Warm Market vs. Cold Market

An age-old question for network marketers:

Should you market to your "warm market" (friends and family) or the "cold market" (through advertising, mailing, Internet, etc.).

Both approaches can work, so the first thing to consider is, which is best for YOU?

The warm market approach is great because it's essentially free. There are no costs of advertising, buying leads, doing mailings, etc. Also, you’re talking to people with whom you already have a trusting relationship.

The cold market approach costs money because you have to advertise, and you're going to be talking to strangers with whom you'll have to spend considerable amounts of time establishing credibility and bonding before they will trust you. On the other hand, your advertising can generate leads that already come with an interest in what you have to offer.

There is a third approach – which I call the HOT market.

This technique can begin with either the warm market or cold market. It involves developing a relationship with your prospects and offering them truly valuable information that they want (for free) before you attempt to enroll them in your opportunity.

There are specific techniques I use for this and it works especially well via the Internet if you know how. Too often people have used the Internet for direct selling of their business opportunities. Unfortunately that doesn't work very well.

The Internet has moved into a new phase …

As evidenced by the phenomenal growth of “My Space” and other social web sites, the Internet has become about connecting with people and developing relationships.

When you learn to use the Internet effectively in that way, then the world is your oyster.