| When I was in college (a while back, but who's | | | | VISITORS. |
| counting?), I had two ways to communicate with | | | | This is another misconception I used to believe, as |
| the folks back home. | | | | well. I was stuck in old-school thinking. |
| I could write a letter, walk across the campus to | | | | But I'm happy to report that there are many |
| drop it in the mailbox, and then wait a week to | | | | effective ways to promote a Website that don't |
| hear back from them. | | | | cost a dime, and some of them will give you |
| Or on the weekend I could collect a bunch of | | | | even better results than traditional advertising. |
| loose change and stand in line to use the one and | | | | 4. MY COMPANY PROVIDES ME WITH A FREE |
| only pay phone in my dormitory - during the | | | | WEBSITE - I DON'T NEED MY OWN |
| week it was way too expensive. | | | | INDEPENDENT SITE. |
| My friends and I took all this for granted. | | | | If you're thinking this way, I have a question for |
| But look what we take for granted now! Sending | | | | you: |
| a letter to someone on the other side of the | | | | How many other distributors have sites just like |
| world in a matter of seconds. Transmitting the | | | | yours? Probably a few thousand, right? These are |
| identical document to hundreds of people at the | | | | called "replicated sites," and search engines will |
| same time with just a few mouse clicks. | | | | totally ignore them because they clog up their |
| Retrieving data on any subject imaginable without | | | | systems. |
| budging from our desk chairs. Sharing home | | | | It's fine if you want to send people to your |
| videos and music instantly with almost anyone, | | | | replicated site for information about your |
| anywhere. Interfacing with potentially millions of | | | | company or products, but it will not generate any |
| people on a daily basis. | | | | new leads for you. And leads are the lifeblood of |
| The Internet is the most powerful and versatile | | | | your business. |
| communications tool in the history of the human | | | | 5. I CAN'T HAVE MY OWN SITE - MY COMPANY |
| race. It's totally transforming the way companies | | | | WON'T ALLOW IT. |
| do business. | | | | Most network marketing companies do restrict |
| I say all this to convince you beyond a doubt that | | | | what their distributors can and cannot say about |
| you want to take your network marketing | | | | them, which is understandable. This may include |
| business online. You NEED your own Website to | | | | bans on personal websites that pitch the company |
| generate an ongoing stream of enthusiastic, | | | | or its products or services. |
| pre-qualified prospects. | | | | But this doesn't have to be a problem for you. |
| So what's stopping you from building your own | | | | There are still many ways you can use a Website |
| site? Here are five common myths that deter | | | | to generate leads without mentioning your |
| many people. | | | | particular company or brand name. In fact, your |
| 1. IT'S GOING TO COST ME AN ARM AND A | | | | site will be even more effective if you do it this |
| LEG. | | | | way. |
| We've all heard of someone who paid a | | | | Why? Think about your own preferences. Which |
| professional thousands of dollars to build a site for | | | | would you rather visit - a site that tries to sell |
| them. Most people just don't have that kind of | | | | you something or a site that simply gives you lots |
| money to invest when they're starting out. | | | | of useful information about a problem you're |
| But there IS another option that will cost you a | | | | trying to solve? |
| tiny fraction of that: Build it yourself. (No, no. Stop | | | | Which site owner are you more likely to trust and |
| laughing.) | | | | want to connect with? Who are you going to |
| And that brings up the next misconception. | | | | perceive as the expert? |
| 2. THERE'S NO WAY I CAN BUILD A WEBSITE | | | | Here's an example: Suppose your company sells |
| MYSELF - I HAVE NO COMPUTER SKILLS. | | | | non-toxic cleaning products. Your site might offer |
| This is what I used to think, too. Then I | | | | cleaning tips to get housework done faster, |
| discovered dozens of Web hosting services that | | | | scientific reports on the dangers of common |
| make it a snap for small businesses to do it | | | | commercial cleaners, and your own personal story |
| themselves. | | | | of why you got interested in non-toxic cleaning |
| It's no longer necessary to know computer | | | | products. Just don't mention your company or |
| programming or html code. If you can send | | | | any of its brand names. |
| emails, surf the Internet, and type letters in your | | | | You'll attract like-minded people and develop a |
| word processing program, you can build a | | | | relationship of trust with them. And without a |
| Website. | | | | doubt, some of your readers will turn into |
| I did it -- so can you. | | | | customers or business partners. |
| 3. I'D HAVE TO SPEND A MOUNTAIN OF MONEY | | | | So what are you waiting for? Jump in and start |
| ON ADVERTISING IF I WANTED TO GET ANY | | | | building. The World Wide Web awaits you. |