Social Networks: Key to Home Business and Affiliate Success!

Social Networking is the key to online success for any home business or affiliate marketer.

One of the biggest obstacles to making money online has traditionally been the cost associated with advertising. Whether purchasing so-called opportunity leads or using Google AdWords, lead generation can be a costly and risky venture. Social Marketing, or Web 2.0, changes this dynamic.

Part of the reason traditional advertising is so costly, particularly in terms of ROI, is that the competition for almost any product or program is fierce. This drives the perceived value of leads through the roof. AdWords targeting high value customers can cost upwards of $5.00 per click - a price point at which few of us can afford to compete. Opportunity leads, purchased from lead companies are notoriously expensive, and offer little in the way of results. Often these same leads are sold many times over and consist of less than qualified prospects.

Social Marketing levels the playing field and removes the high cost of advertising. First, most social networks do not cost anything to join. Second, and in my mind most important, Social Networks afford an opportunity to build actual relationships - relationships that build trust. And as any salesman will tell you, building trust and confidence is crucial to making sales.

Learning to use the social networks to your advantage can pay huge dividends. If you belong to any, like FaceBook, MySpace or Yuwie for example, you will surely have noticed the huge number of unsolicited spam advertisements that arrive in your message box. These messages, usually from people you don’t know, are nothing more than a nuisance. They certainly aren’t productive. Who’s going to buy from an ad shouting “get rich while you sleep” from someone they don’t know?

Taking the time to build relationships, and providing value upfront (pre-selling), can deliver spectacular results in the Social Networks once you do present your program or product. Yes, it takes some time and effort. But then what of value doesn’t? Search for people with similar interests, and join and participate in forums and groups. You won’t be disappointed!

If you are serious about learning to use the Social Networks for profit and becoming an industry leader, you may wish to check out sites like The Internet Entrepreneur’s Club.

To Amazing Success!

Arne Bush

Tagged as: affiliate, affiliate marketing, Arne Bush, FaceBook, home business, MySpace, Network Marketing, presell, Social marketing, Social Networks, The Internet Entrepreneurs Club, Web 2.0, Yuwie