Following Up is an extremely important step when it comes to being a success with any business, whether online or not. People like to deal with people they know a little about and that they feel that they can trust. The way to gain someone's trust is to stay in contact with them. Following up builds the best relationships.

How you do it and how often to do it are both questions for debate. The telephone, when possible, seems to be the best way to communicate with someone. The problem is that many folks have a problem calling someone they don't know. Of course, email and Instant Messaging are other ways to stay in contact.

How often to call or contact someone is a question that has many answers, depending on whom you ask. I know that it's best to contact someone initially as soon as you find out they are interested in your product or service. I like to follow up with them again in a couple of days just to let them know I am there to help them with any questions they may have. After that, I like to use a good auto responder series of messages to stay in contact. These messages will go out every 2 or 3 days for several weeks. I also will send out a message to folks if I happen to run across something I think they may be interested in. I will continue to stay in contact via the auto responder until they let me know they are no longer interested.

One of the best things you can do when following up is to point people to information. You don't want to pressure anyone into doing what you want them to do. You want to point them in the direction you would like for them to go. Simply referring a person to information they are looking for is a good way to build trust.

Another important thing to remember is this: Don't forget to stay in touch with someone even after they have purchased your product or service or have joined you in your business. I can say from experience that the most disheartening thing that can happen is to join an opportunity and never hear from your sponsor. It's like
being left out on an island feeling like they were only interested in your money
and not you. When someone feels that way, you can believe they will tell others about it. That, my friend, is a sure way to lose business.

Following up is the key to any business. Experts say that 80% of all sales are made after the 5th contact. The biggest mistake we can make is not following up with our customers. Not only does it rob us of sales, it can rob us of the chance to make new friends and build new relationships that can lead to a successful business.

Here is an important tool that will help you with Following Up: