Learning to Make Connections
Marketing may be considered to be a means of making connections. What every marketer must do is learn with whom to connect and how to connect in order to best serve his prospects and expand his business.
The Internet is the best medium invented to-date for making connections. There are lots of other media. But none offer the fast, easy and private methods for establishing connections and building useful relationships.
Some powerful companies have not learned how to do this on the Net. Recently a few members of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) have tried to hurt peer-to-peer music-sharing systems by signing on and offering spoofed CDs. These CDs have periods of empty space or ruined music. The idea is to drive people to "legitimate" outlets.
Now I ask You, Is this a way to make a connection with someone? Is this a way to gain customers? Is this a way to be helpful?
While RIAA members are stuck in the past, others who understand that the Internet is a learning medium, use services, such as BroadProspect, to learn how to make connections. Here is an excerpt from an email I received from them:
"BroadProspect (http://www.BroadProspect.com) is a place where
professionals list their senior industry connections on an ANONYMOUS BASIS for FREE, and become an anonymous connection maker. Companies shop online for a specific industry relationship and communicate with the ANONYMOUS connection maker. When the connection maker is satisfied with the information, he/she can establish a client - or goodwill - relationship with the business entity."
This outfit understands that the Internet is not merely an information highway but a learning network. They have developed a method to enable business people, not merely to gather information, but to learn about other businesses they would like to partner or otherwise work with.
I have no business relationship with BroadProject. I write about it because I think it may be of use to some of you.
To be successful on the Net, look for ways to broaden your connections.
About the Author
Paul -the soarING- Siegel is a provocative Internet speaker and author of HELPFULNESS MARKETNG, a book stressing learning, cooperation and community. Learn about it and also get your ebook reviewed at http://www.learningfountain.com/. Subscribe to newsletter, LearningFOUNT, by sending blank email to: mailto:LearningFOUNT-subscribe@topica.com.
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