Home Business Lead Generation System INvestigation Reopens

Posted on February 9th, 2011 in Lead Generation System Evaluation Criteria, Lead Generation System Updates, Lead Generation Systems, Learning Business Lead Generation | No Comments »

Hi, Teach Jim here… I teach and I learn …

A little over a year ago…

I published the final results of an InterNET INvestigation of home business lead generation systems. Since then a lot has changed with the systems investigated. A lot has changed in what I know about lead generation systems as well. It is time to open the investigation again. This time, however there is NO WAY I can be unbiased.  That said, I am reopening the InterNet INvestigation of home business lead generation systems

Let me explain.

Sure, I’ve been a member of these systems for the last year. And YES I have had some success with some of the systems. And YES I’ve had regular life to live. And YES I did not make any effort to push any one system. I did a few tactics along the way. I never did want to drag somebody into a system they did not need. So I went pretty light on my promotional activities.

I got lucky and a few strategies ended up producing results. So now I am left making money from systems I am supposed to “INvestigate” as a nutural third party.   SORRY, this INvestigation will be my effort to tell you how it is, BUT I am “connected” to some of these systems more than others.

So now you know.

You can discredit everything I say or you can trust my desire is to reveal to you all that really matters when it comes to home business, MLM, Network Marketing, small business,  lead generation systems.  There are a lot of false expectations and unrealistic high hopes that a system will make your business into something YOU dream of without any effort on your part.  NOT TRUE! I will tell you as I see it.  You’ll just have to take my word on that. (Then verify and validate!)

NEW Criteria!

In the first report I had to rely on what I learned with the syntopical reading strategy to help me identify the criteria for evaluating the sites.  This time around I am using the sites themselves AND have input from good people like you.

As I see it.

YOU want to know what systems are pushing the envelop and which systems are staying current with the changing face of  Internet Marketing.  That is fair. I know content management features have crept into several of these systems. Integration with social networks is another point of interest.  Promoting YOU and not the system owners is another theme I continually hear out there.

What matters to YOU?

What matters to you as you work with or consider using a home business lead generation system? Income? Ease of use? Connections to social networks? Content Management? Contact / Relationship management?  I look forward to your comments. Thanks in advance.

Popularity: 2%

Review: Prospex Epic Sponsoring Platform

Posted on February 8th, 2010 in Lead Generation Systems | 1 Comment »

Prospex Epic Sponsoring Platform by Jason O’Toole adds the Epic Sponsoring Platform to the free Prospex system.  The advance functionality of the system has been added over the last 8 months.  I was invited to participate with the initial “beta” group.  Each week a new features rolled out.  The system evolved to include nearly every feature of the MLM Lead System Pro and the 7 Figure Networker (higher scoring system in the initial investigation) while maintaining the unique FREE elements of Prospex and it’s foundation in Social Media integration.

Training on Prospex focuses on the most recent practices for using social networking sites and tools for driving traffic.  Epic Sponsoring Platform adds Keyword research,  Article Marketing, personal branding, campaign management and much more.  You still get blogging, Facebook and Twitter training and the most direct ways to automate some of your social networking.  Jason just plain delivers on the best ways to bring people into relationships of trust.  This advance system delivers on attraction marketing through social media and effective Internet marketing practices.

The Prospex Epic Sponsoring Platform still has network marketing training with top level network marketing professionals offering both free and fee training to support the building of a downline.

Branding – How well does the system brand YOU as an expert?

The Epic Sponsoring Platform upgrade buys you personal branding on capture pages, autoresponders and system videos.  While Jason O’Toole still in most of the back office videos, it is easy to position you as system “Success Coach” working with Jason.  The back office continually shows the “Success Coach” prominently on the back office home page. page.  Because you are on the capture pages and in the back office you are associated with other network professionals in the back office.  This expert by association does much to advance you as an expert.

Income Streams – How does the system generate cash flow?

There are now more than 12 potential income sources in the back office on top of those in the Prospex system.  Because the Epic Sponsoring Platform is fee based there is a commission from users of the system.  The tools suggested in the base level Free training suggest using many of the tools with earning potential to the Epic member.  Epic members also earn a higher percentage from each income source.  Moreover commissions not paid to free members of Prospex roll up to the first Epic member.  This provides for profits from those who come into the system but do not choose to upgrade to the Epic Sponsoring Platform.

Some of the Income is derived from affiliate links is residual income stream in nature.  The affiliate programs from Prospex remain. These are mostly network marketing trainings by professional network marketers.  Many of these trainings are free.  Then there are inexpensive ebooks and some full training systems.

Currently, there are 2  eBooks, 4 CD/DVD Courses, The Master Mind Session, The Amazon aStore,  and 15 Business Tools ( Classified Ads, Conference Recording, Web Hosting, Autoresponder) as funding sources. The integration of the Amazon aStore into the Prospex Library is a nice touch.  (See an example)

Epic member the income opportunity is greatly improved income potential over the initial Prospex system.  An increased number of programs suggested throughout the trainings, higher commissions,  and the roll up of commissions to Epic members adds considerable value to Epic members.

Capture / Landing Pages – What brings qualified people in?

The capture pages for the Epic Sponsoring Platform member are 90% customizable.  The landing pages allow personal branding through customizable text and videos.  The system has 4 capture page templates. These templates can be pre-populated with the default information used in these templates as a good starting place.

Each customization can be placed in it’s own unique campaign.  Campaigns keep their own set of statistics to see the capture page traffic and conversion rates.

Relationship Building – How do you establish a relationship with your list?

The list building model of this tool is very strong.  There is both an internal system and you it can connect to an external auto-responder system.  The relationship building tool is made up of a separate pop up windows for notes, calendar events and email messages.

Clicking on the phone number allows you to schedule a call for a prospect on the calendar.  It sends you an email reminder of appointments if you want.

There is power in the ability to track your interactions with referrals you have brought into the system. More thatn working with them in the system you have the ability to export information as needed.

The system connects to an external auto-responder provides an excellent way to build and strengthen your relationship with system users.  The system comes with 2 several customizable auto-responder series to build the relationship on autopilot. Some may be disappointed in the number of auto-responder messages if they believe email is the best way to strengthen the relationship.  Due to the encouragement of the system to build the relationship through social media, phone and other means the auto-responder is not the main source of relationship building.

Usability – How does the system support your work in the system?

The system menu system is improved by consolidating the top menu choices. The left menu still changes based on the top menu choice. After choosing a top link like “Getting Started”,  the left sidebar links  becomes the submenu of “Getting Started”. Choosing “My Account” reveals a longer list of links and a promotional bit in the left sidebar.  The left menu really provides a type of top to bottom checklist for system setup and training when in the task directed menu items were selected.  The left side show promotional and training resource links when informational type links are picked on the top menu.

Working with the system allows a smooth transition from prospect focus, to marketing campaign management, to   training resources and step-by-step system / marketing setup.

System Training – How do I come up to speed with the system?

System training is in the form of videos and step-by-step instructions under the “Getting Started” link.  Like other systems, Prospex Epic Sponsoring Platform gets you started with simple steps and progresses through the “free” Prospex level trainings for the firm foundation for the advanced marketing strategies of the Epic Sponsoring Platform.

The system training is an integral part of the marketing plan.  All system training builds toward marketing.  The videos, which step you through the training, make mention of marketing implications throughout.

System Support – When I get stuck what help can I expect?

There is not a specific support service in the Prospex Epic Sponsoring Platform.  No FAQ,  no forums, no ticket system.  There is only a “Contact” link.  The system is simple enough you don’t need support.  When there were questions or issues they are quickly resolved by sending in the contact information.  Responses returned within 24 hours.   Good answers and issue resolution.

There was even a new feature added in days based on a single suggestion. Responsive.

Internet Marketing Training – How do I generate Internet leads?

The attraction of the Prospex system is its cutting edge marketing coaching in simple strategies for Internet Lead Generation AND training and support for traditional Network Marketing values.  The purpose of all the online / offline activities and training focus on building relationships so people know, like and trust you.

The entire Internet Marketing Training from the free Prospex system only takes a few hours.  In those few hours the tools and techniques are delivered with a larger vision. The path to progress and success was not muddled with the typical barrage of many possible ways to work.

The advanced strategy training continues to flow in a natural progression. Epic membership add advanced strategies  on generating traffic through “Traffic School”. Traffic School includes advanced strategies in Keyword research, Email Marketing, Massive Twitter Traffic, Video Marketing, Forum Marketing, Classified Ads,  Article Marketing and List Building.  The power of these strategies are the efforts to provide massive traffic. The strategies follow a similar pattern so they are easy to add in as needed.

Personal Development Training – Will the system support my growth too?

This system is one of the few that provides on an ongoing basis.  Weekly teleconference calls also provide coaching on growing your Network Marketing business.  Even those calls dealing with Internet Marketing seem to circle back to the root purposes of  serving by leading, building relationships and growing your Network Marketing Business.

The  Prospex Epic Sponsoring Platform training continually invites personal grow.

Overall Impression – So Jim, What do you think?

The Prospex Epic Sponsoring Platform ($49.95 monthly) is a strong advocate of traditional network values in the modern evolution of social media. The social media centric foundation training and tools coupled with the advanced traffic generation techniques make this solution what many network marketing companies need but don’t know they want.  this system provides a systematic growth pattern for distributors.  It keeps true to the fundamental principles of network marketing while promoting the application of new technologies. The Prospex Epic Sponsoring Platform is poised as a strong answer for the best of both worlds.

Open a free account and take advantage of a cadre of network marketing experts working around a simple but strong lead generation system.  Begin laying the foundation for your success as you grow to need the advanced traffic techniques of the Prospex Epic Sponsoring Platform.

Best of success,

Teach Jim
INterNET INvestigation: Lead Generation Systems

http://inetin.com

Popularity: 16%

Review: WT Power Builder

Posted on October 24th, 2009 in Lead Generation Systems, Reviews | No Comments »

WT Power Builder by Patrick and Tracy ‘Power Gal’ Monteforte.

WTPowers was launched in 2001 out of frustration they had trying to find good online marketing tools.  They built as they say, “a comprehensive automated support system for network marketers.”

Training on the site focuses fundamental Network Marketing principles.  Great support and training on using the phone to build relationships with cold market / leads generated by the system. This is a Power Builder System.  It “pre-enrolls people” into your opportunity and helps them make a decision by letting them see other people in the system signing up.  This is a little different that the other systems we have seen.

The diverse training strategies are in a system worthy of consideration at the marvelous monthly fee of $19.95. Yes, it costs $19.95 a month. There is enough trust in the backend funding that the entire system is as they say “self supporting”.

Branding – How well does the system brand YOU as an expert?

This system provides a straight forward simple capture page with a sales follow up page.  It also provides a visitors page to the WT Power System as well.  Because the framework and flow are straightforward personalization is 80% yours. You can change everything except the structure.

You may take over the entrie landing page and the Pre-Enroll pages. You also may customize the WTPowers sales page.  Personalization is available through this system.  Simple customizations are possible but knowledge of HTML is helpful for more extensive customizations.  It can be a lot of work.

If you know a lot about HTML you will find the page framework a little limiting.  You still need to work in the obounds of the system.  This can be a hugh amount of work.

If you choose to make NO customizations the pages perform OK with generic information about joining a business opportunities.

You may also make specific templates for all members on your team or in your company.

Income Streams – How does the system generate cash flow?

Income is derived from commissions paid on  individuals who purchase the system.  This appears to be the only residual income source.  There are a few other tools available for purchase in the system back office.  These tools support marketing activities through a one time purchases.

Capture / Landing Pages – What brings qualified people in?

By default WT Power Builder has a single, somewhat generic landing page with distracting, irrelevant menu items.  If you are comfortable with creating your own capture page, you can change the content of the blocks but you will not be able to change the structure.  This means the distracting menu items will remain on the page even after your customization.

The simplicity of having a single page allows users to focus on making this page perform effectively.  (No there is not split testing in the system.)

Relationship Building – How do you establish a relationship with your list?

The list building potential of this tool is simple.  Basic contact information is stored in the system.  You have the ability to make notes for the contact in the sytem.

You can send resend the welcome email to users by just clicking the send button when viewing the contact details.

You can export your contact list as Excel, Tab or comma delimited file.  The file only includes the contact information.  No notes are exported.

The system has no task lists, interaction journal, prospect status or contact management type tools.

The system does work as 30  autoresponder messages manageable after canceling the “Broadcaster” tool interface.  It was not on the main menu near Contacts or Tools and Services.  It is located under Customize Your Site.  The all messages are not populated so this will require you to create the autoresponder messages you want to send.

Usability – How does the system support your work in the system?

The workflow in this system is not always smooth.  Using the capture page editor or the html generating tool does not always bring you back where you would expect.  Often this system requires two or three clicks where other systems only take one.

The placement of Broadcaster under tools & services seem out of place.  Tools for you to communicate with your contacts should probably be closer to the Contacts area.  Autoresponder management might also be located close to the Contacts area.

System Training – How do I come up to speed with the system?

System “Getting Started” training is in the form of  three audio files.  Overview, beggining and advanced are the audios.  There is one  “To View The Video Demos ‘How This System Works’ ” video showing step by step system operation.

System Support – When I get stuck what help can I expect?

Live Support and Help ticket menu items are always present in the system.  (Even on the capture page where they are potentially a distraction.)

There are strong support elements as you are working in any area.  There is an help question mark and video symbol on the top bar for most of the windows.  The question mark pops up the help file.  The video symbol pops up a screen captured video showing how to perform the specific task.

There are also weekly system training webinars.

Internet Marketing Training – How do I generate Internet leads?

Weekly calls on “Dialing for Dollars” are not Internet marketing trainings while the topic does come up at times.

The principles and practices promoted by this system are those critical to successfully dealing with team members and potential clients.  The skills focus on following up with system “pre-enrollees” and other leads via the phone.

While this is an good tool for capturing and motivating contacts it is NOT an Internet Marketing training system.

Personal Development Training – Will the system support my growth too?

This system is one of the few programs which personably promotes the personal progress of individuals as they deal with the challenges of building a business.  Much of the focus is build around embracing the use of the telephone.

This system and the weekly dialing for dollars call are perfect for people having trouble working with the telephone aspect of their business.  The growth of individuals are highlighted on these calls.  Tracy is powerful in her optimism of the power of using the phone.

Overall Impression – So Jim, What do you think?

This system scores poorly for the criteria established but is powerful in it’s simplicity.  It has it’s place in two main strengths.  First the beauty of a PowerBuilder system. While building  the relationship the system adds subtle pressure while showing others in the system joining “now”. The second strength of this system is the exceptional training on how to work the phones.

Like many of the systems under investigation, this is a simple system.  It has the critical elements required to support success.  The greatest weakness of this system is the lack of training in generating traffic using the  Internet.  The greatest advantage of this system is it’s focus on time proven fundamentals and the mastery of phone skills.

For individuals wanting to grow their business offline with online support this is an excellent system.  It provides consistent training on moving contacts to the next step using the phone.  The online support of the sales process is useful as the powerline promotes action.

With company / group specific customization the possibilities for use with a team as part of a process with duplication has promise.

Take a look at the system:

Default Visitor Site (Capture Page for Primary Business)

Default System Sales Site (For bringing people in the system)

Best of success,

Teach Jim
INterNET INvestigation: Lead Generation Systems

http://inetin.com

Popularity: 30%

Review: Prospex

Posted on July 10th, 2009 in Lead Generation Systems, Reviews | 1 Comment »

Prospex by Jason O’Toole provides a refreshing perspective on what a lead generation system can be.  This system was created over the last 2 years from the perspective of a successful Internet/network marketer.  It has heavy support for networkers with less of Internet Marketer slant than most system in this investigation.

Training on the site is a narrow focus on the most recent practices for using social networking sites and tools for driving traffic.  You do not find PPC or Article marketing training here.  You get blogging, Facebook and Twitter.  You get an automated integration of social networking with blogging.  Jason just plain delivers on the way to bring people into relationships of trust.  He delivers in ways no other system delivers on attraction marketing.

This site also supports network marketing with training by top level network marketing professionals offering both free and fee training to support the building of a downline.

These diverse training strategies are in a system worthy of consideration at the marvelous monthly fee of FREE.  Yes, it costs $0.  There is enough trust in the backend funding that the entire system is “self supporting”.

Branding – How well does the system brand YOU as an expert?

You are not branded unless you purchase an upgrade which will allow you to use your own videos on the capture page.  Jason O’Toole is the primary man in the trainings and on the landing page.  That said Jason takes a far less prominent role on landing page.  He is there to add credibility and the human touch at the end of the letter. Other than that, the capture uses testimonials from other network professionals on the benefits of the system.

Income Streams – How does the system generate cash flow?

Income is derived from affiliate links in the system.  The affiliate programs are mostly network marketing trainings by professional network marketers.  Many of these trainings are free.  Then there are inexpensive ebooks and some full training systems.

Currently, there are 2  eBooks, 4 CD/DVD Courses, The Amazon aStore,  4 Business Tools ( Classified Ads, Conference Recording, Web Hosting, Autoresponder) as funding sources.

These have changed in the last 2 weeks.  The site is evolving and improving with new materials and funding propositions.  Epic Sponsoring is a fee-based  enhanced version of Prospex allowing more personal branding and residual income stream potential.

The integration of the Amazon aStore into the Prospex Library is a new powerful feature.  (See an example)

Capture / Landing Pages – What brings qualified people in?

Prospex has a single,  somewhat generic landing page with distracting, irrelevant menu items.  There is NO customization of this page.  The landing page has audio statements from various Network Marketing leaders with Jason O’Toole shown at the end as the person behind the system.  This softens the branding of a single individual you see in so many other systems.

Granted it is NOT YOU, but it is multiple experts all pulling for your prospects success.  You can be seen as one of those.

Relationship Building – How do you establish a relationship with your list?

The list building potential of this tool is very strong but you would never know it.  The interface for working with folks you refer to the system is horrible.  It is made up of various pop up windows for various activities.

The system has a calendar which seems disconnected from your interactions with prospects.  As it turns out, you schedule a call for a prospect and it shows on the calendar.  It even sends you an email reminder of appointments if you want.

There is power in the ability to track your interactions with users you have brought into the system.  Too bad it is hidden between appearing / disappearing windows and  menus.  It could be one of the strong points of the system if it was easier to use like the Magnetic Sponsoring or Freedom Duplicator systems.

The ability to export information allows you to “Own” the list.  You are then able to add the list to autoresponders and other tools for marketing campaigns.  (Another feature added in the last two weeks)

Usability – How does the system support your work in the system?

I struggled a little because of the changing left menu system.  After choosing a top link like “Getting Started”,  the left sidebar links  becomes the submenu of “Getting Started”.  Left sidebar items disappear in several cases.  Choosing “My Account” reveals a longer list of links and a promotional bit in the left sidebar.  This inconsistency takes a bit of getting used to.

A suggestion would be to make the links on the left side could become pop up menu items tied to the top level menu.  The Left sidebar could then consistently promote the latest training call and the upgrade package or other specials.

There are different link locations inside the training pages, the library, the  account page and the home page.  Inconsistencies allow for some discomfort in working with the system.   This effects system usability and diminishes from the sites professional potential.

System Training – How do I come up to speed with the system?

System training is in the form of videos and step by step instructions under the “Getting Started” link.  Like other system Prospex gets you started with the details of configuring the tool without providing the needed foundation to know WHY you are doing it.

The set up steps are not to difficult, but should take place AFTER the marketing plan is in place.

System Support – When I get stuck what help can I expect?

There is not a specific support service in Prospex.  No FAQ,  no forums, no ticket system.  There is only a “Contact” tab.  The system is simple enough you don’t need a lot of support.  When there were questions or issues they are quickly resolved by sending in the contact information.  Responses returned within 24 hours.   Good answers and issue resolution.

There was even a new feature added in days based on a single suggestion.

Internet Marketing Training – How do I generate Internet leads?

The attraction of the Prospex system is its cutting edge marketing coaching in simple strategies for Internet Lead Generation AND training and support for traditional Network Marketing values.  The purpose of all the online / offline activities and training focus on building relationships so people know, like and trust you.

The entire Internet Training only took a few hours.  In those few hours tools and techniques for results were delivered with a larger vision.  This was refreshing.  The path to progress and success was not muddled with the typical barrage of possible ways to work.

Missing was the Marketing Plan and entire strategy overview support for the individual technical video presentations.  For advanced users suggestions on optimizing additional strategies might have a place.  These advanced strategies are supported more fully in the upgrade, Epic Sponsoring.

Personal Development Training – Will the system support my growth too?

This system is one of the few that provides strategic direction to personal development on an ongoing basis.  Weekly teleconference calls usually provide coaching on growing a Network Marketing business.  Even those calls dealing with Internet Marketing seem to circle back to the root purposes of building relationships, serving by leading and building your Network Marketing Business.

Permission to be where you are and an invitation to grow is a consistent theme through Prospex training.

Overall Impression – So Jim, What do you think?

This system scores poorly for the criteria established.  Despite the low score training balances old school network marketing principles  with cutting edge social networking tactics at no cost makes this very attractive.  The more systems I review the more I appreciate simple solutions with strengths in just the right spots.

Prospex has me wondering if most of the right things are in the right spots.  This product was released in May so it still has some growth until it is fully established.  Time will tell but for now Prospex is poised to turn some heads and provide value to its users.

Prospex (Epic Sponsoring $49.95) is evolving to become a strong advocate of traditional network values in the modern evolution of social media.  Many network marketing companies are struggling to identify how they will use online systems to duplicate successfully.  Prospex is poised to position itself as a strong answer of the best of both worlds.

The success and sustainability of the system relies on several elements in the purchased training area.  Do to the quality of the free training one may ask if there is even a need for purchased training materials.  Time will tell if the model is sustainable.  Until then open a free account and take advantage of a cadre of network marketing experts working around a simple but strong lead generation system.

Best of success,

Teach Jim
INterNET INvestigation: Lead Generation Systems

http://inetin.com

Popularity: 21%

Systems Under INvestigation!

Posted on June 14th, 2009 in Lead Generation Systems | 3 Comments »

Each of these systems is evaluated against the 10 essential criteria found on the Evaluation Criteria Worksheet.

Please feel free to conduct your own system evaluation using the criteria.   YOU will be SURPRISED?

Do you have questions about these systems? Want to know their finer points? Weaknesses?  Please leave your comments/questions below.

(If you know of additional systems please comment below.)

Popularity: 1%

Evaluating Overall Impressions in Lead Generation Systems

Posted on June 13th, 2009 in Key Elements of Successful Systems | No Comments »

Lead generation systems under investigation are evaluated against the following criteria:

-Branding
-Income Generation
-Capture/Landing pages
-Relationship Building
-System functionality / usability
-Training on the system
-System Support
-Marketing Training
-Personal Development Training
-Overall Impression

OVERALL IMPRESSION

With any system or organization you begin to sense the environment as you work with it. Lead Generation Systems are no different. The producer of the system has biases. The support team, the training team all interact with you as a user of the system with a certain tone. These small, almost imperceptible acts leave you with an overall impression.

The ideal system will leave you feeling comfortable and cared for. It will help you feel confident that others you bring into the system will be treated with the same respect. Some systems are much tighter than others.

High scoring system are the ones that left me knowing they were providing excellent service and they really wanted me to succeed. Low scores come from gaps in needed information. Poor or no effort to cultivate their relationship with me a system user.

Be sure the system you sign up for leaves you feeling you are comfortable working there. Enjoy your success as you find success working in the system with an overall good impression.

Popularity: 1%

Evaluating Marketing Training in Lead Generation Systems

Posted on June 10th, 2009 in Key Elements of Successful Systems | No Comments »

Lead generation systems under investigation are evaluated against the following criteria:

-Branding
-Income Generation
-Capture/Landing pages
-Relationship Building
-System functionality / usability
-Training on the system
-System Support
-Marketing Training
-Personal Development Training
-Overall Impression

Examining INTERNET MARKETING TRAINING

Lead generation systems provide many of the critical components of successful Internet Marketing.  In most systems the task of getting visitors to come to their capture/landing pages is the responsibility of the user. This is a huge surprise to many a system purchaser. The skills of an Internet Marketer are required to actually generate visitors and subsequent conversions.

The ideal system would somehow magically provide visitors and leads. Since it is highly likely you will be drumming up visitors for your site. Key to your success is learning the skills of successful internet marketers. Your system should provide you with a path to pursue for early and ongoing success online.

High scoring systems not only have Internet Marketing Training, they manage expectations and help outline the progressive path to success. Incremental training is also of value to people acquiring new skills. High scoring systems will likely have some kind of ongoing learning support system beyond the packaged resources on the site. Low scores result from little or no Internet Marketing materials or the quality of the materials are out of sync with the needs of system users.

With the system you invest in make sure there are Internet Marketing Training resources matching your experience and interest. With quality resources and ongoing development, you will be an Internet Marketing whiz before you know it.

Popularity: 1%

Evaluating System Support in Lead Generation Systems

Posted on June 9th, 2009 in Key Elements of Successful Systems | No Comments »

Lead generation systems under investigation are evaluated against the following criteria:

-Branding
-Income Generation
-Capture/Landing pages
-Relationship Building
-System functionality / usability
-Training on the system
-System Support
-Marketing Training
-Personal Development Training
-Overall Impression

Clarifying what’s needed in SYSTEM SUPPORT

When you get stuck, have a problem or just plain do not get it system help and support comes to your rescue.  This criteria simply checks for three things. 1. Is there a system for requesting help. 2. Is there a knowledge base, forum or other online resources for problem discussion / resolution. 3. Is there some kind of ongoing user / system upgrade training in place.

The high scoring systems in this evaluation have multiple means of supporting system users.  They also provide ongoing clear communication regarding system updates and scheduled outages. The less support there is in the system the lower the score.

Getting the help you need when you need it is critical when have invested so much effort into helping people come into your system.  Make sure the system you choose has multiple ways of getting the personalized help you need.

Popularity: 8%

Evaluating Usability in Lead Generation Systems

Posted on June 8th, 2009 in Key Elements of Successful Systems, Lead Generation System Evaluation Criteria | No Comments »

Lead generation systems under investigation are evaluated against the following criteria:

-Branding
-Income Generation
-Capture/Landing pages
-Relationship Building
-System functionality / usability
-Training on the system
-System Support
-Marketing Training
-Personal Development Training
-Overall Impression

Examining SYSTEM USABILITY

How easy a system is to use depends on a huge number of variables.  Not all the things that influence usability are in the system.  Many are in the capabilities and experience of the user. The evaluation of usability in this instance will be highly biased by my personal experience and exposure to such systems.

The ideal system will be user friendly enough to deliver on promised performance without a lot of study or effort.  Systems requiring multiple complex steps will get a lower score despite their level of high quality delivery of services.  If the system is out of sync with the users of the system there is a good chance the new users to the system will be overwhelmed and not remain with the system.

Criteria for usability evaluation relies on two primary factors.  First the ease of navigating to the required actions of the system back office.  Daily tasks like campaign management, new user sign ups, and personal development will need to be easy to find and use.  Second if set up or configuration steps are needed they are organized in a easy to follow wizard type situation so new users will not get lost in the various steps.

High scores will include both aspects. (Ease of daily work flow and clear direction and assistance in any configuration tasks.) Mid range points will be strong in one or mediocre in both areas.  Low scores go to system missing either of the above and or the implementation of their work flow or configuration step are so difficult to follow the system usage is impacted adversity.

Finding a system that meets your usability standards will likely take some time as you become accustom to Lead Generation System tasks and practices.  Remember to take your own personal ride through the system you work with to assure you will not be deeply disappointed with usability.  Make a match and you will love working in your system of choice.

Popularity: 1%

Evaluating Relationship Building in Lead Generation Systems

Posted on June 5th, 2009 in Key Elements of Successful Systems, Lead Generation System Evaluation Criteria | No Comments »

Lead generation systems under investigation are evaluated against the following criteria:

-Branding
-Income Generation
-Capture/Landing pages
-Relationship Building
-System functionality / usability
-Training on the system
-System Support
-Marketing Training
-Personal Development Training
-Overall Impression

Today we look at  RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

Whatever system you choose make sure it provides  Customer Relationship Management tools (CRM).  At the extreme CRM tools compile and centralize every communication and interaction with the prospect.  The Lead Generation Systems under review do NOT have CRM systems in them.  Most have tools for communicating in mass to the people on your list in ongoing broadcast messages.

The ideal Lead Generation System has list management tools combined with autoresponder capabilities (The ability to send multiple messages over time).  Your list is your greatest asset.  Your relationship with the individuals on your list is what adds value to that asset.  You cultivate that relationship by how you treat them and what value your expertise adds to their life.  Without the proper Relationship building tools,  you risk offending or otherwise undermine your credibility.

Evaluation of the Relationship building tools in the systems under review is based on three factors.  First do tools exist for capture and management of your list.  Is it your list under your control or does it belong to the system and the system producer.  Second does it have auto responder capabilities allowing your to have ongoing communication with your list of prospects / leads.  Finally, does the system provide you a relationship strengthening plan/system for communicating with your audience with your branded message.  Systems with all three characteristics List Management, Auto responder and Communications system will recieve 10 points if the quality of the system warrants it.  Systems missing elements decrease to near the 5 point mark.  Systems with minimal list maintenance capacity and few or no communication tools will score near the bottom of the points possible.

Relationship building tools strengthen your position as an expert in the minds of your leads.  Ongoing interactions allow for further revenue and future assistance.  A professional, engaging interaction with your prospects makes the difference in having a list and having a valuable asset in your prospect list. Whatever the system make sure you have the tools for communicating and strenghtening your relationship with the individuals on your list.

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