While we all hear lots of hype about the importance of Web 2.0 and more specifically Social Networking sites, there are some major gaps in the information provided to help someone just getting started. Now before anyone gets offended by my choice of words, “hype”. That choice was very deliberate and intentional.
The reason that I chose to define much of what we hear as hype is that even sites as popular as Facebook do not provide you a shortcut to success. While we could use any number of Social Networking sites as examples, today I will focus on Facebook. With hundreds of millions of “Friends” available on Facebook, you cannot expect to setup a Facebook page and then sit back while waiting on success.
Social Networking sites such as Facebook offer a seemingly unlimited potential for networking, marketing, prospecting, advertising and all the activities that come with building a successful MLM business. The challenge for someone new to Facebook, becomes an issue of where to start. While most information available focuses on the networking aspect of Facebook, there is also a great opportunity for advertising. When it comes to advertising and pay per clicks, Google is the 800 pound gorilla on the web, but Facebook is poised to offer Google some competition…more on this later.
So, you’ve created a Facebook page, have a couple of friends, but really want to use Facebook as a prospecting channel for your MLM business. First and foremost, DO NOT spam people and DO NOT try to sell every friend that connects with you. While there are a number of independent business owners that participate in the MLM industry and as a result of being desperate for success, end up giving MLM a bad rap. Don’t get me wrong on this as the MLM industry is not the only industry to suffer this tragedy. At many networking events I have heard the jokes referencing insurance agents or financial planners that meet someone, and within moments try to get a close deal. This is not networking and it certainly is not conducive to building relationships.
One way in which many people refer to the MLM industry is Relationship Marketing. While I have no aversion to the term MLM, I do like the terms Network Marketing and/or Relationship Marketing. My reasoning is that they both go to the heart of what the MLM industry is all about. Building relationships, providing leadership, mentoring, providing education and discovering the needs of your contacts are just some of the areas that MLM professionals should focus. Once you have built that relationship and uncovered a need, then and only then should you be moving forward with trying to get a sale.
Along these lines, I highly recommend that as a new member to Facebook you add the “Group” application to your Facebook page. If there is a common interest that people share there is probably a “Group” on Facebook dedicated to bringing likeminded people together. Even better yet, you can create your own “Group”.
For those of you not so ambitious that you want to join Facebook and start your own Facebook Group all in the same week, have no fears. You should have no problems finding a number of Groups where you can begin to network with people, create new Friend connections and eventually start filling your prospecting funnel. With literally hundreds of thousands of people on Facebook you have what would seem to be an endless number of possible contacts. Again I stress the importance of taking your time and building relationships.
While the “Groups” application is a great place to start, there are numerous applications that will enhance your Facebook page, giving you additional opportunities for networking. If you have an MLM business or want to start one, you cannot afford to ignore the benefits of Social Networking sites such as Facebook. Imagine having your Blog, Twitter, Squidoo and other business marketing tools all tied into your Facebook page. You can!
Now, take that just a step further and think about the potential website traffic that can be generated for your marketing or prospecting websites. Again you have the ability to build a constant stream of traffic to your site as a result of your networking or Facebook also offers a number of different options of placing highly targeted ads.
If you don’t have a Facebook page go get one, add the Group application and start networking. There is a lot of good information regarding Web 2.0. Social Network, Facebook and how these all pertain to marketing your MLM business. Please do not take the hype to mean that these sites provide you some kind of shortcut to success. Facebook and all the other Social Networking sites provide great opportunities for marketing your MLM business, but they take work. So roll up your sleeves, get to net-working and before you know it you will have the success that you desire. To Your Success.
Chase Your Passion: Personally, I enjoy working w/ Small Biz Owners & Independent Business Professionals to attract new clients. 
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Although I don’t use that much social networks like facebook for promotion you give very good advice about how to do it right and not spam everyone. I see a lot of desperate marketers that are trying so hard and go to the limits that annoy even me that I am for years in the MLM industry. Imagine what impression would give to other people.