Ladies & gentlemen, (honestly) is there anything worst, that you can think of, or that you’re willing to admit to, than sitting at home, curled up in your favorite chair.(Or your very special place!)
You know the one favorite chair or the special place I’m referring to, right?
And maybe you got an ice cold, (you fill in the blank 😎 ), or maybe it’s just a bowl of your favorite ice cream.
(Anyway), just as you’re about to be able to relax and finally dig in and thoroughly enjoy the taste of that extra rich, extremely creamy caramel melt in your..!(Hold that thought!)
One of two things always seems to happens!Either your phone or doorbell unexpectedly rings! (Don’t you just hate that?)And either way, it’s a non requested solicitation from a complete stranger, trying to (what else),pitch you on this or that!
Is that the absolute worst or what? Complete strangers,(who know) absolutely nothing and or very little about you, your current situation, your finances, your business and truth told, could probably care less!
Yet there they are, plugging away, trying to separate you from your hard earned money!Is that like the most annoying situation to find yourself in or what? Actually, there may be one particular situation that’s equally bad, if not worst!
So What Three Extremely Powerful Marketing Lessons Can And Should You Learn About Successful Online Marketing From Complete Strangers?
So entrepreneur here’s the thing. Seriously, your potential customers or clients, they didn’t join and or connect with you and or your business, on the various social media sites, in order to be constantly bombarded with your or my endless solicitations!
And while I’m at it. They absolutely don’t or didn’t appreciate you adding their name to your on or offline newsletter, without their actual permission!(That’s so not cool BTW!) I know you think your particular newsletter and or ezine is all that!
But to this point, because (truth told) they simply don’t know you well enough yet, to accurately make that determination!Give the relationship a chance!
But if they’re ever gonna get the chance to really know, like and trust you well enough to eventually become a paying customer and or client.
That eventually goes on to, not only consistently refer new business, but constantly sing your praises high and low!(Both on and offline BTW!)
You might wanna avoid the following three all too common online marketing mistakes! And learn three powerful marketing lessons, complete strangers, can and will definitely teach you about successful online marketing!
1.) The first extremely powerful marketing lesson: Entrepreneur, there is practically nothing worse and more temporarily distracting and (let’s be brutally honest here), downright annoying!
Than for an extremely busy offline (traditional) bricks & mortar business owner and or service provider, busily going about their day, desperately trying to deal with and overcome that days seemingly endless challenges!
When, in walks a totally uninvited and totally unexpected solicitor (complete stranger) of some kind! Trying to take the entrepreneurs single minded laser focus away from their current challenges, in order to sell them something!Surprise! 😎
And it’s extremely hard to focus on (both) what they’re marketing and it’s supposed “benefits”, while simultaneously remaining laser focused on their true bread & butter! And all because, an uninvited temporary stranger, decided to stop by unannounced!Good luck with that!
So “how” does an unwanted and uninvited solicitors marketing missteps, translate into helping you become a better online marketer, you so skeptically ask? 😎 Elementary Watson!Elementary!
Entrepreneur, stop with the unsolicited emails already!In other words, don’t be an unwanted and totally unwelcome spammer of any kind! The recipient is quickly losing whatever potential remaining respect they may have had for you by the second!Before you started endlessly bombarding them with your unwanted email solicitations!
Complete Strangers Can And Will Become Friends And Then Reliable Customers Or Clients If You Give Them A Really Good Reason For Doing So!
2.) The second extremely powerful marketing lesson: Picture this, the sun has just set as you’re pulling into the parking garage at the local mall. It’s not pitch black in there yet!
But it’s definitely dark enough for alarm, when suddenly from (seemingly) out of nowhere, a rather large (what initially appears) to be a male figure, is staring into your drivers side window!Say what?
And they’re wearing this rather creepy looking mask, covering their entire face and their motioning you to please roll down you window, so they can can (supposedly) talk to you!Huh?
Now honestly ladies & gentlemen, who’s gonna trust any man or woman you don’t know and just met, in a situation like that? Once again, you’re left scratching your head, “wondering” what if anything, does that type of situation have to do with successful online marketing?
Entrepreneur, lose the defaulted “gravatar” image already!Because displaying it next to your comments, simply doesn’t project trust at all!
Haven’t you noticed or wondered (out loud) why your comments, constantly either get deleted and or they’re sent straight to the bloggers spam box!Who walks around in the real world, (either) wearing a mask or covering their entire face?
And BTW, just saying, you ought to get a real picture of yourself, (if it makes sense to do so) and place in the header of your mobile responsive WordPress blogs header, located on your blogs home page!(And of course on your “About” page too!)
That way your first time visitors can immediately start associating your picture with your content!(Again, but only if it makes sense to do so!)
Would You Be Silly And Short Sighted Enough To Actually Marry A Complete Stranger On The Very First Date?
3.) The third extremely powerful marketing lesson: The incredibly brilliant Seth Godin, was the very first person, that pointed out the obvious to me and so many other struggling online marketers, when he advised, not to propose marriage on the very first date!
Translated; when a first time visitor lands on your site, they’re primarily looking for information initially! They’re sort of conducting ongoing research! So just like you wouldn’t (or definitely shouldn’t) be proposing marriage after your very first date!
Your potential online prospect needs a little time to get to know, like and trust you better!Before they can commitment to becoming a paying customer or client etc!
And the very first time they land on your WordPress blog and or website, you are (like it or not) total strangers!That’s where your target specific, opt in email freebie lead magnet offer, heavily comes into play!
Offer them your market tested, free list building, “how to” problem solving giveaway first!
And once their on your list, then use your strategic follow up sequential email messages process to convince them to become a paying customer and or client etc.Entrepreneur, the sooner you incorporate those three brain dead simple strategies and tactics into your online marketing process.
The sooner you’ll start systematically converting total strangers into paying customers and clients!Don’t you agree?Now as is customary during this part of our show.
Please share your extremely valuable comments (in the comments section below) that you can apply to your business, product or service in the next 30 days or less!
As always, if you got any value out of this post, please Google Plus or tweet this.Thanks!
And be sure you grab your explosive free 22 step small business marketing idea kit series, because it will help you increase your profits by as much as 25% in the next 90 days or less.
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Hi Mark,
Oh those people that try to sell me that don’t even know me…I could scream sometimes lol. First the gravatar situation. If they don’t have one, I never pay attention to them, nor do they ever will be approved on my blog. The only time I will do this is if I am coaching someone new and they have to set it up.
Then the disturbances. I could be on Facebook and someone I barely know messages me to tell me to buy something. I ignore it. Then said person writes another message to ask me why I am ignoring it. Now I don’t have the time to teach a stranger what to do. So I just go out and block them. Maybe I’m mean, but it happens to me so much.
The worst now is getting an Ichat call on my computer from an 888 number. Like I’m really going to answer a phone call from a stranger via ichat…
It can get crazy out there, but eventually these people will have to learn for themselves that this approach does not work at all.
Thanks for posting this….now to get a bowl of ice cream………
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted…Your Blog Is Your Business Card
I so hear you Coach!!LOL!
I love it when you get those skype solicitations too!LOL~!
I guess the really good news is, those are the types of potential prospects that helps
build extremely profitable businesses long term!LOL!
Because we’ve got some much to potentially share with them, provided they’re really
receptive to it!LOL!
Thanks for sharing some of the behind the scenes, less talked about real world stuff!LOL!
Mark Newsome recently posted…Why Positive Word Of Mouth Advertising Is The Currency Of Choice For Savvy Entrepreneurs!Part Two
Another great article Mark! The gravatar thing is especially annoying and as you referenced some bloggers who won’t even publish a comment with the default gravatar. I have to say I learn SO much more from strangers than most people I know because they don’t filter their thoughts – especially if they disagree with you. I used to be hyper sensitive to this and would expend way too much energy trying to make my case in turn, but that was before I began coaching. As I worked to get across to my Entrepreneurs the importance of listening to their customers it made me think it’s really no different with readers or anyone else. We never know what we can learn from others the challenge is to get to the point where you can filter out the good stuff to help us improve and grow, and let go of the bad stuff without taking it personally. Easier said that done sometimes but it’s still a good goal to shoot for. Thanks for the inspiration!
Marquita Herald recently posted…Essential Keys to Unleashing Your Inner Strength
That’s so true M!
And without a doubt, some of my best blogging/video ideas having come
from both the pro & con comments I get!
Because a new set of eyes and perspectives always offer a fresh insight or two!LOL!
These are some really great points and probably one of an entrepreneurs most
valuable and extremely under utilized assets is by far our listening skills!LOL!
Thanks as always for sharing such an incredibly powerful insight M!Greatly appreciated!
And I can’t wait to discover the “essential keys” to unleashing my inner strength!LOL!
Mark Newsome recently posted…So How Does Laser Focus Help You But Tunnel Vision Cost You Really Big Money?Part Three
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your helpful post!
Yes you are right, the last thing we want is to be pitched and spammed by people we don’t know from a bar of soap. It’s all about the relationship, right?
And yes, showing your face is a prerequisite for success. People want to see the real you and are unlikely to do business if they see an avatar. As a side point, a couple of my sites not only show my pic, but include a welcome video with me fronting the cam. I also show my phone number.
Finally, cultivating people is the best way to do business. And as you say the best way to do is to get them to opt in to your list, then follow up from there
Thanks Mark!
Kim
Kim Willis recently posted…How To Influence and Persuade With Powerful Story Telling
Thanks so much for your awesome compliments Kim!
I truly appreciate it!Coming from a true pro!
I couldn’t agree more with your assessments as well!
Sadly, there are still far too many online marketers and
more and more coming online everyday, that simply have this
money first and value somewhere down the line mentality!LOL!
And truth told, they simply have no real interest in providing any type
of value to their target audience!
And as a direct result, they’re constantly struggling!
Thanks so much for dropping by and sharing some
of your real world insights!I truly appreciate it!
Mark Newsome recently posted…What Powerful Three Lessons Can You Learn About Successful Online Marketing From Complete Strangers?
Wow, Mark!
You set up this post very nicely! I really was able to envision the scene as you worded it so precisely. Yes, I would definitely be annoyed by having the doorbell ring or the telephone. If someone keeps trying to sell me something in every newsletter (or even almost every newsletter), I unsubscribe quickly. I don’t want to be sold! I signed up because I wanted to learn something or receive something. Sales come later, if I stick around! Trust has to be built first!
You have made several strong points in this post, Mark. All points have hit the mark!
I enjoyed this post very much. Thank you for your insight into marketing.
Deborah
Deborah A. Ten Brink recently posted…How To Choose The Most Effective Blog Categories
Thank you so much for your extremely kind words of encouragement Deborah!
Coming from you that truly means a lot! I can definitely
feel my head swelling just a little!Thanks to you!LOL!
And I’m definitely in your camp about, the moment you joined
some online marketers list, they literally bombard you endlessly with nothing
more than pitch after semi worthless pitch!LOL!
It’s a total turnoff for sure!Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your
extremely valuable thoughts! I truly appreciate it!
Mark Newsome recently posted…What Powerful Three Lessons Can You Learn About Successful Online Marketing From Complete Strangers?
This is what so many people forget – you signed up to learn, not be sold to. So many businesses think: Website, Email List, Send, something, something MONEY!”
No …
Establishing a close working relationship doesn’t mean “I need more best friends” either – it means you should be known to them, be the expert and as the article said “remove the default Gravatar.” Project and then EARN trust – and sales will come.
Matt A recently posted…Selling Cheap SEO Services
You’re so right Matt!
Too many short sighted beginners, constantly shoot themselves
in the foot, by endlessly soliciting their lists!
They don’t realize and or they simply ignore the fact, they need
to consistently deliver value first!
Great points Matt! Thanks for taking the time to
stop by and share your extremely valuable input!
I greatly appreciate it!
Mark Newsome recently posted…What Powerful Three Lessons Can You Learn About Successful Online Marketing From Complete Strangers?