The Most Important Thing
This industry goes through some changes and has for the past decade but nothing has made more changes in the way we do business than the social surfing environment. No secret, I’m a big believer in this method and it all comes down to a primal human instinct, the desire to be part of a community or group.
We are social creatures by nature and the more we interact with like minded people, the closer we become. It’s a wonderful thing and can explain all the popularity of ‘team surfing’ and team business models. I like to analyze the trends in the traffic exchange industry and something has been very clear since the popularity of social surfing and that is the people who CARE the most, are ‘winning’ the most.
It’s funny you know. I’m reading about traffic exchange owners hiring ‘admins’ to take care of their members and take care of their site and I kind of chuckle because it’s really this simple. Caring for your business and your members should not be something you outsource. Now I’m not talking about support staff, I’m talking about actually sleeves being rolled up and interacting and talking with the members (not just emailing them every day with a surf promo)….
What I’d love to see is more focus being put on the owner / surfer relationship but what surprises me is how small a number of owners actually WANT and look forward to spend time with their members. All we want to do in TimTech is be around people at seminars and in surf chat. We are just giving into our human instinct and wanting to be a part of a community.
It’s a VERY rewarding experience and I highly suggest that if you are an owner…You get in touch with your members and be a part of their experience online. And if you are a surfer, say hi to the other surfers in the social surfing chats and get ready to experience some of the most effective ways to ‘build’ your brand online.
Care a little bit more than the next person or business and you will be rewarded! Maybe not right away but again….Tim and I started TE Live about a year and a half ago. We made a decision to CARE about the community and be around people each and every day, no matter what. Now it’s part of our brand and something that is paying BIG dividends…All because we WANTED to be a part of our community and be around like minded people.
Caring….Awesome sauce indeed!
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Great post as usual Jon.
I know I thought about hiring an admin when I was still working offline alot of hours, mostly because I did not feel I was able to give my members what they needed.
Now looking back on it I really should not have even started my site until I was able to give my members time. Being there for your members is part of our responsibility when we buy that TE script.
Just my thoughts.
Jeff – completely agree man. It’s an investment in not only money but also time. Something that doesn’t come with the manual when you buy a script lol
Thanks for another great post Jon!
I know that my main line of business is miles away from the Traffic Exchange industry in many ways, – but it doesn’t make any difference when it comes to being social and caring.
This is a universal concept that is so much more rewarding, – I am enjoying my “work” more and more since i have stated to change focus to the loyal people using my websites (and it definitely isn’t hurting my commissions).
So true, Jon!
Some things DO NOT change, though.
The cream ALWAYS rises to the top…
Nice post,
Carl
Loke – Crazy concept huh. We put people first, and profits seconds…We start making more money LOL
Carl – thank you sir! The cream does always rise. And it’s a tasty treat too lol
Jon – Great post. Getting social is one of my current focuses (foci?) and your continued advice and support is very much appreciated. I’m trying to join TELive when I can, and it’s always great to hear and read your words of wisdom.
I Like your thinking Jon. I do not have admins in any of my sites but I have had to hire them in the past to take over while I was sick or something came up that took me away from being there but that was only for a short time. I am guilty of slacking though and as I read this post it has reminded me to get off my duff and get back to business as it should be.
About two months ago I created a Skype room for Te Owners and surfers and it is really catching on. It is my hope that TE Owners and surfers can connect in the room and talk a little traffic and socialize about the industry. I hope you don’t mind if I put my Skype name here and anyone interested in entering the Skype room can just add me as their contact and request to enter the TE Talk Skype room
My Skype: jon.splashwave
Hope to see ya’ll there
Hi Jon,
Thanks for another great post today! I agree with you 100% and that is why I am so excited that I was finally able to get chat added to my Traffic Exchange, Redman Surf. I have been having quite a few people chatting, I’d like to see more doing it, but I am working on that!
I know that I have been having a lot of fun talking with my members and getting to know more of them. I have gotten to know some of my members through emails and things, but I can really do much more now.
It is not a hard thing to have chat open and still do other things at the same time. So I would like to let other TE Owners know that you CAN spend time with your members in Chat and still multi-task and get other work done, if that is what is deterring them.
It really does make a difference, and thanks for teaching all of us that Jon!
Marilyn
I’m not an traffic exchange owner. Nor will I be one for awhile…. But I totally get this post and actually understand it
It’s not even a full week into the construction of my upcoming article directory and I honestly spend more time talking to/with the article publishers and members that I currently have than I do actually working on the site.
This doesn’t just correlate to Traffic Exchange sites folks. It everything… Adkreator, CTP, My article Directory, TW and any other aspect of the “Biz” that you can think of.
Social is where it’s at and it’s here to stay. Now to get that old camcorder out and start filming videos.
Lights… Camera… Action!
Matthew Roe
Jon, great thoughts. Funny how ground-breaking thoughts actually are “back to the basics”. Sounds to me the key is the healthy environment where you let the member decide how much interaction they want. But you have to make the offer first, right? My experience is most of them take it, others will take it when they are ready, others think it is unhip to chat. You want things done? You need interaction. Simple, not easy, but simple. Great post – made me think.
Ute
Patti – thank you very much. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post!
Jonathan – I kick myself in the rear every day. It’s awesome LOL
Matthew – working with like minded people, it doesn’t seem like work anymore. It’s part of daily life for me now.
Ute – It is huh? I agree. This isn’t new or rocket science. It’s doing things humans have forever, just online and in a digital format.
Jon: It’s true
that’s what makes social surfing so amazing. Your not in there just clicking. Their is real people to connect with and if done correctly hundreds of potential customers.
It’s just a matter of putting yourself out there, now more than ever!
Matthew Roe
Amen Jon, T3 was an awesome example of how well social is very much alive in the TE world. Its not quantity that’s most important its quality and being social is great quality to have.
You are sooooo right, Jon!!! I do all the admin stuff on my site and all members have direct access to me. Putting people first and recognizing that your members are your most valuable asset makes a big difference.
Hey Jon -
Great post and I couldn’t agree with you more when it comes to caring for your members and engaging socially as one of many ways to interact and provide value for your members.
As for the admin issue. I have recently hired Kaye Towne as “Admin Support” for my sites, she will be a valuable member of a growing team. Kaye is a respected TE owner and long-time surfer and agreed to come on board for several specific reasons. There are many ways to structure a high value customer centered business… not just one.
I applaud every owner that has their vision set on customer value and encourage them to find the structure and engage with the people they need to make their vision a reality. Tim Tech, Kinder Rash, Blain Tech, and Viral Traffic Network each have a customer oriented focus, each group is completely unique in their structure… but no less caring.
Great post and reader comments!
James
Hi Jon
This really is the bible according to Gary Vaynerchuck.
People buy wine from him because he has the best customer service and best staff, whilst people are buying traffic and advertising from you.
I don’t think you need to do it all yourself, but you should certainly be leading by example, so if you hire the cheapest person who doesn’t understand your business model then you will fail rather quickly.
For a difficult customers a personal touch may be required, but sometimes you just need to realise that some customers aren’t worth the effort.
Andrew
Jon-
The interaction is the fun part! Even Support Tickets are a great opportunity to show members you are real and care about them. Gotta be in the thick of things!
Chris