Thinking Outside The Box - Attraction Marketing

When most of us think of marketing, we think of standard methods, thinking and techniques. We've been conditioned to think this way like Pavlov's dogs. We have to consider, though, whether or not these techniques are in line with what it is we truly are. Are these techniques in line with who we are, what we believe, our purpose, or what we envision the world becoming?

I was lucky when I began my foray into the world of social media because I didn't begin my journey for the purpose of marketing. I was merely seeking a place in the world. That purpose is the reason that I came to understand that the market for something to believe in is infinite and social media is where the human race is going to find their connection, their something to believe in, their hope. The internet is to some extent, today's way of rebuilding the Tower of Babel, a way to connect, a way to seek unity, a tangible recognition of humanity as one, and this social connection puts an extremely high value on engagement, trust, sincerity and testimonials from those in their network who exude those traits. These are the reasons we now have to begin thinking out of the box in our marketing techniques & the reasons I believe that Spiritual Entrepreneurs have the biggest potential to make change (& dollars) on the internet.

As a Spiritual Entrepreneur, you are already thinking outside the box on most levels. What you believe your intent and purpose in the world to be, is completely out of the standard box. Most Spiritual Entrepreneurs want to connect with people at a heart, mind and soul level rather than just approaching people from the standard position of fear and scarcity. You know that what people are looking for is hope, or at least if you don't know that is what they are seeking, you know it's what they need. People want something to believe in, they want hope, they want unity, they want to belong to something bigger than themselves, they want to be happy and to live lives of purpose, and you understand that. You yourself are striving for the same thing. Those desires and connection to a bigger purpose are what makes you a good friend, a good leader, a good teacher etc. Those traits that make you good in those areas are the same exact traits you need to be displaying online.

Think of your online connections on the same level you think of your friends, your family, your students etc. The point is, that if you think of them in this way, you will be sincere with them and you will share with them, give them advice, help them with whatever you can, share stories with them regarding things that have improved your quality of life etc. This is what we do with our friends and it is no different with our online connections. It is true that many of them may not actually be your friends, but that doesn't mean that you can't share with them as if they are. I don't mean tell them your private business or give them your home number and address - I mean be sincere, sell to them only 1% more than you sell to your real friends when you go out to dinner or coffee. Establish yourself in their hearts as a sincere, trustworthy and knowledgeable expert in your niche who is willing to share not just a bit of your time, but the truest essence of who you are.

Use social media to connect to the integrity of the human race & mirror it back to those you connect with online in a way that allows their spirits to be renewed.

Your Secret To Social Media Success

No matter what you are posting or where you are posting it, 80% of your online posts should be adding value to the life of the reader without selling to them. Think about it... We've all got someone in our FaceBook or Twitter feed who speaks of nothing but whatever it is they are selling. Social media is about relationships of value. That is something that every Spiritual Entrepreneur should understand isn't it? Who better to understand the value in relationships with others but someone who is deeply in tune to spiritual concepts? I can't think of any spiritual practice that doesn't talk about loving others in some way shape or form. Who feels love from someone always talking AT them rather than TO them?

When I first began spending time in the land of social media I spoke about what I cared about & paid attention to the same, but no matter what, I always took time to connect with people in some way. I always made sure to know who I was speaking to and how our interests were similar. By doing this, I began to form relationships and I began to connect with people about things that were relevant to them. By simply making connections relevant to what I was doing and what I cared about, I raised my ranking in social media to the top 4% worldwide never once attempting to sell a thing! Now I have formed a multitude of wonderful and sincere relationships with people who have come to know me in a way that allows them to trust what I say in particular areas. What do people value more than trust? There are, of course, a few things but not many.

Social media is about providing value to people who you are speaking to or interacting with. The wide availability of internet connections combined with the sincere and real connections people make with friends from all countries and generations has created an unlimited resource for your potential customer. Most everyone on the internet now has a connection to someone (if not multiple people) who can give them a testimonial or opinion on whatever it is you're selling, and most of them are going to put the most weight with the person they trust the most. Not many people trust someone who is merely there to sell them something when their other option is someone with whom they've spent time forming a trusting relationship with. That is what social media is all about... CONNECTIONS, RELATIONSHIPS & TRUST.

YOU are the first thing of value that your potential customer needs to have access to, and the best way to provide that access, is to let them know you care by giving them something of value that will improve their life in some way.

I believe you are the perfect person to share what you value with the world, don't you? As you know, people in the spiritual community seem more aware than most, of the concept of providing something to others that is truly of value in that it gives people access to something that empowers them or brings them closer to the Divine. We in the spiritual community know all about bringing value to the collective. And we frequently tend to focus on whatever level of understanding we may have of the balance between paying our bills, and enabling humanity to achieve a level of awakening that will bring them closer to the higher power as we see it. We've all heard &/or participated in conversations about how to achieve this balance & where the line in the sand should be drawn with regard to what should and shouldn't be charged for with when it comes to spiritual awakening. It is for that reason that I believe the spiritual community has the most significant potential to use social media successfully. Share with others what it is you care about and before you know it you'll be ranked higher than you can imagine in your niche on whatever social media forums in which you spend your time. We all know that those things which are the most truly and deeply valuable things on earth cost us our time not our dime.

So get out there and start sharing that which is most valuable to the world and give the gift that is nothing short of divinely created.... YOU!

Do You Have Presence?

Establishing an online social media presence involves much more than simply being a warm body or a signpost where your ideas are presented to the world. Granted being physically present is, of course, the first step, but what comes after that?

Working directly with successful spiritual entrepreneurs on their social media campaigns for some time, has enabled me to come to an understanding that being present is much more than just simply existing. Being present is existing in a way that allows our most divine self to literally be a precious gift to others. Spiritual Entrepreneurs don't simply exist - we exist to change the world - and there's no getting around the fact that living on the surface of being present isn't going to serve to create the change we all desire.

Though we all as Spiritual Entrepreneurs know that we existed long before we became beings of flesh, we are also aware that there is a divine purpose to us being present on a physical level. It is much the same with social media. You and your ideas have always existed in their divine purpose, but now it's time for you to become physically present in the online social communities where you can really make a difference and live your purpose more fully. There are four main forums where you should establish your initial presence with social media.

FaceBook - Your focus here is mostly on direct engagement

Twitter - Your focus here is engagement & informational

LinkedIn - Your focus here is professional & Business 2 Business

YouTube - Your focus here is video marketing & promotions

In addition to these four forums, you will also want to establish a presence for yourself via a website as well as a blog if you haven't already done so.

Now that you know where you need to be - go out and establish yourself on the forums listed above. Create your accounts (They're all free). Spend some time setting up your profiles, biography & privacy settings making sure to keep in mind what the main focus of each site is. Let everyone know where they can find you. Always remember, social media is the same as life, in that you cannot help others if you are not completely aware of how to take care of yourself - so make sure you have a plan & then get started living more physically into your divine purpose!