How To Be a Conscious Internet Marketing Professional

When databases appeared on the technology scene, corporate marketing departments grasped the power at their disposal.  The possibilities seemed endless to develop and maintain high quality relationships with their customer base by understanding their purchasing habits.  Before the World Wide Web was in place, direct marketing was born.

As technology progressed, so did its marketing uses.  Eventually, direct marketers began to apply their knowledge and skills to internet marketing.  Even though databases and email made it easier to contact consumers, receiving unsolicited offers in email seemed more offensive to most people than throwing away mounds of envelopes. 

Internet marketers caught on to these techniques but, even after anti-spam laws began enforcing opt-in procedures, this hands-off approach to marketing is often found lacking.  Blasting out an offer to someone whom you have not taken time to know may produce sales but people don’t like to be sold and, eventually, they tune out or opt-out.

The goal of direct marketing campaigns, both in the early days and as technology evolved, was to emphasize customer retention by producing individualized satisfaction.  I may be mistaken but I believe that Amazon was the first company to use technology to recommend books or music based on purchasing trends.  As their stock prices soared, a point was proven.  Relationship marketing works!

Using social networks to develop business contacts is very powerful, if done correctly.  Before you begin interacting on social sites, determine what sort of person you would like to have in your business with you.  You must also know what you have to offer and, believe me, it is not a product, service, upline, compensation plan or business opportunity.  The only product that you have to offer is YOU and your unique skill set.

Perusing groups or forums is a good way to find individuals with similar interests.  While choosing a person with a smiling face who has taken some care to present themselves is important, you should also review their profiles before requesting to be friends.  Make a decision, based on your criteria, whether or not you want to know them.

Obviously, people may also request your friendship.  This isn’t a popularity contest and you should carefully consider whether or not you want to know them better by examining their profile before accepting.  Whether or not you initiated the process, always observe how they communicate with you and be mindful of how you communicate.  Relationship marketing relies on communication, as do most human relationships. 

A very important thing to remember is to NOT focus on immediate sales but to find some common ground with your new friend.  Determine their interests and motivations.  Once you’ve found some commonality, you can exchange ideas with your new friend about topics of mutual interest. 

If something leads you to believe your new friend might benefit from being in business with you, employ a consistent application of up-to-date knowledge by using stories about your experiences in your business.  Remember to be polite.  Ensure that they are interested in hearing these stories and remember to not always make the communication about what you are doing.  People also like to feel heard. 

If you have adhered to the guidelines of relationship building, there will be no need to use hard sales techniques to “close” your friends into your business opportunity.  You will have inspired them to want to learn more about you and what you are doing and will also have earned their trust by not trying to sell them anything.