As network marketers, we have a decision to make on which marketing techniques we are going to implement into our business. Some techniques are essentially “free” while others cost money and these costs can vary quite a bit.
When deciding whether we are going to use paid or free strategies, it is important to remember that we don’t spend in money, we will typically have to spend in time.
So, it’s really a matter of perspective.
While you may not have to spend any money out of your bank account on a free strategy, it will cost you your time, so it is important to decide how much your time is worth to you!
I’m certainly not saying that the following techniques are not worth doing simply because they are free. I just think it’s crucial to point out that you will definitely have to invest your time if you hope to achieve any real results.
I actually believe the following strategies can be quite effective in generating free network marketing leads, so let’s not waste any more time!
Four Strategies You Can Use To Generate Free Network Marketing Leads
1. Article Marketing
Article marketing can be one of the most effective ways to get massive traffic to your website, but it needs to be done correctly. Article marketing is not simply throwing up an article on a website every once in a while.
You need to do some keyword research first, to decide what you should be writing about and what keywords you are going to target. Then you will need to syndicate your content across the web and ensure that all of your syndicated content is pointing back to your original article.
Also keep in mind the use of anchor text, as well as sending your traffic to a website that is ready to convert that traffic. It’s simply not enough to have them read your article…you want to turn that traffic into leads!
There are many tools out there that can assist you with syndicating your content that can save you a lot of time. Some may be as little as $100 or less, while others may cost more, or even require an ongoing monthly fee.
Once you decide that you want to implement this strategy into your network marketing business, I would definitely recommend doing your research to find a tool that will help you streamline the process. I realize that this doesn’t really make this strategy free, but it can save you so much time and is still such a small amount of money!
Something to keep in mind when you are writing your articles is that the point of the article is to share information and teach others. The intent is not to write spammy articles just for the sake of writing something, because that won’t really accomplish any long term results for you.
The great thing about article marketing is that if you do it right and put out good content, you will continue to get leads from an article you write today for months or even years to come. The results are not going to be overnight, though, so it is important to be patient and consistent. However, if you do stick with it, they will come.
2. Video Marketing
This is another great strategy and to be honest, when I got started in this industry, I got some of my first sign-ups from this marketing technique. This can be a very powerful technique because your prospects get to see you, not just your website.
It’s important again, that this technique is done properly. Just as with article marketing, it’s not enough to just throw up a video here or there. There is keyword research that needs to be done here as well.
Also, you will definitely want to have a YouTube account and it’s important that you treat YouTube as you would a social network like Facebook, for example. Meet other marketers, build relationships, provide value and share good content. As always, no spam here…just good quality content!
As with article marketing, there are tools out there to assist you with disseminating your content to multiple video sites. Just like before, do your research to decide what works with your budget and your needs!
3. Forum Marketing
Forum marketing can be a very effective strategy, if done correctly! Joining a bunch of forums and then putting up a post pitching your business opportunity is the quickest way to NOT get any leads for your business.
I’m always amazed by the number of people who actually do this. They join a forum and then proceed to pitch their business in their first post, offering no value to the community. Furthermore, they don’t bother to put up a picture or a bio or even a good signature. It just seems like such an utter waste of time to me.
Don’t be that person…it will just be a waste of your time.
Instead, join 1-3 forums, whatever you think you can commit to and manage. Take the time to fill out your profile and take the time to put up a picture if the forum allows it.
Okay, so what next, you ask?
Well, first of all, like I mentioned above – no pitching in your posts. Any and all selling belongs in your signature. Speaking of that, put a link in your signature that offers people more than a generic company website/capture page.
Forums are places where people with similar interests can share information and ideas. It’s a place to ask questions and have questions answered. This is exactly what you should be doing while you are there.
Get to know other people on the forum and join in the conversations. It really is a community and a great place to develop relationships. Lead with value and you won’t go wrong.
Earlier, I mentioned your forum signature, and I want to touch on that in a little more depth. You have the opportunity to put a link or maybe two in your signature so don’t waste it.
You could send people to a personally branded landing page in one link, and then maybe to your blog or website in the other. Just don’t send them to your generic company website…that’s the worst thing you can do and the quickest way you can let someone know you are not a leader!
As you become part of the community by offering value and leadership, people will naturally become interested in you and will look to your signature to find out more about you. That is how you will generate leads, so make sure you send them some place that can do that, like your own blog or your own capture page!
If you are using a generic lead generation and training system, that would be a great place to send them. As always, make sure you are sending them to a personally branded landing page!
A few great forums you could join are:
* Rich Dad
* Warrior Forum
* Better Networker
4. Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing can very quickly turn into a time vacuum so be very careful with this one!
The first thing you want to do is join some of the top social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. It is important that you take the time to complete your profile, but don’t make it all business.
Remember that these are social sites, so it’s important to show that you have more than one dimension and you’re not just a network marketer.
Now, go out there and make friends. Get to know people and join in the conversations. Most importantly, listen to others and find out what it is they want. Share with your friends, don’t just sell to them.
It’s okay to occasionally promote an affiliate offer or your own offer, but 90% of the time, you should be providing value and demonstrating leadership.
Also, you are going to be provided a place where you can put links for your websites. Please please don’t send people to your generic company website/capture page like I mentioned above. (Do I sound like a broken record yet? GOOD. It’s really THAT important!)
Generic sites dont’ allow your friends to get to know you better and they definitely don’t provide them with any value.
Sending them to your blog would be a great start. They can get to know you better, see the value you have to offer and sign up for your mailing list while they are there!
This will allow you to build an even stronger relationship with them, and from there, who knows? Maybe down the road, they will purchase one of your affiliate products, or maybe even end up on your team.
Well, there you go. Four easy ways to generate free network marketing leads. While they are not the only four, I think they will get you headed in the right direction!
For those who are looking for more info about the sphere of one way links, please check out the page that is quoted right in this passage.