I am not naturally a people person but have become one out of necessity.
The old model Amway business from 80′s and 90′s helped me become better at caring about folks.

I am also like you full time at home as of 6 months ago through hard work.
Here is a nugget for new folks.POSTING PROPERLY in forums to add value for others who are struggling is a must and it’s been a very good way to make friends and now leads for me.

This takes patience but it works.Also blog commenting if you blog.I have 2 blogs.
That’s only one way I market.I post 2-3x on 2-3 forums in my niche which is simple marketing online.
Don’t get stuck in the forums just positive ,friendly.helpful posts.

I see folks come in and whine about how hard this IM thing is and I make no money and….etc.
That’s not attracting anything good or making friends.
Lastly one thing we teach also is go learn something simple ,apply it and teach it.Doe not matter how long it takes to learn but share it as if you are teaching a new person.

I look forward to speaking with you in the New Year.

The happiest of holidays for you and your family.

Sincerely,
Nancy Meadows

Wise words, as usual – it’s often too easy to say ‘ I just haven’t time to…..’ ( I nearly didn’t post this comment!) especially if you’re a newbie and everything takes you so long! However, it’s vital to take time to get to know people and help them where possible, not just to benefit, but because helping people should be part of everyone’s agenda.

It’s also a great boost to realize that you have reached a stage where you actually know (a tiny bit) more than someone else!

Mary

As always, I do enjoy reading your articles and they are useful to me as a newbie. Thank you for being an example to me!

Charles

Word of mouth is truly the most powerful and free way to increase anyone’s business if it is used honestly. Every restaurant owner, fashion store, hairdresser, bookstore, plumber and contractor largely depend on keeping their current customers satisfied and getting not only new job orders but also new customers through their referrals, referrals that come in through the power of word of mouth.

From my own experience as a financial adviser at the sales front I know the power that word of mouth has to generate new prospects, leads and sales. If you just closed a deal you want to maintain the momentum and so you ask for some referrals from your new customers, which ideally will note a view names with contact info you can follow up with. This is simply done by asking “Do you have a friend of whom you think that he might also be interested to learn more about the services you just purchased through me. And of course, you would tell your new customers to spread the word about your services and their experience with it. No matter what you’re selling, if it’s real estate, stocks, insurance, cars, hardware, electronics or even information products, if you truly care for your customers well being in such a way as they become aware of this fact, then, you have already countless “circles of influence” you only need take heed of and be kind and treat them as a friend…

Just think what it could do to your business when the word of mouth goes public, for example when a journalist secretly visits a small new restaurant and afterward writes and publishes an article in a reputable magazine wherein he is featuring the restaurant and tells the readers about his good experience there, wouldn’t that be helpful for your progress? Indeed, a good word of mouth comes close to an actual endorsement and it is very effective when the word spreads from someone who is a “circle of influence”.

Charlie, I enjoyed reading your article and how you demonstrate and point out how important it is to be honest in business and what the outcome of such an attitude looks like. Something that is hardly to be found in an internet marketing world where many are hypnotized by the greed for fast money without truly caring for the people who buy something from them online. Thus, it becomes clear that word of mouth cannot at the same time bring forth both, “good” and “bad” fruits, but “the tree is known by its fruits” and if the beginning is right, so will be the ending.

“Whatever a man sowed, that shall he reap also”…, that is, if the business and service is honest, word of mouth will certainly find a way into the “circles of influence” and from there let your business grow until your business becomes a circle of influence.

We usually think of people or persons as “these” are the circles of influence, but that’s not necessary true. The old saying “it doesn’t matter what you know but WHO you know” doesn’t reveal the whole truth at the surface. Only if one understands what constitutes the “WHO”, or “how” it (he or she) became so adorable, we can truly speak of honesty. Therefore, it is essential to understand the idea that is behind the “WHO” and what makes it going on, in order to be both beneficial first and benefitted second after entering that circle of influence.

The truth is that it is always an idea these great people represent and for which prosperity they work day and night. It is their love and consecration to the well being of that idea which causes them to prosper, to build and maintain a long term successful business. To such a business, there’s nothing better than word of mouth which comes from satisfied customers or other circles of influence who can attest to the sincerity of the business and its representative. If we can connect with others in such a way, then the bond will be strong and it will certainly help to increase our business. Thank you Charlie, for presenting your inspiring article.