"Is BetterNetworker Worth Fighting For?"
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A couple of weeks ago, BetterNetworker announced a bunch of changes coming up, and that "housekeeping" is going to be done.
Since then, I’ve been lurking around BetterNetworker (BN) to get a grasp for what was happening, updating my profile a little bit, and following a few people around that I respect who still remain active here.
If you decide to keep reading, I’m going to share my observations, and offer a few suggestions. I wouldn’t be making this post if I hadn’t already decided for myself that BetterNetworker is definitely worth fighting for.
Let's get started with identifying the problems. Post your thoughts in the comments area.
BetterNetworker Problem One
The forums are mucked up with spam, redundant posts and are often used inappropriately (like posting entire articles and videos). Apparently more moderation is on the way as well as more enforcement of the forum rules.
What I mean when I say “redundant posts” is that the same questions spring up over and over.
Here’s a quick suggestion/solution to that problem.
Instead of creating a new forum post, do your homework first. This doesn’t mean don’t create a new forum post. It means use the search function. The odds are that you will find your question has been answered in depth already.
Search first, ask second.
BetterNetworker Problem Two
There seems to be difficulty developing an acceptable level of marketing that can be done by community members in conjunction with enforcement.
Or perhaps it should be stated another way?
Too many community members are “marketing” in such a way that there needs to be enforcement.
This poses quite a dilemma for BetterNetworker moderators. If the BN mods led by Carl the Cop create the perception of being carrying too big a stick, people leave.
Perhaps that’s not a bad thing if the right people leave.
Nonetheless, no one wants big brother looking over their shoulders. That doesn’t make for a self supportive, home grown community.
Here’s a quick suggestion/solution to that problem.
Simple... stop marketing, and genuinely start engaging. Doing so, might surprise you, and you just might get better results if you can be patient.
BetterNetworker Problem Three
What holds this community together anymore?
I don’t mean individual leaders. We have those here.
I mean a common denominator of principles that everyone holds as their inner constitution. It used to be the principles found in Magnetic Sponsoring, and those ideas expressed got expressed in magnificent pieces of content that the entire community rallied around.
Such pillar posts included, but aren’t limited to stuff like this:
- Are You Posting Crap by Ferny Ceballos
- I Love It When People Post Crap by Mike Klingler
- How Can I Serve You by Richard Bravo
Now days, I have a hard time locating the thread that holds this community together.
The subject matter is all over the board. Nothing stands out. Nothing resonates (from what I've seen).
It seems that this has caused a certain amount of fatigue and/or frustration from what used to be the main contributors. I see they’ve moved on.
Here’s a quick suggestion/solution to that problem
Just bring some value to the table, post your comments, help others in the community, and make a name for yourself!
BetterNetworker Problem Four
Pettiness plays rough!
The petty arguing makes it look as if people are fighting over cookie crumbs.
Is that a reflection of the state of this industry?
Is it that you are not seeing the success you claim or what you see others having?
Is that why you "need" to drop your affiliate link or your capture page at every possible chance you get in hopes of generating a new lead or making a quick sale?
It doesn’t work.
It’s petty, and it's a sign of desperation rather than smart marketing.
Stop marketing, start engaging.
BetterNetworker Problem Five
Dear Instructors and Community Leaders,
The saying, “Shooting fish in a barrel” is an idiom, which describes an effortless or simple action, with guaranteed success.
You probably already know this because your launches are killing the fish in this BN barrel.
Once upon a time you were a highly respected member of this community. You came here often. You created honest value for value’s sake. You frequented the forums, etc. When you had a product or opportunity to pitch, it was cool.
You had made enough deposits that making a withdrawal was no big deal.
We could even find you and ask you questions about your product and get a timely response. You weren't above doing that.
Now you’ve disappeared.
With one exception.
You return care-free and post blatant pitch after pitch.
You give us absolutely no foreplay. We want foreplay! Don’t pimp this community.
The members of BetterNetworker are not fish in a barrel.
It’s likely that the unsuspecting newbies came here because of the attractive content that the BN crew sends out on a regular basis from their weekly featured e-mails. Or the monthly interviews.
BetterNetworker used to be the easiest way to connect with (you) leaders in one single place.
It used to be that some of you would whip these talented yet unsuspecting newbies into place, and correct their thought process and mindset. And that would create an attitude of gratitude because they truly learned from you, and internalized what it meant to be a student and to provide what little value they could muster at the time.
That value grew and seeded this place so that we had a talent loop.
But your absence has created a void.
We only see you on a quarterly basis now when you’re in launch mode. And even that is slacking. Don’t think we don’t notice the increased level of desperation in your pitch.
Where Do We Go From Here?
We DO fight for BetterNetworker!
BetterNetworker is definitely worth fighting for.
But we don't fight with actual conflict. We fight as peaceful warriors.
I love BetterNetworker purely out of sentimental value. This place has been instrumental in my growth as a home business owner, "intrapreneur" and entrepreneur.
I haven’t been a presence here in over a year, but today that changes. I, like many, got their start here. I cut my networking teeth here. Made friends here. Got clients here. Learned a hell of a lot here. Got my ass whooped here. Picked myself back up here.
My purpose for returning to this awesome community is to give back; to provide leadership, and truly guide people in the right direction.
I’m here to defend BetterNetworker, and offer my skills and talents to guide you however I can.
I strongly feel that the best combination of freedom, money, meaning and value will be given to teachers and leaders with servant’s hearts. We have the ability to take the complexity of change, and communicate that into concrete action for you to thrive.
This act raises our own value, and the value of everyone. That’s the kind of value I will bring here because that’s what I am — a teacher, a guide, and a leader with a servant’s heart.
My Plan is Simple. Yours Too?
Guns blazing!
I'm going to overload this community with so much value that the posers won't have the slightest chance at gaining any kind of foothold.
And I want to collaborate with you to do that.
The lowest common denominator be damned!
Time to raise the bar (again). This has always been a place where people can come to get educated about starting an online home business and learn to truly be business owners.
A place where people come to ask, “How Can I Start a Business Online?”
So my value will be filtered through that question, and focused on that theme.
I encourage you to match and measure your own ideas against mine.
I’ll also be talking a lot about community, and advocating for Better BetterNetworkers.
This doesn’t mean you won’t see product reviews, announcements about what I’m doing, and updates about my other web properties. It’s just that that won't be my focus.
My focus is on making BN a better place at this moment in time for where BetterNetworker is at in their current state of affairs.
What Matters?!
Hey, I understand that the real bottom line is that while most people agree with "providing value," at the end of the day we all have bills to pay and business must be conducted.
But consider this. . .
You matter to this community.
If you aren't helping to grow this community, you’re letting it die on the vine. No matter how good you are. Confront this truth. The sooner you do, this community will get better (and so will your business value).
Time for us all to crackle with newfound creativity.
Every time when you're about to log into the BetterNetworker community tell yourself these words:
"Today I need to step up to my best, and because I know that if I ever hope for someone to spend time or money on something I create, or offer, I owe them the best of the exchange -- first."
Be the best You, not the You that's easiest to be.
Let's make THAT meaningful.
Create something that matters instead of hunting for a quick buck. Create yourself a castle instead of a temporary dwelling.
I urge you to make BetterNetworker your castle, not a temporary dwelling. Let's make BetterNetworker better.
Leaders Take Action! Share Your Thoughts.
Views: 1,263 | 
Comments: 25 
About the Author: Eric Walker
Member Since: 05/06/2008
I'm a Distributor For:: SendOutCards
Other Company: Eric Walker Marketing LLC
Industry: Education
Primary Web Site: http://EricLWalker.com
Twitter: EricWalker
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ericwalkerfans
Make It Better..I Dare Ya!!
I've been a member here for a little over a year and what you stated about making this a better place, and raising the bar--well said! As a relative newbie, I don't have the experience that a seasoned vet might. Honestly, I'm kinda in a monkey-see, monkey-do mode, but not because I'm trying to make a quick buck or 'fake the funk'. I'm trying to emulate the professionalism and business-savvy that I see here in the forums and elsewhere. I guess you can call me a groupie, or wanna-be, but trust that I'm determined to be as professional as the BN needs me to be!!
Great Points
Eric, very well thought out post. I really resonate with problem #2, as with a lot of communities people find that they can actively spam it and collect the "low hanging fruit" then they create a product or something that talks about how they did it and we get 100 more people trying to do it, the result is it really dilutes what is powerful with a community like this: Community and great content.
Having Carl the cop police everything is a great idea, but maybe is it too late? Take facebook for example, some of its success could be attributed to how unlike myspace you can't do all sorts of custom code and make things generally messed up, facebook did things right - when you start make things pretty locked down and occasionally open up pieces to give people a little more functionality. It's really hard to do this is reverse, if you were to take an open platform and try to lock it down I wouldn't be surprised if half of the people just walk away because they feel slighted, however are those the people you want in your community in the first place... I'm not so sure.
I think for change to happen in a really good way it will be important for the leaders here to really take the reigns and not tolerate blatant crap in the forums or whatever. Let's get BN to build in a karma system or even some way to tag the people that are obviously trying to work the system, then leave it up to the mods on whether to kick the people. The BN tribe can essentially vote people off the island and it will work.
Also, if your on here and serious do what has always been known to work on the internet - lead with value. its that value that will eventually lead you to money, and yes it may seem to take longer than it should but in the long run that's where you want to be as a leader.
~Blaine
Well Said...
So much of what you said in this post resonates with me Eric. And I am also partially to blame...because as I grew and developed as a networker, I spent less time here because it was getting spammy..rather than taking action.
A few months ago I stated my intention to return to Better Networker on a regular basis. (I didn't state it as eloquently as you, but the mindset and intention are similar :) ).
If it weren't for Better Networker Eric, you and I would never have met. That relationship alone has opened many doors and paved many pathways for both of us.
Yes.. Better Networker is worth fighting for..as a Peaceful Warrior. Count me in.
Sincerely,
Deborah Tutnauer
Right On Eric
Great article.
And yes...People want FOREPLAY!!!
That made me giggle and yet it's SO TRUE!!!
I never post pitches here as I feel a responsibility not to do that.
Mike Dillard personally asked me to add content as an instructor and I took that as an invitation to be an ambassador to all the new folks in the industry...To hold out my hand and assist those that are coming down the road like I did ten years ago.
To put a blatent pitch for a launch up in my opinion is abuse of power and just not cool.
Great piece and I agree...BN is worth fighting for.
Putting Your Finger On BN's Pulse
You have that knack, Eric, to put your finger right on the pulse of the problem. You did it with Renegade Professional and now you are applying that same skill to Better Networker.
As communities get larger and larger, it's easy to lose track of the objectives. In this case, creating relationships and interacting in a valuable way has been shot through with self-seekers diluting BN's purpose. It's now time for a step back.
Thanks for being so astute but also for bringing in real solutions to this problem.
Great Post Eric
Everyone on BN appreciates you sharing your insights and information Eric. Better Networker is most assurdely worth fighting for and lots of us try and do this on a daily basis. I try and correct people without being mean or rude because that gets us nowhere really fast. There is so much information to be shared and lots of newbies (as well as seasoned veterans) look to this site to get many of their questions answered from people that actually know.
The admin staff do what they can, but sometimes I am certain they get overwhelmed with all the people setting up crap accounts and spitting out SPAM like a water hose. This is a hard battle to fight so all of us try to report, correct the ones that make maistakes and set them on the right track.
I personally have learned so much since I was introduced to BN quite a while ago by Mike and will always try and be a valued member here. I will most certainley do what I can for this site and have volunteered my time in many instances. Please let me know if I can help in any way because this site is worth fighting for.
Amen!
Great article, Eric, and I totally agree. I have been a member of BN since the beginning. It has always been my favorite place to be. Still is. But lately I have seen it slip down a very slippery slope. There has been a lot more spam and blatant advertising by people who should know better. The overall value has gone down as well.
It saddens me to see this as I had always been a great fan of BN.
A bright point in all of this is that I have seen new leaders emerge and old ones coming back to help get this community back to what it once was.
Personally, I will do whatever I can to contribute value and lend a helping hand to those who need it. When I started out, there were many I learned from. Skills, tricks and techniques that were helpful to me in growing my business. It's time to pay it forward.
Is BetterNetworker worth fighting for? - MOST DEFINITELY!
Awesome Post
Thanks so much for the information and your thoughts. i will be sharing this post with others.
Regards,
Vince
Is Better Networker Worth Fighting For?
You know Eric, there are people who will say no. There are people who have left the community for so called greener pastures. There are those that have left because of an offense and they're bitter. Believe it or not, as petty, immature and distorted as it is, there are even those out to break up this community and have made it a personal mission to destroy it.
Is Better Networker Worth Fighting For?
... I'm your huckleberry.
@C. Imanon
Thank you for your comments. There is a lot to learn from the leaders in this industry; lot to learn from leaders in any industry. My one piece of advice is to filter what you glean from them through the "you" that you want to be.
Also, I followed you back to your profile. My recommendation is to change your profile picture so we can better see your smiling face. The one you have now is a little grainy. If you need any assistance, find the Help videos here: http://www.betternetworker.com/help
If I can help you with anything C. private message me or seek the value of everyone from the forums.
Thanks again for chiming in.
@Blaine Glynn
Hello my man! Thanks for accepting my invite to be here, and thank you for your comments here. Looking forward to the value I know you plan on bringing here. I'm looking forward to working with you on our projects.
See you in the forums.
@Deborah Tutnauer
Can you believe Me and You met HERE at BetterNetworker way back in 2008, and we've have an amazing friendship ever since!?
That's the power of this place. Now we're business partners. But more than that even, I know that I can call you for things I'm stuck on and you too.
Thank you for raising your hand up to defend BetterNetworker (in a peaceful warrior way). You represent everything that is Great about this community.
See you in the forums, on webinars, at Facebook and across the blogs we frequent.
Hugs!
@Diane Hochman
You've stayed true as a leader, instructor, educator, family person, etc. The list goes on and on. When I was coming up in this industry I plugged into a few of your trainings. You were saying the same stuff then as I see you teaching on now. And guess what?! It was spot on then, and it's spot on now. I have seen an entire "crew" of your followers grow into leaders and successful marketers, internet marketers, network marketers, and home business owners in their own right. You're the real deal, have stayed the real deal and will always be the real deal. I respect you and your integrity. Thank you for being Diane Hochman. It means a lot to me that you came to comment on this piece and give it your blessing. When I meet you (and we will meet at some point), I'm giving you a hug, a high five and a handshake. Thanks.
@Don Egnor
Hi Don. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. During those couple weeks that I was lurking around, I have seen the good work you do in the forums. Not only do you keep an eye out, you also facilitate. Nice. I appreciate you standing up for BN. Let's work together in some capacity or another here. Thanks.
@Marie Leonard
That's quite a nice compliment. Yes, you fully understand how communities work (and don't work) as they build out and grow. Sometimes the seed that got things started gets diluted, and before you know it, it's out of view. More than anything, I'd just like to help bring everything back to where it belongs. My connection with you means a lot. Thank you for commenting.
Awesome
Eric, great thoughts. I'm here for the duration!
My hope is that the admins/moderators can band together as a well-oiled team and keep the pages of BN as spam free as possible.
Yeah, I know that's difficult. But if there are mods willing to take shifts and police it, I think it will go a long way to solving the problem.
I also posted in the forums that I think it's time to require some type of elevation before people are allowed to post. Whatever that number system, or pay system would be, it would cut down on a lot of the foriegn "buy clothing" garbage set up by spammers. Posting should be a privilege and not an instant free gift.
Bring it on my friend! In it to win it!
Bill
@Ilka Flood
What often happens in popular niche communities and forums that experience rapid growth in members in a relatively short period of time is that the lowest common denominator prevails. Even with the best leadership, it's hard to stop. Every so often, everyone has to act collectively to raise the bar again. Thank you for being willing to create an army that raises the bar.
Great Points
It seems to me most all the banner advertising on BN is geared only towards certain companies and people.
Plus the same couple of lead generation systems that MLMers are trying to pitch knowing they they have a better chance at getting someone on an affiliate lead generation system rather their MLM company.
Am I wrong?
@Richard Bravo
No, I'm YOUR Huckleberry.
Let's create momentum!
Thank you for your leadership here Richard.
Eric
@Tyler Ford
Thank you for your comments. I see what you see too, and I don't think you're wrong.
Here is another perspective.
They're learning their own value by tapping into the inherit value of that system. They're getting "practice" using this platform we call BetterNetworker.
Is that bad?
I don't think it is bad. I did the same thing -just with a different front end affiliate product. It worked for me because I "owned" that front end affiliate product, as if it were mine.
That's part of the beauty of these programs if they're used wisely; if they're used as tools to bring out more of one's own value. That's respectable.
But it's a very fine distinction.
Whenever the majority is using or pushing one thing- a lower common denominator will thinly cloud over the culture. Usually this creates competition & scarcity. And that is counter to collaboration & abundance.
Let's create some momentum together.
-Question-
Would you rather see a more diverse selection of advertising?
Patience Grasshopper ...
Tyler these are issues being addressed as we speak.
The team is very aware of this exact topic and are working on upcoming changes to how that space is used.
I don't think I'm at liberty yet to give away too much detail, but I'm sure they'll make appropriate announcements in due time.
Hang tight everyone. The wheels are in motion and this community is in for one heck of a revitalizing boost!
save place
The question then is BN a safe place to invite others within my downline too?
A Community By Any Other Name
Tyler I think you will encounter a level of "risk" when recommending things to your team. By default your team is YOUR community. You built it with your leaders and team mates. So sending them anywhere other than your own house opens the door for them to connect with others that may draw them into their house.
With that said, a community is a community by any other name. And "fear" should not be the factor that determines whether your team would be "safe" here.
It is a community of people, and as such is susceptible to all the things we humans bring with us.
Is it safe?
I feel pretty comfortable here and I invite people all the time.
As the leader you will have great influence on the experience your team has.
Will there be times that your team mates come across spam, arguments, disagreements, etc.?
Of course there will.
Will they get called out for spamming or doing something inappropriate?
Of course they will.
But this isn't preschool and they'll get that anywhere.
And it can be a very good learning lesson on all levels.
I think the real question is more about WHY would you bring your team here?
If YOU set proper expectations, set the example and the TEAM understands what BN is and what it isn't, then they should have a very good experience here.
Just my thoughts.
@Tyler
Tyler, there is no place in world where we can prevent, protect one from anything really.
I know this sounds crazy, but it's like having your own children at home.
You can't oversee them all the time. They have to go into the world, where they will meet whatever meets them. So all one can do, is to prepare, educate, have created their own enviroment and then reveal, and let it go.
There is school, there is association in school. There is stepping on the bus, there is their secret text messaging, when you think the teens are asleep when they not.
Same in the business.
The team may not know about BN but I bet yah right now, they know of others, and socialising, on facebook etc etc.
A leader who has a team, followers, prospects on their list, can..
Educate and reveal themselves first, share, and then lead to whatever community they feel there's value for them.
Adam Taha
Time to Move Forward. Collaborate to Create Hot Beds of Talent.
In our industry collaboration is the mechanism for creating talent hotbeds. When we work together to make BetterNetworker a better place, we're going to create a talent hot bed. I think that is a worthy goal. Our collective value will raise if we do so.
I don’t necessarily encourage people to be solo entrepreneurs. It's tough to go solo when you're trying to raise value in a community. Communities work together. I’m a team builder, and have always sought to create, or be a part of a team to achieve more than what I can do by myself. Even if it’s just one other person. Whether it be my spouse, or anybody who supports and contributes to what the overarching goals are.
One of the benefits of this community is that we're all like minded people. If you make it your intent, you will not have difficulty finding people to collaborate with.
Keep an eye out for me in this community. I'm looking to develop collaborations here to bring even more value. Have any ideas? P.M. me.