Let’s get this out of the way right now:
I don’t have all the answers.
That said, I can tell you one thing for sure:
Most people ignore the one area that could make their website explode with traffic, profits, and success.
And there’s no excuse.
It’s easy to do, and everyone can do it.
What’s the secret, you ask…?
Relationships. And lots of them.
Why Relationships Matter
It’s simple:
People do business with those that they know and like.
Ever notice how a popular blogger launches a product, and the other big bloggers talk about it?
That’s no accident.
In most case, they know each other personally.
Pick any blog, business, or site that’s popular, and I’ll put money down that the person behind that site has worked their butt off to build relationships with others in the industry.
Just look at DIYthemes’ own Derek Halpern. Have you seen how many joint webinars, website consults, and speeches he has given? Derek has been working his tail off to build relationships with other bloggers, internet entrepreneurs, and thought leaders… and it’s been working. Social Triggers is blowing up.
Want a big-time example?
Fine, let’s go to the top. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pandora. Every single one of those sites received millions of dollars in venture capital. Do you think those first investors just showed up on the doorsteps of a random startup begging to invest?
Guess again. Those guys hit the pavement, met real people, and built the relationships they needed to grow their business.
What the “Right” Relationships Can Do For You
Imagine if you knew the “right” people.
When you know a big-time blogger, it’s easy to score a guest post that drives traffic. If you have a friend with popular Facebook page, then it’s easy for them to drive traffic your way, too.
It would be great, right?
Absolutely.
But let me be clear…
This isn’t about gaining “friends” so that you can use them. That’s dishonest, insincere, and people can smell it from a mile away.
This is about building relationships first, and helping each other out later.
Will it take a while?
Sure it will.
But guess what?
Getting on the first page of Google takes a while too (even if you’re a WordPress SEO pro).
So how can you get started with building the “right” relationships?
3 Ways to Build Relationships in 2011 and Beyond
Now you get it.
Relationships are VITAL to your success.
But here’s how you get started building those relationships:
1. Think about the type of influence your site needs
Do you need more traffic? Who are the gatekeepers that can send it your way? How can you get in touch with them?
Do you need to know how to build something? A product or a service? Who is already selling those items successfully? Can you reach out to them and say hello?
Do you need to do a better job of converting the traffic you’re already getting? Who is a world-class copywriter or conversion rate expert? Where do those people hang out at?
2. Build something
When you want important people to notice you, you need something that grabs their attention.
It can be your site, a new product, or an event that you’re hosting (like a webinar for example)… as long as you have a reason to collaborate and build relationships.
Working on these types of attention-grabbing projects has another benefit as well.
You see, most influencers are busy. Real busy.
That means they don’t have the time to just sit around and “chat” with someone new every single day.
However, if you’re bringing them value to their business, you have a better chance of getting in touch with them and making a connection.
3. Email new people
This is the simplest and quick way to get in touch with new people.
Every millionaire entrepreneur, corporate executive, and best-selling author I know uses email.
Heck…email is how I built my own network, and ended up doing incredible things like traveling to Switzerland for free (twice), spending a week in Russia without spending a dime, and building a business that I’m proud of.
Look at it like this:
If you reach out to one single person, and it turns into one execellent relationship, it can alter the course of your website… overnight.
It’s easy to take people for granted in the digital world, but don’t do it. Think about the people behind the screen, and do your best to get to know them.
I’m confident you’ll enjoy the results.
