Andy,

You raise some excellent points here. Perhaps the reason so many posts get zero feedback on what is actually referred to as "advertising networks" here on Ryze is because the folks are trying to "sell" their products, when instead what they should be doing is marketing their brand. What is the brand? That brand is the person who is writing the post.

The question becomes why should anyone care that this person is attempting to draw attention to himself? Could it be that he truly cares more about something that impacts your life? And, if what he says resonates with you in a positive way, are you are likely to respond?

Do you remember the Wendy's commercial where the little old lady looked at the hamburger on the plate and simply said, "Where's the beef?" That little innocent comment has since been used over-and-over again in the political spectrum. Words can be extremely powerful if you cleverly use them. It really is a matter or both design and placement. Just putting your message out there is NOT enough. You have to make sure it is the right message and targeted at the right audience.

The investment banking firm of Bear Stearns does not market itself to the general public. Therefore, you will not see any ads promoting its services in the newspaper, on radio or TV. Why? Because the firm only wants the wealthiest of the wealthy calling them. So, the firm targets the customers it wants through a sophisticated direct-mail campaign with the help of Dow Jones & Company.

Although small business entrepreneurs cannot do what Bear Stearns does the way Bear Stearns does it, they can in a much smaller way follow their example. They can pursue the best customers for their business by building their own proprietary database and using a power networking approach. Tools like the CRM software product !ntellect can actually help you do that. I also recommend combining the talkcasting services of Talkshoe and the online lens service of Squidoo.

For anyone who is interested, books like Professional Networking For Dummies, The Virtual Handshake and Never Eat Alone, can also help you. Links to all those books and more are available at Power Networking.

Lamar Morgan
CDMM
1-877-238-2280
Power Networking - http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=18

Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 954-603-7901 (new win)