Rules of Engagement

As long as people have engaged in commerce, they have generally done business with people they liked and trusted.  Today, with online social networking, we can become acquainted with people worldwide.  This has opened up a whole new mode of promoting our businesses.

A very powerful way to market businesses, especially home businesses is “relationship marketing.”  Using social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, IBOToolbox and others, we can connect with potential customers and business partners. 

With relationship marketing, we primarily focus on building and sustaining mutually beneficial associations.  We can also establish friendships with people who may never have any interest in our product or business.  We can learn from some of our contacts and educate others.

The most important thing to remember is that we are using social media.  The name is a clue as to how to behave on these sites.  Don’t just jump in and start promoting your product.  Remember that I began this post by saying that people do business with those they like and trust, and it can take time to develop a relationship. 

Participate on social media sites with relevant information.  Your posts can be educational, newsworthy, humorous, interesting or helpful.  Those with whom you are establishing a relationship want to know about you, so include your opinions, information about your background, perhaps a little about your family.  Always keep your posts positive, and avoid controversial topics.  It is very important to include photograph of yourself as part of your profile.  Your profile picture should not be your logo or an avatar.  People want to know that there is a real person writing to them.

Remember that it is not always about you. Ask questions and get to know your contacts.  We’re sowing seeds.  Any one of the relationship seeds we plant may turn out to know someone who needs your product or who is seeking a business just like yours.

As I said earlier, don’t begin selling too soon. Find a balance between sharing your information and sharing other people’s. Being social is the first step, and eventually people will begin asking questions about your business. 

Don’t be surprised if it takes a few months to establish enough relationships to benefit your business.  Be patient and get to know people.  I have built my business almost entirely through social media.  Your patience will prove worthwhile.

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Learn how to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more at http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).

       Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle

To learn about Julie Klein and how you can be successful in network marketing, look at the Xpress Healthcare™ Business Opportunity at http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

Goals are Dreams with a Deadline - Tony Robbins

It is fine to dream of owning an island in the Pacific, but what are your chances of ever actually doing it?  Dreaming is fun, but goal setting is actually serious business.

Your goals must be realistic, something you truly believe you can achieve.  As Tony Robbins says, our goals must have a deadline by which you plan to reach them.  Your goals also should be specific, measurable targets.  Instead of saying, “I want to be financially secure,” specify, “I will make 100 sales by this Christmas.” 

If you were a contractor using a blueprint to build an apartment building, you would have specific tasks that you would have to complete by a certain date.  You would complete one step and then move on to the next.  You would dig out the hole for the foundation, and then you would pour the foundation.  You would build the frame, and continue each task necessary until your building is complete.  Use your goals as a blueprint designed with the steps necessary to build your business. 

Going back to our friendly contractor, as he completes each task toward building the apartments, he is reaching another goal – completing the specific task. Your blueprint should also include short-term goals for which to strive and accomplish. 

Determine what steps you’ll have to reach to achieve your goals.  Let’s say, for example, your goal is to make 100 local sales by October 31^st.  To meet that goal, you’ll have to go out and start meeting people or setting up appointments with business owners or individuals (depending upon what product or service you are selling).  What other steps will be required to make those 100 sales?

Write down your goals!  Don’t keep them in your head!  Once written, share them with your spouse, your best friend or a co-worker.  Sharing them will help you feel accountable to them, and you’ll likely work harder to reach your goals.  Remember though that your goals are not written in stone.  As time passes and you gain more experience and learn more about your business, you can always change your goals, especially your long term goal.

In order to achieve your goals, you may have to learn some new skills, step out of your comfort zone or adapt new habits to replace old ones. You must be willing to do whatever it takes!

Never Give Up – If you are determined to succeed, if you KNOW that you can, nothing can stop you! 

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Learn how to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more at http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).

       Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle

To learn about Julie Klein and how you can be successful in network marketing, look at the Xpress Healthcare™ Business Opportunity at http://joinxpresshealthcare.com.