Building Your Online Business Foundation

Tenacity is vital to growing your business.  Stick firmly to what works well for you.  Discard anything that does not.  Make the decision to reach success in your endeavors, and YOU WILL. Nothing is impossible to you, if you believe.

Most of the time, the people who are successful are simply the ones who didn’t quit. Don’t quit. Don’t sell yourself short. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you will get there.

Work your business like you mean it.  If you treat it like a hobby, if you’re not making it a priority in your life, the results will be minimal. 

There are a variety of ways to market and promote your business, but doing so is your primary job.  There are myriad ways to do so, and I’m going to share with you what I have found to be the most successful methods. 

I have found – first and foremost, that using social media and online networking provides the most bang for your buck.  The buck being time, not money. 

So, start with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, IBOToolbox, for instance.  And feel free to find your own, possibly those in the industry in which you work when you had a job, or if you still work a job.

Once you get to the forum you wish to join. Create an account.  Be sure to use a photograph of yourself, not a logo or avatar, in your profile.  And when the profile includes space for a bio, use the same one wherever you register.

OK, your accounts are set up.  Now what?  PARTICIPATION!  The reason we all want to be participating in a variety of forums and social media networking is simple, to get our names and businesses “out there.” The more you participate, the more people get familiar with your name and your business.  As you participate in these various forums, you’ll find you’ll get to know people, see that you have things in common, and may actually become internet friends. Think of it like you’re attending a Chamber of Commerce meeting.  You’d be handing out your cards, chatting with Chamber members and getting to know a few of them.   Participation on forums can and should be fun. 

Blogging is another powerful method of getting your name and your business “out there.”  I’m pretty new to blogging, but I have found it to be very effective. I recommend you type your blog in a word document or on a site that allows spell check so your blog will look professional.

Creating your own videos can also be of tremendous help to your business.  Get past how you look on camera.  No one is critiquing your appearance, but they are hearing you talk about your business opportunity and products.  If you’re not telling them, someone else will, and they’ll be earning the money, not you.  If you have a web cam and a microphone, you can make videos. 

To help you grow a local business, join your local Chamber of Commerce and other business-related networks, and participate in their events.  Once they get to know who you are and what you do, you’ll find people will refer others to you.

Finally, word of mouth.  Some companies encourage their reps to approach their “warm” market.  I discourage my team members from trying to recruit or sell to family and friends.  You know what most of your family and friends do for a living.  Be sure they know what you do too.  In normal conversation, just mention your business.  If they know someone who can use your products or are looking for a business opportunity, they’ll send them your way.


http://julie.xpressabo.com/flash1.php?=blogger

I Got a "Code" in My Nose

For the first time in, I can’t remember how long, I’m ill.  It’s just a cold, nothing horrible, but you know colds can make you fell blah!  Anyway, it got me to thinking.

If I was working a j-o-b, I’d be staying home, using up my sick time or losing money.  It disturbs me when people go out spreading their viruses, so I try not to expose people unless I absolutely must.

With my own home business, I need not be concerned about missing work.  As long as I’m capable of sitting at my computer, I can work. In fact, a while back, after surgery, I was working from my bed for nearly a week.

That is one of the many benefits of having a home business.  Nearly anyone can do it.  I have two people on my team who are disabled, unable to work a regular job.  They can work on their computers though.  Mobility isn’t required. 

Someone unable to hear can work many home businesses.  With the right equipment, those who are blind can work from home on their computers.  With the technology we have today, there is almost no disability preventing someone from working at home on a computer.

We live in a very interesting time.  Our grandparents couldn’t have imagined all the machines, gadgets and equipment that we now find commonplace.  As I sit here sniffling and sneezing, I am so grateful for my Xpress Healthcare business.  I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.  (Please visit my website if you’d like to join my team… I won’t share my cold, I promise.) http://julie.xpressabo.com/xhc1?blogger

Julie Klein just posted a new blog titled I’m Ready to Throw a Shoe Through My Computer!.

Julie Klein just posted a new blog titled I’m Ready to Throw a Shoe Through My Computer!.

No Man (or Woman) is an Island

Teamwork is vital to the success of virtually any business – a restaurant, retail store, huge corporation or a network marketing business.  No one stands alone and expects to accomplish all that needs to be done.  In retail and corporations, each person serves a specific purpose, and if one person is not holding up their end, the remaining people must pick up the slack.  In most situations, the “slacker” would not last very long with their company.  They would be fired.

In network marketing, teamwork is a bit different.  Unless a team member violates company rules, they generally cannot be “fired.”  There are a few elements that are needed to keep a team running smoothly. 

·         A common purpose.  With network marketing, each individual in a team is an independent business owner, but each joined the network to achieve success.  Yes, I know that not all the team members will ever be successful, but I’m talking common purpose.

·         Interdependence.  Each member of a network marketing team depends on at least one other person to reach their goals.  They depend on their sponsor to train them and support them along their path.  Team leaders depend on each of their members to work their business, thus helping both the member and leader to grow their businesses.

·         Roles and contributions.  Each person can play more than one role in network marketing.  If they are recruiting a team, they are a team leader.  However, that leader also has their own sponsor, and they are a member of that person’s team, helping their own sponsor by making sales.  How much each individual contributes to the team can greatly effect the success of many.

·         Accountability, both individual and mutual.  Each individual within a team is responsible to themselves to grow their personal business.  At the same time, they are also accountable to the team as a whole.  It is true that, in network marketing, there are always going to be those who do not take this responsibility seriously, either to themselves or their team.  These people never succeed.

·         Empowerment.  Independent business owners have the power to create an empire, make a decent living or supplement their income.  They are empowered to make their choices and work their businesses accordingly.  There is both freedom and challenges that come with empowerment.

Those individuals in network marketing who do not consider themselves part of a team are rarely successful.  Working together to achieve that common purpose drives each individual to work harder to help themselves and the team. 

·         Team meetings, Webinars and conference calls can help members of a team to see how important they are to the team as a whole. 

·         Competition between different teams can inspire team members to work harder to earn the prize and to help the team at the same time. 

·         For those who have team members residing in the same area, having local team events can help to strengthen a team. 

No matter how we do it, those leading a team must encourage their teams to work for the benefit of the company as a whole, for the team and for themselves.  They are all intertwined, and when everyone on a team works for the same common purpose, they are helping to create and maintain both a strong team and a successful business.

http://julie.xpressabo.com/xhc1?=blogger 

Quitters Never Prosper

During the several years I have been in the network marketing industry, I have seen far more people quit than succeed.  They did not fail.  They quit without ever putting any real effort into their business. 

Far too many people are MLM hoppers.  They hop from one MLM to another, thinking they’ll do better at the next one.  Why they ever expect to be successful, I do not understand. 

>>  They put out a few flyers and were disappointed, because their phone didn’t ring off the hook.

>>  They placed a few online ads, but no one ever joined their team. 

>>  They didn’t attend training calls or Webinars, because they thought they knew how to work an MLM business.  After all, they had worked in the industry before. 

>>  They didn’t work with their sponsor who may have actually been able to teach them something. 

>>  They quit after a couple weeks, or maybe even stuck it out for a few months, and they blamed the company or the product or their sponsor for their lack of success.

>>  They carried their negative attitude with them to the next business.

Then there are the network marketing stars.  Those are the people who dive head first into their business. 

>>  They know from the beginning that they will be successful.  Their positive attitude is contagious.

>>  Some of them – maybe even the majority – don’t make many sales right away, but they are not discouraged, because they realize it will take time and effort.

>>  These people attend every training call or Webinar offered by their company.  If they have to miss one, they’ll listen to the recorded version.

>>  The network marketing stars know that staying in contact with their sponsor is vital to their success.

>>  The stars participate in as many online forums as possible, soaking up knowledge from their online connections.

>>  It may actually take them a while, perhaps as long as a year, before they are earning a full-time living with their business.  Two, three, or even five years before they earn the “six figure” income everyone talks about.

>>  The stars carry their positive attitude everywhere they go, and they eventually achieve their goals and set new ones.

The quitters never achieve success, no matter how many companies they join. 

The network marketing stars soar and set an example for everyone else.

http://julie.xpressabo.com/xhc1?=blogger 

Taking People and Things for Granted

A dear friend lost his father last week.  I did not know his father, but I know my friend, and I am sad knowing how much he must be hurting.  He never imagined a few months ago that his father would be gone so soon.

It is so easy to take people and things for granted.  I am very spoiled.  I know it.  I have a husband who I adore and who treats me like a queen.  I have two healthy children and four beautiful grandchildren.  I have a beautiful home, and although I’m not wealthy, I’m not struggling to pay my bills.

I have a wonderful brother and a sister.  I used to have two sisters. My “big” sister died a few years ago way too young, and I miss her every day.  I am so glad that while she was with us, I didn’t take her for granted.  We spoke every day, at least once, until the day she died.

I do take some things for granted though.  I know I will always have food to eat and a roof over my head.  I have never had to truly struggle to survive, and I seldom think about it. 

Most people don’t give much thought to what’s happening around the world, and Americans may be the worst.  I am saying this as an American myself.  I KNOW there are people starving, who are in pain, who are suffering and living in unimaginable conditions.  But most of the time, I just go on living my life, taking it for granted.

Sure, I give my time and money, but not enough of either.  When I take the time to really think about everything I have, I am very grateful for where I was born, for the family that raised me, and for the good health that enabled me to work hard to be able to afford what I have today.

So, today, I’m taking some time to be truly grateful for all the things I normally don’t give a moments thought.  I have to clean my house, but I have a house to clean!  I have to put expensive gas into my car, but I have a car and the money to fuel it.  I have to prepare dinner and clean the kitchen afterward, but I have the food to cook and a place to prepare it.

Perhaps you too would like to take just a little time today to be grateful for those people and things you normally take for granted.    

Praise, the Great Motivator

Giving praise to others is a great motivator.  When we perform a job well, we all appreciate being recognized for our efforts.  One of the top reasons employees leave jobs is lack of recognition.

Whether we’re praising our children, a team member or an employee, there is a right and wrong way to praise someone.

It is important to be specific.  “The XYZ project you completed was great.  You finished it on time, and it included everything I asked for.” Or  “I see that you grew your team by 10 this month!  That was an amazing accomplishment.  You recruited some quality team members, and more than anyone else in the company.”

Don’t save praise for the weekly staff meeting.  Deliver the praise immediately when you observe positive behavior.  Certainly you can repeat the praise during the staff meeting, which may indeed encourage others to strive for recognition as well.

Praise is powerful when it is used properly, but certainly not when it is not genuine or truly earned.  Instead of criticizing those who perform poorly, in many situations, encouragement may raise them up to work harder.  Look for small things they are doing right, and let them know you noticed it, no matter how small, and tell them how much you appreciate it. 

When someone is doing their job properly, even if it isn’t exceptional, acknowledging their performance and letting them know how glad you are to have them working with you can spur them on to put in even more effort.

Leaders should always be developing new leaders.  Don’t wait for something great to happen, look for positive behaviors throughout the day.  Don’t take work performed well for granted.  Seek out those who are stepping beyond their job description or those who are helping others without being asked to do so.  It can also help to praise people in the presence of others.  It can help the recipient of that praise to feel as though they truly matter, and it can encourage others to want to earn that praise as well.

If you use praise often and properly, it can help to grow your child into a responsible adult, help you build a strong, quality team or improve employee retention and performance at your company.