Don't Fall for the TRAP..MySPACE, TWITTER, SQUIDOO!!
Read More: It just sneaks up on us sometimes, doesn't it?
I mean...one day we are searching for a way to connect with others, generate leads and next thing ya know...BAM!!! We are spending hours upon hours blogging on every and all networks we can join!
It's what I call "The Trap"!
We trap ourselves into putting so much time into blogging, articles and galleries that we STOP WORKING OUR BUSINESSES!!! We stop doing the daily activities with those leads we create that will actually make us money!
And it's great at first...just like the feeling after a stiff margarita! For the blogaholic...Ahhhh....the feeling of adding our first 5 followers, our first 5 friends...and then another 5---woooo hoooo we broke 50! It's a rush!
We start out with one network like MySpace/Facebook, we create the profiles, we join the groups, we start posting pictures and building a great picture of who we are and what we do. We start receiving invitations to join other groups, posts and comments on our articles and announcements. We feel good...like we are getting out there...getting noticed.
Then we go over to Twitter and we set up our profile there. Now seriously, how much time could 140 characters take...?
Then we get invited by friends to join other networks...so we create another profile, we post more pictures, we join more groups. Some of the networks ask us if we will COMMIT to posting daily or 3 times a week...and we think, sure no problem....it just takes a few minutes...so we take the oath.
Before we know it, then there's Squidoo---oh we could make lens, after lens, after lens!! And with every new one...the ideas for the next are just gushing!!
At this point, grab the funnel and the rubber hose!! It's BLOG BONGS!
We have at least 7 badges on each of our network sites letting the world know that we are networkers! And with so many...we won't miss anyone who might possibly be looking for us!
Or maybe we'll get to the top of google!!
Finally, after all our hard work...we pass out....
The next day, the Blog hangover begins....we have an email box that is full of 150 notices about who has posted on all of our sites, we have friend requests, we have points to rack up...we have to get busy!
So we start with each one... update, post, accept friend, reply....and before we know it....4 hours of the day is gone...Those little Twitter posts....they are the sneakiest! 140 characters, not such a big deal...but 7 times a day the minutes start to add up!! And don't forget you have to read all the new posts logged since your last post. Another 15 minutes!
So as we diligently and busily repeat this process through the day...each day...we also discover that we have to go back and check in with each notification we receive for every new comment made on one of our posts...OH and FRIEND requests...have to get on those quick!---SNAP!!
THE TRAP!! It's got us!
We start focusing on the sites so much...we start getting sloppy...we don't have enough time to get our calls done, we delay taking our showers until 6pm...laundry is stacking up, the kids being picked up late...we don't get our work done!!
Now if you are one of those who is scared to get on the phone...this is a great way that one can tell a sponsor or spouse as to why no calls were made in a day---but its a good cover because you can say you worked your business--connecting on the web---for 4, 6, 8 hours!! I don't know why we aren't making any money??
INTERVENTION TIME!!!!
Blogging, networks, etc. are great...and they have served a huge purpose for those who have used them right. And as the saying goes for anything else "everything in moderation" is a good thing.
Getting to the sites to post and to update is only part of the formula for using the social networking tools to leverage your time and build your business.
In my opinion, no activity is as important as REACHING OUT and connecting with people--so if you are a blogaholic, and you are finding that you are spending so much time on the networks and not enough time with real people....Take these 12.5 steps....
1.) Limit the amount of networks you join. Pick a few good ones and use those to build relationships, contribute articles, etc. A concentrated effort has more power than spreading yourself out too thin and not being able to be allow your exposures to build up in one venue. The more someone sees you, the more they will start to know you...then the relationships build.
2.) Determine how much time you will spend in the blogging sites---then when time is up...You're done!
3.) Determine WHY you are blogging, or going to the network in the first place...is it for your personal development information, is it a great place for you to write and share your articles, is it talk and connect with other networkers, is to try to recruit?? Know why so that you can go in, focus on your objective and then be done---move on to other activities.
4.) In your time...don't forget...networking is about building relationships and contributing useful information and value to others. Don't spend your time copying and pasting other people's articles. Don't fill up headline up space just to get points or to block everyone else out so you get noticed first. Joining a network is not about throwing up on people about your business. See Ferny's article on "Are you posting Crap on Betternetworker".
5.) Update your sites with info about YOU! Paint the picture with your words and photos so that those who visit will see how you live. People can get to know what you are about just by reading your profile...make it personal so they can reach out to you...know you a little bit before they ask to be a friend. I don't reach out to billboards...who are only interested in selling me stuff! I reach out to REAL PEOPLE!!
6.) Get a good calendar and protect your actual money generating activity time. THAT TIME CAN NEVER BE GOTTEN BACK...IT'S PRECIOUS... SO DON'T WASTE IT!
7.) Create a "TO DO LIST" each day and put your money generating activities at the top of the list...do those things first...then go do your site networking.
8.) Do $10/hour activities(blogging) during $10/hour time...Do $100/hr. activities in PRIME $100/hr. times!! You can blog and post anytime...use your best times to do those money generating activities!
9.) If you can, get someone else to do the updates and posts, create lens'... so you can concentrate on the messages and emails that will allow you to form the connections with people---DO IT!! My kids have a blast uploading pictures and posting for me! I concentrate on what I do best...
10.) When it comes to posts...decide how many posts of USEFUL information you would like to put out in a day to be effective...1, 2, 4?
11.) By useful posts, I mean useful to those who are reading it to connect with you, identify with you. Yes, advertise somewhat but I personally can't stand when people JUST advertise. All they say is "BUY, BUY, BUY". For example, on Twitter I see it all day long..."BUY my system...oh it's coming....oh it's going to be the best! But I never see their credentials as to WHY it's the best!! Rarely, have I seen in the 140 characters what makes them someone I want to learn from.
12.) Let me know WHY I should buy or learn from you...create the differential advantage that sets you apart from everyone else!
12.5)---Have fun with networking!! Don't take it so seriously that you become a blogaholic and you forget what is truly going to make you successful in life and business! RELATIONSHIPS and ACTION!
OH YEAH...and read Magnetic Sponsoring!
Have a great day!
Pam
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Comments: 11 Proven, automated, easy-to-use tracking tool that gives you 'psychic' ability with every marketing step you take
About the Author: Pamela Glowski
Member Since: 02/05/2008
Industry: No Industry Selected
Primary Web Site: http://www.platinumwealthsolution.com
So that's what it is.....
Eureka!
Pamela you have just hit the nail on the head, for me. I realised just lately that I have not been doing what I should be doing - and that is, working my business. And the reason, well I had a sneaky suspicion that it was because I had become Blogged down with everything.... and so it is!
In order to advertise my business I set up a blog (or two), then I voluntarily signed up to write articles here and there, and was then asked nicely to write for others (well, it seems like a compliment, doesn't it, if people actually request your help in writing the stuff?) but I realised that I was not doing the one thing that is going to make me money in my business... and sell the product!
So, thanks to your well-written and somewhat unnerving article (yes, it actually had me feeling guilty for a while!) I have decided to limit the amount of time I spend writing and more time just talking to people. I knew this was what I had to do, but it took someone else (yes, YOU, Pamela) to point it out to me online.
Thanks for being a business "friend" - I sometimes found it hard to take advice, but yours is so important that I hope others take notice, too.
Teresita
Thanks for your comments
Thanks for your comments Teresita...it's so easy isn't it? I mean we think we are working our business. Advertising and getting ourselves out there is very important, but that's just a small part of the money generating activities. It's a huge compliment to be asked to write for blogs...and it's even better when you can show success from what you have written about!
You shouldn't feel guilty at all! I think this is one of the greatest attributes of a serious marketer. A determination and a drive to take concepts and make them work. And doing constant course correction when needed to maximize the tools and maximize the results...which is really the goal right?
I hope you have a great day and you are going to be a huge success no matter what you do!
Pam
Refreshing
Thanks Pam!
You are certainly right...the designers of these social networking sites know how to push our buttons.
But sometimes we get so entranced by the glitter, that we trade what's important for what satiates the moment's need.
Best to remember that we are here to make money and help others to do the same. The best way to do that is to guard our money-producing activity time!
Thanks again!
Jord
Thanks Jord! I
Thanks Jord!
I don't want to be misunderstood...I definitely value the opportunities we have...I LOVE connecting with other networkers...but I also love connecting with the leads I generate and creating amazing teams! We just have to focus, balance and DO THE THING!!
Thanks for adding me as a friend by the way! I'll be looking forward to getting to know you better here on the network!
Best Always,
Pam
Disagree
The services you mentioned are not a 'trap' but a tool as long as you manage your time efficiently.
Great tips, by the way, on how to do so.
Just use Ping.fm and it updates virtually every social network you can think of...instantly!
~ Amber
The Blogging Trap
I totally agree you can get blogged down if you let yourself. The main thing you have to incorporate into your business is "Time Management" or you won't have what everyone is after -- "Time Freedom." Great article!
Great Words of Wisdom
Enjoyed this article. It was exactually what I needed to read today as I am just getting started in the Social Marketing/Blogging model. Good reminder to be aware and avoid the time trap of doing the least important things first and putting off or avoiding the greater money making activities.
Have a great and effective day!
Ruth
Internet A.D.D.
Great article Pam,
It's what I like to call the dreaded "internet A.D.D. There are so many places to network, hang out, help and be helped that it's easy to lose the focus.
This is why I keep a spiral notebook next to my compter, or you can use notepad or whatever.
Write down what you need to do every day that you must get done and make sure these activities are income producing ones. Following up with your most qualified leads and active team members, being a leader every step of the way.
From one leader to another, that's my advice to everyone reading this.
Thanks for your article, great stuff!
Tim Welch
Time Efficient!!
Thanks Pam, A great article and I saw from one comment, there's an addict in the hood. Your aticle was really about time management, using blogging as just one example! There are lots of traps within this business. I just wrote an article called the learning Trap. The bottom line is Work, don't just look like you are working. Even posting this well deserved comment is not WORK. When I click submit, the computer will not pay off like a slot machine.!! Too often, in Traditional businesses, employees spend 3/4 of their day looking busy, replying to customers e-mails, then they wonder why they get let go!! Work = focus on what grows you busines, and as my article states. 30 years or training and teaching later It boils down to 3 words!! "Go Sell Something!"
Tom Savas,Dir, Gain Consulting Group, LLC.
If you really want to do it well...Follow Perry Belcher!
Thank you all for your fantastic comments...I think it's important to talk about all of this so that we can get guidance when we need it and then APPLY it! I thought when I originally wrote this that I had a pretty good grip on the social networking objectives, etc. but I'm so glad that I recieved Mike's emails with the information and videos being offered up by Perry Belcher! AMAZING STUFF ALREADY! So, I hope you are all going to tune in to those videos and the class! I'll see you there!
Hi Pamela, You caught me
Hi Pamela,
You caught me literally in the nic of time. I was going to log out of BN and start a Twitter or Squidoo (that name just sounds like trouble) account, blog whatever you call them. I have four kids and I was wondering were they were getting their music. What happened when I ask?...I got, "Oh Daddy, your so 90s"!!
"90s,?... thanks for the compliment, honey". I was thinking. I thought that I'd just gotten back from Vietnam. Anyway, I got a My Space account and my God the music IS great but with my "I just want to be left alone attitude" no one really tried to talk to me. I actually put it in my profile, that I was only there for the music and don't bother me.
NOW, with your advanced warning I shouldn't get sucked into 'The Trap' but I'm curious, what would be the best one or two networks for me to go to, considering the business we are all in? When I want to be, I'm good with kids. I would love to find some 19 - 20 year olds and try to help them. If it's not a ton of trouble could you just send a three word recommendation consisting of ______________and ___________ to TrthSekr@gmail.com. I thank you in advance and GREAT hugely helpful article. But does it work?
Pat