Lately you have probably heard a lot about a new avenue opening up on the internet - that of social networking.  What this is a fancy name for is being a contributing member of groups and forums as well as one or more of the many places like My Space that have cropped up.  My Space and other social networking sites of that type require more in depth coverage, so I will focus at the moment on groups and forums.

Forums can be found just about anywhere online, and they cover every conceivable area.  Just put in your niche keyword and forum and you will find a long list.  Join as many forums as possible related to your area of interest.  These forums are made up of people of like interest and are ripe for finding out what potential buyers are thinking, what they need, and for gathering subscribers to your opt-in list.

Google and Yahoo are the biggest places to find groups, but there are more out there.  Put your area into a group search and start joining.  More importantly, start contributing.  You want people to not only get to know who you are, but to learn to think of you as knowledgeable in your chosen area.

Include a link to your opt-in form in each and every post.  Try to make several posts a day.  The more you are heard from, with intelligent, knowledgeable comments, the more people will start to trust you and become interested in signing up for a newsletter or other offer you have.  These groups sometimes have hundreds of members-all potential customers if you work it correctly. 

Shyness does not cut it here-you need to show your expertise and make your presence known and valued.  After you have established that position, then you can make an occasional notice about a new product or your newsletter.
 

Using My Space to Build Your List

Social networking sites are springing up all over the place these days.  While I mention My Space specifically here, this strategy can be used with any or all of the same type of sites.  These social networking sites have the potential of increasing your opt-in list tremendously if you use the correct methods. Consider that the minute your friend request is accepted, you gain access to every other friend that person has.

The first thing you need to do is create and interesting home page.  Try to relate it as closely to possible to your area of marketing.  Doing this will direct more people who share this interest to your home page.  Also place an opt-in box directly on this page.  This can result in those who are interested in your subject signing up there, without even visited your main web page yet.

Seek out any groups or forums on the network that are related to your niche.  Join and start posting on a regular basis.   Make sure you include a link to your main website in your signature line with each post.  The more people see it, the more likely they will click on it.

Go through the membership list and note each and every person who expresses interest in your topic.  Take the time to send a friendship request to each of these people.  This step can take quite a bit of time, but it is well worth it.  These people already have an interest in your topic, and that makes for good potential customers.

You have so many opportunities to promote your main website and product on these social networking sites, that you miss a chance to substantially grow your list of potential customers if you neglect them. Start with the largest, My Space, then gradually work your way to others.

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About the Author:
This article was created by Tim Dodd, Head Trainer at 3dInternetMarketing.com. 3dInternetMarketing are fast building an excellent reputation showing online business owners where they can quickly & easily earn additional profits from their existing client base and how they can literally tap into an unending source of well qualified, eager to buy, new customers. To learn more visit [2] www.3dInternetMarketing.com today.

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