Many moons ago in a galaxy far, far away I was involved in network marketing. Quite unsuccessfully. Oh, I had everything going for me. I had a wonderful sponsor. I belonged to a wonderful organization. I was part of a fantastic online community of network marketers that gave me all kinds of support, encouragement and coaching. And yet I still couldn’t make it happen for myself.
So I got out. Regrouped. Decided to go to seminary (that’s a whole other story) and pursue my vision of creating a healing practice using sound and healing. But I never gave up on the idea of passive income — an idea that is sold to novice network marketers far more than any other product — and I never gave up on the idea that somehow, somewhere, I would find a way to make the network marketing model work for me.
As I have been building my portfolio of companies in InVeStworks, some of the lessons and techniques that I’d been studying all those many moons ago have been creeping back into my consciousness. And they tie in with some things that Suzanne Kincaid talks about on the InVeStworks website. Ideas that center around building relationships with people in online forums and communities, using a good signature line, posting comments on other people’s blogs (and on your own) 
, as well as the offline networking techniques that I have never thought I was good at — like handing out my business card and sharing what I do with strangers. And yes, I’ve even been looking into lead generation programs and purchasing leads.
In terms of purchasing leads, I’m not so keen on that. For one thing, InVeStworks is not a business. And I’m clear that I don’t just want anybody. (That throw ‘em up against the wall and see who sticks mentality is a total waste of time in my view.) So what’s a budding marketer to do?
Here’s my new mantra: Start Slow and Work with What You Know. So I’ll begin Relationshipping. I’ll post to forums and e-groups and to other people’s blogs and to my own. I may even try a method I’ve been studying that Max Steingart teaches using instant messaging. I’ll keep you posted on what happens with that. I figure I’ve got nothing to lose but an hour or so a day and — who knows? — at the very least, I may make a new friend or two.
