true for a British rock band.
7. Your website does not have to cost you $10,000.
When you're building an online web presence, yes, there are specialty services you may have to outsource.
If you have to hire anyone, make sure they are specialized in Internet marketing. The writing (ad copy...print you read to move anything) must be written in a certain way to grab attention, hold interest, motivate some inspired action (like clicking one of your articles or joining your website for more information), and eventually lead to a purchase.
There are specific things Internet marketers do that webmasters do not tackle.
For one, Internet marketers are very much like attorneys. They undergo years of training in order to build a qualified skillset. Web masters may or may not have any of this training.
So hire a pro. If you don't know who to access, I have a network and can recommend services delivered by proven individuals.
8. You want your own free blog.
Use Google's blogger blog. It's free, but keep in mind that any content you publish on blogger, they own it. That's because their domain is theirs. But...as you see me playing with Google, you'll get instant indexing (listing for free with Google).
This is called building your personalized index so that people can Google you!
9. We're building a webwork. That's what you're after.
The goal is -- when people land anywhere, they can find your websites, blogs, and more.
10. Here's more proof.
Head over to my Internet Marketing website.
Don't worry about the content. Just see that it's there.
http://barbsinternetmarketingmastery.com/
11. See the linking?
I'm still adding elements as I figure out how some of the technical wizardry works.
12. Be patient.
You won't build a following over night. I've been doing this for a while now, and it just takes persistence, love for people, and a willingness to bring them what they need most.
I'll stop there. This is about building individual success!
Toasting Your Success Online,
Barbara Brinkmeyer, MBA
Internet Marketer/Superaffiliate
Moody Blues Consultant
