This is a common question new blogging internetwork marketers are asking, “Should I blog over calling leads or vice versa?”
I’ll give you my two cents in just a little bit, but before I do…
The last few weeks we have reduced the number of posts from 5 to 3 per week. Perhaps you’ve been wondering why.
With everything going on at the Maverick Business Builders Blog, we saw a huge increase in the number of leads we were generating.
I’m not telling you this to brag, but why I am telling you this is because I had to make a decision.
To either let the leads sit and wait and blog or call the leads and blog when I can.
After much debate I realized one thing, blogging is great and it helps bring in those qualified prospects and generate some supplemental income too, but it wasn’t bringing in the results I wanted.
One other thing I realized is if it wasn’t for blogging, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.
So I knew blogging for me and my business was important, but so was calling our leads.
This is when I decided to cut back the number of blog posts and spend more time in calling my leads.
What has been the direct result?
Well, for the leads I saw an increase in the number of enrollments (customers and distributors). However, I also saw a decrease in my Alexa ranking.
So, here’s my promise to you.
I’m going to continue to blog, but only 3 times a week. However, when I do blog I promise to provide you with what I have been experiencing as a direct result of this shift.
Sound good?
I mean come on, wouldn’t you like to work part time and get full time results? Hmmm!
Now – Are you wondering why I’m telling you this?
Well if you are, I am telling you this because this business is about balance. You must balance your time in income producing activities and also having more of a social life.
The best part of the social life aspect is, if you know how to socialize correctly, you can also use this time for a little bit of prospecting too.
You may disagree and say, “But if I like what I’m doing what does it matter?”
All I can say is that is your choice what you do with your time and I respect you for that.
But for me, with my family (my three kids and wife) I have to have this balance.
It’s important for us to give everyone in our family the time they deserve.
Here’s a picture of all of us and you’ll understand why this balance is required…
You see I have twins, they are the ones on the outside of the picture my wife and I are holding.
Twins take a lot of our time and what my wife and I are dedicated to is providing them with the tools to be successful in life.
So, if we can demonstrate balance in our life to them, then they too can have the same type of life.
You may or may not have kids, but I’m sure you have found yourself in a similar predicament before and not having enough time.
You know…So much to do, in so little time.
For you, which one is more important to you, blogging and calling leads or just calling leads???
We would love to hear your perspective on this subject. What would you do if you were me?
Now come on, be totally honest with me. Don’t be afraid to tell me you disagree. I’ll respect you just the same if you agreed with me.
What do you say?
Jerome Ratliff
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Good for you, Jerome!
As entrepreneurs, we all struggle with finding the right balance for our lives. In the end, it really comes down to putting those things that are most important to us first, and in my opinion, that should always be family.
We’re all building a business to support and provide for our families, but we can’t ever let that business become more important.
I’ve had to do some prioritizing myself over the last few weeks and get things back in perspective. Now, I have a clear vision of where I want to go and how to keep things in balance.
Kudos to you on your success and keep pushing towards the goal!
Mike
Mike Paul´s last [type] ..Weekly Updates for 2010-06-19
Hey Mike,
And when you find that balance, it sure is a great feeling knowing that you have everything under control.
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Have a great weekend,
Jerome Ratliff
Jerome,
Thanks for sharing, You got it right on the money, “Balance” . Spending time on your Blog, Communicating with Prospects, Family, personal hobbies/things you enjoy all that is important. I know for me blogging is an important part of what i do for my business put ultimately if we have prospects ,customers, and partners that want to do business with us because of our Blog, Because of our Marketing , because of training we want to have quality time with them.
Chris Bernardo´s last [type] ..Easy Way to Speak to only Quality Prospects
Hey Chris,
I like blogging as well. I have even contemplated hiring out (outsourcing) some of the blogging. This way everyone wins.
Chat with you later,
Jerome Ratliff
Jerome I would have to say you have a good problem there my friend. You can’t overlook what works but when it does it’s time to pick up the phone and start connecting. I guess you have to stay flexible and make adjustments just like your doing. I bet if the situation were reversed you would be blogging 10 times a week.
Steve Shoemaker
Steve Shoemaker´s last [type] ..MLM Tips: Social Media Basics
I know, I thought the same thing Steve. This is a good problem.
Have a great day,
Jerome Ratliff
Balance is important in all we do. The more balanced our life is the more successful our LIFE is (not just business).
I also have 3 children, 2 of which are also twins. I also still have a full time job, so juggling it all so it balances out can be very difficult at times.
Calling leads is a must, blogging is a must. I don’t think there is an exact ratio to how much of one that you should do over the other as everyone’s situation is different. As long as they both get done and your productive business activities are balanced you will be fine.
Dwayne
Dwayne Huggins´s last [type] ..UK Told They Will Have To Work Until They Are 70 | The Global Lie’s Are Slowly Unraveling
Hey Dwayne,
I didn’t know you had twins too. That’s pretty cool.
Balancing everything out is a must, agree.
Chat with you later,
Jerome Ratliff
I found the your blog via another blog where you had commented and given your comments sounded interesting course I went to your blog.
Have a great day,
Soren Egstrup
Well Soren.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope we’ve been helpful to you.
Have a great day,
Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome,
I agree with you and am looking forward to the posts that come as a result of this shift.
Calling leads is so important, and I’ve been doing more of that the past month as well. What a difference it makes!
Cheers!
Susanna
Susanna Hess´s last [type] ..Network Marketing Forums-What’s The Point?
Great, I think this will help people in having that balance.
I hope you will enjoy them.
Cheers!
Jerome Ratliff
Hi Jerome,
first of all congratulations for your awesome family. I’ve got two lovely daughters and they are my strongest why. Sometimes it’s easier for kids to accept that daddy works if he is working outside his home in an office – even if he does this 12 hrs a day what I used to do only three years ago. It’s sometimes harder for them to accept if I’m at home and working way less. So absolutely Jerome, do what’s in the best interest for your life as a whole. BTW, would you want to have someone on your team who wouldn’t accept and undertstand that ?
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend´s last [type] ..Financial Intelligence in MLM Network Marketing XII – How To Shop Without Money and Why
Oh thanks Oliver.
My kids are my “why” too. It’s great to hear about your family as well.
Have a great day and take care,
Jerome Ratliff
Hi Jerome,
I enjoyed reading your post. Congratulations with the increase in leads. At the end of the day our blogs are very important however in my opinion relationship building with ones list of leads must take priority. I think you have made a good move.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker´s last [type] ..The Millionaire Mindset is I Think I Can Before I Know I Can
Hi there Marcus,
I’m glad you agree, I respect your opinion.
Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome,
That is important to find what works for your lifestyle. You can’t ignore your family and at the same time you can’t ignore your business. After all, you are building a business so you can provide and spend more time with you family. That is a good business decision. You go now and call those leads!
Chat with you later…
Josh
Josh Garcia´s last [type] ..The Secret to Successful Blogging
Hey Josh,
It’s like I’d love to be in more places at the same time, but I physically can’t. So for now, I had to make this bold move.
Chat with you later too…
Jerome Ratliff
Good for you for making that business decision, Jerome!
I recently had to cut back on my blog posts, as well.
Network Marketing requires balance if you want to be successful, and this is something I strive to achieve (in life, too!)
Derek Alvarez´s last [type] ..Free WordPress Sales Letter Template
Absolutely Derek.
Balance is key and as long as we give it our all, then everything will turn out.
Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome,
I admire your search for balance. I also admire the decision to change things up a little between blogging/calling. Being wise, keeping your family front and center, and tweaking certain aspects of your business — You are showing strong leadership skills Jerome.
May you see more growth than you could’ve ever planned and hoped for.
Tragena
Tragena Owen´s last [type] ..How To Build Your Sales Funnel
Thanks for that Tragena.
Really, thank you.
Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome,
You are absolutely doing the right thing. It’s just not possible to juggle all of these balls at once.
You will have noticed that I’ve had to cut back on my blog posts too, because thanks in part to this wonderful online community, I’m getting more and more leads.
It’s very important to call your leads to assure them there’s a real person there with an interest in helping them become more successful. That’s the human side of network marketing.
Thank you for show me your beautiful family.
Wayne
Wayne Wu´s last [type] ..Is Your Downline Up For Sale on the Internet
It’s a great position to be in Wayne, isn’t it.
I’m glad to have shared my family with you.
Talk to you later,
Jerome Ratliff
It’s all about balance in all areas of life! Great post.
Hi Cara,
Thanks, balance is key.
Have a great day,
Jerome Ratliff
Great looking family Jerome
Balance and consistency are key to your business and life, and it sounds like you have it nailed Jerome.
We are all doing this for more freedom to spend more time with our family and friends, not to spend less.
Peter Fuller MBA´s last [type] ..Why I started my own Home Business
Thanks Peter.
That’s right, we all are doing it for this reason. So, we definitely don’t want to take that away.
Jerome Ratliff
Balance is the key and you simply cannot ignore those leads.
That’s great you made a decision to balance out family and business. I think there is alot of that in the air lately. My husbands job is getting to us around here and our little guy is requiring more attention due to it. Plus, we are working on trying to get a business and other things to pull in more income for retirement.
Those twins won’t stay little long, so enjoy them while you can!
Have an awesome week!
Twila
Twila Jacobs´s last [type] ..How To More Than Just Get By In Tough Economic Times Part 2
Hi Twila,
For me I wanted to make the right decision. And at the same time let everyone know why, because I feel too that others are going through this.
Have an awesome week too,
Jerome Ratliff
Congrats Jerome, great job. You are right balance is key to successful business and we all want to have successful business. I wish you all the success with following your leads.
Have a great day.
Jiri Majkus
Internet Marketing Coach and Author
Jiri Majkus´s last [type] ..How To Increase Capture Page Opt In Rate With This Simple Method
Thanks for that Jiri.
I appreciate that as this part has been somewhat of a struggle, and I’m finally getting it. It’s taken many years, at least I got it for now.
Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome,
I am in a very similar boat. I had to drop back to 1-2 posts per week because my business just doesn’t allow me the time. I am focused on the money making activities: closing leads and generating leads.
Hey Eric,
And that’s what really matters. One thing is for sure, when you do post you always provide great stuff. So, I’m willing to wait.
Jerome Ratliff