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

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Permalink Reply by Marian Peaslee on January 11, 2009 at 3:36am

I know this is true. I have seeen it happen with in person networking. I am hoping to learn more about people here, however the posts are so generic. Am I missing something??? Obviously, I am new to internet networking. Thanks for the help.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Lovegrove on January 13, 2009 at 5:15am

Good question Jennifer. At times it seems like it's all to easy to waste many hours, registering at network sites, building and tweaking profiles, and creating contacts with people who just want to promote themselves to each other only to find that the majority of contacts are interested in what the others are selling.

I guess it's no different to real life and cold calling. It's a numbers game - eventually you'll hit a contact who is of mutual benefit.

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Permalink Reply by Dennis Broe-Ward on January 13, 2009 at 8:43am

Hi Jennifer,

I can honestly say, having looked extensively at numerous social/business networking sites, that I am surprised but pleased to find your question has prompted so many helpful opinions - with relatively few contributors pitching a hard sell. It's refreshing, don't you think?

I'm new here too, indeed this is the first forum I've looked at, but first impressions do indeed count and from what I've seen so far I will certainly spend more time here, and suspect the site will become a favourite.

Sometimes the value one gets from online contacts is difficult to measure. For example, I subscribe to a free monthly newsletter (Bruce Hoag, PhD. Organizational Psychologist. Expert Ezine Articles Author), that discusses and educates on subjects that interest me. We've exchanged a few emails but nothing commercial, just sharing views really, but because I rate him I had no hesitation following his recommendation to look at this site. The point I'm making is that Bruce's introduction to "Startupbiz" might be the turning point in how I market my Internet business aspirations - great value, don't you think: Not to mention the valuable advice freely given by co-members in this thread?

Just remember you are building "your" network and it's "your choice" whether you fall into the thousands of contacts category, or your strategy is more selective. It depends on what you "plan" to achieve, your product or service, how much time you have - and whether you apply a ROI formula, including your time costs - my time, for example, is well worth following Dr. Bruce's free advice, and I hope one day to purchase his services.

Another example: In your print business, and someone has already touched on this, in this thread, you might decide to outsource print to say Malaysia, where quality, costs and production might be the best on the planet, etc., so in these circumstances you would reach-out for printers specialising in supplying international markets. One might then imagine you expanding your sales internationally... perhaps a qualified printer not yet supplying international markets would become your alliance partner, with you providing your marketing and customer relationship expertise to the partnership? Perhaps your home market customers operate internationally, and will be willing to refer you to their customers... thye point is there are many relatively easy and inexpensive ways to promote and grow your business, without busting your budget.

Perhaps your optimum network is only 30 or 40 contacts, perhaps it's thousands... but the choice is always yours.

Anyway Jennifer, the best luck in your business and thanks for the question.

Dennis

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Permalink Reply by Jim Havenar on January 13, 2009 at 10:22pm

Any site is helpful when putting the word out about what you offer. A couple things to remember: 1. People are more likely to do business with you if they know you care about them. How can you do this? With some type of personal touch such as cards, phone calls etc. And 2. Small business owners are so indoctrinated with self promotion that they forget about showing a personal side. Most business owners understimate the value of a customer. I personally know several business that have increased sales in a down market because they have a relationship with their client/customers. Imagine meeting somebody that didn't need you service today. In 6 months they do need your service but cant remember how to get a hold of you. We use a system that keeps them remembering you forever. You not only win their business but they refer new business because you have showed that they are important to you.

One last comment...
People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you make them feel. You can make your customers feel special and appreciated, and they will never forget you.

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Permalink Reply by Diane on January 18, 2009 at 1:18pm

Wow. That sounds really good. Are you tracking your results? How long have you been in business?

Diane
Keep In-Touch Specialist & SendOutCards Distributor
www.sendoutcards.com/plannerconnections
socplannerconnections@hotmail.com

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Permalink Reply by Konrad Fischer on January 21, 2009 at 2:35pm

'So with all this will I increase my sales??' Bravely asked!

My business is nearly complete www-based since 2002. In such networks after my experience (Xing, Yasni, LinkedIn, Ecademy, ...) normally there is not your target group. All the nice people here try to sell, not to buy.

The prospects I have to convince in Google search results first (provoking headers/title/description), then on the site, showing all the normally bad results trying the mainstream solutions, not mine. No promises at all! That rhetoric works and makes all clients pay in advance the double fee as "normal" - because they understand their advantage and are conviced of better solutions following mine.

Looked on your site. Didn't find a reason why to make the job with your firm. Would I find it here on startupbiz? What's the unique sellining point in your catalogue-similiar site? The price is the remaining argument and I didn't find it. What is quite good: The introduction of your family. Personality counts.

Summary: You'll make me a client eye-in eye, but not with your site and never with your social network profile. Sorry.

Konrad

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Permalink Reply by David on January 22, 2009 at 4:19pm

...Well if you have the right keywords and targeting the right people...I think you must increase your sales with these methods...Have you?

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Permalink Reply by Alan Zhang on January 24, 2009 at 3:11am

Hello , everyone, I am alan zhang from china.I deal in international trade dealing in sourcing products for my foreign clients. I always offer good services for them. By chance from one of my client I knew this web.
I wish that I can make friends with you friends here . And if possible, if you want me to source products from china for you . pls don't hesitate to contact by the following contact :
Alan zhang
Email:Alan1281@gmail.com
Msn:Alanzhangyjgd@hotmail.com
Skype:Alanzhanggd
Yahoo Messager:Alanzhanggd

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Permalink Reply by Corey Gilmore on January 25, 2009 at 5:01pm

I too am new too social networking for business and far from internet savvy, but I believe it could drive sales up. I happen to need business forms for my cleaning company because my current supplier is a bit overpriced, so I am a prospect. Anyway, good luck to you in your ventures, I'd like to add you as a friend, maybe we'll work together someday.

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Permalink Reply by Clint Steiner on January 27, 2009 at 7:36pm

Yes you can definitely get some good traffic and sales from Social Media. Make sure to not use it as a spamming tool or people will stop listening to you.

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Permalink Reply by Definite Consulting (T. R.) on January 29, 2009 at 10:35am

You have to train some selling skills. How to make a direct contact in which there is an offer and the question: "Take it or leave it, now!"

Attraction
Interest
Desire
Action

http://www.definiteconsulting.net

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Permalink Reply by Coby Neill on January 28, 2009 at 7:43pm

Cold Calling by the minute wins.

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