What to do?

[Laurie Rogers]

I'm a pretty seasoned marketer (read my intro post) but took long hiatus due to some complicated and serious issues .... I've got access to over 40,000 people on FB that I have built relationships with for over the past 3.5/4 years, they are a completely untapped market and I really want to see them thrive. I am part Native American (Ojibwe) .... these people really trust me and have opened their lives and hearts to me .... but I need to take into consideration that they are a VERY poor community and I need people to respect that and the fact that their trust is not gained easily. I do help them a lot on social issues so they listen to me but with this being such a sensitve issue I'm not sure where to start as most can not afford $15 plus a years worth of hosting (ie: $66 at fatcow) ....... so what to do and where to start?

Peace
Laurie
Co author Ezine Resource Guide, Featured Writer DEMC.

[Tanner]

Well if you are not worried about monetizing them yourself and you wanted to help them get started making money online, then a good idea would be to teach them the Bum Marketing method as it requires no investment and they can start making money fairly quickly.

Other than that, your market is not a good fit for traditional internet marketing products.

[citrus]

You are trying to help them make money, right? Your post did not explicitly say it, so I'll just assume you meant to say it.

I would start with a couple things: bum marketing like Tanner said, but also IM fundamentals (mindset, relationships, basic IM stuff like autoresponders and affiliate marketing, etc.). I'd teach IM fundamentals to get them started on the right track. The reason I'd go with bum marketing is because it's cheap and relatively easy.

BTW, a .info domain at Godaddy is a buck. The first month of hosting at Hostgator (with a coupon code) is a cent. You'd want to use this .info as a redirect...they're not so good for money sites or squeeze pages. Or, if you want, you could even go with a Blogger/WP blog or a free web 2.0 like Squidoo for bum marketing.

To begin with, I would just teach them how to create good articles, how to keep cranking them out, and how to create a steady flow of sales. As their capital grows, I'd tell them to invest in an autoresponder service so that they could start building some assets instead of making those one-time sales.

After that, I'd tell them to keep growing their lists and teach them new ways of doing so. At that point, the last thing they'd probably need to know would be "List Control" type stuff - as in, how to sell more stuff and maintain/build goodwill with subscribers at the same time.

Of course, that's only one way of doing things :) If you were to do this though, maybe you could put together some kind of free training program...a membership site, teleseminars/webinars, etc. Then tell them all to "hey, go here to learn how to get into a better financial situation."

Curtis

[Shaun Lee]

Like everyone suggested, I'd suggest Bum Marketing (Article marketing) too.

Everything else to do it is free (except the Internet fee, etc.)

-Shaun

[Laurie Rogers]

Thanks for the input, I was planning on putting a newbie section on my new site with a bunch of tutorials and such, so this would fit in perfectly. I have also been working on a book that is targetted towards them. I didn't start out with much money but was fortunate enough to make really good contacts and partnerships with JV's, so I never dismiss anyone's potential and some things are little easier to access now with pre paid credit cards etc. I am not saying all of them would be able to do it obviously, some people in general don't have the patience for this type of work, but it is clear to me that some of them do and would just need the right guidance to get things going.

[Tanner]

Sounds like you've got the right idea, and I agree with not dismissing anyone, you just never know whose gonna shine.

Since you are writing a book for this crowd you could develop a "system" for these people. Something like a no money down system that teaches them how to make money with no money (bum marketing) then teaches them how to reinvest that money to start building a business (hosting, aweber, etc).

That would be a great resource for someone in the situation you've described. Not only that, but once they do start making money, you will have built that trust with them and you can then start to market other products to them.

[Imran Naseem]

How much are you charging them? What is the actual niche?

Are they prepared to spend ?

[citrus]

How much are you charging them? What is the actual niche?

Are they prepared to spend ?


Read the op Imran...these people have zero money to spend and Laurie here is trying to get them out of their financial holes.

[Martin R Butler]

Hi Laurie,
In my opinion, people on the breadline probably wouldn't want to know how internet marketing,autoresponders, hosting ect works. I would personally introduce them to ebay trading as an introduction into generating money.

The system is already set up with customers on tap with money in their pockets, you just need to teach them how it operates and the basics of supply and demand and they can grow at their own pace with no worries of large start up costs and it is acheivable for any beginner.

[Laurie Rogers]

Hi Laurie,
In my opinion, people on the breadline probably wouldn't want to know how internet marketing,autoresponders, hosting ect works. I would personally introduce them to ebay trading as an introduction into generating money.

The system is already set up with customers on tap with money in their pockets, you just need to teach them how it operates and the basics of supply and demand and they can grow at their own pace with no worries of large start up costs and it is acheivable for any beginner.


Hi Martin, thanks for the suggestion, however eBay is not my niche at all. I fiddled around with it some what way back in the day, but to be honest it wasn't my thing. I am strictly info products and a writer-a-holic as Mike would confirm lol

[Kunj K]

Wordpress is free, you could teach them how to set that up.

Then as other people have said, you could follow up with teachings on free traffic methods.

[Trinkasmum]

Hi Laurie,

I'mvery new to this forum, but know exactly where you're coming from. I too am now not spending anything on internet maketing (got bitten once too often!!).

What about finding out what talents and skills your friends have - you'll probably be very surprised at their hidden treasures. Perhaps some of these could be used to make money. What about them composing ebooks or music or how to do its? I'd be quite happy to proof read anything for you(no charge of course), if that would help. Gon't ask me about music though I'm tone deaf!!

Hope this triggers a few thoughts and good luck to you.

Jane.

[Paul Teague]

Hi Laurie,

My background is JV Giveaway events, they're great for people with very little money who want to learn and take positive steps forward.

You can join as a member for free and literally help yourself to loads of quality freebies, such as software products, ebooks, audios and training videos.

For the more ambitious, they can list - free or paid - and start to build a list and make some basic offers.

They're a great way to start, you can go as fast or as slow as you want. and you can even do it for free all the time ... though of course there are more benefits for people who pay ... but paid prices start as low as $7.

Let me know if you want to know more, I created a free e-book that I gave away in my own events.

I don't advertise it now, but I'll send you a copy directly if it's useful.

All the best, Paul

[Garland Coulson]

I'm a pretty seasoned marketer (read my intro post) but took long hiatus due to some complicated and serious issues .... I've got access to over 40,000 people on FB that I have built relationships with for over the past 3.5/4 years, they are a completely untapped market and I really want to see them thrive. I am part Native American (Ojibwe) .... these people really trust me and have opened their lives and hearts to me .... but I need to take into consideration that they are a VERY poor community and I need people to respect that and the fact that their trust is not gained easily. I do help them a lot on social issues so they listen to me but with this being such a sensitve issue I'm not sure where to start as most can not afford $15 plus a years worth of hosting (ie: $66 at fatcow) ....... so what to do and where to start?

Peace
Laurie
Co author Ezine Resource Guide, Featured Writer DEMC.


Hi Laurie,

I see that you have a possible hungry target market (niche) but that they do not really have the funds to support the usual methods of monetization such as promoting affiliate programs for hosting, courses, marketing tools, etc.

Perhaps you could set up a marketing cooperative for First Nations people. People could contribute skills (time, art, knowledge, etc.) instead of money. You could earn money off of the success.

Here are a couple of examples.

1. A First Nations Art and Music Web site that sells art, music CDs etc.

2. Set up a business incubator for First Nation businesses where you teach them to be successful and take a percentage of the profits.

3. Set up a cooperative loyalty buying program for First Nations where they can buy groceries, clothing, etc online and a loyalty percentage goes back to their communities along with administration fees for you.

You could call me at 1-866-413-0951 to chat about some of these ideas.

[Rob Canyon]

Laurie,

I'm a little new to the forum too, but been around for a while (in sales & mktg online & off)... Here's my take...

If you're wanting to make some money selling to your FB group value... and if they've come to
know you basically on a free communication basis like FB direct monetization can be difficult... however

if you offer massive value in relation to the product you sell or promote to someone who does, I think
you should be alright... For example... let's say you offer a 4 week coaching program on x,y,z for $19.95 and
include a 60 day money back guarantee. Maybe do one hour of teaching and one hour of live Q & A afterwards
twice a week... etc. etc.

Sure it probably seems a bit over the top, but you'd be surprised how many people would take you up on the
offer... BTW you could sell your program on a webinar.

Just some thoughts... Remember, massive value to a target market you know & like and they know & like you
and you have the makings of a win win all the way around.

btw I left out trust, because for the most part that's assumed until you or they do something that
damages that bond.

Hope that helps.

Rob

[Laurie Rogers]

I've sent a few people some PM's etc. some really good ideas, thanks for all the suggestions, ideas etc.

[Desmond Chen]

my advice ? start anew and start building oyurselfa real email list where the people have the capacity and ability to sign up and purchase something. tell your fb friends about the new list and get them to sign up there if they are interested.