Five Ways You Can Build Your Reputation With Social Networking
By Bob Jenkins

Are you using social networks to build your reputation online? Whether you already are or you are just getting started with sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Ning, building your online reputation is your biggest responsibility.

Here are five ways to make sure you do it right.

Dinosaur Marketers?

Tonight after dinner the phone rang. No name on the caller ID but the number was in Bellview, Washington. Normally I never answer a phone call unless it is from someone I know but since the network marketing company I belong to is in Lacey, Washington I thought it might possibly be from them.

So I answered. I got a professionally produced recording with a cheery male voice telling me I should be using a system like this to generate leads for my business. I hung up about 20 seconds into the call. thinking to myself "does any serious marketer still use invasive techniques like this anymore?"

Seriously, with all the permission marketing tools we have today, why would anyone push their message on an unwilling market? Does it even work? I would have to think that the conversion rate would have to be so low that it would be a net money loser. What kind of clients would you get? People without caller ID? How likely are they to need leads?

I concluded that this was some old school marketer that just never got the whole "Internet" thing. I really felt sorry for whoever was doing it because they are creating a negative image for themselves and that is so unnecessary.

Today it is about you being a bright shining star that people are attracted to and want to follow. That is true in the real world, as well as online. All too often I see people pushing their business into an other's face without taking any real interest in the other person's interest or needs. That is just sad, and in social networking, as well as network marketing, it is a perscription for failure.

Many people keep using the same methods they learned many years ago and never change. Things that can't change go extinct - don't be a "Dinosaur Marketer"

Patrick Wanis "Stop Seeking Approval"

Are you a member of the NFL?

There's an old joke among us network marketers that we're members of the NFL - No Friends Left. We laugh, but most of us have experienced the reality of it at some point in our careers.

It gets worse every time we join a new company and try to bring our friends and family aboard, or at least, it can seem that way.

The problem really stems from our whole approach.

Let me use a little story to illustrate.

Suppose you just opened a new store to sell shoes. Would you call all your friends and family and try to convince them each to buy a pair of shoes that you recommend to them? Of course not! Most of them don't need or want a pair of shoes today. They might buy a pair just because you have a relationship, but they are likely to feel used because of it. If you persisted in calling them, they could get tired of hearing from you and refuse to answer the phone.

A much better approach would be to simply notify your friends that you have opened a new shoe store, tell them you would be honored to have them as a customer, and give offer a "friends" discount if they stop by your store. Tell them you would be appreciative if they referred anyone to you and offer a referral incentive if you like.
Now your friends are under no pressure to buy from you, but they will think of you next time they need a pair of shoes.

The same holds true for network marketing. are you trying to "sell" your friends & family, or are you just notifying them you are now in business and you would be happy to tell them more some time if they ask?

Try this low key approach and see if you can avoid joining the NFL!

Welcome

Welcome everyone!

This is my first post of many to come. I just want to put out the welcome mat for the many people who will come here. Enjoy your visit - feel free to comment. Rant if you need to - I'm sure I will give you good cause. I'm full of opinions on a lot of things and I have many interests that I will muse upon.

Thanks for stopping by,

Tim