Wondering how to generate high quality leads for your Network Marketing or Direct Sales business? How much does it cost to build an online business? How do I start with Video Marketing

I recently asked my amazing readers what some of their most pressing, urgent questions are around building an online business; whether it’s in Network Marketing and MLM; Direct Sales or any type of business. Some great questions came in that can be helpful to anyone, really!

This is Part 3 – How to find High Quality Leads

Part 1 can be found here, and it is on the topic of Blogging >>>>

Part 2 – Answers on Social Media Marketing- How does it work? How does it all fit together? Where to get started; how to create content; How do I develop an Online Business Building System and “Nerve Center”? All this and more can be found here!

Here is where you can find those questions and post your own! I will get them answered!

And, be sure and download my guide to Your Online Business System Set Up! It’s free, and walks you through step by step! You’ll have a beautiful blog up in no time!

So, let’s talk about getting high quality leads – people who already know it’s going to be YOU calling them when they find your site; fill out the contact form and wait to hear from you! There is no stronger lead than this one. So, let’s go beyond Pay-Per-Click and talk about creating relationships and attracting your perfect audience!

Okay, here are the video tips!

I would love to hear your feedback and comments. Let’s exchange ideas
below. Just leave your thoughts/questions.

And, if you would like to learn the methods, tips and secrets I have used, please get my report below!

Are you ready to start a Blog but have questions?

I recently asked my amazing readers what some of their most pressing, urgent questions are around building an online business; whether it’s in Network Marketing and MLM; Direct Sales or any type of business. Some great questions came in that can be helpful to anyone, really!

Here is where you can find those questions and post your own! I will get them answered!

Blogging was at the top of the list; so we tackle all things blog related in this first part video – Answers to Your Online Business Building Questions.

How to get started?

What subject; multiple subjects?

Creating more than one blog?

Getting traffic to the blog?

Setting my blog apart?

We’ll cover this and some ideas on using all aspects of Social Media Marketing to get the word out. Wordpress.org is great for your blog platform; and it has the “widgets and plugins” that you’ll easily use to get the word out on all of Social Media about your content including Twitter; YouTube; Facebook and more.

And, be sure and download my guide to Getting Your WordPress Blog Set Up! It’s free, and walks you through step by step! You’ll have a beautiful blog up in no time!

Okay, here are the video tips!

I would love to hear your feedback and comments. Let’s exchange ideas
below. Just leave your thoughts/questions.

And, if you would like to learn the methods, tips and secrets I have used, please get my report below!

Do you have questions about Online Business Building that you are struggling with?

What’s going on in your business that you want some help and clarity on?

Social Media? Branding? Blogging? Building a List? Getting your Blog or Site up? Driving Traffic?

I’m excited to offer some free coaching to help move you forward. I have had some amazing mentors who assisted me on my journey and I want to give back!

See the video for details.

So, what is your biggest challenge or question? Just leave your thoughts/questions below and I’ll choose the most relevant 5 or so and get them answered. And, this can help a lot of people who probably have the same challenge!

Update – July 8, 2010 – Answers Part 1 – Blogging Tips, Tricks and Concepts Here

Update – July 12, 2010 – Answers Part 2 – How do I get started with Social Media Marketing; How do I develop an online business system and more can be found Here

And, if you would like to learn the methods, tips and secrets I have used, please get my report below!

Have you ever made the mistake of getting caught up in the hype of “the Next, Big, Shiny Thing?” Whether it is in Direct Sales, Network Marketing or Online Business Building, there is plenty to distract you!

Here is the thing – there are a few secrets to success online, and it’s not buying every hyped up information/whiz bang product out there. There are great products, and tools, and here are some pointers to save yourself a pile of cash; frustration and time…

What’s your business plan?

I would love to hear your feedback and comments. Let’s exchange ideas
below. Just leave your thoughts/questions.

And, if you would like to learn the methods, tips and secrets I have used, please get my report below!

Struggling to set up a Social Media Marketing plan for your business? You know you should be doing something, but what? How does this whole thing really work, anyway?

First, keep the main thing, the main thing – The only thing you want to be selling, marketing or branding online is YOU. Not your company; not your products; not affiliate programs, etc.

Set yourself up as a resource for others and always focus on providing content and value for those who find you.

It’s all about building relationships and turning high tech into high touch by truly engaging people. It’s not having 20,000 followers who have no idea who you are or what you’re about. It’s about having a tribe of followers who know your name; know your message and are interested in what you have to say.

Here are some things you might factor into your daily and weekly marketing plan using Social Media for your business –

Facebook – login daily; make status updates; keep it a mix of business and social (your followers want to get to know YOU, not your “deal!”); acknowledge birthdays; make friends – find 10 or 20 new friends each day who you share common interests with; check out events; join groups and get involved in the conversation.

Twitter – offer value and social interaction through your Tweets; engage in other conversations going on; find new followers from your target markets and areas of interests; create more than just a one sided conversation.

Blog – create a new article each week for your blog; this piece of content can easily turn into a Note on Facebook; An article on an article publishing site; a discussion piece on a group or forum; and content for a video. Make you content ideas really work for you.

Video Marketing – create a video once a week for YouTube and other video sites. Brainstorm a list of 30-40 topics and make 3 -6 minute videos around each concept. Use books and other resources for your ideas and then put it into your own words. Upload your videos to Facebook and also use on your Blog. Again, make the most of your content.

Forums and Groups – Get engaged with PEOPLE through conversations online. There are always people on groups who know less than you and more than you. Learn from those with more knowledge and interact with them. Be a helpful friend to those who know less and create a following.

I highly recommend you read “Tribes” by Seth Godin and “Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuk. Two great books to get your mind wrapped around the kind of “Community” you want to create online and the kind of commitment/action steps it REQUIRES religiously to make it happen.

It won’t happen overnight. And there will be days you feel like quitting. The beauty of the internet is that every step you take builds on the next and begins to leave a “footprint” that leads back to you. The more footprints you create, the more ways people can find you.

Choose the methods online that you have passion about. For me, I love socializing and building relationships on facebook; I enjoy blogging and writing articles; and I LOVE video marketing because it allows me to get the message out to both readers and non readers; and it creates more of a bond and a feeling of connection.

Follow your passion and always be asking “What can I offer my tribe?”

I would love to hear your feedback and comments. Let’s exchange ideas
below. Just leave your thoughts/questions.

And, if you would like to learn the methods, tips and secrets I have used, please get my report below!

Recently, while coaching a new team member, some interesting questions came up and I thought it might make for a good discussion. Maybe this might assist you as well.

1. When speaking with a prospect that answered an ad or came in through your website, there are many questions that can be asked. What question would you consider to be the very most important?

My Answer – It depends on where the prospect comes from, but two I ask most frequently are – “What did you see about our business (or ad) that made you want to talk personally (or know more, etc) Again, that will vary depending on the lead. If they come into my website directly, I know they previewed some info to get to the contact page. If it’s an ad, something there got their attention. There are scripts available that have these questions in them! Remember, our goal is to be relationship based and asking questions, listening and then responding make that happen.

2. It seems to me like your entire focus on the business has been recruiting. I am under the impression, that you have never done a lot of retailing, very few shows and parties and you have primarily sold products as a result of prospecting. How then can you successfully sponsor and talk with people about these areas when you have very little experience yourself with them?

My Answer – Well, first impressions aren’t always accurate, ha! I have and still do retail. I don’t seek out these opportunities as much anymore, but living in a small town and having worked that avenue a little more in the beginning, some of them find me now. And, my best customers give me customer referrals now! One of my very first action steps was doing a home party for a friend, before I held my own open house. I even went to Phoenix to do it! My first summer I did Farmer’s Markets and Market Nights every week with my kids, and spent that time “trying to find myself” as o what all areas of the business would be a fit for me.

All along, I was recruiting and using the Internet skills I had developed over the past few years. At that time, I was still unsure that my company was a fit and sorting out what direction this industry was going to take me. Due to an odd circumstance, the answer came to me that this was THE business for me, and I jumped into recruiting at that point full bore because I was trained in this industry as a recruiter. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks. The bottom line is, experience each area of building the business to some extent so you can coach others. This has served me well; strengthening my weaknesses as well as my strong points. Now, I have the resources to train others on each area of the business, and this frees up my time to do what I love – recruit and coach others! Find your niche and then work it!

I’ve learned to recognize what my gifts are and where my passions lie, and coaching a team and exposing opportunities to others is my TRUE passion. I proudly claim that I am a focused RECRUITER and COACH! In sports, there is a recruiter and there is a coach. In network marketing, we scout out the talent and work to assist in that development, too!

3. I noticed that you have purchased generic leads from other sources, as well as developed your own online. Are they worth the time and money? Or is it better to spend all my efforts to get myself out there online via articles, blogs, e-courses, social media marketing, etc. and let people come to me even though it may be a slower process.

I believe that the BEST lead is the one that comes to you personally. I LOVE working the internet and I see the time I spend out there as equivalent to doing a Farmer’s Market or a show, etc. I can hang in my work out clothes, though!! The BEST way to work this business is the way you are most passionate about. When I work leads, I lean more toward my target market categories, or VERY fresh MOM leads, since I am one and can relate! My thought is that a combination of working both leads AND the internet process, along with notifying your warm market can be very effective in exposing your business and developing your business skill set. My primary methods get leads coming to me, and that is always my desire!

4. What is the number one thing that you think anyone in this business who wants to succeed at a high level should know?

Know that it is a process. Know that there are times of feeling unbalanced; times of feeling inadequate; times of wanting to quit; times of feeling it will never happen for you; times of feeling that EVERYONE else is better at this than you are. Know that these feelings will pass.

Know also that there are times of IMMENSE joy. Watching someone you’ve sponsored sign up their first person; watching someone earn $1000 at a show; watching someone’s children get involved; having your (my) son tell me he appreciates my business; having my daughter come up to my office and ask what she can help out with, and working TOGETHER, talking and bonding; having your husband tell you he’s starting to feel like a kept man (and he is grinning from ear to ear when he says it!); watching leaders develop, shine and lead their own teams; winning an award; having MANY on your team win MANY awards; learning from the powerful people who have shown up in your group; believing every day that today is fabulous and tomorrow will be even BETTER!

Know that the only way you experience ALL of this is by staying in the game; learning; growing and developing!

You are a winner! Let that winner shine!!

Thanks for asking!

Expect Success!

Jackie Ulmer

It sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Using the internet to build a hugely successful business; having your dream prospects find you and contact you about your business; the sweet sound of “cha-ching” as your cyberspace cash register tallies sales for you 24/7; whether you are sleeping; golfing; sailing or just enjoying life.

I know it sure appealed to me when I ventured into the world of the Internet and pondered building a business through this outlet.

Ten years later, I can report that it has been great; has provided an amazing lifestyle and income; and some hair raising moments as well. It’s important to know what really goes into it so you can make an informed decision about whether or not it is really right for you.

Attraction Marketing is quite the buzz word these days, but what does it REALLY mean? This short video explains Attraction Marketing and the key components it takes to make this concept work for you.

So, what do you need to know? What will it take? First, it takes time and commitment. These two components are critical because without them, you won’t be successful.

Time, because it takes a while to be “known” and found online. Just like moving to a new city, when you walk into the movie theater for the first time, and look around, no one really recognizes or acknowledges you, right? Same online. You are just another name and face in a sea of others until you give it time and a reason for people to remember your name and begin to “listen” for you.

Commitment is the piece that goes with time because it takes a commitment to “showing up” to get your name out there. You have to be willing to find communities where your target audience will be; and you must be willing to be the new kid on the block as you work to get to know people and establish relationships.

And, you must also be willing to commit to the technical side of things. For many people, it’s a snap to put up a blog; do some key word strategy; develop and autoresponder campaign, etc.

For many others, it’s like scratching nails down a chalkboard. Please, let me do anything but that!

And, yet, it must be done. It’s going to require some tenacity and a willingness to figure some things out for yourself. You’ll want to have a blog; you’ll want to ultimately have a personal site you bring people back to; an automated lead capture campaign; and you must develop content.

Beyond that, as new technologies come along, take an inventory on your willingness to try; learn and embrace the unknown.

I never thought I’d be making videos and slapping them up on YouTube, but I sponsor new people into my Direct Sales business every month through this lead generation method. Can you do it, too? Absolutely. It’s not difficult nor expensive. It does, however, require getting out of your comfort zone a little.

And, you will find that there is a whole new world outside your comfort zone.

So, do a personal inventory and decide if Internet Marketing is going to be a fit for you in your business model. Are you willing to make the commitment? Are you willing to be consistent in showing up so that your target audience can learn your name; get to know you; and then seek out your content?

I hope you’ll embrace this amazing technology. It is still very much in its infancy and yet has the potential already to create an amazing business success story for you.

At the top of the page, I have some Tools and Resources  to help you develop some of your strategy. Please let me know if I might assist at all.

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

And, this can be a stumbling block for some who wonder –
What can I write about? What do I say?

I have felt your pain, many years ago when I started online marketing and realized that I needed to be able to add value and content online to get my name out there and develop relationships with like minded people. After all that is what the internet is all about.

Here is how I create content and make my time count and “get it done.”

If we are connected on facebook or twitter, you may notice that I have a “Note” or blog post added every day. But, here’s a secret. I don’t create this content everyday. I do content in blocks of time for one or two weeks in advance, and then use the “Posting options” feature that most blogs have to allow your content to “post” at designated times.

I may create 10-14 short business blurbs in one, two hour sitting, add them to my blog and set them up to post everyday or two. I have my blogs hooked in through Friendfeed.com, Twitter and Facebook applications so that my postings automatically show up.

I learned how to do this just by playing around, so if you have a blog, look at the posting options and see if you don’t have a function allowing you to set the date and time.

Go to Settings and then Application Settings at the top right of your facebook page. Or, do like I did and get the book “Facebook for Dummies!”

If you can set your Single Daily Actions and weekly actions up to make the most of chunks of time, you’ll get extremely efficient and effective and will find that managing a business both online and offline is not that tricky.

Where to find content? Last week I pulled out two 1999 Upline Magazines and took ideas from that. No, I didn’t just copy what I read but I took one person’s 10 tips for something and found 5 ideas from that and put those into my own words. I found someone else’s article on relationship building and re-wrote it.

If you don’t have Jan Ruhe’s M.L.M. Nuts and Bolts, GET IT! There is limitless content that you can take from that and put into your own words. Same with Zig Ziglar’s Network Marketing for Dummies.

Priceless nuggets that you can pull from and create great content.

Finally, search out other blogs and post comments (of value) and begin generating name recognition from those who also visit that blog. What do I mean by value? Don’t just say “Good job.” That doesn’t provide value to those who read comments (and there are many!) Writing something more about what you actually GOT from the content is best.

I made a blog post comment last week on someone’s blog and got a personal email thank you from the blog owner, picked up 10 names for my own newsletter and 14 Twitter followers. Keep in mind, these are quality, targeted leads who are already interested in my message.  Much better than random followers who have no clue who you are! Never know where those things will lead!

Squeeze in time for your internet marketing efforts as you continue to build in other ways. I spend only about 20 to 40 minutes a day actually ON social media sites, unless I am done with other things and it’s into the evening and too late to be calling leads, etc. Sometimes while the kids are doing homework, I can hang with my laptop and “Tweet” on twitter or jump around on facebook. I always work to make that time count.

And, remember to be SOCIAL as much as business on SOCIAL media sites. Instead of blasting your opportunity, mention what’s great about your business that fits into your lifestyle. People will become attracted and click on your profile to learn more. You don’t even need to post a link if you are providing value!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer