How do you set yourself apart?

JenniferM · Shaklee Expert Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 56

I have been stumped about this for a while now, and was just talking to one of my team members yesterday that is stumped with it as well, so I thought I would ask and see if anyone has any ideas.

When you're involved in this business and you are marketing online, since there are so many other reps out there, how do you set yourself apart so that people will sign up with you? Like I know if you network on forums, people who know you are more likely to come to you if they want to buy products or join the business. But what about blind ads (such as Google Adwords or ads on a website)? Since people don't know you personally, what do you do to set yourself apart from the thousands of other reps?

I did a free shipping offer for December and January, and while it did create lots of sales, I also paid a lot for those shipping charges, so it's not something I want to do too often.

Any thoughts or what do you do to set yourself apart?
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Anita · Posted: February 14, 2007, 10:46 pm Post subject:

Now don't forget, with your free shipping promo, you might have lost a little money or just didn't make that much during that promo but hopefully you picked a up a few new customer - which will pay off in the future Wink

Know what I mean? It might be a loss or little profit temporarily but hopefully having new customers in the future will pay off.

Another thing that we ALWAYS recommend with all direct sales reps is to build your own personal webite. (Those that are allowed to of course.) Then you have an entire website to make yourself stand out.

Great topic ... and I'd love to hear from others!

Take care,
Anita Razz

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JenniferM · Shaklee Expert Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 56

You're right - I am going back to the free shipping offer again. I'm not sure how long I will keep it, but I guess I can just see how it goes. I think it's also a good incentive for existing customers as well and shows appreciation for their continued business.

I'm looking forward to hearing other ideas as well!

Thanks!
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Anita · Posted: February 15, 2007, 10:36 pm Post subject:

Yes ladies! Let's here some more!!

Take care,
Anita Razz

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karadawn · Posted: February 16, 2007, 4:53 am Post subject:

Personal sites and blogs. Personal sites and blogs. Personal sites and blogs!

Now have I mentioned how important it is to have your own website and blog? (Company permitting of course). The absolute BEST way to set yourself apart is let YOUR personality and creativity shine through.

Let's say a customer is looking at two reps from the same company. One has their own personal site, the other has a rep site. The rep with the personal site has their personal recommendations, experiences, and testimonies from people who have directly ordered from THEM. The rep with the company site has basic information that every other rep has.

If you were the customer, who would you buy from?

Not to mention with your own website you can work on SEO, and let the customers come to YOU from the search engines.

Let's say I'm looking for Watkins Vanilla and I search for it on Google. There's the company website at the top (to be expected). Now what's below that? Are those rep sites? NOPE. Those are personal websites. Each have information specifically about themselves, so customers can get to know the rep they are working with before ordering.

(By the way, at the top of that list is "GreatVanilla.com", which just happens to be a good friend of ours!)

So anyway, I would first be looking into a personal website for yourself and if your company does in fact allow it. $10 or less a month for a website is a lot cheaper than other means of "being unique". Wink

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JenniferM · Shaklee Expert Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 56

Thanks Kara!

I do actually have a personal site, www.healthyfamiliesforlife.com and have had it for quite some time and just didn't do too much with it. I guess I should be working on that.

I had also started a blog a while back, September or October (I think), and just really never did much with it either. I struggled with things to talk about...lol.

Well, I guess I have some work to do, then. Very Happy

Thanks, ladies!
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Anita · Posted: February 17, 2007, 7:07 am Post subject:

Oh! Your personal website looks fantastic! Very clean, great colors, easy to navigate - just great!!

Aha, I see ... it's from Nola!! I haven't heard from her in a long time.

I suggest picking that baby back up Wink

And with the blog and running out of things to say ... I've run into the same problem quite a few times. I seen that there were a couple of articles on your website written by you. Maybe it's time to start doing a little more writing? What you have so far looks great! But maybe start writing "tip articles" and turn your blog into a tip blog. Instead of writing long blog posts that might as well be articles ... once every couple of days post a simple little tip. OR maybe do that and then throw in an article once a week by someone else.

Okay ladies ... where the heck are the rest of ya? Val ... Lauren? I know you two should have some tips!!

Take care,
Anita Razz

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Anita · Posted: February 17, 2007, 7:09 am Post subject:

Do you still have your newsletter, Jennifer?

Take care,
Anita Razz

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JenniferM · Shaklee Expert Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 56

Well, actually...I only sent out 1 newsletter and that's right before I kind of let the site go by the wayside (I'm too impatient...lol), but I'm thinking since I am working on the site again, that I will definitely be sending out a newsletter again. It may just be every quarter or every 2 months, but that's a start, I guess.

And, yes, Nola does wonderful work!!!
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Anita · Posted: February 18, 2007, 10:57 pm Post subject:

Oh yes honey ... the newsletter is VERY important. You'll want to keep in close contact with those customers at all times!

(Just my suggestions but ...)

Pick that personal website back up and start promoting that one more.
Start writing more articles and get them submitted to directories.
Start your newsletter back up and keep up with it on a regular basis.

Honestly, you work on those 3 things consistently for a while. And I mean really keep after it. Make it a commitment to work on those on a daily basis (if possible). And you're going to notice a huge difference for the better!

Take care,
Anita Razz

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BusyMomma · Posted: February 19, 2007, 6:44 am Post subject:

ShakleeMom, can you put your name in your sigline? I know we've chatted on the boards a bit, but I am bad with names until it's been quite a while. Wink

thanks so much. Smile

I am in love with the classic design of your site! I need some stuff done, so if you could pm me how much you paid for that! I went to their site, but there weren't any prices. I hate that. Sad

You definitely need to pick up that site. Think back to when you had it designed. What was your goal/purpose/passion for it to accomplish? (please write this all down for yourself) Next, you know there are things that you need to accomplish that goal. Write them down as well. No matter how "stupid" you think they are!

The blog is another story. I am very passionate about my blogs. I hold myself back from giving out TMI on them and being unsafe. I just love to blog. So again, figure out what you had hoped for this blog. It may just be talking about products, or it may be tips for health. I belong to a great PLR site for
All Health Content and recipes. Check them out and see if they may help you. Feel free to email or pm me with questions at anytime. This has been a tremendous time saver for me!

Building my newsletter is another priority with the blogging this year. Actually my newsletters are my top priority. There is nothing worse than a list sitting there unused, in my opinion. And I have done that in the past.

With your site, I just got done rehabbing Busy Momma Wellness. I am always in search of page specific link exchanges. I am very familiar with shaklee and you are one of the few products out there I wouldn't mind promoting with a free link exchange. So when you get back to your site, let me know and we can go over that. If I have an article that pertains to something on your site, then we exchange links for those pages.

I do take articles for my site and newsletter. So if you write some let me know. Goodness, I feel like I've bombarded you. I'll let you decipher all of this and then post or pm me back. Laughing

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JenniferM · Shaklee Expert Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 56

You ladies ROCK!

I am going to start working on my site again today! Smile

Thanks so much for the ideas and Val, I would love to do a link exchange!

THANKS!
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Jennifer

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Anita · Posted: February 19, 2007, 7:28 pm Post subject:

mompreneur · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 8

I also wanted to add, writing your own articles will set you apart. Writing articles will give you lots of exposure and will give you more credibility.

Julie
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Anita · Posted: July 29, 2007, 8:02 am Post subject:

Anita · Posted: July 29, 2007, 8:08 am Post subject:

Oops! I forgot to say what I had initially meant to say about article marketing and duplicate content! (See what happens when I start that rambling that I seem to be so good at!)

One of the things that I've started to do with a few of my articles is alter them a little bit here and there. Maybe change the paragraphs around a bit or take a paragraph out here and put it in there change a paragraph or two ... you get the idea. Basically, try to make a couple different versions of your articles to submit to different directories.

As far as I know as of right now, the concern with duplicate content and whether or not it can hurt you has not been officially confirmed ... however, making these small alterations certainly can't hurt you.

Later!
Anita Razz

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Terri-Avon · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 16

hmmm I'll have to try and check out the article writing thing. I'm not much of a writer though. I wish I had more time in the day to do what I'd like to do LOL
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sewcute · Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 58

Hi all,

I am new here but want to add my input.

I am one to always help out others. I never received much help when I started out so I do what I can to help out.
I recently offered a "FREE business promotional packet for a website owner. Stop on over and peek http://www.mulberrycreekmerchantile.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=63

As with anyone their is a trust factor that needs to be built between you and your customers. I want people to know I am there for them and will do what I can to help.
Whether they advertise in my magazine, website or newsletter. They know I will work my butt off to promote their site.

My greatest feeling is knowing that I helped them and they in turn help me when I need it.
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Anita · Posted: February 26, 2008, 1:00 am Post subject: