Seven Key Elements of Success: Element 7: Networking
Here’s a big success element that all successful marketers understand, and you’ll see why it’s a definite ‘Key to Success’ as you read on.
To quote from literature “No Man Is an Island”
The author was speaking of life in general, but it certainly applies to building an online business.
As you follow from element one through the stages and elements required to become successful you’ll realize that although it is possible to do it all by yourself, networking makes it a lot easier to successfully build any business.
Some things can seem daunting at first appearance, yet they are made so much easier if you have the support and help of some good friends.
Quoting again but from a popular song this time, “I’ll get by with a little help from my friends”
I think the easiest way for me to emphasize the value of ‘Networking’ would be to give you some examples of what has been achieved by some of ‘John’s friends’, and how those friendships were made.
Now you can call them ‘business acquaintances’ or ‘online contacts’ or ‘JV partners’ or whatever other term springs to mind, but at the end of the day we all share a common goal,
To Make Money Online.
If someone helps me in achieving my goals, that puts them into my category of ‘friends’. Likewise, I like to help my friends wherever I can.
This is something that you’ll discover as you develop and grow your own Network of contacts. Naturally, everyone wants to grow their own business, but once you get involved with a network of people, you’ll find yourself helping people even when there is no immediate benefit to yourself, and vice versa.
It’s a great feeling when you get an email from someone you’ve helped, telling you of the success they’re now achieving, trust me, you’ll love it.
So how does it all start and where do you make friends online? There isn’t exactly a local restaurant or drinking establishment to meet up in.
Or is there?
Here are a few methods employed by every successful marketer that you may want to consider.
Your own list.
If you’ve been building your list and ‘looking after them’ as you should have been. That’s a great place to start. Ask them for some feedback; correspond with anyone who does write to you. If you get questions from buyers about your product, go further than a one-word answer, and ask them a little about themselves.
You’ll find it’s easy to start really caring about your list when you discover there are real people reading your emails, and they will feel the same and discover you too are a human being.
As relationships develop, try to find out if you can help them in some small way, before you know it you have a friend. When they become more successful they will remember who helped them and you may find they too can be of great help to you.
Wouldn’t you want a list of people who share your views and have been helped by you? Who’s more likely to do you a favor, a stranger who spent hundreds with you or someone you’ve over-delivered to and helped?
Your Website
Another way to network and find people who can become your friends is to make sure you have a webpage on your sites that tells people a little about yourself.
After all, it may help in your sales too; some people prefer to buy from people they feel they know. Also, people reading it may decide you’re the kind of person they’d like to work with at some point, leading to further communication and another relationship developing.
Forums
If you are making useful and helpful posts, people will notice. At the same time, you will notice people who seem to be willing to help others too.
Forums can be a great place to build relationships with other marketers.
Social Media
In a similar way to forums, social media can help you find people who could eventually become a part of your network and also a way for them to find you.
With the explosion in popularity of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, you’d be crazy to leave this out of your business.
I have generated tons of new business and have managed to strike new business relationships by simply using social media sites. However, be careful you don’t end up wasting your time on these sites as it’s very easy to do. (Avoid distractions)
Offline Events
Attending offline events can put you in touch with a variety of people with different skill sets who all want to find new friends to help and support each other.
Mastermind groups
If you can find any mastermind groups advertised, consider joining one, again, it’s like a mini offline meeting where people will not only share knowledge and skills but have been known to collaborate on products too.
Moving On.
We’ve looked at some ways of building your network, it’s not a definitive list but gives you some ideas.
What if you are really good at designing graphics, but hopeless when it comes to writing copy? Do you think having a network of friends online may come in handy then?
Again, on forums I’ve seen members ‘exchange services with each other, which can be very handy when you’re starting out.
Even when you’re proven to be a successful marketer, it’s great to have relationships with experts in fields other than your own, just so that you know when you do outsource, they will be doing a great job for you because they know you would do the same for them if the roles were reversed!
Hopefully, I’ve given you sufficient reasons to show you why every successful marketer networks and develops relationships to make friends online. You’ll want to ensure you do the same.
I’d like to finish key 7 with another quote…
This time it’s not from a movie or a song, it’s by a guy named Zig Ziglar and many people refer to this quote for all sorts of reasons. I believe it’s a perfect fit to our efforts to help you.
“You can have anything in the world you want if you’ll just help enough other people get what they want.”
Summing up
1. Make a Plan
2. Take Action
3. Stay Focused, stick to your plan
4. Avoid Distractions
5. Keep It Going
6. Outsourcing
7. Networking
In conclusion, the following quote by Zig Ziglar says it all:
“You can have anything in the world you want if you’ll just help enough other people get what they want.”
Wishing you much success