I think you will be interested in what I discovered and what my thoughts are NOW regarding offline marketing as opposed to online marketing. That's why I wrote this article.

This is a reminder that the Master Networker series is purposely set up for the beginning networker, or for those considering networking, or even for networkers who have yet to be successful in networking. This means that The Master Networker series covers basic networking principles with the purpose of developing a firm foundation for network marketing. The Master Networker will be void of information that will thrust you into a $90,000 income within 90 days, or a $15,000 monthly income without doing any work. Why? Because that isn't how networking works. I've been in networking for twelve years, and I have yet to meet anyone who has obtained networking riches without working for it . . . especially $90,000 in ninety days. This series is about the REAL WORLD of networking.

Are you strictly an ONLINE marketer, having discarded the thought of building a business via postal mail? Are you a seasoned mailorder marketer, now being tempted to alter your marketing strategies by thinking you should market on the Internet?

This report will help you make a decision based upon my personal online and offline experiences.

With the introduction of the Internet, marketers immediately saw what they thought was a marketing UTOPIA. After all, the cost for marketing to millions of people was almost nil, and new techniques were developed to market to millions instantly . . . with immediate feedback! Finally, a solution to the problems of expense and time that you run into when marketing via postal mail!

The lure of the Internet as the way to market products and business opportunities led to thousands and thousands of distributors marketing their products and wares on the Internet. Why not? All you have to do is place an ad, wait until people read it, advertise in a few newsgroups, and wait for the good news . . . right? WRONG!

The result has been a "who can outsell the other" kind of marketing approach. With electronic mail, web pages and signature files, it becomes possible to convince others that you have something they need -- and in addition to what they already have.

Just check the signature files of many of the people you communicate with (yes, mine included) via the Internet. You will note many guide you to several web pages or opportunities. No longer are most people choosing ONLY ONE program or business to promote -- they are choosing several.

This is due to the ease of promoting a variety of opportunities on the Internet. With such tools as self replicating web pages, autoresponders, company-housed web pages, bulk emailing (that's another report), and more, it becomes easy to promote several things at the same time . . . after all, no one is against multiple pay checks.

Our first thought is that marketing on the Internet will put an end to the mailorder approach to building a business. As more and more people get on the Internet, we think fewer and fewer will utilize mailorder as a marketing approach. I would like to differ with that.

I feel mailorder can become even more powerful if utilized correctly as a PARTNER to Internet Marketing. Mailorder can ENHANCE your Internet Marketing, and Internet Marketing can ENHANCE your mailorder approach.

When we market goods, services or opportunities, we must remember we are really in the people business. That means connecting with people . . . building relationships with people. The Internet provides the opportunity to do just that . . . and quickly. Consider the postal mail as an extension of what you do on the Internet.

There is something personal about sending and receiving mail. I've been told the one thing that people look forward to more than anything else is receiving their postal mail every day. You would think sex or a nice evening out would rank higher, but apparently not. If you want to strengthen a new relationship you have made via Internet, send your new friend snail mail and see what happens. You will stand out in a way no one does who sends email alone.

Consider a letterhead with your picture on it. This will make you a real person, no longer just an email address with a name attached to it. True, you could email your picture. But there is something about the time and effort someone takes to send postal mail that will make you stand out.

Think of relationships you maintain via the mail, and then see what happens when you find both of you are on the Internet, or vice versa. Create a unique connection with your prospect or referral -- a connection most will not have, but you easily will when you take that small effort to work both sides!

You will note an additional form of bonding, a strengthening in your relationship with this person. I have a special networking friend who I met via mailorder. It just so happens we both are in education; we both are into networking; we both taught the same subjects in school; we both were born the same day and the same year. That was really neat, but when I found out he was on the Interent, our relationship grew even more.

You should market both ways! You will be able to reach some people offline who you couldn't reach online. And you will be able to reach some people online who you couldn't reach offline. I personally feel that offline marketing results in getting people who tend to be more dedicated to a program that they get into than do those online. Online people get bombarded daily with "neat stuff", and although offline people also get these continuous offers, I don't feel it happens nearly as much.

I found when I sponsor someone offline, they tend to focus on the program I sponsored them into over a longer period of time. They seem more dedicated. Now that isn't to say Internet people are not dedicated to what they are doing -- there are some who are very dedicated. But I find many are dedicated to SEVERAL programs rather than one. I'm not saying that is good or bad. It is just an observation I have made since I entered the realm of Internet marketing.

I suggest you use a mailorder approach AND an Internet marketing approach. COMBINE the two to build your business. Strengthen your online relationships by sending follow-up information via postal mail. This is a very simple and cost effective step to take.

You may have already led someone to your webpage, using an online form requesting their snail mailing address, phone number and so on. You've taken the steps to fully qualify their interest (as opposed to mailing postcards blindly), so when your sales message arrives in their snail mailbox, you establish yourself as REAL. Very few, IF ANY, of your competitors are taking the time to do this. Do you see the advantage this gives you? Do you want your offer to stand out?

Check with your offline relationships and see if they are also on the Internet. One way of doing this is to include your email address on your business letterhead so they will know you are online.

If you want the best of both worlds, you should be involved in a business that provides you the opportunity to market online and offline via a TURNKEY business-building system. Having web pages people can go to which will automatically allow them to join you in your venture, and also having an offline turnkey system that will make building your business effective and simple, will give you the best of both worlds.

It is difficult to find a business where you have a turnkey system in place both online and offline. When you find one, you need to take a very serious look at it.

I do hope this report will provide some insight to you. Whether you market online or offline, or both, I wish you much success and happiness in your venture(s).

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Email - Kristi Rushing