"How Do We Succeed In Internet Prospecting?"

Everyone's reason for Internet prospecting may seem different but it's really all the same. More than likely off line prospecting wasn't working any more or maybe it never worked at all. As more people rely on the internet for news, business and pleasure, Internet prospecting is a natural progression for networks aspiring to grow internationally.

For me, It started when I decided to become a WAHM (Work At Home Mom). If I was a home, I didn't meet anyone new unless it was online or out running errands at the grocery store.

I did what I was taught by my upline, I did the three foot rule. I would be friendly, always make sure I looked decent and my kids were clean even if it's just a trip to the store a few blocks away.

Sometimes we would walk just in case I met up with any neighbors... or strangers (I'd talk to anyone).

So, I Recruited The Butcher at Albertson's...

What a mistake that was! I was recruiting the wrong people for the wrong reason's but, I'll get into that story in another article.

After that experience (and a few others sincere I was determined to be "coachable" to my company's training) I decided, just like you to look to the Internet for answers, help and direction.

When I started studying Internet prospecting I was determined to learn not just how to do it but also why it worked on a fundamental level so I could duplicate the process. I will share it with you on that same level so you can master it effortlessly as well.

It's so simple and so subtle that most people miss it. I know they miss it because after it works on them they always ask me HOW I do it. I didn't know how to respond at first because I thought it was obvious but, as I observed the behavior of the different online communities the patterns of success became crystal clear.

Everything You Need To Learn About Internet Prospecting You Learned... In Kindergarten

Just pretend like you are in kindergarten all over again and everyone you meet is the new kid. You want them to feel comfortable so what do you do?

You go up to them and say, "Hi, my name's {insert your name here} whats your name?", "Are you new in town?", "Where are you from?", etc. Sound silly? Works wonders for me and it will for you too if you understand why this works.

Have you heard the phrase, "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care"? It's even more true online because everyone's afraid of being SCAMMED!

What you have to do is just get people talking to you, liking you and trusting you. Ask them things about themselves and take your time to get to know your future business partners, customers and clients.

For example, the very title of this article, "How Do We Succeed In Internet Prospecting?", is the exact question I was asked by one of my subscribers. Why did he ask this question? Because I asked him, "Whats your biggest prospecting question?" first!

What If I Don't Know The Answer?"

The smart thing would be to choose topics you feel comfortable talking about. If you get stumped it an opportunity to learn something new and then share what you found like friends do in kindergarten. Let them know you don't know but your willing to find out on their behalf.

It shows you are honest and caring which are very attractive qualities in a potential business partner, no? I thought so.

Here's what I always do

Internet prospecting is a science but, it not rocket science. Like anything else that is learned there is a rhythm and formula to make it work for you.

Some great places to start are social networks, niche specific communities/meetups and forums.

Regardless of if I'm the newest member on a social network I always make it a point to welcome as many of the new people who join after me. I also make it a point to ask others questions on getting started and compliment others on anything I genuinely like about their profile, video's, pictures etc.

It brings traffic to your own profile so they can get to learn more about you too and reciprocate. This is good for several reasons.

Another thing I always do is have an interesting "about me section" the worst thing you can do is make it brief. You'll notice the people with the biggest networks and subsequently the most friends/traffic have funny, interesting, thoughtfully done "about me" sections.

So please don't be shy!

The more you say about your self, the more detailed your story, the broader audience you will attract. This is because you'll have more points that relate to more people. Here's a great example with my Myspace page.

I also sprinkle in a few of my affiliate banners and free ebooks others in the community would find interesting. This gives people more reasons to come to my page more often as well as more opportunity to establish myself as a resource for information even possible automated sales.

Whenever possible, I start a group to further establish myself as a leader and create a following of my relevant, valuable content. I either manually post articles and blogs or RSS feed my entire website and blog. As soon as I post this page it will update on at least 3 other social networks and groups.

Other people can post comments, ask more questions which gives me more chances to build rapport and relationships which is what prospecting is all about in the first place, right?

This also works for participating in forums, commenting on other peoples blogs or articles, starting discussions about topics your target or niche market is interested in learning or sharing more about.

Internet Prospecting Is Just Like Having an (e)conversation Which Means NO SPAM

Have some self respect and respect for others pages and space. Never force you own agenda on people. No one wants you to pitch them on you deal.

This means resisting the temptation to post banners on other people page unless it was by their request for more information or expressed permission.

It's a surefire way to leave a bad impression which hurts your reputation worse online because it can remain an example of what not to do FOREVER (or at least a really long time as content and comments can stay around for years and years unless deleted).

The Bottom line on Internet Prospecting

Be yourself, be genuinely helpful and continue to learn and master valuable skills that you are willing to share. The more you have to offer is the more friends you'll attract, the more friends you attract the more potential prospects you will have, the more value you offer your potential prospects the more they trust and like you...and we all knows what happens when people know, like and trust you, right? Right!

What would you like to do now?

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