Multiply Your Marketing Like A Virus

MAKE YOUR NET WORK
Networking is probably more important online because cyberspace is dimensionless and expansive. It grants you the ability to reach untapped corners, prospects who would otherwise be unreachable. But I dont advocate traditional networking, which consists of just telling as many people as possible that youre open for business. In my experience, it doesnt generate substantial returns.

The people or companies you ask to spread the word about your company will more often than not want something in return. They will lose interest if you dont recognize their efforts.

Instead, I recommend you use strategic marketing alliances with companies that share target markets. That way, your networking partners are automatically rewarded. One particularly effective example of this type of networking is what I call "infonetworking."

In an infonetwork, information is exchanged between networking partners. That information includes qualified leads that you can both share or information about each other that is promoted to each others market or client base. As long as your partner logically shares a target market with you but doesnt directly compete with your business, it can be a rewarding relationship.

Examples of infonetworking include swapping ad space in e-zines, posting reciprocal links, co-advertising, exclusive offers, submitting articles for publication and participating in discussion lists.

Infonetworking also refers to swapping each others prospect or client lists, particularly opt-in email lists or offline lists. And you can market to each others lists without physically swapping them. If you have your own opt-in list, for example, you can swap sponsorships or conduct mailings offering list owner-endorsed exclusive offers.

EXCHANGE LEADS
Theres another form of networking that may be more effective, particularly if you do not share or cross-market your lists. This networking is more focused than just submitting your site to search engines, swapping your ad or offer with others, or placing your offer on "free-for-all" links directories. Instead, you constantly and systematically exchange leads with your strategic partners.

For example, you can couple complementary coupons or special offers that are exclusively marketed to the each others clientele. While different, these offers complement each other well and appear under the banner of a single promotion.

You can also group products, services, offers or information that complement your own product portfolio. If your partner sells a product online, customers can add to their purchase additional bonus products from your own website or business, which may include a special offer a product that complements your partners.

You can even create an entirely new and distinct product, service or information package from both companies that is sold simultaneously from both sites. Heres an example: You sell cookware online. You can easily team up with a publisher specializing in cookbooks and throw a book in the mix. While you raise the price and split the profits with the publisher, you raise the perceived value of the cookware through a co-branded or combined package of noncompeting products or services. Best of all, you share in each others traffic, market, lead base and referral sources (i.e., each others network).

Heres another example: If youre a software programmer and you have created a program that, say, targets businesspeople, dont just give it away as shareware. Offer it to other sites that target businesspeople and let them offer it as well. While your program may not relate to your partners product, they both appeal to the same market and together make the offer more irresistible. Your software makes your partners offer more appealing. And if your shareware is copyright-free, you quickly get a user base for your software--a user base that may be particularly high quality, depending on the nature of your partners business.

Affiliations, alliances, referral sources and centers of influence can help propagate the knowledge of your existence on the web and, like a virus, multiply your online marketing punch.

About the Author

Michel Fortin, is a consultant dedicated to helping businesses turn into powerful magnets:To contact see details below.


mfortin@home.com
http://success-doctor.com