Some "business" people on MySpace just don't get it
Written by Tula Rainwater on Apr 7, 2008 3:32 am
Since I have been frequenting the business forum on MySpace, I have had some very interesting contacts... most of which make me laugh. I have had several people message me with the link to their business, telling me that their’s is the best and I should join them. I have had others friend request me with no message at all (even though my profile clearly states you will be denied if you do that to me). I even had a discussion with one young gentleman who insisted on telling me why he didn’t like the network marketers that I aspire to (there’s a great way to make a connection...irritate me).
People... seriously... is this how you promote your business? Is it really getting you anywhere?
I can tell you that I will NOT respond well to "Hey, Look at this!" or "Hey, I’m great, look at me!" or "My business is better than your business".
Denied.
Game Over.
Thanks for playing.
Funny thing is, if these people actually LOOKED at my profile, they would know that I wouldn’t respond well to any of this. If they just took some time to look at my profile and asked themselves "What does this profile say to me?" they would probably get much farther. And I'm not talking just look at the writings and the pics. REALLY look over the profile.
My profile clearly states I am an Aries.
You know what that is? That’s a fire sign.. I’m talking FIRE people...and I am an Aries to a "T". Simply by knowing and paying attention to that, you would know how to approach me properly.
My profile also shows that I am a thinker and I’m very strong.
Think you are going to win me over with one silly message that says "look at my link"?
Uh...
No.
Whether you are looking to sell some products or looking to expand your team, you have to act with a little more finesse than that. Get to know the person you are messaging. You are coming into THEIR lives unsolicited. If all you have are dollar signs in your eyes when you contact someone, you will get nowhere with them. People can feel that type of energy (yes, even through the computer) and nobody likes to be seen as a dollar sign.
Most of us are on MySpace to CONNECT with others. The only way you are going to connect with someone is to get to know them. Someone’s profile does say a lot about them, if they’ve personalized it enough.
So before you contact someone, LOOK at their profile. See what they’re about. And if it’s not clear from their profile...ASK!!!
Get to know the person before you push your product or business all over them. I guarantee that you will have better responses to your friend requests and your messages and who knows, maybe you’ll make a sale or two!
Happy Travels on MySpace!
Tula Rainwater
Views: 341 | 
Comments: 7 
About the Author: Tula Rainwater
Member Since: 02/17/2008
Company: The Purse Bandits
Industry: No Industry Selected
Primary Web Site: http://www.tularainwater.com
Great article!
I agree.
"Blind" adding on social networking sites is a poor way to build relationships...it's way too impersonal. And frankly, investing in an opportunity is quite a personal thing.
Thanks for posting!
-Heather
Well said
Good points, Tula. Love your writing style.... :)
Good article Tula
Hi Tula,
Chuck Abbott from followmysuccess.com Hope you are enjoying the series.
As you have listened to the calls I am sure you have seen that all the speakers are all about treating your home business like a business and marketing professionally. That should be true in any advertising medium you are using (including free ones like Myspace). Unfortunately a lot of people have no clue how to market and they just throw a bunch of mud on the side of the barn and sees what sticks. I compare it to a person screaming in a crowded stadium with their website. This just makes them look like an idiot. People just spamming via mypace is going to eventually shut that down as a viable recruiting option. To set yourself up as a professional and a leader, you need to build a relationship before you try to sell someone on your business. In fact, I meet a lot of people online and then I tell them about my lifestyle and what I do and they ask me for more information. When they do I give them a little bit and then ask them more about themselves. That makes them even more curious to know how they can have the life I have. At that point they are practically begging me to tell them more.
There are some bad apples out there who are going to ruin it for the rest of us. I think everyone should learn how to do this properly from people like Max Steingart. I linked from the FMS site to Max's program at www.followmysuccess.com/endlessleads
Talk with you soon,
Chuck
Glad you all enjoyed it!
I hope that some people will learn a thing or two from this article. I actually really enjoy networking on MySpace. I've met some great people there and we've been sharing tips and thoughts. Unfortunately, I agree with Chuck that the ability to network businesses on MySpace may be shut down because of the spammers. I sure hope we can avoid this.
Couldn't have said it better myself
I totally agree with what you have stated. Network marketing is about building relationships with others who have a common goal. Personally, I would rather get to know my "future business partner" before they blindly start sending out bulletins that are titled "Check this out". Thanks so much for posting.
Natalie
You got it!
Hi Tula,
Well said.
If you treat MS and MySpace like networking tools, then people would have a totally different approach.
You don't go to marketing seminars and shove a product or opportunity in their face, it always starts with a relationship, a few drinks and a great conversation.
No one in their right mind would do business with someone they know nothing about.
Treat any of these web 2.0 tools as if you were at a seminar networking. You'll have a lot more success.
Excellent Point!
Fernando, that's an excellent point! Certainly you don't go to any sales or marketing meetings with product in-hand shoving it in people's faces as you greet them. That is a great analogy to what I'm talking about here. Thank you for posting that!