The Secret to Relationship Building
Relationship building is about paying attention to what people say and do, what they have to offer and what they’re looking for. If you know that John owns a plumbing business and Sally had a pipe burst, you can connect John and Sally and they both benefit. Sally gets her pipe fixed, and John gets some business. They’re both grateful for you because they both benefited, and if they can do something to help you or your business, they’ve got a personal reason to do it.

You don’t just have to connect people who have overlapping niches or a business interest in one another. You can also connect people who have something in common faith-wise, or family-wise; people who have shared interests but don’t know one another. This helps them because it gives them someone else who shares their interest, and it also makes them like you more because you paid attention and noticed this about them. Again, this puts a lot of money in the relationship bank account, even if it doesn’t impact you directly.

To practice good relationship-building skills, try introducing at least four people per day to one another via Twitter or some other social networking platform. If the connection is helpful to them, it puts a lot into the relationship bank account in terms of gratitude to you for connecting them. Even if the connection isn’t helpful, people will appreciate the effort and it will put some money into the relationship bank account because you went out of your way to make an effort on their behalf.

Relationship-building doesn’t have to be a monumental effort. You can do it via Twitter or another social networking platform. All you have to do is pay attention to what people say, and match people who have similar interests or might benefit from knowing one another. It’s a simple process that can yield big benefits for you and your business.

Bernadette Doyle specializes in helping entrepreneurs attract a steady stream of ideal clients. If you want to get clients calling you instead of you calling them, sign up for her free weekly e-zine at http://www.clientmagnets.com

If there aren’t enough hours in the day to do all you want to do, you NEED systems that make things happen automatically. Over the past 12 months, we’ve been SERIOUSLY investing in systems and I want to introduce you to my ’systems’ guru – Beth Schneider. Beth has played a key part in enabling me to run a million dollar plus business while working just 3 days a week.

*MARKETING* MASTERMIND Call…
Tuesday, 23rd February, 2010,
8:00pm UK Time (3pm EASTERN, 12 noon PACIFIC)

If you want to discover one or two simple processes that put much of your repetitive work on auto-pilot and have your business running like a well oiled machine tune into this call.

This call is FREE for my hundreds of Marketing Mastermind and Stepping UP! members. They also get the CD and transcript of this call at no extra charge, plus a ton of other member benefits – such as access to our online members forum.

Not a member?  Then join the Marketing Mastermind Group today, so you can take advantage of this call and all the other member goodies each and every month.

I look forward to “meeting” you on our call.

——

Bernadette’s Marketing Mastermind is a special members’ group set up to provide ongoing information, support and motivation to people who want to attract more clients and build a successful business. Already over 450 members strong – and growing – we want YOU to join us and have more success, money and fun in your business. You can read about the Mastermind group here: http://clientmagnets.com/marketingmastermind

Step 1: Where Does Your Target Market Congregate?
Once you’ve narrowed down exactly who your target market is, what they like and how they live, it’s time to find out where they’re hanging out online. Chances are they’re already involved in an online discussion group or forum.

There are some great tools built into search engines that can help you locate those online groups. Google, for example, includes a “Groups” button on their home page you can click once you type in a search term. It will take you to the search results for forums built around that topic.

Filter through those groups to build a list of forums likely to appeal to your target audience. Once you have your list made, it’s time for some direct contact.

Step 2: Making Contact Productively
This is the time to employ productive marketing strategy without blatantly advertising your services. Your next step is to go onto these forums and read the questions being asked and the solutions being offered.

If you know your audience well, you’re already targeting a hungry crowd. These are the people hungry for the solutions you have to offer. So, if we agree that posting ads brashly on the forums will probably get you banned from them, how can you offer your solutions successfully?

One way is to offer useful information. Respond to questions with legitimate information that fills a need. This is your time to shine, to establish yourself as an expert in your field, someone worth listening to. If you’ve done your research well, the questions you answer will align themselves with the seminar, product or service you’re preparing to market.

By giving forum participants information they can use, you gain the right to mention, at the end of your posts, something else you can offer them free of charge.  For example – your free e-book, recording, or some other information of value to them.  When they raise their hands and ask for more, you can add them to your house list.

Being on these forums not only lets you add to your list, it also gives you valuable information about current topics, terminology and troubles your target market shares. What better market research than to be right in thick of the discussion as the tides change?

Step 3: Keep the Momentum Going
When forum members begin to respond to your offers to assist them, honor that trust by following up. Give them the information they request, and make sure they’re a part of your future marketing campaigns. You’ve established they’re a part of your target audience, and they obviously have needs you can serve. Staying in contact with them, by participating in forum discussions and through your own marketing, gives you a chance to be of greater service.

Online forums and discussion groups are a rich source of new prospects with a natural need for your products. Respect each forum’s rules and offer useful information that answers other participants’ questions. Over time, you’ll find your customer base growing and your knowledge of your target audience increasing, as well.

Bernadette Doyle is a small business marketing expert. Get more tips and advice at http://www.clientmagnets.com