How to Use Forums with Your Business

Many of us use forums, but I know there are some internet & network marketers who do not.  I doubt there is anyone on this call who hasn’t heard of Facebook,                       even if you’ve never used it.  Facebook is a forum.

·                                 Exactly what is a forum?  An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms, which many of you are also familiar with, in that messages are not shown in real-time, to see new messages the forum page must be reloaded...

·                                 An Internet forum is a web application for holding discussions and posting user-generated content. Internet forums are also commonly referred to as Web forums, message boards, discussion boards, electronic discussion groups or forums and bulletin boards.

Forums can help you grow your teams, without even placing a single ad on them! I highly recommend that you check some out and use them to help your business grow.  If you know of others (than those I’ll mention later in this call), please share with us.

There are myriad forums throughout the Internet.  Some are for single moms, some for work-at-home moms, some for people interested in politics, business, finances, genealogy or economy.  I’ll provide you with a few sites later in this call, but feel free to search the internet for forums geared toward a subject you enjoy.

The first thing you’ll do when you go to a forum is to register.  Many allow you to register with a “user” name rather than your actual name.  You can do that if you wish, but remember that “branding” yourself to promote your business is important, so forums may help you in that manner.

 When you first join a forum, take some time to read some of the posts before you begin posting yourself. That way you can get the “tone” of each forum, learn the environment, what element of society posts there and what type of discussions take place there.  Once you get to know what the forum is about, it is important to participate on these forums.  Don’t just register & read posts.  And DO NOT use your posts as advertisements for your business!

         When you join each forum, it is very important to read their rules.  They are different at each site.  You may be suspended or banned from a site if you violate their rules.  Don’t let that scare you.  These are rules, not laws.  The only penalty a forum site can impose is suspension or banning you.  Just read over their rules, and you can ask your sponsor or a forum member if you don’t understand something.

        Once you get used to forums, you’ll likely really enjoy getting to know other members, learning from them and contributing to them.  You’ll grow relationships with other posters.

Try to spend some time each day on your favorite forums.  I suggest you set a scheduled amount of time each week to participate in forums, and stick to it.

·        Also, you’ll want to join groups within the sites.  Search the groups available, and join those you think you may enjoy.  You can always “unsubscribe” from a group later if you wish.

Once you’ve established relationships in a group, a contact may ask you what you do.  At that point, feel free to say something like, “I sell xxxx with xxxx.”  That’s it.  Don’t go into a big presentation.  If they want to know more, they’ll ask.

Also, one of the best ways to get one of your contacts to ask what you do is to ask what they do first!  You must show interest.  As long as they are affiliated with a reputable company, you need not feel as though you’re being phony about it.  There is no business that’s a good fit for everyone, and just because their business isn’t something you’d like to do, it doesn’t mean that they don’t love what they do as much as you love what you're doing.  So, when they say they work for XYZ company, if you aren’t familiar with them, ask them about it.  If you do know their company – say it’s Avon – you can mention that you know what a really good company they are.  And something like, “It’s great that you found something you enjoy doing so much.”

·        Some of these sites offer a signature block, which means that every time you post on the site, you’re also posting a mini-ad.  I suggest your signature block contain your name, your company name, and one of your websites.

·        On WAHM, you must post 30 times before you qualify for a signature block.  You’ll want to post wherever you see a forum that seems interesting to you, but do NOT post just to get your 30 in.  You must be contributing to the “conversation.” 

            Some forums offer free or paid advertising.  If it’s free, be sure to take advantage of it, but keep in mind, oftentimes those ads will appear among the posts.  So you don’t want to place too many ads and appear to be using the site just for that purpose. 

Two VERY IMPORTANT items I’d like to advise you about when posting on forums.

1.      Anyone can join & read these forums.  Keep that in mind when you post.  For instance, on general forums, I avoid posting anything related to politics.  Since we all have different opinions about political affairs, I believe it could be harmful to my business relationships if I get involved in political discussions.

VERY Important!  NEVER bash or insult anyone or any company on a forum.  It is always against the rules, but more than that, it is rude & unprofessional.


There are probably hundreds of forums, some are just for women or men, some specific industry-related or hobby-related.  Using your browser, search for forums to use that you like.  Give several a try.  If you like one, great.  If not, you can delete your profile or simply not participate.


Forums are an excellent tool, but only when used properly.  So go out there, and enjoy posting!

Five "P's" to a Successful Home Business

Building a home business is not much different than owning and building any other business.  The keys to your success are very similar.  The following are what I call "The Five P's to Grow a Successful Home Business."

 

Persistence

Be Persistent in everything you do with your business.  Don’t place three online ads, and wait for responses.  Place three ads every day.  Don’t call a prospect once, leave a message and give up.  Follow up with them.

Patience

A good, solid business takes time to build.  Is it worth it to you to work a few years to earn a six-figure income?  Most of us start out slowly.  Once you do start writing business, as long as you are Patient, more and more business will come your way.  The only way you will not achieve success is if you:

·        Do not focus or work on your business

·        Try to “reinvent the wheel.”  Do as you are trained by the leaders.

·        Quit

Perserverance

Sometimes live gets in the way for us all.  Things happen.  Problems arise in our personal and professional lives.  As long as you keep working your business, Persevere no matter what obstacles come up, you will build a successful business.

Positive

Attitude can make a difference between success and failure.  If you joined your company to “give it a try,” you’ve left the “back door” open to escape when the first obstacle arises.  If, however, you KNOW you will grow a successful business, if you are Positive that you can do it, you will, in your time.

Passion

Although Passion for your business will grow with time, even when you first begin, if you feel strongly about the company, about your products and/or service and about the business you intend to build, you already have the seeds of Passion.

After you’ve been in your business a short time, you’ve worked it and stayed focused on your goals, you will feel passionate about what you’re doing.  That Passion will help to push you toward the finish line.  It will help you strive for whatever your goals may be, and you will become your “best you!”

A Bit of Humor for the Weekend...

"Working from home meant we could vary snack and coffee breaks, change our desks or view, goof off, drink on the job, even spend the day in pajamas, and often meet to gossip or share ideas. On the other hand, we bossed ourselves around, set impossible goals, and demanded longer hours than office jobs usually entail. It was the ultimate "flextime," in that it depended on how flexible we felt each day, given deadlines, distractions, and workaholic crescendos.”  

Diane Ackerman, One Hundred Names for Love: A Stroke, A Marriage, and the Language of Healing, 2011

Social Network Marketing - Forums

Many of us use forums, but I know there are some network marketers who do not.  Nearly everyone has heard of Facebook, even if you’ve never used it.  Facebook is a forum.

·                                 Exactly what is a forum?  An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms, which many of you are also familiar with, in that messages are not shown in real-time, to see new messages the forum page must be reloaded...

·                                 An Internet forum is a web application for holding discussions and posting user-generated content. Internet forums are also commonly referred to as Web forums, message boards, discussion boards, electronic discussion groups or forums and bulletin boards.

Forums can help you grow your teams, without even placing a single ad on them! I highly recommend that you check some out and use them to help your business grow.  If you know of others (than those I’ll mention later in this call), please share with us.

There are myriad forums throughout the Internet.  Some are for single moms, some for work-at-home moms, some for people interested in politics, business, finances, genealogy or economy.  I’ll provide you with a few sites later in this call, but feel free to search the internet for forums geared toward a subject you enjoy.

The first thing you’ll do when you go to a forum is to register.  Many allow you to register with a “user” name rather than your actual name.  You can do that if you wish, but remember that “branding” yourself to promote your business is important, so forums may help you in that manner.

 When you first join a forum, take some time to read some of the posts before you begin posting yourself. That way you can get the “tone” of each forum, learn the environment, what element of society posts there and what type of discussions take place there.  Once you get to know what the forum is about, it is important to participate on these forums.  Don’t just register & read posts.  And DO NOT use your posts as advertisements for your business!

         When you join each forum, it is very important to read their rules.  They are different at each site.  You may be suspended or banned from a site if you violate their rules.  Don’t let that scare you.  These are rules, not laws.  The only penalty a forum site can impose is suspension or banning you.  Just read over their rules, and you can ask your sponsor or a forum member if you don’t understand something.

        Once you get used to forums, you’ll likely really enjoy getting to know other members, learning from them and contributing to them.  You’ll grow relationships with other posters.

Try to spend some time each day on your favorite forums.  I spend an hour or so on forums most days.  I work my home business full time.  But if you work a j-o-b along with your network marketing business, of course, you’ll have less time to spend on them.  But do try to set a scheduled amount of time each week to participate in forums, and stick to it.

·        Also, you’ll want to join groups within the sites.  Search the groups available, and join those you think you may enjoy.  You can always “unsubscribe” from a group later if you wish.

Once you’ve established relationships in a group, a contact may ask you what you do.  At that point, feel free to say something like, “I sell discount health & benefit plans with xxxx.”  That’s it.  Don’t go into a big presentation.  If they want to know more, they’ll ask.

Also, one of the best ways to get one of your contacts to ask what you do is to ask what they do first!  You must show interest.  As long as they are affiliated with a reputable company, you need not feel as though you’re being phony about it.  There is no business that’s a good fit for everyone, and just because their business isn’t something you’d like to do, it doesn’t mean that they don’t love what they do as much as you love your own network marketing company.  So, when they say they work for XYZ company, if you aren’t familiar with them, ask them about it.  If you do know their company – say it’s Avon – you can mention that you know what a really good company they are.  And something like, “It’s great that you found something you enjoy doing so much.”

·        Some of these sites offer a signature block, which means that every time you post on the site, you’re also posting a mini-ad.  I suggest your signature block contain your name, your business name and one of your websites.

·        On WAHM, you must post 30 times before you qualify for a signature block.  You’ll want to post wherever you see a forum that seems interesting to you, but do NOT post just to get your count up to 30.  You must be contributing to the “conversation.” 

            Some forums offer free or paid advertising.  If it’s free, be sure to take advantage of it, but keep in mind, oftentimes those ads will appear among the posts.  So you don’t want to place too many ads and appear to be using the site just for that purpose. 

Two VERY IMPORTANT items I’d like to advise you about when posting on forums.

1.      Anyone can join & read these forums.  Keep that in mind when you post.  For instance, on general forums, I avoid posting anything related to politics.  Since we all have different opinions about political affairs, I believe it could be harmful to my business relationships if I get involved in political discussions.

2.      VERY Important!  NEVER bash or insult anyone or any company on a forum.  It is always against the rules, but more than that, it is rude & unprofessional.

Challenge

 “We choose to go...not because [it is] easy, but because [it is] hard, because that goal will serve to measure and organize the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”


 John Fitzgerald Kennedy, American 35th US President (1961-63), 1917-1963

97% Failure Rate MYTH in Network Marketing

Mike McClurg, author of this article, has given me permission to share it with others.  It is a very important "read."

"If you have ever heard of network marketing or been in network marketing you have heard the statistic that 97% of people fail. You hear that from people you are sharing it with, you hear it from people who are actually in network marketing. The question is it really true?

I would like to dispel that myth. That is a statistic people throw around because they heard someone else say it. That reminds me of a story I once heard. There was a Newlywed couple ; one day the wife decided she would make a roast for dinner. As she is preparing everything it's time to prepare the roast so she cuts the end of it off. The husband walks in  says why did you do that? She said that is how my mom always made it. So he asked did you ever ask your mom why? She said no but decided to call her mom and ask. So she did  her mom said that is how my mom always did it. So the granddaughter decided to call the grandmother and ask her. So when her grandmother answered the phone and was asked the question she said I always cut the end off because the pan was too small and it would not fit. The moral of the story is find out the truth and the reason why before perpetuating statistics or what someone says are facts, when really they are not facts at all.

The truth is 97% people in Network Marketing do not fail they quit. The truth is 97% of people quit network marketing just like they quit going to the gym, dieting, working on their personal growth, on their marriage, wanting to be a professional athlete, better golfer, salesman and everything else pretty much. People tend to quit at most everything not just network marketing and it is only about 3% of the population that don't. That 3% does not quit anything and that is why they are successful. It is not in starting but finishing and staying the course that brings the results. It also has to do with being properly trained and gaining a real understanding of network marketing. So the next time you hear that tell them it is not true."

How to Select the “Right” Career at Home

Throughout the USA, people are seeking work at home.  There are some "jobs" available where the employee can work at home (telecommute).  It can be extremely difficult to find legitimate jobs, however, and there are limited positions available. So, a large percentage of the people who want to work from home are choosing to start their own home businesses.  There are a variety of reasons for the increase in home businesses.

• Many want to supplement their income.  They work an outside j-o-b, but they're simply not earning enough to pay their bills in today's economy.
• Stay-at-home moms and dads often want to contribute to the family income while they actually "parent" their children.  More and more parent in the generation currently raising young children place a higher priority than their parents did on staying at home with their children, rather than having caregivers raise them.  But they must sacrifice some of the "extras," because a single-income family often does not earn enough money – particularly in the present economy.  A good compromise for these parents is a home business.
• Many retirees either want to stay busy after a lifetime of working; and many others cannot get by on Social Security and whatever savings or pension they may have.  Rather than getting a job where, once again, they must punch a time clock and fight traffic, for retirees, a home business is a great option.
• Those with disabilities may not be able to afford to live on disability income (SSDI) alone; and many do not qualify for it, although they are unable to hold a job.
• Many people simply want the fabulous tax advantages of a work-at-home career.

Finding reputable companies with whom to work can be time consuming and challenging.  There are hundreds, if not thousands of ads on the internet that are scams, compared to the relatively few that are respectable companies with real products.  Just spending an hour or two on the Internet seeking home businesses will result in discovering many that have no products and/or services.  They are in existence ONLY to recruit others into their "business."  They often promise huge incomes, while in reality, only a very few will truly earn any income at all.  And, of course, there are the companies that tell you that your computer will do all the work while you sleep!  Unfortunately, there are people who will believe this and invest money into these businesses, only to learn they were "ripped off."

Most home businesses are network or multi-level marketing.  Many well-known financial "gurus" now recommend network marketing.  Unlike the "pyramids" of the past, with network marketing and a good product or service, nearly anyone who works hard can be successful.  With multi-level marketing companies, at some point, if not at the very beginning, home business owners can earn additional income based on the sales of those who they bring into the business, their "downline."  With some network marketing companies, you will earn from only those who you personally enrolled, while others pay for two, three or unlimited levels in your downline.

So, how do you determine which home businesses are reputable and which one is a good fit for you?  There are many excellent companies, but no one business is right for everyone looking for work at home.

Research is extremely important when starting your own home business. If you have heard of the company and used their product or service, it will simplify your decision.  However, just because you've heard their name, it does not mean they are a reputable company!  Through the internet, it is not difficult to thoroughly check out a company before investing any money.

• Keep in mind that some excellent companies have complaints filed against them for various reasons.  A former home business owner who was not successful may blame the company for their failure, when they simply did not work their business or didn't take advantage of the training available through their company.
• Work-at-home forums often reveal information about various home businesses.  You have to be careful here though, because again, a disgruntled former business owner may not tell the entire truth.
• Ask many questions.  Determine the true cost of working the home business you are researching.  Is there a start-up cost?  Is there a monthly fee?  If there is a monthly fee, do you receive benefits in exchange?  Is there adequate training and support?  What is the cost of the training, and by what means is it provided (in person, phone conferences, email, website)?  There are companies that tell you there is no start-up cost, but then they charge hundreds of dollars for the training – and you may have to travel great distances for training.  The better companies will offer unlimited training by phone, internet and email.
• Learn about the product or service being offered.  Would you buy it?  What is the cost of the product?  No matter how great the product, if it is too expensive, you may not be able to sell it, particularly in today's economy.  If there are similar products available at stores at a lower price – even if it is not as good a product – it likely will be difficult to market.
• Ask about advertising policies.  Can you use the company's name & logo in your advertising?  If not, why not?  Can you advertise on the internet, in newspapers, in the phone book, radio or TV?  Will the recruiter teach you how and where to advertise?
• Determine whether the company pays a one-time commission or residual income.  With residual commission, you will earn money from each customer/client as long as they keep paying a monthly fee.  This generally applies to businesses that sell memberships or services, not products.  For instance, the client pays a monthly membership fee, and you earn a percentage of that fee each month.

Once you have researched the company itself, it is a good idea to get to know the person who is recruiting you.  In most situations, that is the person who will be training you.  Are you comfortable speaking with the recruiter?  Is he/she easy to understand (accent, slurred words, talks too fast)?  Do you feel as though he/she is pressuring you to sign up?  Do they sound desperate or as though they are rushing you to make a decision?  Are they flattering you too much, sounding as though it's what they tell every prospect?  Have they trained others, or will you be their first?  Do you feel as though they are providing honest answers to your questions, or do they hesitate too long before answering?  Do they sound as though they enjoy doing their work?  Ask them about their availability for support and training.

Once you feel comfortable with the recruiter, the product and the company, it's time to take a good look at yourself.  Will you, and can you apply yourself to your home business?  Are you able to work the required minimum hours necessary to succeed?  About ten hours a week is usually the minimum number of hours you need to actually work.   

Are you disciplined enough to work with no one looking over your shoulder?  Are you comfortable talking – either in person or by phone – to strangers?  Although you may begin your business talking with your own network of friends, family or neighbors, eventually you'll have to approach strangers.  Will you take it personally if a prospect says "no?"  It takes many "no's" to get just one "yes," so you must be prepared to be told "no" many times without taking it personally or having your feelings hurt.

Are you going to just give the business "a try?"  If so, you will likely fail.  If, after you've completed your research, you do not truly believe you can be successful, you probably will not.  If you do not really believe in the product or service you will be marketing, you will have a difficult time doing so.  Don't leave the "back door" open for an easy escape, because if you do, at the first bump in the road, you’ll quit.  You will have wasted your own time and that of your trainer.  Enter your business knowing that you will succeed and you will do whatever it takes to make that happen.

Do you expect to be earning a living with your business in six months?  It is highly unlikely.  All real businesses – at home or brick-and-mortar, take time to build.  If you are unwilling to commit to at least one year working and building your business, you are wasting your time and money starting a home business. 

If you consider other businesses outside the home, rarely are they successful immediately. Think of any independent restaurant (not a chain with a built-in reputation), a hair salon or a privately-owned retail store.  They all take time to build their clientele or customer base, and business advisers often tell new business owners to expect to make no profit for the first year!  Most home businesses can be earning a profit sooner, but don't expect it to happen within your first few weeks.  Although it happens occasionally, for most it does not.

Finally, are you "coachable?"  Can you and will you follow the instructions of your sponsor, or are you a person who likes to find a "new way" to do everything, trying to "reinvent the wheel?"  In most established home businesses, there is a "system" in place that has proven to be successful.  If you cannot duplicate that system into your own business, you may have a difficult time growing your own business.

Being a successful business owner takes patience, with your research of the prospective company and your business once you start it, and by constantly learning from people within your own company and the many motivational speakers and authors who teach how to succeed.  If, after thoroughly researching your business, you commit yourself to it, you will succeed.