There are two constants in the world of Internet marketing that continue to ring as true as they did when I started working on the Internet back in October of 1999.  One, marketers need and want leads and two, people want traffic from the search engines, social networks or anywhere else they can get it.  

While I’ll agree with the premise that leads will always remain a constant, I’m not so sure just how important search engine optimization, viral traffic systems or other “mediums” are anymore… let’s explore this a bit.

When it comes to business and marketing there is one key reason we want the top search engine listings for our niche/keywords.  There’s one reason we spend the time marketing and advertising that we do.  And, there’s one reason why marketers use Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, Ning, Plurk, Ping.FM and the hundreds of social networking resources that exist online today.  That reason is the NEED to reach PEOPLE.  I’ve said it before and you’ll hear me say it again, and again, and again.  PEOPLE are THE KEY ELEMENT that we need to be successful in business.  Without people, there’s no one to buy our products, use our services or join our business opportunities.

Based on this thought (as somone who is continuously thinking outside of the box) if PEOPLE are THE KEY ELEMENT that we need to be successful, is it really smart for us to be placing “mediums**” in between the PEOPLE we need and ourselves?  Let’s face it, people are as easy to find online today as they have ever been.  Based on the look of things, this isn’t going to change.

** Mediums – ANYTHING that we use in marketing that comes between US and our PROSPECT.  Mediums may be to your advantage or disadvantage based on HOW your are marketing and advertising.  The quickest path to success is ALWAYS to go DIRECTLY to the SOURCE OF SUPPLY.

Now, I’m not knocking some of the clever ways that people come up with to drive traffic.  Some are almost genius and get great results.  However, there are two things that you should take into consideration before joining any traffic generating resource.  First, most of the things you join online will want you to promote them as an affiliate which COSTS TIME (time is a precious commodity)… time that is going into the promotion of a resource, not your business.  

Second, many of these resources you have to promote just to get the traffic they generate which means that even IF that resource is MEANT to build your primary business, that the effort and traffic are going into the system of another, not yours.  The quickest way from point “a” to point “b” is a straight line!  In most cases (not all, but most) this is an example of how a “medium” can distract you from your primary objective, even though “it seems” like a good idea.  

Just yesterday I had a couple of friends contact me concerning a hot new traffic generator that people are getting some results with.  Upon reviewing the system, while clever (I will admit), I found it distracting and can see how people could lose traffic and sales from their primary business with the use of this system, even though they might make a few bucks with the promotion of the system itself.  Upgrades sell, that’s why these traffic/ marketing systems are so popular.

When it comes to business my belief is that the best approach is to stay focused on the development of your primary business, whatever that may be.  “When you make up your mind to do something, then do it!  Let NOTHING or NO ONE interfere.  The thing is settled, the die is cast, the “I” of you has determined it, there is no longer any room for argument.” – Charles Haanel, the Master Key System

The bottom line is this… the fact the we need PEOPLE to be successful in business is NEVER going to change (at least not unless robots take over the earth and need to buy food, deoderant and pet care products).  The fastest way to build our business is to go directly to the source that provides the KEY ELEMENT that we need to be successful.  That being said, here are a few lead generation strategies that you can use to increase traffic and build a better mailing list:

* Participate in the social networking scene.  Find a handful of networks and resources you want to use (you don’t need to join them all) and become and influencer in your network.  This is going to help you establish trust, making people more receptive to offerings that lead to products, services or opportunities.  While I am all in favor of automation for the purpose of communication and building relationships, I DO NOT support the use of Twitters’ DM system for the purposes of spam.  There will be NOTHING good that comes from this long term so do things right!

* Develop a GREAT incentive – Most Internet marketers are missing out on this POWERFUL method of marketing.  One of the analogies that I use with our team (more times than they probably care to hear) is that of Big Jim and Big Joe.  Big Jim and Big Joe sell barbecue outside of the local grocery store.  Big Jim stands on platform with megaphone hollaring at the people coming and going about how great is barbecue is.  Big Joe, on the other hand, always has a line of people because he markets with samples.  Having an incentive allows you to use a “taste and see” approach which gives you a HUGE edge over your competition.

* Use a marketing system – If you are not converting your traffic to leads using a marketing system with auto responder then you are losing business and money.  Most people DO NOT convert to a sale the first time they land on your website.  Having a marketing system in place allows you to continue the marketing process to those who have visited but are taking longer to make a decision about your product, service or opportunity. You’ve heard it said that “the money is in the list,” right? That’s the truth! You need to develop a mailing list!

If I need milk I go to the grocery store, not the hardware store.  If I need powertools, I don’t go to the beauty salon, I go DIRECTLY to the SOURCE of the products I need.  Why spend and waste countless hours doing the many things Internet marketers do (to reach people) when the PEOPLE are so easily reached via the social networks and media resources? 

Learn to set up your network for efficiency!  Target your niche and watch what happens!  

For more information on how you can begin harvesting leads while building an AWESOME, niche specific mailing list, request “Micro Blogging Muscle” by using the system on the right hand side.  Did I mention it’s free?  

Have a great day!

Rex