THE NET-TECH REPORT: 4 Ways To Build Your Prospect List - For F-r-e-e!

The Net-Tech Report with Chris Kauza

You may have heard the saying, “The Money Is In The List!”. What this means is that your greatest source of revenue is likely to come from customers who have previously purchased from you. These are proven buyers for you – because they have already made a purchase from you. And by building and maintaining a relationship with them, you have the opportunity to increase your business at an average cost of sales that will tend to be much lower than that associated with new customers.

So what are some ways you can develop a good customer list? Here are four effective and F-R-E-E ways to get you started...

1. Article marketing – written articles published in an online venue (such as ezine articles or The National Networker) enhance your professional credibility. You have the opportunity to share what you know with others, and to enhance your credibility at the same time. People do business with people they Know / Like ? Trust (The KLT Factor). When they read your writing in a magazine, they become more interested in you and more convinced that your company is the right one for the job. Writing and submitting helpful, quality articles to reputable article directories is very effective. For added Search Engine Optimization (SEO) benefit, include a resource box at the end of your articles that contains a link to your blog or a web page, where readers can then register to be included in your lists.


2. Social media marketing – Millions of people use social networking sites every single day, with Twitter and Facebook currently being two of the most popular. Connect with people within your target market. Provide them with information that they are interested in, and you will be able to promote and introduce them to your list. Done well, this is “Permission-based Marketing” at its finest.


3. Blogging – This is a very effective strategy for building your list. Just write blog entries that are 300 – 500 words in length, on topics that relate to your market. Write about topics that provide value to readers and clients. At the end of each post, or whenever someone posts a comment, give them the opportunity to opt-in to your list.


4. Offer a gift or a freebie – everybody likes “getting something for nothing”. For everyone who opts-in to your list, you can given them a good reason for joining your list – it could be a special offer or discount for VIP members (i.e. - those people who are on your list), a free whitepaper or report, or even a special tool or software application. This is a time-tested way to get prospects who have undergone some level of qualification, onto your distribution list.

These are just some of the things you can do to grow your customer list – get creative! Take a look at your business through your customer's eyes and see what they are missing, what problems they have or questions they are seeking answers to. Then, take your best information and give it to them for FREE!!! You'll be glad you did!

For more information, please visit Chris's TNNWC Bio.

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Capital, Traffic Building, International Customers and unique SERVICES.
The National Networker Publications™ produced by TNNWC Group, LLC
Resources for Business Planning, Development, Capital and Growth

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THE NET-TECH REPORT: 4 Ways To Build Your Prospect List - For F-r-e-e!

INTERNET MARKETING: Don't Hire a Social Media Manager Until You First Know What to Ask...

Internet Marketing with Joyanne Sloan

Top 5 questions you must ask before hiring a social media manager

Due to the significant challenges related to a global economic restructuring, businesses large and small are being forced to adapt or perish. Unfortunately, far too many of these businesses are reducing or even eliminating their marketing budgets. But when things are tight, is absolutely the wrong time to be cutting off your lead generating efforts. Thankfully, the world of social media marketing has introduced a very powerful, and yet very low cost, method of building your brand and your business.

As a relatively new phenomenon in the world of Internet marketing, social media marketing is truly a new frontier. As such, many business owners simply don't understand, and therefore, cannot embrace the opportunity presented by the collective audiences of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

If in an effort not to be left behind, you've decided to hire a social media manager (or outsource the work to a social media management company), there are few questions you should know before conducting interviews.

1. How much marketing experience do you have?
The technology that drives social media was designed for the masses such that it's fairly straightforward and relatively easy to use. While creating a Facebook fan page or sending out updates to your Twitter followers does not require any advanced skills, it's essential to remember that your involvement on social media platforms is not merely to network with others but to effectively market your products and services.

The point is that even if your son-in-law spends all his spare time on Facebook, that doesn't make him necessarily equipped to produce results where your social media marketing is concerned. On that same note, because social media marketing is such a newcomer, don't rely upon the candidate's history with social media as a reliable barometer of whether or not they can get the job done. The 2010 Social Media Marketing Industry Report indicates that fully 65% of marketing managers who use social media have been doing so for only a few months or less.

2. What is your plan for marketing my business using social media?
It's important to understand that social media marketing is simply one of myriad marketing tactics available to promote your business. A tactic is a hands-on, action-oriented implementation of your overall marketing strategy. A strategy is a plan; a series of deliberate tactical activities conducted over time toward reaching your professional goals.

Arriving at an effective social media strategy means having a comprehensive understanding of the thousand piece puzzle that is marketing. You'll want to make sure that your social media manager is sufficiently experienced with general marketing principles so that they are able to provide you with a true social media strategy and not merely a bunch of disconnected tactical efforts.

3. How will I know if social media marketing has been effective?
The Internet is full of articles and buzz concerning the return on investment of social media marketing. In truth, the efficacy of your business efforts in this arena depend squarely upon how consistently you utilize social media tools. It's unrealistic to expect immediate results simply because you've put up your Facebook fan page.

After all, social media marketing is just that … social. It's truly a relationship-based solution and, as such, should not be measured by dollars alone. At the outset, consider your social media campaigns a success if you have either increased your brand awareness or built an audience of potential customers for your business.

Statistically, 85% of businesses marketing themselves through social media report that it generated greater exposure for their business. 52% say that social media generated qualified leads and 40% said it helped them close new business. Bear in mind that if your social media manager does nothing more than maintain your presence on these networks, it's unlikely that you'll see a measurable return from their efforts. Maintenance is simply maintenance rather than a sales-driven campaign. When your gardener maintains the lawn at your house, you wouldn't expect a return on the money you paid him to mow it.

4. What can I read about what you do and how you do it?
Social media marketing is essentially a new way of communicating with your prospects on THEIR terms. It's essential that you remember that social media networks provide for two-way communication. Because your social media manager will act as the virtual voice of your business, it's very important that they demonstrate professionalism as well as superior writing and communication skills.

By requesting writing samples of anyone you're considering hiring, you'll get a good sense of whether or not they understand the mechanics of social media marketing in particular and Internet marketing in general.

5. What can I expect from your service?
Because social media marketing is really in its infancy, chances are good that your company doesn't have a social media plan or policy in place. If you're really starting at the beginning, be certain to clearly document what it is that you want to achieve through social media. Ask any potential hires to provide you with a set of actions broken down into specific, methodical steps including the frequency and duration of each step. By establishing clear expectations at the outset, you'll improve the likelihood that those expectations will either be met or exceeded. Do remember that social media is a changing landscape and flexibility is warranted.

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Joyanne Sloan is a strategic marketing expert sharing insights on effective Internet marketing for low-tech entrepreneurs. Her articles and information products provide practical, plain-English marketing solutions that get real results. For private consulting or social media management services, you may reach her at 206.388.3882 or by e-mail at synergyseattle@gmail.com

For more information, please visit Joyanne's TNNWC Bio.

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Capital, Traffic Building, International Customers and unique SERVICES.
The National Networker Publications™ produced by TNNWC Group, LLC
Resources for Business Planning, Development, Capital and Growth

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INTERNET MARKETING: Don't Hire a Social Media Manager Until You First Know What to Ask...

INTERNET MARKETING: 10 Reasons Your Competition is Using Social Media Marketing

Internet Marketing with Joyanne Sloan

10 Reasons Your Competition Is Using Social Media Marketing

Gone are the days of static advertising messages. Social media is here to stay and the mounting evidence proves that not only is social media not a fad, it's a consistently reliable method of marketing with real returns. If you haven't yet ventured into the realm of social media marketing, there's one thing that you should know that distinguishes it from status quo marketing; it's ALL about relationship. And sales, after all, is driven by and entirely dependent on cultivating, maintaining, and capitalizing upon those relationships. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter give you quick access to powerful relationship-focused marketing tools. And for that reason, the time is NOW for you to adapt your sales strategy to include social media marketing.... your competitors already have!

Here are the top 10 reasons your competitors are using these cutting-edge marketing tactics:

1. Social Media Marketing Is Affordable
In a painfully slow market such as this, those who survive do so because of their willingness to evolve with modern day technology. Luckily for you, social media marketing is available at little or no cost (aside from your time) should you choose a do-it-yourself approach.

2. Social Media Marketing Is Authentic
What makes this kind of marketing unique is that it puts an end to “corporate communications” and begins a dynamic conversation between you and consumers. Think of it this way, if a corporation represents the body of your business, then your social media presence puts a face on that body. In a word, transparency is a critical component of any social media campaign.

3. Social Media Marketing Is Current
The public is no longer satisfied with dated (and potentially unreliable) information. We all have a desire for the latest news, particularly when it comes to the welfare of our families and livelihoods. Social media tools allow you to give real-time updates and short-term promotions designed to prompt action from prospective buyers.

4. Social Media Marketing Is Distributed
One of the reasons this new form of marketing has been so revolutionary is that it's based on the ways in which valuable content is shared or syndicated in viral loops. Unlike a cold or flu virus, people spread the word WILLINGLY which can result in large amounts of consumer response in a relatively short period of time.

5. Social Media Marketing Is Relevant
We are all essentially self interested people which means that an effective social media strategy should take into account the all-important consumer question... “What's in it for me?” The idea here is to give EXCLUSIVE advantages or perks to your fans and followers, thereby giving them an incentive to add themselves to your network in the first place.

6. Social Media Marketing Is Frequent
What's ideal about social media tools like YouTube and LinkedIn is that they give you the ability to deliver a lot of marketing touch points, thereby capturing mental real estate in the minds of your potential clients. In the social media domain, frequent updates are not only accepted, but expected. This one distinction truly separates it from off-line marketing tactics.

7. Social Media Marketing Is Direct
As the world becomes increasingly mobile through cell phones and hand-held devices like Blackberries, the mobile messaging tools integrated within Social Media platforms means that your message finds people wherever they happen to be.

8. Social Media Marketing Is Green
Can we all agree that “rented” mailing lists and bulk mail are dead? The demand for green products and services (or the methods used in delivering them) is not only huge, but growing consistently despite this depressed economy. Whether you do it for your wallet, or you do it for your planet... green marketing gives you a unique value proposition over fuel-dependent tactics.

9. Social Media Marketing Is Uncomplicated
While there is a considerable amount to know about marketing in general, and about Internet marketing in particular, Social Media Networks are designed for use by the masses. What that means to you is that there is a low technical barrier to entry and you can get started in short order. You no longer have an excuse to delay leveraging these powerful marketing tools.

10. Social Media Marketing Works
In a study called the '2010 Social Media Marketing Industry Report', participants provide hard evidence about the many benefits of social media marketing. A full 85% of those surveyed indicate that it generated greater exposure for their business. 63% increased their traffic and subscriptions to their opt-in mailing lists. 56% realized new business partnerships from their participation in social media networks. And finally 54% saw an increase in their search engine rankings.

If after reading this article you're not sufficiently inspired to get on board the social media train, then watch the video below called Social Media Revolution and you'll erase any objections you (or your pre-Internet dinosaur of an employer) may be harboring.

Video: Social Media Revolution

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Joyanne Sloan is a strategic marketing expert sharing insights on effective Internet marketing for low-tech entrepreneurs. Her articles and information products provide practical, plain-English marketing solutions that get real results. For private consulting or social media management services, you may reach her at 206.388.3882 or by e-mail at synergyseattle@gmail.com

For more information, please visit Joyanne's TNNWC Bio.

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Capital, Traffic Building, International Customers and unique SERVICES.
The National Networker Publications™ produced by TNNWC Group, LLC
Resources for Business Planning, Development, Capital and Growth

Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

INTERNET MARKETING: 10 Reasons Your Competition is Using Social Media Marketing