5 Cardinal Rules to Growing Your Business on Sta.rtup.biz
What the heck is Web 2.0 and Social Networks anyways?
Well Web 2.0 actually is a phrase that was coined in 2004 referring to a second generation of Internet-based services that were being birthed at the time--such as the social networking site Myspace and Facebook --that emphasize online collaboration and sharing among users.
For sure many people have different definitions of exactly what Web 2.0 means to them. But for the sake of this discussion I'm defining Web 2.0 as -- the paradigm shift that takes place when an individual quits looking out for their own good and instead starts looking out for the good of the network (including their prospects) they belong too.
Let me give an example of what I mean:
Web 1.0 Example -- A marketer needing sales sends totally unsolicited e-mails to a group of prospects he has no prior relationship with. In the process he makes a few sales but ends up totally alienating himself with 99.5% of the list. As a result that marketer trades any chance of future growth away in exchange for a few quick sales.
Web 2.0 Example -- That same marketer needing sales sends an email to the members of his network stating he is available for brainstorming that evening in the social network he shares with them. In doing so 25 members of his network join him in the sharing of ideas on how they can assist the other members of the network with their services. In doing so the marketer learns 7 of the 25 members of the network have an immediate need for his service. As a result that marketer earns a few sales but builds a platform in which he can continue growing his business far into the future. Plus he sets up a new joint venture with another member of the network making him untold amounts of money in the future.
I can share a million different examples but what everything boils down to is this -- in order to achieve maximum success in life you will need a very large network of individuals watching your back. In order to build this network you will have to interact with others in a way that shows them the value of being involved in your network. Which means you will at first have to give out more than you take in.
But don't worry! Making money in a Web 2.0 environment is extremely easy!
Web 2.0 Rule #1 -- Build your network in the precise presence of your prospects
Sounds like simple advice but don't you dare discount it. You simply can't afford to if you're looking to make good money on the Internet. Too many people are building their businesses away from where their prospects are. Which always leads to failure.
The old Web 1.0 way to reach prospects included expensive websites, even more expensive search engine optimization or pay per clicks. I know this because I have sold those same services to clients for the last dozen years. So I know Web 1.0 unlike anybody else.
But those days are gone forever. Now I only recommend one tool. And that's a free Sta.rtup.biz account.
Sound awesome? It most certainly is.
The good news is Sta.rtup.biz is absolutely free to set up an account with them. And it's free to maintain as well. But best of all is that their network is full of like minded people looking for people just like you to network with.
After only a few short months in existence the network is already generating over a million page views a month. Do you know how many people it takes to generate that kind of traffic?
Building your network on Sta.rtup.biz just makes sense!
Web 2.0 Rule #2 -- Build an opt-in list to be able to effortlessly communicate with your prospects.
Because an opt-in mailing list is always the nucleus of any successful marketing venture it is absolutely essential that you start building your own opt-in list as soon as you possibly can if you have any intention of becoming a full-time marketer.
Unless of course you aren't interested in effortlessly networking with future buyers of your product or service.
You might also not be interested in reaching your own magic e-number.
What you don't know what your magic e-number is?
Your magic e-number is determined by how many prospects you have to get opted-in to your list before you start grossing $1 Million in sales a year.
For some it was 10,000 prospects. Others it was 50,000.
Of course it depends on how much you make per commission. And how much energy you have in doing what it would take to gross a million a year. But the point is there is an actual number that once you hit it you will be financially set the rest of your life.
Sound incredible?
It isn't. Ask anyone worth their salt in Internet Marketing if they have an opt-in email list. Then ask them how instrumental that opt-in list was to their success.
So until you have an opt-in list of your own you are taking yourself out of the game without ever having had the chance to get in to the game.
Don't slight yourself. Life is too darn short as it is.
Web 2.0 Rule #3-- Implement An Automated And Relentless Follow Up System
Let's start by roughly defining what an AUTOMATED FOLLOW UP SYSTEM is and how it benefits you as a marketer.
Basically it's an online software program that will enable you to automate your follow up process with the prospects that visit your site. It is certainly a vital component of any automated marketing system. If not the most vital.
You can get pretty innovative on the follow-up messages and place them in a series of email messages that build one on top of another. That way you build your credibility up pretty rapidly with all the prospects who opt-in to your list.
So when a prospect opts-in to your mailing list the auto responder will start following up and conversing with your prospect so to speak on your behalf.
Which in turn will help you build rapport with your prospects. Which is always a very good thing for a marketer to do.
Experts have shown that it often takes 7 or more ad exposures before prospective customers actually make a purchase!
If you are to stand any chance at succeeding you are going to need to stay in constant e-mail contact with every single one of your prospects!
With an auto responder, your opt-in prospects will automatically receive your message the essential seven or more times over a period of days, weeks, and months when they request information from you.
I can't stress enough just how important it is to have an auto responder for your business. It may be possible to succeed without one, but why try?
I’d consider such a task on par with trying to learn to play the piano with your thumbs cut off!
Web 2.0 Rule #4—Confine Your Marketing Efforts To Your Opt-in List
One of the biggest mistakes I see amateur marketers make in social network environments is the fact they try to jam their web link down the throats of anybody and everybody they come into contact with.
They do this because they are usually desperate for sales and know no other way in which to market their business.
But if you confine your marketing efforts to those people who have opted in to your list you will go along ways towards building a strong foundation for your network.
Web 2.0 Rule #5—Maintain Daily Activity On Your Social Network
Remember the early bird always gets the worm. I see a lot of people attempting to grow networks without putting any elbow grease in to make it happen. So quit being lazy and log in to Sta.rtup.biz daily and meet and greet the new people who are signing up daily.
Success will be yours if you do!
Well Web 2.0 actually is a phrase that was coined in 2004 referring to a second generation of Internet-based services that were being birthed at the time--such as the social networking site Myspace and Facebook --that emphasize online collaboration and sharing among users.
For sure many people have different definitions of exactly what Web 2.0 means to them. But for the sake of this discussion I'm defining Web 2.0 as -- the paradigm shift that takes place when an individual quits looking out for their own good and instead starts looking out for the good of the network (including their prospects) they belong too.
Let me give an example of what I mean:
Web 1.0 Example -- A marketer needing sales sends totally unsolicited e-mails to a group of prospects he has no prior relationship with. In the process he makes a few sales but ends up totally alienating himself with 99.5% of the list. As a result that marketer trades any chance of future growth away in exchange for a few quick sales.
Web 2.0 Example -- That same marketer needing sales sends an email to the members of his network stating he is available for brainstorming that evening in the social network he shares with them. In doing so 25 members of his network join him in the sharing of ideas on how they can assist the other members of the network with their services. In doing so the marketer learns 7 of the 25 members of the network have an immediate need for his service. As a result that marketer earns a few sales but builds a platform in which he can continue growing his business far into the future. Plus he sets up a new joint venture with another member of the network making him untold amounts of money in the future.
I can share a million different examples but what everything boils down to is this -- in order to achieve maximum success in life you will need a very large network of individuals watching your back. In order to build this network you will have to interact with others in a way that shows them the value of being involved in your network. Which means you will at first have to give out more than you take in.
But don't worry! Making money in a Web 2.0 environment is extremely easy!
Web 2.0 Rule #1 -- Build your network in the precise presence of your prospects
Sounds like simple advice but don't you dare discount it. You simply can't afford to if you're looking to make good money on the Internet. Too many people are building their businesses away from where their prospects are. Which always leads to failure.
The old Web 1.0 way to reach prospects included expensive websites, even more expensive search engine optimization or pay per clicks. I know this because I have sold those same services to clients for the last dozen years. So I know Web 1.0 unlike anybody else.
But those days are gone forever. Now I only recommend one tool. And that's a free Sta.rtup.biz account.
Sound awesome? It most certainly is.
The good news is Sta.rtup.biz is absolutely free to set up an account with them. And it's free to maintain as well. But best of all is that their network is full of like minded people looking for people just like you to network with.
After only a few short months in existence the network is already generating over a million page views a month. Do you know how many people it takes to generate that kind of traffic?
Building your network on Sta.rtup.biz just makes sense!
Web 2.0 Rule #2 -- Build an opt-in list to be able to effortlessly communicate with your prospects.
Because an opt-in mailing list is always the nucleus of any successful marketing venture it is absolutely essential that you start building your own opt-in list as soon as you possibly can if you have any intention of becoming a full-time marketer.
Unless of course you aren't interested in effortlessly networking with future buyers of your product or service.
You might also not be interested in reaching your own magic e-number.
What you don't know what your magic e-number is?
Your magic e-number is determined by how many prospects you have to get opted-in to your list before you start grossing $1 Million in sales a year.
For some it was 10,000 prospects. Others it was 50,000.
Of course it depends on how much you make per commission. And how much energy you have in doing what it would take to gross a million a year. But the point is there is an actual number that once you hit it you will be financially set the rest of your life.
Sound incredible?
It isn't. Ask anyone worth their salt in Internet Marketing if they have an opt-in email list. Then ask them how instrumental that opt-in list was to their success.
So until you have an opt-in list of your own you are taking yourself out of the game without ever having had the chance to get in to the game.
Don't slight yourself. Life is too darn short as it is.
Web 2.0 Rule #3-- Implement An Automated And Relentless Follow Up System
Let's start by roughly defining what an AUTOMATED FOLLOW UP SYSTEM is and how it benefits you as a marketer.
Basically it's an online software program that will enable you to automate your follow up process with the prospects that visit your site. It is certainly a vital component of any automated marketing system. If not the most vital.
You can get pretty innovative on the follow-up messages and place them in a series of email messages that build one on top of another. That way you build your credibility up pretty rapidly with all the prospects who opt-in to your list.
So when a prospect opts-in to your mailing list the auto responder will start following up and conversing with your prospect so to speak on your behalf.
Which in turn will help you build rapport with your prospects. Which is always a very good thing for a marketer to do.
Experts have shown that it often takes 7 or more ad exposures before prospective customers actually make a purchase!
If you are to stand any chance at succeeding you are going to need to stay in constant e-mail contact with every single one of your prospects!
With an auto responder, your opt-in prospects will automatically receive your message the essential seven or more times over a period of days, weeks, and months when they request information from you.
I can't stress enough just how important it is to have an auto responder for your business. It may be possible to succeed without one, but why try?
I’d consider such a task on par with trying to learn to play the piano with your thumbs cut off!
Web 2.0 Rule #4—Confine Your Marketing Efforts To Your Opt-in List
One of the biggest mistakes I see amateur marketers make in social network environments is the fact they try to jam their web link down the throats of anybody and everybody they come into contact with.
They do this because they are usually desperate for sales and know no other way in which to market their business.
But if you confine your marketing efforts to those people who have opted in to your list you will go along ways towards building a strong foundation for your network.
Web 2.0 Rule #5—Maintain Daily Activity On Your Social Network
Remember the early bird always gets the worm. I see a lot of people attempting to grow networks without putting any elbow grease in to make it happen. So quit being lazy and log in to Sta.rtup.biz daily and meet and greet the new people who are signing up daily.
Success will be yours if you do!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ken Olney on -
Thank You very much for explaining this . I now have a greater appreciation for these social networks & how they might be beneficial to my business . By the way , as a Healthcare Recruiter , I'm way behind on job openings . If anyone knows of any positions in a Healthcare related environment ( Hospital , Nursing Home , Home Health Agency / Company , etc. ) , please , let me know .. or .. contact me personally . You can check out KBLC ASSOCIATES at www.kblc.net & also on LinkedIn under KEN OLNEY . Thank you !!! KEN OLNEY
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Permalink Reply by Sal Marroquin on
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Matt,
Great solid information here. Thank you for sharing.....Sal
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Permalink Reply by doctor ben salem ezdine on -
thank you for these precious rules
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Permalink Reply by Linda Hurst-Strayhorn on
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Thank you for you insite.
I am new to the social networking and anthing you can teach me is greatly appreciated.
Linda Strayhorn
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Permalink Reply by Robin Tramble on
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Thanks for this value added information.
Robin aka empowermentdiva
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Permalink Reply by Charlene L. Ragsdale on -
Matt,
Your advise is always right on and I know many appreciate what you have to offer.
All the Best,
Charlene L. Ragsdale - Las Vegas, NV
“Proper Business with a Purpose”
Recent Winner of the Star.tup.biz $1000 Giveaway!
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Permalink Reply by Steve Orris on
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Great info. Fortunately I've got a great autoresponder now. I look forward to more great stuff from you.
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Permalink Reply by Roberta Golub-Draper on -
Thanks for the informative info!
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Permalink Reply by Gulzar Sadruddin on -
1. Your logo should reflect your company in a unique and honest way. Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many business owners want something "just like" a competitor. If your logo contains a symbol--often called a "bug"--it should relate to your industry, your name, a defining characteristic of your company or a competitive advantage you offer.
What's the overriding trait you want people to remember about your business? If it's quick delivery, consider objects that connote speed, like wings or a clock. Consider an abstract symbol to convey a progressive approach--abstracts are a great choice for high-tech companies. Or maybe you simply want an object that represents the product or service you're selling. Be clever, if you can, but not at the expense of being clear.
2. Avoid too much detail. Simple logos are recognized faster than complex ones. Strong lines and letters show up better than thin ones, and clean, simple logos reduce and enlarge much better than complicated ones.
But although your logo should be simple, it shouldn't be simplistic. Good logos feature something unexpected or unique without being overdrawn. Look at the pros: McDonald's, Nike, Prudential. Notice how their logos are simple yet compelling. Anyone who's traveled by a McDonald's with a hungry 4-year-old knows the power of a clean logo symbol.
3. Your logo should work well in black and white (one-color printing). If it doesn't look good in black and white, it won't look good it any color. Also keep in mind that printing costs for four-color logos are often greater than that for one- or two-color jobs).
4. Make sure your logo's scalable. It should be aesthetically pleasing in both small and large sizes, in a variety of mediums. A good rule of thumb is the "business card/billboard rule": Your logo should look good on both.
5. Your logo should be artistically balanced. The best way to explain this is that your logo should seem "balanced" to the eye--no one part should overpower the rest. Just as a painting would look odd if all the color and details were segregated in one corner, so do asymmetric logos. Color, line density and shape all affect a logo's balance.
Many logo gurus insist your logo should be designed to last for up to 10 or 15 years. But I've yet to meet a clairvoyant when it comes to design trends. The best way to ensure logo longevity, in addition to the rules I've listed above, is to make sure you love your logo. Don't ever settle for something half-baked.
And once you commit to your logo design, be sure you have it in all three of these essential file formats: EPS for printing, JPG and GIF for your website. Essentially, these file conversions render your logo as a single piece of art-so it's no longer a symbol with a typeface. Which brings us to the most important rule in logo design. . .
Never, ever re-draw or alter your logo! If you want to animate it for your website, fine. But don't change its essence. Reduce and enlarge it proportionally. And if you become tired of your logo, that's good. Because that's usually about the time it's starting to make an impression on everyone else!
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Permalink Reply by Andrea on -
Awesome article! I'm new to the game and I love the information we get from this site. Thanks Matt.
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Permalink Reply by Bonnie on -
Hi Matt,
Thank you for giving us this info. Social networking is a relatively new concept and the waters can be treacherous if not navigated properly! A person can get slammed by unsolicited emails about "making $10,000 in the first week" and thus, disillusioned by the whole process.
I am guilty of putting my web address on my correspondence, however. It's not that I'm trying to jam it down the throats of the unsuspecting, in my mind, it's an etiquette issue akin to putting a return address on a letter.
I had better revisit my autoresponder process and do better at the follow-up to the autoresponder. The newsletter might not be enough.
Thanks, again, Matt, for sharing your wisdom.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Mahaffey
Polished Professional Image
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Permalink Reply by Nancy Beahm on -
Thank you Matt; Great information and confirmation for myself on what I"m doing correctly and what I need to improve on. This post comes at a great time. Thanks for the clarification between 1.0 and 2.0. Not being all that savvy on net lingo, etc I always see numbers and initials, and never really have the time to look up what they mean. Thanks for the lesson. Will be anticipating your next post.
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