I saw something awesome a few days ago, and even though I chatted about it at TE Live and T3 this week, I thought a blog post should be in order. I took a picture of something that happened live in ILoveHits chat on Sunday and think it speaks to the power of social surfing like nothing I could ever try to explain…

Proof? That this stuff actually works! I think it’s an awesome display of not only social surfing at work but how Brenda Broyles has carved out a fantastic little niche within the traffic exchanges…How did she do it? She just cared more!

Brenda and dozens upon dozens of other savvy surfers, know that when you stick out in the surfing chats, offer support, give a helping hand and are visible…Good things happen.

How much did this cost Brenda and other social surfers?

Absolutely nothing but time and effort!

So what’s stopping you from getting loads of referrals, just by hanging out with other surfers?

This is just one technique that doesn’t cost a penny, yet so few are using it to their maximum potential. Remember, this business is about people first, numbers second. And when you put people first, in a live environment, not only will you get people ASKING you for referral links, you will also be branding your name as someone who cares.

Now ask yourself this…How powerful is that reputation when someone starts seeing your site in rotation as well?

Talk about a win-win!

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I made a statement last night in T3 (which was an awesome event by the way) that a lot of people may be scratching their heads about this morning. First let me get the ‘obvious’ out of the way.

Yes, TimTech is a for-profit company. We are feeding our families with the money we make. I do not hide that fact and never will. I’m what I call a social capitalist who remembers where I came from and what it took to get here. So yes, I’m going to be trying to make some sales. I make no apologies for that, it is a business.

HOWEVER, and this is the big one…Before we make a penny online. Before we sell an upgrade, or offer a credit special to the attendees of our events, we’re about people first. So the formula for TimTech has been…People first, profits second.

I don’t spend 4 hours a day surfing with members and 2 hours a day sometimes even more in live chat for the benefit of my health. While some companies like to automate their support, hire staff to ‘talk to members’ we are in the trenches every day. We are surfers. We are advertisers. We are dreamers!

We do this, not because we have to. Because we want to and we WANT to be involved, hands on, in our business and community. And will do anything we can to provide the best service to our members. It’s a crazy idea huh? Putting the members before anything else.

We’ve been told that being social is a fad, we’ve been told that it’s a waste a time and there are ‘more important things we could be doing’…And we completely disagree. When you put the people before your bottom line, something amazing happens…You start making money.

It’s not sexy. It’s not immediate and for people thinking about this new formula, it takes months if not years to develop your community. But it pays off. And I wouldn’t change a thing!

Sorry if you were looking for the magic ‘button’..It doesn’t exist. All that is here is hard work, a caring attitude and passion. Everything else, falls into place.

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