Did you know that more than 1.5 billion people are connected to the Internet today, in more than 100 English-speaking countries? Many of them search daily, looking for a solution to some problem. Let's say that you offer a good product or service (POS) that can solve some of those problems. How do you make a significant number of those “searchers” aware of your offer? If you can answer this question, then you understand the basics of Internet Marketing. If you understand human nature, you can accomplish this for free.



To begin with, you need a presence on the Internet—the worldwide web. This requires making yourself or your company visible to others. And always remember that Internet Marketing is a numbers game. I understand that you eventually want to sell your POS in return for money, but to accomplish that goal, you initially need customers. Making more people aware of your presence translates to more potential customers. So how can you make yourself more visible? This depends upon what you're willing to trade in exchange for what you'd like to receive.

Would you prefer to trade money or time for these potential customers? Which is more valuable to you? If you have more money than time, you may opt to pay for advertising. When you're short on money but have the time, you can use the free “social-media” sites to build an online presence. These sites include Facebook, MySpace, Squidoo, You Tube, Twitter, and others. They serve as convenient places on the Internet to meet new friends, and where existing friends can touch base from time to time. Since these interactions are visible to others, they became hugely popular almost overnight. Why? Because most of us are voyeurs, to some degree. We love to be secretly privy to what others are saying and doing. We enjoy “eavesdropping” on other people's lives. Why? To see how similar or how different we are from them. Most of us feel greatly reassured to discover that other people are similar to us.

Some of the social-media sites first gained popularity with teenagers--discussing things like what to wear to the upcoming prom, which new movie or song they adore, or how to deal with their latest heart throb. However, marketing experts quickly saw a greater potential. What savvy business person could pass up these millions of potential customers, actively searching for solutions to their problems? Make sense? Millions of potential buyers are already cruising these sites, interacting, openly sharing their thoughts and desires. The vast majority today have money to spend. How do you let them know that: 1) you exist, and 2) you offer a POS that might help solve their problem(s)?

The answer to the above question is simple: Concentrate on establishing a relationship with them. That's all. I mean, think about it. How likely are you to buy things from some stranger who rushes up on the street and shoves a bunch of merchandise in your face? That doesn't work. Your first thoughts would probably be, “What's wrong with you? And what's wrong with that crummy stuff that you're tying to pawn off on me?

Wouldn't you prefer to do business with a person or business that makes you feel comfortable? Someone you like and trust? It's no different on the social-media sites. These people are the same as you and I. Please remember the original purpose of the sites—a place to interact with existing friends or to meet new ones. A place on the Internet to help you establish or maintain relationships. So this becomes your marketing job as well. You must first strike up an acquaintance. Introduce yourself. Let them know that you're just like them—a decent human being—not a threat. Offer them something of value, similar to bringing a small gift when you're invited to your future in-laws' home for dinner. Try to make a good initial impression—it may be your only opportunity. Once somebody likes and trusts you, they'll get around to asking what you do. Aha! Then you respond—quite casually, of course—that you offer a particular POS. Let them ask for more details if they are interested. Some will be. Some won't. Remember what I said earlier--It's a numbers game. But the numbers are incredible.

What should you offer as an introductory gift? What do you have of value that you might share? Do you have some specialized knowledge? Things like, how to take a good photo, or housebreak your dog. How about an inspirational quote? Or share some piece of helpful information that you've just learned. Short tips on how to fix your computer, perhaps, or how to predict the weather or build a campfire, a favorite recipe, or how to load a favorite song into a cell phone. All such information is available—free—through an Internet search. This requires time to research and organize—it doesn't cost a penny.

First and final word of advice: Resist the temptation to rush in and start “pushing” your POS on a stranger. If you do, they'll leave skid marks in their rush to get away from you. Instead, invest in your business and in yourself. Investments are intended to pay off in the future. Like people, they require time to mature and grow. Your investment in this instance is time and effort rather than money. Give your investment time to mature. Introduce yourself. Deliver something of value to others. Make a good initial impression. Be patient. Give your new acquaintances time to get to know who you are—perhaps to like and trust you. In time, everybody wants to know what their friends do, so ask what they do for a living. Let them know that you're genuinely interested in them. Become genuinely interested in them! Only after you've become Internet friends would you casually mention—or wait to be asked—what you do. If you've established yourself as someone this person knows, likes, and trusts, you are now in an ideal position. They may either buy what you offer, or tell others about you and your products or services. You see, it really is better to give than receive. And when you give first, you're far more likely to receive in the future.

Developing a sincere interest in others and developing new relationships will not only increase your sales, it will greatly enrich the quality of your life. May you enjoy the journey, and God Bless!