Is Social Media Saturated For Your Business?
One of my newsletter readers asked this question of me and I thought it was so good, the answers might assist some others. Brian writes:
I’m hoping you can answer my question. With so many distributors using social media is it still possible for me to achieve the goals I want to achieve using it as well?
To answer this, I’m going to share a few stories and analogies. When I shop at my local Target; Barnes and Noble; Pier 1 shopping center, there are 4 Starbucks within that 
intersection. There is one in the Target store; one in Barnes and Noble; a stand alone in the food court area of the shopping center, and across the street, where the Marshall’s and JoAnn’s stores are, there is another stand alone Starbucks store.
It’s located in Redlands, California, with a population of under 75,000 people. Starbucks recently closed quite a few stores that weren’t doing so well, and yet all 4 of these stores remain open. And, each one hits a different demographic and “timing” for its customers.
Fresno, California, with a population of around 500,000 had 7 top earning representatives from my first company, back in the 90s. Now, compare that to the Internet. We know that over 400,000,000 people are on Facebook. There are nearly 2 billion internet users worldwide. Remember that success in sponsoring into your business is based on a few key components:
Timing of the prospect. I could not have been less interested in Network Marketing when it was first presented to me. Fast forward 15 months; home with a new baby and I want to make sure I never have to go back to work outside of my home. My timing was perfect at that moment and I joined.
You and the relationship you have with the prospect. People join people. Far too few people remember that online. They think that Social Media is about “spamming” everyone with their opportunity; throwing mud against the wall to see what sticks.
The opportunity you offer – make sure you have something solid, both in products and compensation plan; support and training, etc.
There are some other factors sometimes, but these sum up the bulk of what’s important. There are many ways to build a solid business and the internet is just one tool in your tool box. Everyone should start with at least letting their warm market know about what they are doing.
You don’t have to ask them to join or buy, just let them know and ask them to keep you in mind. From there, be aware of people and situation as you are out and about and if the timing is right, have an idea of what you will say and give to someone you meet so you can contact them later and see if they might be a viable candidate. Offline networking groups and meet-ups can be a great place to connect with people; develop a relationship and then see, over time, if there might be a business fit together.
Now, we move to the internet and Social Media. Again, a great tool and a MASSIVE ocean of potential prospects.
The power in Social Media is that you have the ability to leverage your time and efforts in a way that “stays” out there. What I mean is this: if you attend the Tuesday business meeting and invite a few guests and no one comes, that time is lost to you forever in terms of showing your business to someone or making a connection.
However, if you write a valuable article about the skills needed for network marketing; or how to give an effective business overview; that content is viewable online from the time it is posted until removed. A viable candidate for your business can find it at any time; become interested in you and click to learn more about your business. This prospect may not have been looking for a business 6 months ago, but time and circumstances have changed and now it’s a different ball game.
The secret to success in sponsoring online is in developing your “brand or message”; building relationships with others where your brand becomes obvious; and seeing where those relationships take you over time. It involves consistency and commitment to showing up and interacting with your target audience.
Join groups and forums where you can associate with like-minded people. “Attend” regularly, just like you would you local Chamber of Commerce meeting. Always be asking “what can I contribute here?” Get to know people and be genuinely interested. Over time, you’ll begin to attract your right audience and sponsor some into your business.
Good luck and see you out there!
Learn more about building an effective Network Marketing business both online and offline in my Direct Sales Online Coaching Program!
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Great article Jackie! It can be discouraging when you see a lot of other people promoting the same thing, so I am glad you brought up Starbucks that really helps with perspective. It is also important to remember that the power of the internet is what it can do for you when you are not on the internet. It is so easy to get sucked into Facebook for hours but not that effective. So you need a plan then you can reap the rewards without wasting all that time.
Thanks again!
Laura
Thanks for sharing Laura! Yes, I have always marveled over Starbucks and used them as a philosophy on how “non saturated” business really is! And, yes, my favorite part of the internet IS what it can do when you aren’t even there yourself!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
Thanks for this Jackie. I had decided in the past few months I was tired of buying leads, and just throwing money away. So I started on the journey to “brand me” and build a trust between myself and others along the way. Besides, having a personal website gives me an outlet to write and allow all the thoughts rattling around in my head to find a home =)
You also know the phrase well “leave no money on the table”….
But, I was beginning to have some self doubt as to whether the “market” was saturated and perhaps I was wasting my time…
This article gives me the confidence to keep forging ahead!
Great article Jackie. I have had the same question in my mind as I have been thinking of what exactly I want to join.
I think the problem is that most of us do not grasp at all how big the potential market is out there with the internet.
We are only accustom to seeing the small area around us. We have to teach ourselves to look at the bigger picture or we will never see it.
This is what holds back most people from achieving great things. I equate it with compound interest. The majority of the people do not understand compound interest and think it is complicated but in reality it is fairly simple as an idea.
Charles, thanks for commenting and sharing and I think you are right.
We tend to think small in terms of social media. We interact with a few people on Facebook, Twitter, etc. What we must remember is that the number of people viewing our message at any given time is much larger than those with whom we interact.
And, what appeals to me today may not tomorrow, and vice versa!
People, it’s BIG out there, ha!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer