Marketing Merge Network

Question:

Thanks Mike. I have one more question that I've been pondering. As you saw on our website, we are primarily focusing on teaching others to market their businesses, but do not have a product (MLM, opportunity, etc.). Do you find that people do better when they have an actual product to sell? If so, do you have any recommendations on one that is not too costly to get into?

Thanks again!

My Response:

Hi,

I was with a company (and still am) and was successful with them. I’d done that full time for about 14 years. But in the last 18 month I have completely shifted all my focus to training, coaching, teaching and affiliate marketing. One of the most rewarding things lately has been helping others create their own affiliate products.

If I were just starting out I would target all related audiences (from renegade book purchases, to 7 lies ebook downloaders, to people who hate ann sieg’s style of ‘in your face honesty about the downfalls of the old methods, to Mike Dillard’s audiences (purchases of his books, etc)... but then I would move quickly on because those are all 1 or more years old. I would seek out all new programs that are progressive... all new systems... and all new youtube, social marketing and affiliate network marketing strategies (coaches, books, resources) I would make it my business to be totally on top of ALL news related to all of this. I’d subscribe to the most current newsletters and try to network with all up and coming leaders (it’s pretty easy to see who they are within Renegade University...people who have created their own affiliate products recently, etc)... they will help keep you in the know. I would NOT join a networking business until I planted my roots in all the areas above as quickly as I could. I’m not sure if you’ve seen this in the training in professional yet but the goal is to ‘leverage the news’—once you have a foundation and are familiar with the social networking locations, know a bit about how to optimize your stuff so it comes up on the search engines, then you look for the next big announcement (a new book, coach, program system... or several) and if you’re one of the first to post content on it you get ‘locked’ into position on google with your youtube, squidoo, etc. Then you are building a list fast and daily as all those people in your market find your lead capture page. You are positioned as an expert in their eyes. They are interested in future videos you make, etc.

I’d build your list this way big and then if you want to join an MLM you’ll be lightyears ahead of the game... you’ll instantly have people who know you and would join you. Along the way while you build your list you can find more and more ways to monetize (make money) with books and simple things you can refer to that provide your audience value.

Now, you don’t have to do things this way. But in my opinion it is the smartest move. If you’re willing to work hard and you follow that strategy you can’t fail. The industry is changing fast... new books and programs and coaches with large audiences are emerging all the time. If you tap into that ‘scene’ and become the ‘announcer’ about all of it early on as they are released, you get positioned right up there with them and their audience becomes your audience.

The advice I just gave you could be the subject of a course that could be sold for $1000... it’s even more valuable than that in my opinion. It is how I did it and it’s the easiest method I can see to get in front of a lot of people... people that are looking for resources and guidance... who you can lead even if you’re new yourself.. simply because you took the time most won’t to ‘be in the know’ and to be willing to give you opinion about what you know (even if that is as simple as saying ‘you may have heard about this new system called, whatever... well.. .here’s my opinion. I’ve looked at it.. etc, etc.

Remember, never’ knock’ anyone... even if you don’t like them. Don’t say too many bad things about programs as you may jade people who like it who could have later become a customer of yours. Instead, be objective. You can say how you feel and it’s good to create a little controversy, but instead of picking sides, share the opinions of both sides

I know you have what it takes in terms of presence in video... now you just need the rare follow through that few have. It’s less work in the long run if you can muster up the confidence most don’t. You’ve got talent. I REALLY hope to see you do this. I can’t always reply like this but if you check in form time to time we’ll connect. And I do see what’s going on out there. If you study the training hard I’ll see your stuff out there and I’ll see you improving... if you keep at it we’ll connect again, and again... just as all the big doer’s end up doing J

Hope all this helps.

Mike Klingler

Update on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 07:20AM by Mike Klingler

She wrote back:

Wow, Mike! Thank you for taking the time to advise me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I will take what you've suggested and do my absolute best. I HAVE to make this work in order to continue staying home with my daughter.

Your time and advice are priceless. Again, thank you!

Have a great day!

I replied:

Then also, you should be targeting other people who have to make living and working from home work because they have to stay home with their daughter. That should be who you are communicating to most I (subtly). Just have them in mind as you do everything else. They will then appear. Lead them. Lead people who were where you were last week.