Social Commerce

People in social groups drive commerce, whether it be cars, blue jeans or a particular brand of hot dog.  People "buy in" literally with their wallets - and figuratively with their opinions and behaviors.

What we do is no different.  We drive commerce by earning people's trust and influencing opinions. We provide information and act as a guide.  In this process, we talk about aggregating and leveraging resources through a group of people with a common purpose.  This purpose is greater financial security.  All this makes sense to us.

Here's the thing... not everyone will be enticed by our offer. Our job is to find and appeal to people who are hungry for change... not everyone is.  In our world, most people are stuck in the status quo and are not "hungry" (enough) to change.

Ultimately, your success is predicated on your ability to understand the social nature of our business and "frame" what we do as:

1. Education
2. Helping people with an aspiration [to achieve and have more] decide to participate with us.

In the context of a social group, people consciously and rationally choose to participate in and contribute to a cause that is larger than themselves, and at the same time in themselves.  In our case, "the cause" is their own financial well-being, made possible by being involved with and supporting the larger community that makes it all take place.

This defines Social Commerce.  It defines Affinity Marketing.  It defines Referral and Word-of-Mouth Marketing.  Ultimately, the strength of your business is predicated by the strength of what binds the people in your business.  These metrics are their commitment and their loyalty and these two factors are a function of their success - monetarily, in regard to status and leadership and their knowledge they are making a difference in others' lives.

Close Your Eyes, then You Won't See

Preface:  This title is loosely borrowed from the Bonnie Raitt song, "I Can't Make You Love Me".  I listen to music when I write for both entertainment and inspiration.

Here is what I believe.  Most people are complacent and "satisfied" with their lives, even those who struggle and complain, those who are frustrated with life to wit's end... however, at the same time, the metaphor for the title of this post is that they are living with their eyes closed.  This is the reality we confront in "finding" people to work with... to "join" our business... and who show the initiative to elevate themselves from the drudgery of a job.

For whatever reason, they simply won't see that options do exist.  What we offer is simply one... and even though what we do is solid and credible, many may have a look, but stay frozen with their eyes closed.  Why is that?

The broadest stroke I can paint to answer this is HABITS. It is about being creatures of the "same old, same old".  It is about not living with or wanting to endure the discomfort of change.  This is the biggest reason people stay "stuck".  It is resistance to change and disrupting the status quo - and consciously or subconsciously not wanting to let go of a living a life that is familiar and predictable.

So, they pack their lunch in the morning and go do it again.  If eyes not closed, then it may be more apt to say they are sleepwalking through their lives... seemingly conscious, but nonetheless "living the dream" that never confronts the reality of barely scraping by - and doing something about it.

Sad, really.