Are You Building Relationships Online?

How's your relationship?

I'm not prying into your personal life, so no need to worry. it's just that lately I've noticed something about most network marketers which got me thinking.

Let me start with some background on these thoughts I had. One of the reasons an internet business seems so attractive is because of the ease with which you can communicate. This lends itself well to marketing, and in particular network marketing.

With me so far?

So we all jump into network marketing and mlm style business opportunities online to seek our fortunes, but this is where it all seems to go wrong.

The thing I've noticed myself and a lot of others doing online is just promoting our businesses.

We don't build relationships.

Network marketing is about networking with others, and I have heard it referred to as relationship marketing. But are we doing enough to build those relationships?

A recent example was a new style messaging system I was introduced to at http://www.profitmessaging.com/invite.php?f006bcd3bb . There you can invite "buddies" to message you, and add other buddies from the system to your buddies list. Then you can send them all a message safely from within the system. An Ideal opportunity to build a relationship or two.

Instead of getting to know each other, almost everybody jumped in and sent each other an advert for their business.

The result?

No one reads any messages.

No new relationships are formed.

It becomes another wasted opportunity to form relationships. There were one or two more savvy marketers who attempted to build relationships, but their efforts got lost in among the hundreds of "make more money than you can spend" ads.

In our personal lives we create many relationships, but for some reason once we start an online business, we forget to speak to people and instead send ads through the machine. We stop building relationships with people.

This has got me thinking, and I am going to try to break some habits, and start marketing myself, instead of the opportunities I am involved in.

I'm going to start building relationships.

It won't be easy, almost every other article, or ebook seems to be about how to promote your website, or your business, but rarely how to promote relationships. But it is possible, and we have all the tools to start building relationships.

For starters, we all have email addresses whhich could be used to start a conversation with someone. We have instant messengers, Yahoo, MSN and AOL to name a few, you can even use the software from Imvite http://www.imvite.com/dougyt which has a payment plan built in and can access most of the other networks anyway. And then there's Skype http://www.skype.com for voice chat which is as clear as a telephone, and free to download.

So we have the tools to form relationships, lets start doing it.

It can only be good for business to get to know each other and form friendships, partnerships, and trust. In the offline world you wouldn't dream of greeting a new potential customer by saying "Earn Millions Today" so lets stop doing it online.

Doug Titchmarsh
Online marketer, and real life person.

Doug Titchmarsh runs several sites including http://www.cashinonline.info and http://www.titchmarsh.com He also publishes an e-zine for marketers online and off which you can get by sending an email to douglastitchmarsh@getresponse.com


10 Effective Ways to Remember Names

Sigmund Freud says "a person's name is the single context... Read More

10 Steps to Successful Networking

"It's not what you know, it's who you know."This old... Read More

10 Terrific Tips to Talk Your Way to the Top

What is "the top" anyway? According to society, "top" has... Read More

10 Top Tips for Successful Networking

1. Recognise the importance of networkingAsk any successful business person... Read More

3 Reasons to Join a Group

Defining your purpose for joining a group.When you make the... Read More

34 Power Affirmations for Networking with the Affluent

Here are 34 affirmations I have created after studying the... Read More

5 Ways to Wow People Who Wear Nametags

People wear nametags more often than you think. The majority... Read More

62 Ways to MAXIMIZE Your Approachability

If you walk into your local bookstore and pick up... Read More

7 Step Plan To Get Going With Networking

Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, feel like you... Read More

8 Ways To Develop Confidence In New Situations

Do you enjoy one-on-one networking, however, the thought of walking... Read More

9 Ways to Spice Up Your Nametags for More Engaging Conversation

Nametags are worn for a variety of jobs and functions,... Read More

A New LinkedIn Discussion Forum for High Power Dealmakers

For those of you interested in international business transactions or... Read More

A Vital Habit For Selling Big Ticket Items

I hope the title of this article aroused your curiosity!... Read More

Acknowledging Referrals! What?s in It For You?

I grew up in a household where saying thank you... Read More

Alcohol & Events

Many people associate alcohol with relaxation and fun, so it... Read More

Alliances: More Than A One Way Relationship

What is the biggest advantage of forming an alliance?Everyone has... Read More

Are You Building Relationships Online?

How's your relationship?I'm not prying into your personal life, so... Read More

Are You in the Relationship Business?

Are you in the relationship business? Of course you are.... Read More

Are You Leveraging Your Business Network?

Just yesterday I received an email from a colleague telling... Read More

Are You Really Listening: The Importance of Strong Communication Skills

Let's face it, when most people think of IT professionals,... Read More

Are You Sitting With The Right Company?

When I walked into Dallas's famous Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse, all... Read More

Ask for Referrals: And Get the Answer You Want!

Why are people scared to ask for a referral? Is... Read More

Ask for What YOU Want and Gain More Business

Why ask others for help and what do you gain... Read More

Build Your Business through Strategic Networking

Networking ? it's the latest business trend. Or is it?Actually,... Read More

Building Bridges - The Importance of Being Connected Where You Live

As a Young Professional (YP) in the up-and-coming city of... Read More

Building Business Relationships in a Roomful of Strangers

You approach a stranger at an association meeting or industry... Read More

Building Great Business Relationships

If you're in a business relationship with anyone ? a... Read More

Business Networking - Common Myths and Realities

Can we agree about the meaning of networking? I don't... Read More

Business Networking ? Extroverted Web Weaving for the Introvert

If you have been in business for any amount of... Read More

Client Attraction Technique #2: Networking

One of the most cost effective ways of generating leads... Read More

Come Home Rich - How to Get the Most out of Your Next Conference

Success in your career depends upon how well you manage... Read More

Communication Is A 2-Way Street (The Networking Factor)

The Personal Touch 1There is a simple art to networking... Read More

Community Involvement Networking

It is important for you to join at least one... Read More