Setting Up MA's New Online Messaging Software For The Webportal
Okay, so after the five years that I've been doing Internet Marketing for Market America's webportal, they finally have an online chat service for distributors, aka Customer Managers, to communicate with our site visitors in real-time. This new feature just went live last week and I am setting up my own access which is optional for the field but vital for anyone that considers themselves an "Internet Marketer". This will be a great tool for me to see what my visitors are looking for or answer their MA questions on the spot.
I have to clear some space in my overloaded laptop to download this new software. I really need a new laptop but will have to make do for now. My Dell Inspiron 2200 notebook is so crammed with downloads and images that I have to transfer some more of that data to discs & flashdrives to save space. I've already put older digital camera files on a jumpstick but I'm just worried about misplacing them once I do that. Maybe a binder with those cd sleeves & a flashdrive case will help?
These days I find myself just managing my portfolio of existing customers and not getting as many new shoppers even though I've been sending a lot of leads to our site with trackable links so that I can see that how many clicks that promo got. I'm doing my part but not getting a better conversion rate than I'd expect. Doing business on the web is all about conversion rates, which means getting a person that clicks a link to take some action by actually making a purchase or at least registering as a customer. I also would like better follow up tools because the eFlyers we have to send on to customers are just impersonal pre-set product ads with an ending paragraph that we can add to but I'd much rather have them set up as relationship builders, so I just send emails myself & MA is using YesMail to send out promos that look awesome, I must admit.
The trouble with keeping up with personalized emails to customers is that I have several dozen regular customers to follow up with, I've registered hundreds but not all of them reorder & just go inactive. Using an auto-responder email may be the answer but I must shop around and ask for referrals to a dependable and cost effective service. I wish MA would partner with one, we already have GoToMeeting's webinar services as a partner store thanks to the volume of distributors using their tools. Now we can earn on their service for those free webinars & demos of our marketing plan or product presentations. You know I've been dying to use my self-made Motives presentation in PowerPoint to recruit new consultants. An official one is in the works but I think I'll update mine anyway just to have something for myself in the meantime, generically of course.
I believe that the MA business model has so many applications for the different niche markets and specialties, aka MA University, that a variety of presentations is also something that we need. MA matches product to a profession like AutoWorks for auto detailers, Transitions for personal trainers & Nutrametrix for doctors which has a whole program just for the wellness industry with its own terminology so I think that we need a Motives one in beauty/salon/freelance lingo. The numbers & dynamics are the same but the presentation of the information tailored to the beauty industry will be a key factor to getting more makeup artists, salons & spas into partnering with MA.
Its not just about carrying the beauty collections like the Motives line or even the Royal Spa hair care & various skincare lines but about the residual income behind the marketing plan to demonstrate to the entrepreneur. I think all beauty professionals are entrepreneurs, they have their own sense of style and must be self-motivated to make themselves stand out among the other stylists or pros to retain their clientele & that requires some individualistic thinking. They tend to always keep themselves on trend and know many of their clients personal concerns which would be great for solution-based marketing with MA.
Now to get out the door and get a Christmas tree, if we can find one! My hubby said Lowe's & HomeDepot were sold out & we'll have to search for a vendor. Then later tonight I'll print off some Restaurant.com gift certificates for my customers that I think they'll appreciate and mail them out during the week with holiday cards. They're 70% off with code: WRAP & a bonus for a free flower gift certificate too!! Offer expires Monday December 15th.
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UPDATE 8:15pm:
I submitted my info and am awaiting my download instrux from MA but I already see a new LiveHelp-CHAT NOW! link in the top right corner....yay!! I'm so excited & can't wait to try it. So dear reader, please send me a note and let's give it a whirl when you see that I'm online. 
I'd love to hear from you.
I'd love to hear from you.
Posted by Lisa Moffa at 12/14/2008 11:20 AM 
Categories: UnFranchise Business Development , Technical Update, Personal Thoughts
Categories: UnFranchise Business Development , Technical Update, Personal Thoughts
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