I am building my business as a speaker, author and coach on inspirational subjects primarily to do with prayer and God.  (My definition of God by the way is completely non-denominational and includes any Power Greater Than Yourself – Spirit, Source, Universal Energy -- as well as those related to world-wide religions.)  

I know that regardless of my Divine Connection, I still need to take some Divine ACTION to make this a BUSINESS rather than a hobby and I've found myself up to my neck in the subject of internet marketing for the solopreneur.  It's a fascinating subject albeit somewhat like quicksand.  I thought I was safe and could just stick my toe in and learn just enough to get me going -- but instead, here I am, many weeks later, still glued to my computer 14 hours a day with my ample-sized bum screaming at me to STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!  NOW! … BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

I'm particularly fascinated with the current marketing phenomenon known as Social Media aka Facebook, MySpace, LinkIn, Twitter, blogging, etc.  I shied away from all of it for a long time because my only experience had been from listening to my then-teenage daughter's experiences with making "friends" on MySpace (translation "meeting guys") – not exactly sweet music to a mother's ears!  The only other things I'd heard were that if you were "into" music then MySpace was a cool place to hang out and that Facebook was "just" a grown-up version of MySpace.  None of it sounded like anything I wanted to be involved in frankly.

But the more I read and learn, the more I am understanding that to market my business in today's world, I need to open my mind and heart to new ideas and learn some new skills.  Especially about the new paradigm in internet marketing – Relationship Marketing.  And the heart of relationship marketing on the internet today is through social media sites like Facebook, MySpace, etc. 

Relationship marketing is based on recommendations.  People would usually prefer to do business with someone they know personally or who is recommended to them by a friend.  This is radically different from the older marketing methods of direct-selling, cold-calling and hammering people over the head with your product or service.   

So internet marketing today involves building relationships – a connection between two people.  Me and you.  And THAT, in my humble opinion, is what God's got to do with it.  I can't develop a relationship with another human being if I don't have a relationship with myself.  And for me – developing a relationship with myself includes God.  It's a long story for another day, but for the first 28 years of my life, I didn't really believe that I was of much value to the planet -- so why would anyone want to have a relationship with me?  It was only when I became willing to change my mind about myself and eventually develop a relationship with my Higher Power, that I began to care about myself in a way that allows me to care about another human being.

And caring for another human being is a key principle in today's relationship marketing.  To build a relationship, I have to give of myself with a whole and open heart for the mere sake of giving.  And I learn that from The Master Teacher.  God gives to me unconditionally and requires nothing in return.  PERIOD.  That's relationship marketing in a nutshell.  Translated into business terms – that means I just give of my knowledge and experience with outstretched arms and an open heart with no specific expectation of anything in return.  PERIOD.

So now you know what God, Internet Marketing and Social Media have in common.  The God I know loves me no matter.  I can then choose to freely pass that on by offering some of my gifts and talents, packaged as products, services and information and I am able to share my gifts with the entire world via the internet and social media outlets. And as we sow, so shall we reap, etc.

You too are blessed with knowledge, information and expertise that others need and want.  Go make someone's day and give some of yourself today!

Stephanie Bell
July 7, 2008

Find out what God has to do with Superman™ and Jiminy Cricket™ by requesting your FREE Special Report, "God, Superman & Jiminy Cricket" at =>

http://www.prayerworksbecause.com .   Stephanie Bell is an author, speaker and coach. She has studied with Louise Hay, Dr. Reverend Michael Beckwith (The Secret), Iyanla Vanzant, Doreen Virtue and other metaphysicians for over 25 years and now teaches spiritual seekers how to infinitely improve their lives by enhancing and developing their relationship with a higher power in a way that fully embraces their ideals, beliefs, and values. 

Source: http://www.GrowYourDivineSpirit.com

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