Contacting others without sounding whiny or intrusive

Hey there,

Writing on a forum regularly is enough I think to make a lot of contacts with people.

You do not need to contact them personally.

What do you mean with having contacts to get the IM going. Do you mean just knowing about them and the opposite or to meet them in the real live?

Thx in advance

Don't be too hard on yourself.

I would tell you to work with your message until you feel as if it is something worth sending out. Make your messages the best that you can and then just remember that you are only dealing with other people.

Give something good, and let the chips fall where they may. If you send something and there is a problem then you would just know one thing to do differently next time.

How about CHEERS...does saying Cheers sound robotic.

Cheers Nattsurfaren

It takes time, but it is a skill you can learn. Don't worry about 'writing', and instead think of yourself as talking to your contact.

You can even get a talk-to-type program, and actually talk to your contact.

For your closing, say whatever you want, and whatever is natural for you. You can even come up with something that is uniquely for your contacts.

One of my sites is about home theater. I end all emails with this: "On with the show! -Warren"

So, just think about talking to your contacts, as if they were sitting at a casual lunch with you. Don't worry about writing to them, just talk with them.

Sincerely, Warren

That is the one thing you DON'T want to do is be robotic with your statements.

Just like any kind of social gathering or party you may go to I always just mingle and start communicating with small talk until I understand the "rules" of engagement depending on the place I am at weather it be virtual (on the internet) or in real life.

When sending email to an email list I suggest you just be a real person. Don't just write emails that are marketing a product to someone, write an email that markets "yourself" and then introduce a product. It is just like if you walk into a party, do you just walk up to someone and say "Hey, buy my awesome stuff over here". I HOPE NOT.... You would actually engage them and communicate getting to know each other. Then when opportunity exists you can promote a product / service. This actually gets your email list subscribers to follow you, not just signup on your email list and then immediately unsubscribe after you pound them will a million different affiliate offers.

You're like me, I am extremely shy, but you sound worse than me

You will get over it. I am camera shy and never tried to make videos, and now I can't keep my ugly face or voice off of videos

Stick around the WF and all that shyness will leave you sooner or later

I wouldn't worry about being intrusive if you are contacting the people in the correct way. It seems to me like you're looking for JV partners or something to mentor you or whatever.

I'll tell you exactly how I did it.

For 2 years I wrote - "Hey can you help me" or "hey can you promote my stuff...TODAY?"

And no one answered.

Then I got some training (paid for it) and learned the right way. About 10 months ago I started writing..

"Hey, my name is Lexi. I just wanted to write you quick to say how much I appreciate (product). Since we are creating and selling the same information, I know my circle of influence would love (product) as well. Before I mentioned it to my audience, I wanted to get your permission first.

Also, you probably saw the DVD in the package I sent. I shot some really cool content just for your audience. Feel free to use it however you want. I'm sure you'll find it valuable and I know they will too. For ease of access, I uploaded the video to my site here >> (LINK).

Let me know what you think about me promoting (product).

Talk soon,
Lexi"

This was a real letter, hand written and packaged with DVD shipped via FedEx.

I shot a short 10 minute video of some really cool content then I sent it out to every big name JV partner I could find in the niche I was working in. Not all of them replied obviously but I got a bunch of great connects out of it.

Now whenever I get into a niche that I'm actually going to be creating products in I do the same thing and it works every time.

You could literally use Lexi's letter as a swipe file. Not without her permission, of course, but it is a great example:

1. Introduce yourself! Many people don't even do that much. Including you in the example request for a Skype contact you posted.

Hey, my name is Lexi.

2. Show appreciation for them and that you know something about them. It doesn't have to be a product, it could be a thread you both commented on, the city you both live in, saw that they liked fishing.

I just wanted to write you quick to say how much I appreciate (product).

3. Explain why you may share a common interest in connecting.

Since we are creating and selling the same information, I know my circle of influence would love (product) as well.


4. Always ask permission.

Before I mentioned it to my audience, I wanted to get your permission first.


5. Do something specific for them or offer to do something for them with no strings in appreciation of their time. Don't just say "I have lots of skills so let me know if you ever need a hand". And make it easy for them to access.

Also, you probably saw the DVD in the package I sent. I shot some really cool content just for your audience. Feel free to use it however you want. I'm sure you'll find it valuable and I know they will too. For ease of access, I uploaded the video to my site here >> (LINK).

6. Then ask for what you want.

Let me know what you think about me promoting (product).

In marketing everyone networks. It is how business and work get done. So nobody is going to be shocked that someone approaches them and asks for a contact, or help or a partnership. It is part of the business.

But it is how you go about making contacts and how you show what you bring to the table and the mutual benefit of any relationship.

Mahlon

I will personally try to introduce myself first and try to understand the other party. This is great as they can feel that you are trying to understand them. I will do that before I start to promote any products to them.

To overcome your shyness, why not attend the local meetups or local networking event. Haha once you are there, you are being forced to talk and network with people. It seems very scary but once you go through it, you will find that it is not so scary after awhile and it might even be fun

Wow.
I feel so embarrassing now.
With my "perfect" English skills i just say something like:
"Hey, i have a great site with exclusive , interesting content, would you like to promote each other? Here is the pass to my members area to check out.

After reading Lexy email template, its feels super unprofessional and bad looking.

Well my technique is, don't sound robotic or send the contact with robotic-like email. Try to contact him like you are very serious. State your motives, give him the link or samples that triggered you to contact him. Just compose a letter that sounds like you really are talking to him, like being sincere.

Be specific! That's the thing I wanted to point out.

Hey, firstly you don't need contacts! just a good training /support network which is EASY to join. And secondly, stop selling and think about what service you are offering to HELP whoever you are contacting. When you genuinely mean what you say your emails/communications will become natural. Many many many successful people starting out in your shoes. Asking for help is the first step. Well done

onSubie Thanks for the swipe file. It really structure things up in a way my brain can handle it better.
LexiB You totally know your stuff
This thread was very motivational for me. I realize more and more that Internet Marketing is something that is very hard to manage alone just because we need to and can motivate each other.

This is a kind of behavior that everyone comes across at least once in life. I think you should not put so much pressure on yourself and try to face your fears for a change.

I like to use my charm and humor when it comes to building relationships. Don't be afraid to ask for help. What's the worst that can happen?

Use a lot chatting and skype... Try to post some information at forums (With value). Make some friends on facebook... Retweet good information... And suddenly you will be a person who everyone will respect..
Best regards