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 Renee Mossman on
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Thanks for the very helpful advice Matt. I have one question though. When everyone tells us to build an opt-in list, those of us that do not have a lot of web building experience don't know how to put everything together. The opt-in list using our auto responder is great but do we need a separate website to draw the prospects from? Any advice on this would be wonderful.
Thanks again Matt :)
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Permalink Reply by Jerry Denny on -
Excellent info Matt. I feel like I just started 1st grade all over again. Why didn't we have an educational system which taught us what we all needed to know throughout all those years. I guarantee we would have a lot more motivated and successful people in the world today. I am hanging on to your every word here Matt. I believe you definitely know the game and how to play it. I appreciate it.
Jerry
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Permalink Reply by Jay Rossi on -
Hi Matt,
Rule 1: I like the no pressure opt-in idea. Makes for a win win situation. I'm thrilled with the idea that one can do business with other members who are all in the social networking group without anyone being pushy.
Rule 2: I like the idea of working and finding formula for achieving the $1Million mark. I have absolutely no idea how this can be done. This is why I have joined your your site so that I can learn everything. So theres no problem in getting me to put in 100% of my effort.
Rule 3: I like to fact that autoresponders are such a great tool. I understand how they work and have found them to be very efficient in sending out messages. I'm looking forward to learning more about them. They are so easy to use. I don't understand all the functions yet, but I'm learning.
Rule 4: It would be wonderful if people would just take a moment to look at someone's website and make up their own minds about opting in. It is very difficult I found, to find people to opt in. I'm glad that I joined StartUp where I could join others and it would be in our mutual interests to look at one
anothers sites.
Cheers.Jay Rossi
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Permalink Reply by Joanna MaGrath on -
WOW, Thank you for sharing, this is wonderful and..........POWERFUL!
Blessings, Joanna
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Permalink Reply by Dawne Lynnasa Rodela on -
All American Products & Handcrafts
I am very new to all of this, but I am very creative and I do want to fly. I need to generate some funds to be able to do some of these things. Any suggestions. I am also in the process of creating an All American USA made network, such as this one. I want my own store, as well. I am also a member of a few other networks similar to this one. But I think I like Sta.rtup for the information from others who seem to want to help, excuse me, make money. Alittle overwhelmed, I have so much information right now from others.
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Permalink Reply by Helen Fritzie on -
Thanks for all the information and help with my training Matt!
Keep up all your good work!
Helen Fritzie
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Permalink Reply by Kathy Gossett on -
Hi Matt,
This was a great forum. I have downloaded an auto-responder but I have no clue how to implement it.
I'm kind of ignorant when it comes to software use, so if you have a blog or forum with instructions on how to use this particular software, I'd be grateful if you'd tell me about it.
As for the part about "Shoving sales links down peoples throats", I couldn't agree more!! I hate opening my email every day to see all the spam that I don't have the time to delete. Besides, when I first started this venture of internet marketing, I got taken in by several of them and ended up shooting myself in the foot financially.
Thanks as always for your good information.
Kathy
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Permalink Reply by Wilma van Zwietering on -
A great article to read Matt! You have given a good idea of the difference between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 and what route to follow for optimizing your success as marketer.
As I see it Web 1.0 has been a costly way for reaching as much prospects as possible without even knowing them to gain fast, short-term results.
On the contrary Web 2.0 demands for interacting with prospects by building your network first using tools like opt-in lists, building up relationships and go for long-term results. It's a totally different approach!
I always love reading your posts, because they make sense and I am glad to have you as my teacher!
Keep going on Matt!
Wilma van Zwietering
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Permalink Reply by Bernadette M. Hurtado on -
Hi Matt,
Thank you for sharing those lessons to us and i hope it will be an added knowledge for me. I know some people like me still needs a lot great ideas that can help me explore such thing especially in the field of networking, how to expand ideas, and how to create little thing into a big shot. I grab this opportunity to know and read all your articles about networking. This will be of great advantage for me as a stater.
Thank you and more power in sharing great ideas.
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Permalink Reply by AlbertFreed.D. M. N. on -
All your articles are great! Thank for your wisdom as my 20+ years never gave me this much!
Opt in Email List is were it’s at; the opt-in list makes for a more effective response from contacts!
2.0 is an absolutely essential element to network building now.
Early bird always gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese!
I want to know how to set up Opt in list, "Auto responder”? Right
I appreciate your wealth of knowledge and the fact that you are teaching us!
Thanks for all you do, I have learned a lot from you and am very eager to gain all the knowledge you share!
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Permalink Reply by Kay Smith on
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Having been focused on safelist advertising and other free methods, going into social networking is a major change. The rules you list are awesome and easy for anyone to follow. I really love how you're leading us into that field in a logical, practical way. Thank you Matt!
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