The Social Media Popularity Contest. Get Your Business In With The In Crowd

Growing up as a gifted student athlete I never had a problem fitting in or being a part of "the in crowd".

I never lacked confidence. I never chased other leaders because I always seemed to have people chasing me. I was that popular chick who just "had it".

That was until I became an online entrepreneur.

For the first time in my life I felt like left out larry, isolated, always trying to scratch myself in to the hottest mastermind or align myself with the cool social media kids.

You know the ones that have a gazillion Facebook fans, are getting crazy results and just seem to have a knack for making big bucks online.

In fact, I can remember to myself, if I could only get in the inner circle of so-and-so...then I would have the know all the tricks to social media success.

If I could only find a way to get noticed by this guru...then I would have the social proof and cred to get my business to the next level.

It's kind of like standing in front of the hottest club in LA waiting for hours to get in, while the bouncer let's everybody else but you in the door....and all you can think about is what the hell do they have that I don't.

Building a business online is something like that...it's not what you know, it's who you know that can push you business into a whole new realm of online greatness!

So why would you even want to be on the social media in crowd?

1. These are the marketers that already have a huge fan base. How did they get all of those fans...likability...people like them and what they have to say.

2. They are influencers...when they talk people tend to listen..and follow,,,and buy...They have social media clout.

3. They are always one step ahead of the game. These are the people who are on the cutting edge, on top of the trends and in-the-know about what's working now.

4. They can make you a superstar. If you hang out with social media superstars, communicate with social media superstars then people will automatically assume that you are a superstar too and you'll see your own platform start to grow. Yes the success by association thing...pretty powerful!

5. To be the best you have to learn from the best. Success breeds success and if you can find out what other successful entrepreneurs are doing you can model your business accordingly.

6. They will help you out. Just like all friendships, partnerships and joint ventures, it takes two to tango. Most social media superstars are willing to support you because you've supported them. If you've gone out of your way to build a relationship with them, to promote their products, and show them you are serious about your business, they will be more than happy to help you out.

Now that you know why it's important to bask in the aura of social media superstars, how do you begin to put yourself and your business in a position to get noticed.

To get yourself on the social media VIP list, try implementing these 6 tips

1. Know the movers and shakers: Write down the top 20 movers and shakers in your field. Who do you see everywhere? What names keep popping up online? Who's getting results? Who are people listening too? Who's getting results?

2. Where are the movers and shakers. Where are these influencers hanging out? Where are they the most active, Facebook, Twitter, Forums, Blogs? You'll find different superstars occupying different internet hot-spots, but wherever they are find them.

3. Engage, Support and Promote. ESP them. Become their biggest fan. Share their content, re-tweet their posts, promote their programs, become one of their top affiliates, comment on their blog posts, turn your list on to them. If you're making money for them, helping their list to grow, driving traffic to their sites...all without asking for anything in return, I promise you they will start to take notice.

4. Map it out. Map out exactly who you want to connect with, how you are going to do it and attack your "Influencers list". Here is a portion of my list here. Each week plan to connect with 5 people on your list....and if they don't respond right away...don't quit. I can guarantee that you are not the only one vying for their attention. So keep reaching out until they take notice.

5. Don't be afraid to ask. Look, ask and you shall receive. Don't wait for things to fall in your lap, ask for what you want. If you are a decent writer, request a guest post on their blog. Ask them to for an interview or a webinar to cross promote their program...and vise versa. Be real, be authentic, be genuine. You'll be floored by just how much your business can flourish when you just ask.

6. Invest in the relationship. Don't expect the moon and the sun right off the bat. You have to be consistent, you have to be relentless (not in a I'm-going-to-cyper-stalk-you kind of way) and you have to be patient. It will pay off.

To get noticed you have to step up and be seen. Put yourself in front of the people who can take you from online obscurity to social media superstar. No one gets to the top by themselves, and this couldn't ring more true online. Take the time to bridge the gap by doing your research, laying out a game plan, and taking action until you get the result you desire.

Becoming a social media superstar is harder than it looks...much harder, but people are living their dreams by becoming online entrepreneurs every single day...so if others can do it, you can do it too.

I know it may seem overwhelming but when you decide to stop being a spectator, social media superstardom is right around the corner!

Want More Social Media Tips? Check out The Go Guide (it's Free) for weekly updates on growing your business with social media.

8 Questions You Need To Ask Before Writing An Online Business Plan

Whether you are writing your ideas and goals on a napkin at the corner cafe or hiring a professional writer to put your thoughts to paper, your online business plan is the lifeline to any entrepreneur's success when leveraging the internet to promote and market your products and services. While business plans come in all shapes, sizes and formats the core elements should be the same. So make sure your online business plan is up to par by asking yourself these key questions. It can mean the difference between a successful home business and a failing one.

Key Questions Every Entrepreneur Should Ask When Writing An Online Business Plan

#1 Do you have what people want? What value do you have that people will be willing to pay for...is it a product, service, skill? You can have what YOU think is the brightest idea, but if no one if buying or no one needs what you're selling, then you are out of luck. One of the main goals of your online business plan is to define what problems and challenges your target market needs and solve their problems with the knowledge and expertise your posses. This will help you outline the unique features and benefits of your product or service. Make sure you have them written out and use them as a reference when developing your sales and marketing materials.

Always remember this: If you are not solving problems you are not making money.

#2 What, who, and where is your target market? I know I know, this is more like three questions in one, but before you get to marketing your product to any and everyone, know your niche...health and wellness, internet marketing, social media, wine, motivational speaking, custom invitations, video marketing, etc. Next know who you are targeting...athletes, small business owners, corporations, the rich, the poor, college students, stay at home moms...I think you get my point here. Lastly, know where your target market hangs out both online and offline. For example does your ideal customer frequent the gym, the internet, facebook, day cares, or church functions, small business seminars.

By answering these 3 questions you will define what your ideal customer looks like...what we like to call your AVATAR. Only when you have a crystal clear idea on who you are selling to and where you can find them can you focus the right time and energy into the most effective and profitable marketing and lead generation strategies.

#3 Who’s your competition? Unless you have invented a product that has never been seen before you will always have competition...and even if your novel invention is a first to market...if it's a goldmine, the competition is not too far behind. You will always be competing with someone else. Other business owners, other marketers, other distributors, other entrepreneurs within your niche.

Once you know the other players in the game you can adjust your marketing plan and brand to be a cut-above the rest. If there is nothing unique about your offerings, mo perceived added value a customer gets from joining or buying from you, or if you are priced too high over your competition who is providing comparable products and services, then you'll lose every time.

#4 What’s your intention statement? What the heck is an intention statement. Your intention statement is the core of your success map will communicate what you are trying to do and how you plan to do it. It can be one sentence or as long as a couple of paragraphs but keep it concise and to the point. The shorter, the better. To learn more about developing your personal success map click here to watch the free webinar replay A Date With Success - Success Mapping Strategy.

 #5 What is your personal promise to your customers and business partners? Start with “I promise to…” Offer a gourmet coffee experience at a decent price? Provide step by step tutorials on building a brand from home? This is something you have to know. I promise to provide online marketers cutting-edge access to the most effective Facebook marketing strategies.

#6 What are my greatest challenges or obstacles? Identify what might keep you from being successful. Inferior resources, limited knowledge, lack of strategic partnerships, fear, the wrong attitude (yes your mindset if the greatest obstacle of them all). It’s important to identify these things, so that you can come up with solutions. The better PROBLEM SOLVER you become the better plan of action you will have for dealing with these road blocks.

#7 What are your marketing and sales plans? Develop a plan that will maximize your business exposure, help you generate targeted leads and then convert those leads into buying customers. Will you market online, using social media, Facebook, billboards, trade shows, at local meet ups. Do you have an elevator pitch (can you quickly tell someone what you do in 15 seconds or less) and create value while doing so? What are the price points for your products and services? Also, what are your sales goals?

#8 Do you need a staff or external support? While most of us are solo-entrepreneurs or small business owners, ask yourself can you achieve your marketing and sales goals by doing everything on your own? There may be some tasks you do not know how to do or even want to do yourself. If this is the case, you must account for future employees, the possibility of outsourcing or investing in learning the skills you need to run your ship if paying others is not an option.

The better prepared you are as an entrepreneur, whether you run a home based business or small retail shop, you must have a success map that will guide you along the way. The worst feeling you can have as an entrepreneur is to have your visions and dreams collapse because you failed to plan!