When you are a beginner to IM, the field can appear really intimidating,
particularly if you don’t have any knowledge of the field. As you browse through
information in articles and forums, you’ll find all types of lists featuring
“how you too can be the next big thing!” The items on these lists likely all
appear to be inconsistent. One list will claim “patience” is the secret to
succeeding in the IM field. Another is going to tell you that you have to have a
lot of business savvy. Nonetheless, others will state that creativity is the
secret to wild and astounding success. And, of course, there are going to be
scores of sales pages claiming they have the software or course to teach you how
to be the next big thing.

The truth is that all of these things are important to your success (well,
perhaps not all of those software programs, but the other stuff). You must be
patient and smart about business and creative if you want to succeed. None of
these things will matter much, all the same, if you can’t communicate well with
your customers.

Good communication involves more than merely setting up a convincing sales page.
A skilled copywriter can take care of that component of your project. A
beautiful website and extensive FAQ are not what you need for good
communication. A skilled web designer and writer can take care of those things.
Being a good communicator calls for learning to handle interpersonal
communication as well as your copy and website. So what should you do?

1. See to it that any email doesn’t sit unreplied to for over 24 hours. This is
no jest. The email doesn’t need to be very long. All you need to do is inform
the sender that you have read the email and will be responding to it in full
soon. When you do this, include a a portion of the other person’s e-mail. This
helps the person you email tell your mail apart from the automated replies that
other Internet marketers utilize.

2. Answer calls. Don’t be a call screener. Try to answer the phone by the third
ring. Do so even if you genuinely have no desire to talk to the person calling
you. You might be happy to learn that there is an exemption to this specific
rule. You do not have to answer your phone all day. Instead of this, specify
good “business” hours that you are available to take phone calls. Release these
hours on your website and in your voice mail message as well. And, above all
else, make sure you return calls.

3. Follow up with people to be sure that your messages and emails have actually
been received. This will show the person that you truly care about keeping in
contact with them. It will endear you more if you say something like, “Is there
anything that I can be clearer about?” so that, if they have questions, you can
answer them.