Kids learn early about the need for marketing. Whether it's cookie or candy sales, popcorn or knick-knacks or even holiday wrapping paper and cheese balls children learn what it takes to succeed.
Many of these school or youth organization fundraisers thrive on the sale of products to help fund certain activities, programs or a needed purchase.
These same fundraisers often reward the children for their efforts by offering increasingly spectacular prizes for those children who sell the most.
Armed with this knowledge, and a determined attitude to beat the snobbiest kids in school, children canvas neighborhoods and block incoming phone calls by contacting family members to see if they would be interested in purchasing German chocolate or a can of caramel popcorn.
Millions of magazines are sold this way every year. Many companies could not exist if it weren't for the business they are able to do with charitable organizations in fundraising efforts.
Why is it so hard for adults to remember how they were able to make sales when they were growing up? For many it suddenly seems childish and inappropriate to contact friends and family when it comes to launching a new business. The contacts that we would have considered natural in childhood suddenly seem off limits as adults.
Why should they be off limits?
Shouldn't friends and family members be the first on your enthusiasm solicitation list for what you are doing in business? Wouldn't those same individuals be willing to be your cheerleaders in business? Don't they have their own sphere of influence where they could further share your business information?
Internet and business online can only be enhanced by the same advice given in schools every year, "When it comes time to sell make sure to visit with family and friends first."
There is a bonus to making this your first priority. By being intentional about contacting your friends and family you are likely to get the best possible feedback from those who care the most for you and your business idea. While you can receive negative feedback you can also receive some very positive words of affirmation and encouragement.
Your online business is important to you so sharing it with those who care about you most can be an important step in learning what type of responses you may receive from the general public.
Some family members and friends will be very supportive and want to sign up to be your first customer. Some family members will not understand and honestly state they feel you may be wasting your time. Others may be cautiously guarded in their enthusiasm. Most who know you best will be interested in how your business develops.
All of these responses are to be expected from the general public when you develop an online business.
I think there are times that it has become harder to earn the trust of consumers because they have seen so many brick and mortar and online businesses come and go they are a bit skeptical that any new startup will last.
Be patient and give customers every reason to trust you, When you make it through your first year expect the response to be more positive from family, friends and the buying public.
Related Articles
SEO And The Content Between The Jingles
By: Scott Lindsay | 14/01/2008 | Internet
Have you ever wondered why radio stations use jingles? A mini-song (jingle) is played several times each hour. Listeners can get to the place where they know that jingle by heart and can sing it even when the radio is off. The jingle is used going into a weather break...
Internet And Business: Online Passion Is The Vein
By: Scott Lindsay | 18/01/2008 | Internet
The human body is a complex piece of machinery. The blood that we have coursing through our veins carries oxygen to all parts of the body, delivers hormones and other signal messengers to the body and works to eliminate waste from the blood stream. In short our bodies could not...
Business Online And The White Picket Fence
By: Scott Lindsay | 24/12/2007 | Internet
Using the Internet for business has become one of the most cost effective ways to allow the entrepreneurial spirit to thrive.
No longer does business aspirations mean a 2,000 square foot show room and multiple sales associates. No longer do you need to pay incredible fees for a building lease and...
Ecommerce And The Informational Internet
By: Scott Lindsay | 23/05/2008 | Internet
Everyday there are those who will ask me questions like, "What's on TV tonight?" or "Do you know what the capital of Connecticut is?" or "How do you really pronounce Lancaster, Pennsylvania?"
What amazes me is there was a time when I would have referred to print publications to answer these...
Internet And Business Online - The Shifty Pride Factor
By: Scott Lindsay | 24/12/2007 | Internet
There are practical and even motivational reasons to market when you are seeking to establish a business online.
In this article let's take a look at some of the motivational reasons.
First of all, let's break down a very specific wall that is generally erected when someone who is not comfortable with...
Internet And Business Online - A World Of Individuals
By: Scott Lindsay | 04/01/2008 | Internet
Audio and video streams as well as mp3 players are providing an interesting shift in reality as we know it.
The growth of video games has facilitated a culture that is not immune to the idea of an altered reality. A young girl in Colorado was beaten to death when a...
Internet And Business Online - A Tale Of Cause And Effect
By: Scott Lindsay | 15/05/2008 | Internet
In fond remembrance of primary school lessons with Dick and Jane I present this tutorial on cause and effect.
In preparation for this lesson we need to know that cause is an action that results in a movement. You also need to know that effect is the end result of the...
Internet And Business Online - Red Tape Removal
By: Scott Lindsay | 01/01/2008 | Internet
Mike Krzyzewski once said, "The truth is that many people set rules to keep from making decisions."
Take some time to think about that from the perspective of online business ownership. Is it possible to so legislate your business that you no longer have the spontaneity you need for creating something...
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Internet Articles
What is a Blog? Tips to Start Your Successful Blog
By: Jane Robinson | 21/08/2008
What is a blog?
Originally known as a weblog, its a frequently updated, personal website featuring diary-type commentary and links. Blogs range from the personal diary type to the full blown marketing tool, maximised for profit. They can be unfocused,ranging over a series of topics or focused on one particular field.
They...
SEO Strategies: Social Marketing
By: Matthew Bredel | 21/08/2008
When you do search engine optimization work for your website, are you taking social marketing into account? It's important to use social media tools when doing off page SEO. When you do this, you're increasing your backlinks and potential for traffic to your site.
A big part of internet marketing and...
How do I Sell Advertising on my Blog or Forum - Tips and Advice For Generating Revenue
By: Andrew Long | 21/08/2008
If you are making revenues (or trying to) from monetizing your forum or blog through advertising, the question you may have is how should you do it? That is, should you use advertising networks, Google AdSense, or sell directly and keep all the profits for yourself?
The answer to this will...
Selling Video, Podcasts and Other Multimedia Advertising Space on Your Website
By: Andrew Long | 21/08/2008
Internet marketing and advertising is getting more dynamic, and the tried and true offline model of multimedia marketing is making deep inroads into the Internet - the information superhighway is now even more high tech and interactive.
Articles and other text methods are great for advertising your products and services on...
Promo Dashboard Review - List Building That Converts
By: Titus Hoskins | 21/08/2008
Product Review of Marlon Sanders' "Promo Dashboard", a handy product which helps any webmaster do their online promotion/list buildng using a simple "point & click" system. But is it worth your time or money? Read to find out...
How do I Charge for the Advertising Space on my Web Site
By: Andrew Long | 21/08/2008
If you're selling advertising on the Internet, you need to decide how to charge for it so that you can make your business as profitable as possible for the industry you are in. So, should you set a flat fee per month based on the advertising inventory you provide, or...
How to Track and Monitor Your Web Visitors by Using Statistics Packages
By: Andrew Long | 21/08/2008
If you're an Internet marketer, you'll want to track your activity and gather it into statistics on a monthly basis at least. You cannot adjust your marketing plan or strategy if you don't know what's working, what's not working, and what the devilish details are--statistics tracking can certainly help you...
What Type of Advertising Space Formats Should I Sell on my Website
By: Andrew Long | 21/08/2008
There is considerable debate over which types of Internet advertising are the most effective, and how ads should be situated on a webpage to maximize revenues. To a large extent, you will need to tailor your website to the mindset of your target audience to consistently keep your advertising revenues...
More from Scott Lindsay
Web Branding Does Not Need Perfection
By: Scott Lindsay | 18/08/2008 | Online Promotion
Since we all realize life is messy, why does our business websites have to be? I'm not suggesting sloppiness or unprofessional attitudes, simply that it is acceptable to show your humanity through your website.
Failure Can Be A Stepping Stone
By: Scott Lindsay | 18/08/2008 | Home Business
The role of failure has typically been the 'great debilitator' when it comes to moneymaking success. The assumption generally is that the business owner was simply outclassed and out of their league when it came to business and would be better served working for someone else. This may be a lie.
Internet and Business Online Providing a Global Connection
By: Scott Lindsay | 15/08/2008 | Internet
There is an interesting paradigm shift that is happening in the way people respond to life in our world. A paradigm shift is a change in the way people look at things.
In our distant past people were tied to a patch of land where they raised crops or livestock. They...
Forum Police and the Owners Who Love Them
By: Scott Lindsay | 15/08/2008 | Internet
A healthy online forum can be a great way to channel the interests of others into a revenue stream as part of your online business.
It seems that no matter where you go online you can find a forum that matches a personal interest or passion. Within that forum you will...
Build An Ebook Portal
By: Scott Lindsay | 11/08/2008 | Home Business
Did you know that you could resell ebooks that others have published? Did you know that you could often sell the work for less than the original author? Did you know you don't have to know how to write to start an ebook business?
Do You Have The Discipline To Make Money?
By: Scott Lindsay | 11/08/2008 | Finance
Many people want to know more about a multitude of subjects, but they don't have the patience and/or discipline to glean that information from multiple sources. You can take your disciplined approach to business and help others make sense of following a similar path to success.
Internet and Business Online - Hype Reduction
By: Scott Lindsay | 08/08/2008 | Internet
Maybe it's just me, but many online business sites seem to have followed lead of professional wrestling. Everything is bigger, more important and beyond amazing. The hype is huge and the bulletins that read, "This offer is only available though midnight tonight" can either provide a surge of adrenaline or...
The Pioneer Spirit Lives On In Home Based Business
By: Scott Lindsay | 05/08/2008 | Home Business
The link between the pioneer spirit and the visionary quality of a home-based business owner is undeniable. Discover why the very thing that caused men and women to venture west in the 1800's is the very thing that is inspiring a new breed of home-based business owners.
Internet 
