The first key to Online Networking for MLM is to join an online networking directory. There are tons of them out there, but I recommend using Direct Matches. Direct matches is to business as Facebook and Myspace are to the public. It caters to those who are strictly interested in business however. What is really cool about this site is that everyone on there is business oriented and many of them own their own small or home businesses.
The second step to Online Networking for MLM is to set-up your profile on that directory. Your profile will basically tell the world who you are and what your business is about. Once you have joined, this is the essential 2nd step. Don't just tell people how wonderful you think your business is, but tell them how it can benefit them.
The third step to Online Networking for MLM is to go out and meet people. You can do this by inviting friends or contacts on the business networking directory you chose. I recommend just a brief introduction, saying it is nice to meet them and that you would like to open the door for networking in the future. If you blatantly advertise your business on your first message, people will label you as a spammer and have nothing to do with you.
Finally, the last step in online networking for MLM is once you have met people, establish a relationship with them. Find out what their business is, ask them what kind of help they need in their business. Always remember that your business might not match everyones interests so don't try and jam it down their throat. They are much more likely to hear what you have to say if you show a genuine interest in their business first.
Online Networking in MLM is much like real world networking. It is all about getting your name and business out there and meeting as many people as you can. Help them solve a problem and you will have found the secret to online networking for MLM. Only then can you truly expand your business by networking.
'Networking' seems to be a popular buzz-word amongst the business community and for good reason. Many businesses generate over 75% of their business via networking and word of mouth referrals so it makes sense to take networking seriously. But what about online networking? Should it be part of your marketing strategy? Can it save you time and what are the benefits?
Firstly online networking should never be seen as a replacement for face to face networking. Building relationships takes time particularly if they are in an 'online' environment. The main online networks are:
Ecademy (paid) Linked In (free) Facebook (free - social and business) Business Scene (paid)
If you cannot attend or afford off-line networking events then online networking may very well save you time but it is very easy to get caught up while on the net and waste your valuable time. Set a time limit for your online networking, little but often works well for many people.
How does it work? Most sites require you to set up a profile and you can link back to your website. Ecademy also offers clubs to join, a marketplace for listings and a blog section. People can view your profile and if you are of interest to them they will send you a message. You can search for contacts of interest and this may help if you are trying to reach your niche market. Linked In works very differently and you set up your network from your existing network. You can then tap into your contacts networks and grow your network organically.
Who will you meet? You will soon see that there are valuable contacts to be made but there are also those predators that are salespeople for various money-making schemes (or should I say scams?). I tend to ignore messages from these people rather than wasting my time replying. Online networking can be very effective for meeting contacts you would not normally have the opportunity to meet and sites like Ecademy offer a range of clubs and forums where you can gain insight into various topics. Online networking is great for raising the profile of your business but don't expect it to be a major driver of sales until you have built up a large online network.
If you see online networking as an opportunity to meet contacts that you normally wouldn't in the offline world and learn a few things along the way then you won't be wasting your time on it. You may save time by tapping into the resources these networks provide rather than ploughing through business books trying to find answers. Finally, spending hours on these sites each day would be a complete waste of your time so set a limit and stick to it. If you find it is interfering with your day to day work then perhaps you need to consider 'logging off' for a while.
Both Kurt Henninger & Samantha Cannell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.