There was a time when lead generation for network marketing pretty much meant making lists of everyone you knew since third grade and hoping they'd listen to you talk about your business opportunity. The problem with that system was that eventually you'd reach a point when you'd simply run out of people you knew and you'd have to resort to cold calling friends of friends.
Those days are done. Geographical borders simply do not exist online and we can do business with practically anyone, anywhere over the internet. Anyone involved in network marketing simply cannot afford to ignore the Internet as a marketplace.
The Internet provides access to millions of prospects if you know how to tap into it correctly. But there's a big difference between "old school" network marketing and online network marketing. The question isn't about finding leads anymore; it's about getting leads to find you!
Think about it. If you approach lead generation online the same way you would in real life, your attempts to make contact with people can be ignored or blocked any number of ways. People are simply repulsed by messages they didn't ask for. That was the lesson from pop-up ads and spam. These days, the Internet has evolved ways to deal with intrusive marketing through spam filters and pop-up blockers.
So, how should you approach lead generation online then? First, you have to address the issue of visibility. Create an online presence where people can easily find, get to know you, and decide if they want to listen (or read) to what you have to say. Start by tapping into social networking and community based sites -- anywhere where massive numbers of people congregate online. Think Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, etc.
Next, "join the conversation." Participate in online communities and let people know there's a real person behind the account. Never jump the gun by launching into your sales pitch right away. Give people a chance to get to know you first. Let them know what your business is, but don't let it define your online persona. If your online presence comes across as someone people can relate with, you're already got a proverbial foot in the door.
Ultimately, what closes sales online is the added value that you provide. Attract prospects by being a leader. That means helping people out by sharing information and having answers to people's problems. Build trust. Develop relationships with people in your network. Lead generation then becomes a mostly organic and natural process where people automatically keep you (and your business) in mind. Some of the people in your network may not be looking for the products or services you're marketing, but you can rest assured that they'll help you reach more and more people who might be genuinely interested in what you have to offer. Referrals and testimonials are easy to come by if you've truly become an active part of the online community.
That was just a rough sketch of how to generate leads online. The specific marketing strategies for each "marketing platform" (social networking sites, blogs, article marketing, video marketing, and so on) may differ, but essentially, they all work best when you keep in mind that people are very selective about what they view online. Give something of value and let them come to you.
Finally, it's important that you gain some awareness of new marketing strategies as they evolve on the Internet. If you understand how people shape the internet and adapt your marketing strategies accordingly, then you'll always be ahead of the competition.
===========================
Learn some very
Simple Online Methods to generate an almost unlimited number of fresh, high-quality, free leads for any business on the Internet. Also gain access to this
Free MLM Report explaining why Networkers are throwing in the towel on downline building, and using a new concept called G.P.T. to make more money than ever.
