In my last few articles I have been reviewing the book Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk. Although he primarily describes how he built his wine business, he also offers great principles that can be used in any niche. They are some of the same principles I learned when I started an online business.Start An Online Business – Make the Decision to Go For it!Vaynerchuk is known for asking people, “Are you happy with your job?” He says that if you are not just dying to get out of bed in the morning and go to work, you might consider doing something else. And I can admit that in the last years of my home remodeling business that is exactly how I felt.I know a lot of people on my own email list want to do something else with their time and energy. But it can also be scary to decide to go for it. You might consider working at night to build your own business, going at it on a part-time basis until you build some momentum!Start An Online Business – Go ViralYou might consider one idea for building an internet business that we are going to be implementing throughout the year: a little more social media. And a little more viral marketing. This can take a little bit of time to build up. But we are going to be giving out good content on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, those kinds of things.Again, this is something that takes a little time, especially if your company has strict rules about posting on social media sites while you are at work. I have even heard of some companies that discourage posting outside of work.Start An Online Business – Build Your OWN BrandA brand is what differentiates you from others in your niche. With Vaynerchuk, he knew he was not a good writer, so when blogs came along, he knew that was not for him. So he continued to wait.When videos became popular, he saw the potential with videos. That is when he decided he would use videos to develop his brand: WineLibraryTV.One brand that my wife and I have been working on is “The Couple Next Door.” We want people to see us normal people who do everyday regular things, but we have just sort of fallen into some concepts that work online. And that is the truth. We are not internet marketing gurus or business hotshots. We like to share with people so that they can be successful.One thing to remember as you are developing your brand is giving good content. Good content is essential, and one of the best ways to do that is through storytelling. Vaynerchuk is a great storyteller. And when you tell stories, people remember, and then they can associate whatever the content is with what you are trying to teach them.There are still so many other elements to starting an internet business: building your list, choosing your platform, capitalizing on your strengths, etc. If you want to know how to start an online business, Vaynerchuk’s book is a MUST read. It can offer you some useful insight.

As I build my home based business I have realized that there are lots of coaches out there with lots of different ideas for success. However it has also become obvious that most of them teach many of the same principles. These are the five that I have found to be consistent and that really do work.1) Always be opening new long-term relationships, it is not about “closing” someone on a sale but getting to know someone and understanding what they are looking for.2) Keep an open mind. You never know where your next huge sale will come from or who will be your next business partner. Let people make their own decisions, you want them on your team because they want to be there. Anything other than that is more work and headaches for you.3) Listening is key, you want to know what people are looking for. Does what you have to offer fill that need. When you really listen you will hear exactly what their need is and if they are ready they will sell themselves on your business.4) Offensively handle every objection. You want to understand where your new clients and partners are coming from, we all have different perspectives. Ask them “Help me to understand” When it is not about making sure that you are right; you will learn to love it when someone tells you no.As I learned from Jeff Herring in building any business on-line you will need an open heart and a thick skin.Sales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesman, not the attitude of the prospect.” – William Clement Stone5) Always be early for all your appointments. This gives you an edge, you will already be settled in and set up when your potential team member arrives.It really is about building relationships long term. Remember you are going to spend at least 5 years working closely with your team members, you also want to make sure there is a match. Not everyone is right for YOUR team. Learning to build relationships on-line is a very effective way to find your new clients and customers.

Have you ever walked into a store where the employees were all standing around talking to each other? One person may have looked up when you came in but gave you “the look”. The look of “oh darn here comes another one to disturb us!”. Your own mood can do that very thing to your customers and clients on-line.When you use social media marketing your own mood will set the tone for your interactions with people. Here are five steps to ensure that you present a “good mood” online.Acknowledge people, respond to their questions, tweets or comments. One of the main reasons I now purchase product from Jeff Herring, The Article Marketing Guy, is because he thanked me for re-tweeting his tweets. Set yourself apart from many of the people on-line and acknowledge people.
Be interested in what they want, people are not likely to do business with you until they know how much you care. Engage in conversations, either on-line or off-line. Ask questions and pay attention to the answers. I am able to get lots of ideas for articles just because I pay attention to the questions and answers.
Listen carefully to what people ask and say. When I present at speaking engagements I get asked numerous questions about social media marketing. I love those questions because not only can I answer them right then and there; then I can also write an article or two on the topic as well.
Follow through, nothing is worse than having someone promise something then not delivering. I will often tell people that was an “excellent question”, I’ll have to write an article about it. Then I have to make sure that I do. You will not be seen as a reliable business person if you do not follow through.
Follow up, I am sure you have heard the saying “the money is in the follow up”. It is so very true. Think back to a time where you purchased a product and when you attempted to get the support that was promised there was nothing there. No one answered your questions. I will bet that did not leave you feeling good about that person or business, did it? Be sure to follow up with your customers and clients. In the beginning you may have to do this yourself, but as your business grows you will be able to hire people to assist you and purchase programs that will do some of the routine work for you.these five tips into practice in your home based business and your social media marketing methods and you will definitely see a difference in your results.