Credibility !

Your marketing efforts depend on it.

Network or internet marketing success depends on credibility.
Your company's credibility of course is important, and that includes quality products, coupled with a good return policy, solid management principles, and a history of following through with solid pay plans for distributors.

Of course, those things are beyond your control. If you have chosen your company wisely, all you really have to worry about is your own personal credibility.

First of all keep in mind that today's consumer is becoming more aware of less than honest sales techniques. Surely you have heard the expression,
"Once bitten, twice shy".

If you want to succeed in your on- or off-line market, you need to prove that you are worthy. You can win your customers over with integrity and honesty. Just good old fashioned values that are every bit as important today as they ever were.

Let's examine ways to develop offline/online credibility.

• Outline your company or product benefits without the hype. Provide factual information that you can back up with testamonials, and documented proof.


• If someone asks a question that you don't know the answer to, don't make it up! Say, "That's a good question. Let me find out and get back to you." Then find it out. People understand that you might not have all of the facts at your fingertips, and as long as you know where you can get the answer, and get back to them within a reasonable amount of time, that's ok.


• Don't use questionable marketing techniques. One example that comes to mind is the "reverse marketing" technique that is currently being taught. In reverse marketing, someone sends you an ad and you reply with an ad of your own. Now I do not have a problem with this at all if the original ad was unsolicited. However, many people are being taught to go through classified ad sites etc, and send ads to people who have advertised there. The typical plea goes something like this...
  "I saw your ad online, and I have a question about your business. Could you call me at 555-7890." If you do call, the person then goes on to tell you about what they are selling. Can you see how this migth irritate someone???
  No matter how great the temptation might be, don't do it! Not only is it unethical, but it doesn't take long for word of mouth to ruin your reputation as a marketer.


• Provide good customer service. This is the key to return visitors. Call your customers, and ask them how they like your product. Listen to what they say. If they are thrilled, ask for a written testamonial. If they are less than thrilled, offer a solution to their problem. Do these calls with in 2 weeks from purchase.

There are many individuals and companies on the internet today who use questionable tactics to develop their database.

Don't fall into temptation!

If you want to build something that lasts, and has genuine meaning, "do unto others...." well you know the rest!

Set an example others would be [b]proud[/b] to follow.

Shelley Penney is a network marketing and internet marketing specialist with 7 years in the field. She is currently mentoring a small group of people to achieve financial freedom from home.