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When establishing an online business, it is certainly necessary to acquire the knowledge and amass the tools necessary to become successful. However, failure to develop interpersonal relationships based on trust and reliability can sink your business as quickly as a poorly laid out business plan. Developing your online credibility and wisely managing your time is essential.
As one begins to develop an online business, you will be judged by the marketing community as much on who you are as what product you represent. Reliability and efficient time management, coupled with a reputation for doing as you say will serve you well.
On the internet, WHAT YOU SAY becomes WHO YOU ARE! Your credibility and efficient use of your time will establish reliability, and, to a great extent, determine the success of your online business.
Your time is irreplaceable. You can recover wasted money ... wasted time is lost forever.
Probably THE biggest distraction during your ‘Office Hours’ is email. Even if you are just starting out, within a month, you can expect 150 - 200 emails waiting each morning. You literally are going to have more ‘new best friends’ than you know what to do with. It is important to establish quality relationships with other marketers; however, a few of these emails may be relevant to your current projects ... most probably are not. Keep Your Focus!
Here is how I prioritize my work session to ensure that my business building comes first.
In order to stay focused on my current activity, I use 3 separate gmail accounts:
1. My primary business resources ... this includes my primary business and all of the programs that I am currently using to promote it ... ad tracking, list building, advertising (regarding current campaigns), autoresponder notifications, incoming direct prospect email, etc.
2. Newsletters, mini-courses, and those individuals that I have come to trust for quality information.
3. All general internet marketing material ... Free Ad Depot, Croc Ads, List Joe, etc.
NOTE: You can open more gmail acconts if you choose to pursue safelist marketing or other high volume programs.
Patience and consistency are perhaps the 2 most valuable constants that you can bring to your business. By accomplishing your daily goals first, you can then move on to maintenance work and planning for tomorrow.
With all of the crackdowns by mail servers, gmail remains very marketer friendly and reliable, and you can open multiple accounts. Once again, you are wasting your valuable time if you can’t send and receive email efficiently.
Sign up for gmail here: http://www.gmail.com
The Most Important Aspect of your online development is your ‘Online Credibility’. I’m serious here ... read - that - again!
Remember, when you are online, unless you offer more information, you are faceless, ageless, and basically, anonymous. WHAT YOU SAY becomes WHO YOU ARE ... you MUST establish a level of trust.
It takes time to develop relationships online. If you enter a relationship online swinging for the fences with only dollar signs in your eyes, you will simply turn prospective customers or potential business associates off. :You only need examine the relationships that you value in your own life. Are not these relationships built on a level of trust and knowledge that a person has your best interest in mind? Would you decide to purchase a particular product based on a magazine advertisement or the recommendation of a friend? Take the time to learn the basics, communicate effectively, always provide reliable, valuable information, and your relationships online will grow.
If you are just starting out, don’t succumb to the ‘but I don’t have anything to say’ syndrome. Go online and research your subject, then, you WILL have plenty to say, and, as you progress, you will develop the skills necessary to effectively communicate and gain people’s trust.
Always keep in mind that YOU are someone’s prospect. Pay attention to subject titles, emails, splash and squeeze pages, and websites. What statements or phrases tickled your curiosity? What subject lines really caught your attention? What did you view or read that totally turned you off? Be observant and a good student at all times and your knowledge and confidence will grow. The rules governing relationships in your business should not vary from your personal life ... treat your prospects and fellow marketers in the manner which you would like to be treated.
You won’t ‘get this’ just by showing up. Be an active participant, practice courtesy and a professional bearing, be known as a person of your word, and you will have every opportunity to reach your affiliate marketing goals.