Persistence Marketing:

Unless you have been sleeping for the past couple of years, just woke and started reading this article, you have had some exposure to Web 2.0, Social Media and the importance it now plays in the success of your business.

Regardless of your business, a traditional brick and mortar business, a Home Based Business, Direct Sales, or an Internet business you could and should benefit from the marketing strategies that can now be implemented to take advantage of Social Networking. While there is a lot of hype and excitement about the potential that exists as a result of the various channels that seem to be appearing almost daily, there are some very basis and traditional rules that still apply.

This really hit me today as a direct result of a couple of meetings that I had to discuss with some colleagues exactly how I am using Social Networking and what role it plays in the overall marketing of my business. One thing that needs to be very clear is that, while Web 2.0 and Social Media in general have the potential to have a MASSIVE impact on your business it is not a magic bullet. Sorry!

The same rules still apply, in that you have to have a plan, you should be setting some very distinct goals, and it is going to take hard work. Yes, hard work is still a requirement. Now, with that said, I will tell you that the term “hard work” is a relative term. Maybe I should say consistent ongoing work….that is more accurate. In a previous life I have done my share of hard work and I cannot classify what I do now has hard work. I must remain consistent, my goals need to be measured against my results and then adjustments need to be made accordingly.

In all of the excitement that is being generated by such sites as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, just to name a few, you still need to have a marketing plan. Since the majority of my professional life revolves around Network Marketing, I will use that as a prime example.

Let’s assume that I just got Joe started in my primary business opportunity and Joe is not only excited, but he really wants to make a difference in his family’s current financial state. However, there is a small problem. Joe is very much a recluse, doesn’t like to talk with people, won’t make phone calls to prospects and is scared to death of rejection. That being the case we have some HUGE challenges in front of us before we could ever hope that Joe would get any benefit from the Internet and more specific Social Networking.

Oh, I forgot to mention that Joe does not have a marketing plan and has no idea what a marketing plan is or how to create one. All the rules that apply to a typical sales and marketing role when trying to build a Network Marketing (Direct Sales, Home Business, MLM) still apply. We do not get to throw out all of the old rules simply because we now have a great new channel for marketing that is actually a lot of fun and has a lot of hype supporting it as well.

Joe still needs to have posture in his business. He must have the knowledge to talk about his core offering, the benefits, he must be able to handle rejection, be able to qualify prospects, build relationships, have a marketing plan complete with goals, action steps and time lines.

Social Media and Web 2.0 has created some incredible opportunities and if you are prepared to build a business, build the relationships to make that business a success and you’re willing to put in the work required, congratulations. You are one of those people that I love talking with because you have the potential to make this work for you in a big way.

Network Marketing is and has always been about building relationships. As far as that goes, all successful business have been about building relationships, maintaining those relationships and providing value to those that are a part of your relationships. Social Networking is no different. There are some very definitive steps that you must take:

-          Learn all that you can about your particular opportunity; be knowledgeable

-          Determine your target market

-          Put together a comprehensive marketing plan. (I recommend both traditional networking and social networking)

-          Have system for following up with people and follow up!

-          Provide value and be prepared to explain why you are best qualified to help

-          Be prepared to qualify prospects; Not everyone is right for your business

-          Measure your results and adjust as necessary

-          Ongoing personal development is a must.

These are just a few of the steps that I go through with those individuals that I work with in hopes that they will experience the same (if not more) level of success that I have experienced. Social Media and Web 2.0 have opened up some new and great opportunities, with an unlimited potential, but you must be prepared to take advantage of that potential. Again Social Media has not created some magic bullet formula that will allow you to ignore all of the conventional rules that are required for success. As Napoleon Hill stated and a paraphrase, “the lessons learned along the way to creating wealth are just as important as the wealth”. To put it another way without those lessons you will soon find that the wealth that you acquired so easily has just as easily left you. To Your Success!!