How To Market Successfully On Social Networking Web Sites

We have all heard that Social Networking is the next big thing in Internet Marketing. So, I joined Facebook and Twitter (over 8,000 followers) and started tweeting ads all over the place. I never even got a single nibble.

Various books and articles I read led me to adopt a different approach toward marketing on Social Networking sites. Think about the term "networking" and what it really means. If you were building an offline business, you would do some print and media advertising. But, you would also attend a variety of networking events.

Networking means getting to know new people, finding out what they do, helping them understand what you do, learning from each other, and obtaining new business leads in the process but without hard selling.

If you go to an offline networking event and just try to sell, sell, sell, you will not do very well. A better approach is to ask a lot of questions, really listen to the answers, and try to connect with as many people as possible.

It is very much the same on Social Networking sites. If you are there blasting ads all over the site you won't do very well. Rather, you should be seeking to create as many new relationships as you can. Especially, you should be trying to create relationships with people who are already trying to make money online – after all, that IS your target market.

Let’s use Twitter as an example. You don’t have to spend much time on Twitter before you realize that many of the people on Twitter are trying to marketing products and opportunities, directly, and they enjoy very little success doing it that way. I know, I used to do the same thing and I never made a penny.

So how can one take advantage of this Social Networking opportunity? Try this: find a few people who are advertising products or opportunities on Twitter (or any Social Networking site) and send them a personal message, something like this:

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Hi John,

I saw your tweet this afternoon about XYZ opportunity. I am not in the market for a new opportunity right now but I was wondering, do you get a lot of responses to those tweets? I have never found direct marketing to work very well on Social Networking sites.

I am trying to learn so if you are making money marketing directly on Twitter I would sure like to know more about how you do it.

I also have a couple of ideas about how we should be marketing on Social Networking sites and I would love to share ideas and experiences with you.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Don Merrill
Don@Don-Merrill.com
321-254-0883
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This is a very easy email to write and much more likely to be read and responded to than emails trying to get someone to buy your products or join your business opportunity.

So how does this approach benefit you and your online business? Several ways:

1. First of all, you may share information that will actually help someone and you will feel good about that. Plus, you may receive some ideas that could help you, personally or business wise.

2. You might just make a new friend. I have seen many friendships blossom over the Internet.

3. As your knowledge and experience grow, you will become more and more able to help other people make more money and that is what most people are looking for – a knowledgeable mentor who really can help them make more money online. Some people will join your opportunity just because they know you, they trust you, and they like you.

Networking on Social Networking sites can be the most pleasurable marketing you ever do. You will meet a lot of interesting people, make some new friendships, learn a few things (business and personal), and get a few sales in the process.

Give this method a try…..I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised how well it works. It won’t make you rich over night but, then I am not aware of any marketing method that will make you rick quickly unless you have already done the work to cultivate a strong following.

You don’t need to be an Internet marketing expert day one. Start by asking people legitimate questions that you really want to know the answers to. As you get answers, you will then be able to answer those questions for other people. Before you know it, you WILL be an expert. It really doesn’t take that much knowledge to know more than most of the people trying to make money online.

Once you get the relationship started, try to keep it going by asking more questions or sharing more ideas and asking for feedback on those ideas. First, seek to find out more about them as people. Where they live, their jobs, their after work interests, their families. Then find out more about what they are selling, how they go about online marketing, etc. If you have questions about marketing ask them - they may or may not know but you are likely to learn something. If they ask you a question answer it if you can and if you don't know the answer, tell them so. Always be straight and honest with everyone you meet online.

One final point, you should never overtly push your new contacts to buy your products or join your opportunity. If they ask you what you are marketing (and they will) you can tell them but never put the bite on them to buy. Give them time to figure it out for themselves. Most network marketers are not really convinced their current business will actually make them money, so they are not tied to it. Once people get to know you and trust you, joining your business will be a fairly natural move. This is the essence of what people refer to as Attraction Marketing.

Stop selling and start learn, educating, and cultivating relationships. Not everyone you talk to will join your business but some will, and you don’t need very many downline members to make a lot of money. And, you will then be able to teach them a marketing system you know works and that will help them do duplicate your success.

If you have questions or comments about anything I have written here, by all means send me an email or give me a call. I love talking about Internet Marketing, sharing ideas, etc. Together we can learn and earn.

Her is how I make money online: Infinity Downline

Sincerely,

Don Merrill
Don@Don-Merrill.com
321-254-0883

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