List Grow and Prosper
Building Businesses Together
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Internet Communities: What Are They? Which Ones Should I Join?
By Nick Grimshawe
Internet communities are places where like-minded people get together to network their businesses, share ideas, develop friendships and grow their businesses. These communities are made up of people in all walks of life from all over the globe. An Internet Community is similar to any networking group in your local community except you have a global reach. Being a member of an active community gives you the chance to promote your business to a wide audience.
Rules of Conduct
Each community has slightly different rules and different methods of operation. So be sure to look for rules and regulations when you join up, so you don’t accidentally break a rule. Use common sense. Remember to build a relationship first, before you blast out your business message. Most communities have forums where you can post on topics of interest to you. These forums allow you to place a “Signature File” where you put your name your tag line and your url. This allows you to advertise your business without anyone taking offense. If someone is interested in your post they will likely take a look at your business.
Don’t Spam:
Don't send the same email to everyone in the community. Some communities have places where you can do that. Some communities don’t allow it at all. Again learn the rules for each community. Conduct yourself in a civilized manner, no swearing, name calling, or gossip. Join only as many communities as you have time for. For the longest time I was a member in only one community. Once you get comfortable in one you can branch out to others.
Again, my list is not inclusive, but these are the current communities I am using. Each one is different form the other in most cases I have rated them using the star system
5 Stars
ADLANDPRO
http://community.adlandpro.com/go/ngrimshawe/welcome.aspx
I can’t say enough about this community. I have built real genuine friendships here. I like the way their system works. You can join free and stay that way or upgrade anytime. I went about six months before I upgraded. The community is super active, with all kinds of forums to join and participate in. Starting your own forum is easy and a step I recommend. When you join send me an invite to be a friend and I will give you a head start and introduce you to my 600 friends there. They also have great free classified section, and affiliate program, and a lot more.
4 Stars
LAZZEO
Lazzeo is new. But I like a lot of the features, especially the banner ads that you can have on your profile page. Again you have lots of standard features, like a forum, a place to blog, share photos and network. The community is not as active as ADLAND but it is new. There is also a profile sharing for members on the community’s revenue a nice extra bonus. Sign-up is free.
http://lazzeo.com/sign up?friend=ngrimshawe
4 Stars
BIZPRENEUR This is the sister site for Lazzeo.
They are very similar. However on Biz, there are a lot of conference calls which you can join and get an opportunity to talk about your business or do a presentation on a topic dear to your heart. You also get paid for sign-up and again you are promoting you business opportunity to a wide community. Sign up is free.
http://bizpreneur.com/sign up?friend=ngrimshawe
3.5 Stars
APSENSE
This is a new community for me so it rate a little lower because I don’t have much of a track record with it. However, it has some really unique features that really convinced me. One is a desktop icon, that once activated you can post directly to the community. You get a running record of updates within the community, and you earn point for having it up and running. It is easy to start your own group and to join other groups. Sign up is free.
http://www.apsense.com/invite/ngrimshawe
To build your list effectively you need to be part of at least one of these communities.
Check them all out and see which one appeals to you the most.
Did I mention? They are also a lot of fun.
By Nick Grimshawe
Internet communities are places where like-minded people get together to network their businesses, share ideas, develop friendships and grow their businesses. These communities are made up of people in all walks of life from all over the globe. An Internet Community is similar to any networking group in your local community except you have a global reach. Being a member of an active community gives you the chance to promote your business to a wide audience.
Rules of Conduct
Each community has slightly different rules and different methods of operation. So be sure to look for rules and regulations when you join up, so you don’t accidentally break a rule. Use common sense. Remember to build a relationship first, before you blast out your business message. Most communities have forums where you can post on topics of interest to you. These forums allow you to place a “Signature File” where you put your name your tag line and your url. This allows you to advertise your business without anyone taking offense. If someone is interested in your post they will likely take a look at your business.
Don’t Spam:
Don't send the same email to everyone in the community. Some communities have places where you can do that. Some communities don’t allow it at all. Again learn the rules for each community. Conduct yourself in a civilized manner, no swearing, name calling, or gossip. Join only as many communities as you have time for. For the longest time I was a member in only one community. Once you get comfortable in one you can branch out to others.
Again, my list is not inclusive, but these are the current communities I am using. Each one is different form the other in most cases I have rated them using the star system
5 Stars
ADLANDPRO
http://community.adlandpro.com/go/ngrimshawe/welcome.aspx
I can’t say enough about this community. I have built real genuine friendships here. I like the way their system works. You can join free and stay that way or upgrade anytime. I went about six months before I upgraded. The community is super active, with all kinds of forums to join and participate in. Starting your own forum is easy and a step I recommend. When you join send me an invite to be a friend and I will give you a head start and introduce you to my 600 friends there. They also have great free classified section, and affiliate program, and a lot more.
4 Stars
LAZZEO
Lazzeo is new. But I like a lot of the features, especially the banner ads that you can have on your profile page. Again you have lots of standard features, like a forum, a place to blog, share photos and network. The community is not as active as ADLAND but it is new. There is also a profile sharing for members on the community’s revenue a nice extra bonus. Sign-up is free.
http://lazzeo.com/sign up?friend=ngrimshawe
4 Stars
BIZPRENEUR This is the sister site for Lazzeo.
They are very similar. However on Biz, there are a lot of conference calls which you can join and get an opportunity to talk about your business or do a presentation on a topic dear to your heart. You also get paid for sign-up and again you are promoting you business opportunity to a wide community. Sign up is free.
http://bizpreneur.com/sign up?friend=ngrimshawe
3.5 Stars
APSENSE
This is a new community for me so it rate a little lower because I don’t have much of a track record with it. However, it has some really unique features that really convinced me. One is a desktop icon, that once activated you can post directly to the community. You get a running record of updates within the community, and you earn point for having it up and running. It is easy to start your own group and to join other groups. Sign up is free.
http://www.apsense.com/invite/ngrimshawe
To build your list effectively you need to be part of at least one of these communities.
Check them all out and see which one appeals to you the most.
Did I mention? They are also a lot of fun.
Five Key Internet Marketing
By Nick Grimshawe
Tips Quite often people start out with visions of money rolling into their bank account in a continuous stream with little work or effort. Quite recently, on a launch of a new product there was a clip of just such a thing happening. However, before your eyes pop out of your head at such income possibilities, you need to understand some basic tips and tools.
Tip Number One: I call it The-don’t-jump-into-the-lake-before-you-can-swim tip. Probably the biggest mistake most new Internet marketers make is to join everything. Don’t do that. When you first start all those pie-in-the-sky promises are very irresistible. Grit you teeth, keep your mouth and wallet firmly closed, and don’t bite. Take some time to look around at the offerings. Look for programs that offer a lot of personal support, rather than hooking up with a fully automated system. You want a site that teaches you the basics: what is email marketing, what is the policy on spam, how to generate leads, how to write a good follow up letter. When you think you are ready join one program and stick with it.
This brings me to: Tip Number Two: Hit and Run is not a business plan. This is the dog bone reflected in the water story. You know the one. A dog with a very nice and adequate bone in his mouth looks at his reflection in the water while crossing a bridge. The reflected bone looks bigger so he drops the real bone to grab the bigger bone, only too late realizing his error. Result, a sorry dog without a bone. The tendency to hop from one program to another is, I suppose, human. Try not to be human. Stick with your program and give it a chance to work for you. Put on blinkers. Don’t read all those offers flooding into your email. If they are good programs, they will be there for you if you do finally decide a program is not working for you. Remember most brick and mortar businesses loose money their first year. I’m not saying you have to stick with a program for a year if if doesn’t seem to be working. But before to decide to try something else, stop and ask yourself if you have honestly done everything, everything possible to make the business work? Have you done the grunt work? If you’ve been playing computer games when you should have been following up a lead, you haven’t given your business a fair shake.
Tip Number Three. Don’t Put the Horse before the Cart By now, you are thinking I am cliché ridden. Nevertheless, clichés are popular for one simple reason, they succinctly sum up and idea or situation. I use number three in many of my ads because many people have a Cart full of goodies and no horse. In this case, the horse is your Contact list, your customer list, your list of clients. Do you have one? If the answer is no, stop every other thing you are doing and work to build your list. If you spend a year doing nothing but developing a list, you would be better off in the end. How do your build a contact list? That’s a whole other subject. A subject you should be passionately following if you are new.
Tip Number Four: Don’t be cheap. Regular brick and mortar businesses spend thousands and thousands of dollars before they even open their doors. I know this is why you are here. You don’t have that kind of capital. So do you think you can build a business on the net for free or next to no investment? Many thousands of people do. I know I’ve talked to hundreds and hundreds of them who drop out or hang up because you just asked them for $200 dollars to sign up for your product. Suddenly you are some scuzzy scam artist trying to take money out of the mouths of babies. I’ve been called a snake in the grass on more than one occasion simply because I asked for $48.00 for a get you started package. I am not saying you have to spend a fortune. If you follow tips number one, two, and three, you won’t waste any money either.
Tip Number Five, Develop a hard assed winning attitude. If you cannot bear disappointment, if you are easily discouraged, if your ego is as delicate as butterfly wings, you won’t make it unless you toughen your inner resolve. You’ve heard, (here I go again), the cliché, attitude is everything. It’s not a cliché. It’s the truth. There are a many brilliant books out there to help you. If you’ve never read a self-help book in your life now is the time to start. Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich” is a great place to start. Persistence is your most important weapon as an Internet marketer.
Okay, square those shoulders, lift up your chin, and get to work. I can’t promise you millions, but I can say this. You have started down a road full of adventure and learning to last you many life times. You are going to grow and stretch out beyond your comfort zone, and you are going to get rich, rich in experience, personal growth and development and rich in the friends you will undoubtedly make along the way. Enjoy the journey. Nick Grimshawe
By Nick Grimshawe
Tips Quite often people start out with visions of money rolling into their bank account in a continuous stream with little work or effort. Quite recently, on a launch of a new product there was a clip of just such a thing happening. However, before your eyes pop out of your head at such income possibilities, you need to understand some basic tips and tools.
Tip Number One: I call it The-don’t-jump-into-the-lake-before-you-can-swim tip. Probably the biggest mistake most new Internet marketers make is to join everything. Don’t do that. When you first start all those pie-in-the-sky promises are very irresistible. Grit you teeth, keep your mouth and wallet firmly closed, and don’t bite. Take some time to look around at the offerings. Look for programs that offer a lot of personal support, rather than hooking up with a fully automated system. You want a site that teaches you the basics: what is email marketing, what is the policy on spam, how to generate leads, how to write a good follow up letter. When you think you are ready join one program and stick with it.
This brings me to: Tip Number Two: Hit and Run is not a business plan. This is the dog bone reflected in the water story. You know the one. A dog with a very nice and adequate bone in his mouth looks at his reflection in the water while crossing a bridge. The reflected bone looks bigger so he drops the real bone to grab the bigger bone, only too late realizing his error. Result, a sorry dog without a bone. The tendency to hop from one program to another is, I suppose, human. Try not to be human. Stick with your program and give it a chance to work for you. Put on blinkers. Don’t read all those offers flooding into your email. If they are good programs, they will be there for you if you do finally decide a program is not working for you. Remember most brick and mortar businesses loose money their first year. I’m not saying you have to stick with a program for a year if if doesn’t seem to be working. But before to decide to try something else, stop and ask yourself if you have honestly done everything, everything possible to make the business work? Have you done the grunt work? If you’ve been playing computer games when you should have been following up a lead, you haven’t given your business a fair shake.
Tip Number Three. Don’t Put the Horse before the Cart By now, you are thinking I am cliché ridden. Nevertheless, clichés are popular for one simple reason, they succinctly sum up and idea or situation. I use number three in many of my ads because many people have a Cart full of goodies and no horse. In this case, the horse is your Contact list, your customer list, your list of clients. Do you have one? If the answer is no, stop every other thing you are doing and work to build your list. If you spend a year doing nothing but developing a list, you would be better off in the end. How do your build a contact list? That’s a whole other subject. A subject you should be passionately following if you are new.
Tip Number Four: Don’t be cheap. Regular brick and mortar businesses spend thousands and thousands of dollars before they even open their doors. I know this is why you are here. You don’t have that kind of capital. So do you think you can build a business on the net for free or next to no investment? Many thousands of people do. I know I’ve talked to hundreds and hundreds of them who drop out or hang up because you just asked them for $200 dollars to sign up for your product. Suddenly you are some scuzzy scam artist trying to take money out of the mouths of babies. I’ve been called a snake in the grass on more than one occasion simply because I asked for $48.00 for a get you started package. I am not saying you have to spend a fortune. If you follow tips number one, two, and three, you won’t waste any money either.
Tip Number Five, Develop a hard assed winning attitude. If you cannot bear disappointment, if you are easily discouraged, if your ego is as delicate as butterfly wings, you won’t make it unless you toughen your inner resolve. You’ve heard, (here I go again), the cliché, attitude is everything. It’s not a cliché. It’s the truth. There are a many brilliant books out there to help you. If you’ve never read a self-help book in your life now is the time to start. Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich” is a great place to start. Persistence is your most important weapon as an Internet marketer.
Okay, square those shoulders, lift up your chin, and get to work. I can’t promise you millions, but I can say this. You have started down a road full of adventure and learning to last you many life times. You are going to grow and stretch out beyond your comfort zone, and you are going to get rich, rich in experience, personal growth and development and rich in the friends you will undoubtedly make along the way. Enjoy the journey. Nick Grimshawe
Here are some of the links mentioned in the upcoming "List Grow and Prosper" E-Book
