The 4 C's of Online Network Marketing

span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Online network marketing is generally misunderstood by the offline crowd, especially those that built their organizations in the 80's or 90's and haven't adjusted to the "Flat Earth" realities that have changed marketing forever.

They worry that online network marketing is impersonal. They don't believe you can build a relationship online.

The fact is, ALL business is relationship based. At some level, a person has to know, like and trust a person or company before they will make a purchase. And the stronger the relationship, the more likely they are to stick and stay. And the fact is, most online network marketers don't appreciate the value of the relationship in the process.

Here are the 4 "C's" of online network marketing, hopefully this will help you whether you are an online network marketer trying to understand the process, or a skeptical "old school" marketer.

CAPTURE. The first "c" is to Capture a lead. Just like in traditional marketing, it starts with a list. The only difference is the traditional marketer makes a list of their friends and family, while the online network marketer uses attraction marketing techniques to build a list of targeted, interested prospects.

CULTIVATE. This is where most marketers mess up. You have to Cultivate your list! This is where the relationship begins. Through a series of communications with your list, they get to know you and your opportunity and can get to know, like and trust you over time. Again, the old school crowd thinks that's only possible through local meetings and phone calls etc. But the fact is e-mail, auto-response series, social connecting methods, live chat etc. are all valid ways of getting to know people, and can all be used to build a relationship with your prospects.

CLOSE. Sales is simply a matter of explaining a good product or opportunity in an intelligent way, and asking somebody to buy. Network Marketing is no different, you demonstrate your business online, then invite them to join. Very few companies have sites good enough to get automated sign-ups, so you have to find a way to directly communicate and invite your prospect to get started. The nice thing about online network marketing is you have many more people in the front of the funnel, putting the law of averages in your favor and increasing your chances of getting monthly recruits into your business.

COACH. Once somebody has joined your business, you just have to show them exactly how to do what you just did. There are five primary things you must train your new recruit:

1. Be a product of the product (use your companies products correctly and be on the best auto-ship.)

2. Develop a strong Why and a business plan.

3. Become a student of the business and of the industry.

4. Let the tools do the selling.

5. Make a long term commitment. Quitters never win.

So that's it, the 4 C's of online network marketing: Capture, Cultivate, Close and Coach. If you follow this simple plan you can build a dynamic, growing organization and attract your prospects instead of chase them.