Got a group, or a downline? How do you talk with them?

Over the years, communicating with people either in your online community, group, or even downline has greatly improved.

We all know business is about relationships. In the online arena, developing solid relationships is more challenging as we're spread all around the world, may speak different languages, have different customs, and especially because we live in different time zones.

So, how do you talk with your people?

Do you Yahoo? That's a quick and easy way to talk, (literally now) with one or a few people.

How about Skype? You can get a pretty good group together there. I know, that for me, the latest versions haven't been compatible with my sound card.

When it comes to conferencing, you've got a number of choices. Some are web-based so there's never a download involved. Others require a short download. I know I've used several and they all have their pluses and minuses.

The one I'm most familiar with, is HotConference. I helped with the beta project and have continued to use them as my choice for conferencing. In my opinion, you get more tools, easier-to-use moderator functions, and way better support than with other folks. At the price, it's really hard to beat, too.

Imagine, unlimited seating, unlimited time usage, all for one low price of just $29.99 a month.

Webhosting... oh my, all the choices.

Webhosting provides the backbone for your business. Comparing it to a brick and mortar business... it's the foundation.

Build on a strong foundation and your business will "stand up" for years to come. Build on a shaky foundation, and it's always at risk of crashing to the ground.

How do you choose your webhost?

First you must assess your own needs, as well as your inventory your current (or easily learnable) skills.

You must consider your budget... and free webshosting just isn't really useful for ANY business application. Be sure to forecast out at least a year or two. Will you be able to grow easily?

When it comes to webhosting, I wrote a comprehensive article on what to look for.

For me, and I'm sure for many others, I have found that the most important things are the ability to communicate with my webhost in a very timely manner. That means I can call by phone, get live support online, and have a responsive helpdesk.

Ranked right up there on top also is reliability. After all, when your site is down, your business is closed. There's just no other way to say it.

My third criteria has been the "growth factor". How easy is it to grow? What happens when you decide to add another domain? Can you add and drop e-mail addresses at will?
How about scripts? Today's web sites are much more complex than they used to be.

With that said, y'all know that after almost three years, Kiosk WebHosting is my choice. They rank #1 with me for all the right reasons.

Let's get started... Exactly what will I be covering here

Over the years, after having joined well over 150 different affiliate programs, I have settled on a handful of things to do.

I come from a self-employed background, having owned a bricks 'n 'mortar business for 16 years. I also have always had a fascination with network marketing. Never much success... but absolutely love the concept and believe that some of what is taught about relationship business could be well served in the traditional business arena.

That's why I was attracted to the Internet and the possibilities of doing business via the "Web". Even though it appears to be a rather impersonal marketplace, the truth is... it's really all about forming relationships first, and then doing business.

In the process of doing business, you begin to refer others. Sometimes so they can see if you're really nuts, and sometimes because you are so excited they just have to know about it. At any rate, enter the affiliate referral process... how you get paid.

So, which programs do I still recommend after 7 long years on the Internet?

Let me begin with two very long time Network Marketing professionals I admire. I've met David LeDoux personally, and I've talked with Kim Klaver by phone as well as exchanged e-mails with her over the years. My study with both of them goes back to 1998.

Over the years, they have both updated their messages. As times have changed, so have they. That is good. When you want the very best information about how to do referral marketing, then David LeDoux with, ILoveMLM and Kim Klaver, of WhoWho911.com are the best in the business.

When I came online and began looking seriously for a way to make money, I knew the first thing I needed was traffic... After all, without eyeballs on your ads... you had no chance of selling... make that giving away, anything. In August 2001, I stumbled upon a brand-spanking new program called MPAM... short for Massive Passive Advertising Machine. If I hadn't sat on the "spam" I received from someone... not directly from MPAM, I could have had a 2 digit member number. As it was, I became member number 307 and continue to be a semi-retired member today.

Now over the years, MPAM has morphed into a very solid program for people who are new to the net, but have a burning desire to get it all figured out without having to run down a lot of rabbit trails. The 20 Lessons take you through the steps of identifying your market, learning the basics of driving traffic, basic search engine optimization, and it also plugs you into the cooperative ad system which compounds the traffic you receive for your efforts.

In the next couple days, I'll be talking about webhosting, and web conferencing.