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Published January 11, 2013 by Martin Casper
Published January 11, 2013 by Martin Casper

The Danger of Neglecting Your Offline Sphere of Influence

Local BusinessWe live in the digital age of online news articles, social media venues and apps for every type of business opportunity.  We have become so addicted to the online world that we often neglect our offline sphere of influence and the importance that they bear within our business environment.

Could it be that our neglect of the small businesses driving the local economies has been a major detriment to our economic recovery, growth and long-term success?

It is true that global business is driven by our ability to reach target markets worldwide that we could never do if online resources could not provide the platforms that give us our ability to reach.  Blogsites, social media and the opportunity to connect “face to face” via Google Hangouts has brought us closer together from a global standpoint, but are we missing something?

When we stop and look back at how we have achieved this monumental success through the power of technology, we must realize that small business has been the platform that gave us this opportunity.  Could it be that we have strayed so far from our economic roots that we are heading away from the real elements that can bring our economy back from the edge of the abyss?

Chamber of CommerceMaybe it is time that we start attending those Chamber of Commerce meetings again.  Maybe it is time for us to walk into a local business and shake some hands.  Maybe we should do a little old fashioned marketing like a “press release”.  Let’s begin to build some authentic relationships with the “locals” and let them realize that they are an important part of this process.

Could our addiction of living in the digital age foster a less than perfect philosophy of economic neglect?  Maybe it is time to reverse that thought process.  Maybe it is time for some “local action”.  We can create a belief structure that will fuel grass roots change.  Each person has potential, but to get anything out of that potential you must have action.  Action will always yield results and those results will reinforce your belief system.  That belief fuels your potential and the process starts all over again.  You can see where this is going.  So let’s avoid that economic danger zone.  Maybe it is time that we exercise that potential with our “locals”.  Maybe it is time to take some massive action and create massive results.  The effect will be empowering and highly contagious.

In Success & Spiritual Empowerment…

The Empowered Entrepreneurial Magnets

P.S. Please help me with this “grass roots” effort.  Share this article with your friends and on your social media sites.  It is important.

Categories: Leadership & Success
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About Martin Casper

Social Media Marketing Strategist Providing Mentoring & Development To A Broad Spectrum Of Clientele. Strong Entrepreneurial Mindset And "Outside The Box" Thinker That Harnesses The Power Of Digital Marketing To Drive Multiple Income Streams. Currently Co-Authoring A Book On Digital Marketing. Provided Creative Social Media & Marketing Solutions To Real Estate Professionals While Building A Successful Real Estate Business for Realty One Group. Specialties: Internet Marketing l Social Media Marketing l Social Media Consulting & Management l Social Media Training l Digital Marketing l Blogging l Business Development Coaching l Personal & Corporate Branding l Web 2.0 | Real Estate | Distressed Properties | Commercial Real Estate Acquisitions | Vegan Lifestyles | Health & Fitness | Personal Empowerment. Martin has created his own unique style of helping others build an entrepreneurial lifestyle for themselves as Empowered Entrepreneurial Magnets. Martin is passionate about health and is very concerned about the lifestyles of Americans along with the growing health challenges they are facing. Martin is building a grass roots effort to change lives, one person at a time. Martin's organization, "Empowered 4 Life", is a platform that provides solutions to empower lives through core principles of diet, fitness, spiritual & emotional health. Martin challenges each of you to find out what you are passionate about and commit to embracing that passion fully. Become an Empowered Entrepreneurial Magnet. "By Empowering Others, You Will Empower Yourself".

More posts by Martin Casper

  • http://findingourwaynow.com/ Susan Cooper

    It really funny you should be writing about this. I was just think the very same thing. I need to start doing some real face to face meeting with some people who could help and vice versa. Great post regarding thsi and very timely too. :-)

  • Adrienne

    Hey Martin,

    I think that it depends on what type of business you’re in. My business structure doesn’t pertain to any outside sources so connecting with my local businesses wouldn’t necessarily benefit me.

    Now if some of those people are eager to escape their current situation and are eager to learn more of what it takes then that’s a whole other story.

    I can see for many people that are doing business online though that connecting more with your local business people could truly benefit them both. Maybe they need to start considering going back to the good old networking again. Offline…

    Thanks for this reminder.

    ~Adrienne

  • Sue Price

    Hi Maritn

    I so agree with what you have said in this post. I know I have been guilty of forgetting I have a network that I established in traditional business over many years.

    It is only recently that I have joined an affiliate program where the product is such a good fit with many people I knew before I came online I am going back and talking to them.

    Great advice.

    Sue

  • http://www.Empower2Go.com Martin Casper

    I think it is important to keep connected with the pulse of the local economy.

  • http://www.Empower2Go.com Martin Casper

    Adrienne…each entrepreneur needs to evaluate their niche and plan of attack, but I do think that we have gotten so enamored with the online world that the offline world has gotten diss’d just a bit.

  • http://www.Empower2Go.com Martin Casper

    Sounds great, Sue. Best of luck with your new affiliate program.

  • Donna Merrill

    Great point Martin.
    We cannot neglect those outside the realm of the “internet.” Although I am not a network marketer, I always buy local. When I’m in a local shop, I chat a lot..just my nature.. Before you know it, I’m asking them how they reach out beside just being stagnant.

    I like to give them ideas of how to increase their business. Some even hired me. But that’s not the point. They are my local businesses and at least I can be of help and have some influence for them to grow, even if it is advertising on a Google app.
    -Donna

  • http://www.Empower2Go.com Martin Casper

    That is a great concept Donna. I really support “buying local” as much as possible and to be able to help them see outside the box a bit is even better.

  • http://twitter.com/MattLBrennan Matt Brennan

    Nothing replaces the impact of a handshake! There’s something about meeting people in person and doing business locally that just can’t be replicated online. Seriously good post!

  • http://www.Empower2Go.com Martin Casper

    Thanks Matt. Isn’t that the truth and I have been as guilty as anyone in that arena. It is so easy to get caught up in the online world that we neglect what is in our own back yard…something that I have determined to change.

  • Glenn Seddon

    Haha. Love the title!

  • http://www.Empower2Go.com Martin Casper

    Thanks Glenn:)

  • Guest

    I think this is spot on. I think about it in terms of our neighborhood in New Orleans. It was built in the late 1800s so that’s really no room for big box stores. Instead, people enjoy shopping at the small local grocery stores and shops. When they do this, they not only support their local businesses, but they also interact with their neighbors who they see at the same places. It really does build a stronger community.

  • http://twitter.com/YLTL Dan Meyers

    I think this is spot on. I think about it in terms of our neighborhood in New Orleans. It was built in the late 1800′s so there’s really no room for big box stores. Instead, people enjoy shopping at the small local grocery stores and shops. When they do this, they not only support their local businesses, but they also interact with their neighbors who they see at the same places. It really does build a stronger community.

  • http://www.robinjemdon.com/ Robin J Emdon

    Holy smoke! It’s true! There IS a world out there! I think you’re absolutely right Martin! If I venture out… can I take my smart phone with me? LOL ~Robin~

  • http://www.Empower2Go.com Martin Casper

    That might be construed as the perfectly authentic social media circle. There is strength in numbers. Thanks Dan.

  • http://www.Empower2Go.com Martin Casper

    LOL, Robin but only if you purchase one of my upsells…LOL. Thanks for stopping by and adding a bit of humor.

  • http://www.facebook.com/viola.tam.businessmum Viola Tam

    Hi Martin,

    Great insights! While social media can provide another targeted channel for marketing, the good face-to-face connections cannot be underestimated!

    I belong to two business networking groups. I have found that combining the online and offline strategies work best It takes time to build trust and relationship. The real contact approach has a clear advantage! Let’s continue to build authentic relationships with the “locals”. When those locals go online and interact with their circle of influence, our business will be exposed to many more people online.

    I appreciate your sharing, Martin.

    Viola The Business Mum

  • http://www.Empower2Go.com Martin Casper

    Thanks Viola…great comments and very intuitive marketing ideas. You are spot on with your comments!