One of the most fatal mistakes online entrepreneurs make is thinking that the rules that apply offline don’t apply on the Internet. Rewarding those who work for you online is even more vital than if they worked for you in a office.
Remember, the Internet is full of opportunities from which they can choose. If you can offer 40%, so can your competitor. The key isn’t paying more, it’s appreciating them more! The probability that an affiliate or downline member will be an worthwhile part of your group is only about 1 in 20. However, you can improve the odds of motivating them with incentives!
89 percent of Americans say their companies would perform better if employees were offered meaningful incentives to improve quality and productivity.
You can offer fun meaningful incentives to your “online workers” with less money and effort than you think. Here are ten easy ideas.
– Acknowledgement In Affiliate Updates. Mentioning their name and achievements in a general update. If you have a HTML newsletter, or a affiliate update website, they’d get a kick out of seeing their picture, fun profile, and praise from you posted for all to see.
– A Simple Phone. It doesn’t seem like much. However, have you ever wondered why everyone loves teleconferences? Everything you listen to you could just read. However that human contact is vital. Show a great affiliate that they meant enough for you to call and say “thanks!’
– Paid Magazine Subscriptions. Why send a productive affiliate a gift subscription for meeting a certain quota? A $40 (USD) year subscription is nothing if someone has made you $200.
– Special Tools Access. Create a few “special tools,” like a special bulletin board, and give access to those who reach a certain predetermined level. It may not be much. But didn’t you always want what people held just beyond your reach? Think of it as the key to the executive washroom.
– Movie Gift Certificates For Two. Once more, another reward, this one under $20, that can be sent online to anyone.
– Customize Gifts. No one knows better than your “online workers” what would motivate them. Set quarterly goals, and agree on a reward. Maybe it would be concert tickets, a gift certificate, or even paying for a babysitter for a night. The price range and items are up to you and your affiliates.
– Spontaneous E-Cards Send a e-card to someone who landed a sale, or boosted productivity. They may not be at a level to receive an incentive, but they are on the right track, and you should reward that. It’s free and takes five minutes.
– Useful Online Certificates. Give a gift certificate to a useful online store, where someone who works from home can get something they need- like ink!
– Coupon Ads. Offer those who double or triple productivity a coupon that is worth $5 in online advertising from you, or some other means. Let them cash it in whenever they want!
– Send Them To School. Pay their way into a online or telecourse, or some other informational prize. Remember the shaper their skills, the better a “online worker” they’ll be!
The bottom line is, money isn’t everything. Distinguish yourself by offering online workers incentives!
Yolanda Best is a freelance writer, journalism student, and the editor of Culture Shocker newsletter. Culture Shocker gives free advise to up-and-coming writers, musicians, and filmmakers. To subscribe, email cultureshocker-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . To receive a complete list of articles now available for your use email shockersyndicate@freeautobot.com
