Managing Your E-mail Addresses
Many of us who have been building
our Cell Tech businesses over the last several years using traditional
communication methods with our networks are now seeing dramatic
changes with the introduction of communication through e-mail
and the Internet. These new technologies make possible "instant
communication" with large numbers of people at a fraction
of the cost associated with using the US Mail or long distance
Voice Mail services. When technology such as this presents itself,
gets less expensive and more efficient, then it's time to learn
it and pass it on.
The trend in network marketing is shifting
towards the use of managed e-mail lists to communicate with
our growing numbers of distributors. That's why this article/e-mail
message is being created.
It is important to recognize the enormous
changes that have happened in technology in just a few years.
Voice Mail alone has proven to be a completely antiquated system
judging from the variety of communication that is possible over
the Internet now (i.e., sending pictures, photos, videos and
sound to anyone, anywhere in the world who has access to a computer
online). What is possible today is sending higher quality information
by communicating faster and at a fraction of the cost of what
we are used to. If your preference is enjoying the audio messages
you get from your friends & the company from a traditional
voice mail system, stick with them; the system still works.
The E-commerce Sales Force Team has a
method (a script available for use on our Business Tips section
of the Leadership Alliance website (www.SimplexityLeaders.org),
for connecting with current distributors in our networks to
grow our e-mail address book. Cell Tech is also providing
e-mail addresses that have been collected over the past year.
The company is now making those lists available to upline
that requests them. All you need to do is contact Simplexity
and request a current e-mail collection of all addresses under
your ID number.
OK. What do you do with the list of
addresses once you collect them?
Managing your lists is one of the most
important things to do in your new responsibilities running
an e-business. One of the primary rules in contacting your network
through e-mail is to keep them informed with useful information
and as few duplicated messages as possible. This takes communication
within your group (if you have one), so therefore, it is wise
to check with your gemstone executives and business builders
to see who wants to be the primary message sender. Some gemstone
executives want to be the primary message sender to their organization
and will always transfer a message that you send them. In fact
you may want to encourage this because it builds responsibility
in that individual, and after all, they have a closer relationship
with their people, whom you barely know. This will give you
a better idea as to who to leave out of your total group because
you know the message will be transferred by your trusty executive
business associate.
Here are two suggestions for setting up
your e-mail groups:
1) Go to groups.yahoo.com:
Yahoo! Groups is a free e-mail group service
that can help organize all the addresses you have for your network.
Don't have a network yet? Please read on, if you're a business
builder you will want to know how to use this service eventually.
In fact, it may be a motivator for creating your organization.
It offers a convenient way to connect with others who share
the same interests and ideas. By creating separate e-mail groups,
you'll be able to send e-mail messages to a group of people
using ONE e-mail address. No more typing in a list of addresses.
Here are some of the Yahoo! Groups Features and Benefits:
- People can subscribe or unsubscribe
to your group automatically. Many messages you will be sending
to your group will be forwarded onto others not in your organization.
This just happens, and, in fact, it's a good thing! The more
non-members reading your messages and liking them, the more
they might be willing to contact someone in your group and
buy product. If someone wants to subscribe to your e-mail
group, let them do it instead of you. Your time is valuable.
There is a setting to click on when establishing this group
if you want to screen all interested parties who are wishing
to subscribe. It's the same for unsubscribing as well. When
someone wants to stop receiving messages, they will get a
cordial "Thank You for being a part of this list for
as long as they have been connected." You will also be
notified by e-mail if they unsubscribe; remember, this is
a permission marketing system and you want people on your
list who want to stay connected to you.
- A Message Archive will store all messages
your group has ever sent. It's a great tool for browsing past
information.
- You can send timed, automatic messages
using a calendar system, if you'll be out of town.
- You can schedule a group chat in your
private chat room.
- You can learn more about your members
by polling them quickly and easily.
2) Organize Your Own Groups
The following material discusses organizing
your e-mail groups within the address book that comes along
with your Internet browser:
Here are my suggestions for categorizing
your lists once you have chosen a system to use, Yahoo! Groups
or your own address book. These suggestions could be applied
to which ever system you choose.
First of all, place everyone in your network
who has an e-mail address into an electronic address book as
an "individual." American On Line has a very nice
address book system for keeping everyone organized. There are
many other companies having similar systems that work equally
as well. People will switch ISP's (Internet Service Providers)
every once in a while, and it is a good idea to go back to your
original individual file and make changes there. Once changes
are made, copy them and then go to your other group lists and
paste them there for any updates that are necessary.
Here are my suggestions for categorizing
your lists:
List #1 – Total Downline.
List #2 – First level, all business
builders and those people you have a personal relationship
with anywhere in your organization.
List #3 – Business builders on
all levels; group leaders to Double Diamonds excluding consumers.
List #4 – New Sign-ups.
List #5 – Local people in your
town or region on all levels.
List #6, 7, 8, etc – Niche Groups/Special
Interest Groups (animal lovers, health science people ADD/ADHD
interests, I swam naked in Klamath Lake club, etc.,)
List #1: Names of people on your
first level, business builders, Cell Tech provided list, plus
those folks you have personally been in touch with for some
time and harvested their e-mail address; no matter where they
are in your organization. Basically, this list is everyone in
your universe, or downline, whichever is larger). This list
could be used when you want a unique message that you create,
and send to everyone in your organization.
List #2: This list is made up of
first level people, all business builders and those you have
personal contacts with. You'll probably use this list the most
because it is edited, so primary message senders can move this
on to their lines, if they choose.
List #3: Just as it says – Business
Builders (you may call them Business Associates too). All business
building information goes here. When it's received by your network,
it's up to them to decide who to pass it on to. This is also
one of those areas where you'll want to chat with your business
builders/associates and see who belongs on this list. Always
give the opportunity for business builders to assume the responsibility
for their lines. We are in the business of building leaders,
aren't we? Make sure your information is relevant and useful.
You'll gain respect from these people who are counting on you
for successful ideas and valuable information. Credibility builds
longevity.
List #4: New Sign-ups. These people
have special needs. You'll be developing rapport and sending
messages regularly to educate them about our products to build
retention. You'll eventually be able to pull off routine messages
from the Sales Force Team website to send to your new consumers.
List #5: Local list, all levels.
These people will be living in your geographical area and will
want to be notified of events happening in their region.
List #6-8, etc.: Niche Groups. Many
people will be interested in hearing about information pertaining
to specific topics such as this group suggests. It is a judgement
call on your part as to who will most likely appreciate these
specific kinds of messages. You know what turns certain people
on or off, so set them up in a separate group. I have to say
this list will probably be your shortest list, unless you have
no business builders, ... yet!.
What first message to send to your network:
On the sales force team website (www.salesforceteam.com)
you will find a formatted message you can send, along with your
picture if you like, to introduce yourself to your e-mail group.
It basically thanks your people for eating SBGA products and
that you want to keep in touch with them on a semi-regular basis.
The information you will be sending them will help them stay
informed with the company and it's products. There is also a
clause that allows them to unsubscribe to your e-mail messages
which is precisely what you want to know. Are they eager and
willing recipients for this kind of information or are they
uninterested and want to be left alone? You'll never know unless
you ask.
To make your writing as professional looking
as possible and to brush up on your writing and grammar skills,
I recommend taking a class like "Mistake-Free Grammar &
Proofreading," taught by Nan Milliken offered through Career
Track (1-800-488-0928 or on the web at www.pryor.com).
It is one of the best $100 you'll ever spend in a 6 hour seminar.
You'll be amazed at how much you've forgotten since your English
grammar classes in high school. The class comes with a thirty
day guarantee proving you will benefit in spelling, punctuation,
noun/verb agreement, typos, capitalization, possession, numbers,
format and run on sentences. Our communication with people has
a lot to say about us. My spiritual teacher was always emphasizing
being aware of one's body, speech and mind when communicating
with others, however that's an entirely different conversation
saved for another time. Suffice it to say, how we come across
to our network speaks volumes and should not be underestimated.
At the same time, don't be afraid of jumping in where you are,
we are all learning as we go. After all, your personal truth
in what you know is more powerful in the beginning than a few
misspelled words.
This is a good start for now. More messages
will come regarding how to run an e-business with Cell Tech.
Here's wishing all of you a healthy, and prosperous year using
these principles.
Best regards,
Jean-Pierre Bressieux
Modified November 18, 2001 to reflect
current information regarding website addresses.
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