Does promoting your business on this site and others really result in sales?

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Permalink Reply by Dalisha Carmichael on September 2, 2009 at 11:26pm

I try to start by building a relationship first. The key is to get to know the person, their needs, wants, desires etc. Once you build a rapport with them and a trust with them then you could present your business opportunity product or service. People often get carried away and focus only on gaining that customer, business builder or making the sell and often people really may not need what you have to offer. BUT building a rapport will open the doors to other avenues, you may get referrals-they may know someone who COULD use your product or service. The bottom line is building genuine solid relationships and most importantly networking.

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Permalink Reply by Flavio on September 4, 2009 at 1:03am

Nice answers!! As a new member I guess you would forgive me to list here our web-community focused on Clean Technology in Asia (specially in Japan) www.GreenITers.com and hopefully the answer for your question is a YES ;)

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Permalink Reply by Lynn Clifton on February 5, 2009 at 4:10pm

Hi,

I'm new here. Much unlike the real world, making friends online is fast and easy. Instead of friends, though, aren't we actually just acquaintances?

To develop any sincere relationship, business or personal, online or off, people need to interact and learn to trust in one another, which takes sincerity and time.

Having said that, do you think I'm putting too much meaning into the word "friend?" Is it all about quantity or quality?

I'd love to read other thoughts on this.

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Permalink Reply by Cheryl Christman on February 5, 2009 at 5:46pm

Hi Lynn,

I was just invited to this network and am fairly new to the internet and social networking. I would have to agree with you. I believe it is acquaintances we make online. Some of those may become clients and/or business associates and some may develop into long term friendships.

This network, in particular, is geared to the business person. I am certain most are here for the purpose of acquiring more prospects and clients.

It's just another means of prospecting but on a much larger scale and it is definitely more personable than sending out fliers or cold calling, etc.

In fact, an acquaintance may not become a prospect but may lead you to one or maybe even several. There is no easier sale than the referral sale.

I hope this helps.

Take care,
Cheryl

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Permalink Reply by William Matthies on February 27, 2009 at 4:33pm

Hi Lynn,

Scanning the responses to Jennifer's original question, I came across yours and couldn't help but reply.

You are absolutely correct regarding what our online "relationships" and "friends" are relative to the real world. I view my activity here and on other networking sites as a precursor to a possible real relationship rather than a real one simply because I clicked the friend button on someone's profile. All this wonderful technology aside, honest relationships, both personal and business, still require what they always have and as you said, that takes time to develop.

Quality or quantity? I think both with how much of each depending on what each of us are looking for.

Regards,
Bill

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Permalink Reply by Mahal Ramos on March 12, 2009 at 12:22am

It's because of Warren that I decided to join this site. I really appreciate your thoroughness and effort in this response.

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Permalink Reply by Howard Larson on November 21, 2008 at 8:47am

SM and a ning site can increase your business. Find where you fit in, watch your time that you put into it and become a “local” expert n your field. You can have 10zillion friends on your account but I find that a meaningless statistic, the object as stated above is really connecting in some way shape or form. I use the blog technique, others the groups and still others the forums. Just figure out your comfort zone and work it.

Howard Larson
Larson & Associates
Target Marketing & Telesales Professionals for new account acquisition
Making good businesses great and great businesses even better
847-991-0488
larsonassoc1975@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/larsonassoc1979/1
http://larsonassociates.blogspot.com
http://member.merchantcircle.com/larsonassociates
http://www.sta.rtup.biz/profile/HowardLarson

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Permalink Reply by STRAIGHTALK --> www.151years.com on November 21, 2008 at 9:08am

Sound to me like you have ever thing under control, some times we have to give time some time !! What I mean is you did your hard work now it's time to see if those remedies will work for you there or here.. My personal Opinion about this new Social marketing is that not all site will be great for everyone you'll have to simply look until you find a Niche site where you fall right into place.. fortunately I have been very lucky with my experiences and I wish you the best!!

STRAIGHTALK
Norman Flecha

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Permalink Reply by Ryan on January 9, 2009 at 9:14pm

Nice postings. Would like to add that promoting your site can not only be a way to increase sales but also to bring information-advice on topics that might be of interest to members of a group and contribute to a social goal. Of course that building true and lasting relationships is in both cases the ultimate and very worthy goal!
Ryan
www.entervista.com

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Permalink Reply by Nascent Dynamics ( ) on November 21, 2008 at 12:16pm

Hi there,

I agree you are taking a progressive approach to your marketing through online social networking. Now, as a small to medium-sized business, you get to compete with corporations on a level playing field.

It's still a relatively new phenomena and the rules have yet to become completely clear. You could easily waste your time and not increase sales. On the other hand, you will probably start to find more legitimate businesses going social over the next few years. Most are still too busy running their companies and have a hard time seeing the investment of time into relationship networking for their business. Until then, cold calling will remain an important and effective tool for you. Here on this network, most of the people I see do not have brick and mortar businesses and are perhaps too inclined to the medium to accurately represent the activity of a potential business market. However, if you look into the corporate activity offsite, you will find some major organizations making an effort to what you are trying to do as a small business. You automatically relate to the small business and personal business markets. You should definately position yourself to take advantage of that.

One of the lessons being learned is that people prefer to be on a level playing field with businesses. The traditional approach of we are there and you are here, buy or bye, or you have to come to us is going to quickly become outdated. Some companies are putting major investments into creating proprietary social sites built off their websites. The problem is they are usually only tapping into their established markets and not really getting their feet wet in the water where most people are going to be spending their time. In order to reach new customers through social networking, you are going to need effective social networking skills and be open to going to where the "party" is vs. calling everyone to you. For example, Visa created it's social presence on Facebook. You might check that out if you haven't because they were offering $100 in free advertising and represent a serious organization of B2B interests on that platform.

I will say the experience you are gaining will help you become a resident expert in the emerging phenomena. That is a value you can offer to businesses who are not yet familiar or are just getting started with it. I used to run a paperless office and was amazed at just how much paper we had from our vendors and allied business partners. It was an obvious source of waste you might look into helping businesses analyze and reduce. I know that might seem counter-intuitive to selling your paper products. However, consider the oversaturation and desensitization people get with e-mail or social networking even. Sometimes, it is better to have that printed form to deliver your message or support some function. So anaylizing a business from the perspective of paper media and online media could turn into a relationship building tool that gives you something neat to do/offer in saving businesses costs, enhancing their options, getting the most out of their money, and perhaps even exciting them to personally introduce you to other businesses they work with.

It would be my pleasure to network with you and discuss these topics in greater detail. I have been looking for a strategic partner in printed media. I am also developing services that should cater to your needs and the needs of your target market. Perhaps we can talk business. Your advantage in being relatively small, more mobile, and personal can help you to overtake your competition in the emerging modern marketplace. You should also research some other similar businesses who are networking and trying out new approaches. I've seen some good ones. However, I have yet to really connect with any of them.

Best,

Anthony Reardon
Nascent Dynamics ( ) Modern Business for the Modern Environment

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Permalink Reply by Kathie M. Thomas on December 17, 2008 at 5:17am

Yep, relationship building is important. I've chosen not to join every single network that comes along via invitation as I don't want to be connecting with heaps of people and shifting my list from here to there and there. I need time to actually get to know people. But for all that, periodically something seems to be out in front more than other groups or one of my clients ask me to investigate it for them and then I get more involved and get to know the people there. My favourites are LinkedIn and Facebook but Ning has some pretty good networks too!

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Permalink Reply by Diane on November 21, 2008 at 7:52pm

Jennifer,

Glad to hear from you. Online is just like all other networking, get to know people first and sell to them later. You can spend your time getting to the top of the ranking or you can spend your time getting to know people and spread your name around the site in a positive manner.

Would love to know more about your business.

Diane

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