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Marketing Means Networking

Written by: Rodger Blaker

Article Overview: Branding is always about YOU. Yes, branding your company name is helpful, and branding your goods and services is a nice idea. But the more people who know and appreciate you, the more business you'll do. In the end, marketing is about networking.

Marketing Means Networking

In the end, marketing is always about networking - it's who you know, and who knows YOU that counts. While we may buy lunch at a restaurant we've never heard of or go to a movie we know nothing about, most of the time we do business with people we know and trust. It always comes back to that.

And about those lunches - how often have you stopped at a McDonalds not because you love the food, but because you know and trust the brand? It always comes down to familiarity, predictability and trust.

Here are four strategies that have worked for thousands of small business owners. They are not "quick fixes", and they will require more of you than merely buying an advertising campaign, but they are likely to produce better results:

1. Let people get to know YOU. Join organizations you believe in. Work for worthy causes, donate your time to charities and civic groups. You'll be helping your community, you'll know your customers, and more importantly, they will know and appreciate you.

2. Communicate in every way possible. Instead of buying a radio ad, why not be a guest expert and answer questions? Instead of buying an ad in the local paper, write a column. Instead of mailing brochures, send a newsletter filled with practical information, community events - and a coupon.

3. Donate to community organizations. Offer your professional services for a reduced fee (or free) to local groups. Donate supplies to a local school or community center. Invest in your audience and they will, in turn, be more likely to invest with you in the future.

4. Make your website a true resource. A website that is merely an electronic brochure will have limited value. Provide resources folks can use! Add valuable tips or links to other web sites. Give people a reason to use your site, and to return regularly.

Branding is always about YOU. Yes, branding your company name is helpful, and branding your goods and services is a nice idea. But the more people who know and appreciate you, the more business you'll do. In the end, marketing is about networking.

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Article Tags: advertising campaign, answer questions, charities, civic groups, community organizations, electronic brochure, familiarity, guest expert, information community, local groups, local school, lunch, mailing brochures, mcdonalds, predictability, professional services, quick fixes, small business owners, true resource, worthy causes



Related Forum Posts
Re: MLM Marketing, youtube, and buzzirk mobile. - I have experience with MLM too. My initial reaction to the business was "snake-oil salesman" but once I got to understand the "overall business model" I am now an advocate to it. MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) is also known as Network Marketing. I realized an MLM business is no different than any other business. One needs to focus on both words "Network" and "Marketing" and give both equal respect. Some people focus heavily on the Networking part but forget "Marketing". I've started to use Building on a Budget and Magnetic Sponsoring concepts in my NM business and have found that people don't get involved so much because of the product but more because of what you bring to the table as far as marketing systems and support. I have both products listed in my signature. you don't have to buy it as the link to the free videos itself provides you a good understanding of what is required to position yourself as my above paragraph. If you do plan on purchasing it I can tell you that the measly $40 will open your eyes BUT your upline will not be too happy (atleast in the short term) beacuse the system is not duplicateable. I wrote this post as a polar post to Bulmer's reply as I have exhausted the friends and family networking and realized i never really focused on marketing. My leads now are more qualified and open to hearing about my opportunity than the other way around. my 2 cents if you plan on growing an MLM or Networking Marketing business.
Re: Make Friends...Literally BUILD them! - I agree! Networking is definitely the key word here. What does everyone feel about the different Networking platforms out there? Twitter Facebook LinkedIn what are some others?
Re: How to Promote Your Business Online - Thanks for the list ZekeLL , I use many of these ways to promote my online business and am looking into using more of them. I also use Article Marketing, Social Networking and Blogging which I find a very good way to get traffic to my site and also gain valuable backlinks. Take care, Carol
Re: What are you doing to grow your business Ladies? - At the moment I'm concentrating on Article Marketing, Blogging and Social Networking to gain backlinks and drive traffic to two of my websites. I'm also in the middle of creating another website, totally unrelated to my other sites where I will be selling jewellery. I only started this one yesterday and am pretty excited about it. Take care, Carol
Re: What is your Business? - We are running a Online Marketing Firm and we have some good clients to which we are offering a complete Digital Marketing strategy like Search, Mobile Marketing, Branding and Design. I think in Online Marketing company online presence can be a wining factor for the success of the company.


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