Thanks to technology and the power of network marketing, I get to spend the majority of my year in Mexico. Everyday I am grateful for tools such as Vonage and Skype but I am most grateful that I get to operate a network marketing business from the sunny beaches of Bucerias, Mexico.

While I spend a large part of my time in front of the computer or on the phone, life here is definitely fun and interesting. This morning there was a crowing rooster on the bus as I headed to meet friends in from Vancouver for Sunday brunch on the beach.

A few weeks back, a man got on the bus and started handing out booklets to every person. Most people accepted the booklet, which appeared to be religious in nature. Then while the bus was driving down the road, he gave a short sales spiel and told everyone that if they wanted to keep the booklet, it was 10 pesos ($1.00). He then started at the front of the bus and either collected back the booklet or collected the 10 pesos.

I was fascinated as I watched the whole process - a sales technique I hadn't experienced since living in Ecuador 15 years ago. I couldn't quite imagine someone getting on the bus in Vancouver, Canada and trying this sales tactic. You'd probably find yourself kicked off the bus! Yet, in reality, this approach is what many entrepreneurs are still using - albeit slightly more refined.

 What is "Old School" Marketing?

If you´re thinking, "no way, I don´t do that", you may be surprised at some of the ways that old school marketing techniques are still permeating your business.

Let´s say you are using social marketing tools such as Digg, Twitter, Squidoo or Facebook and you are blatantly selling or promoting your product or opportunity. That is old school marketing. It really is no different than going to a networking function, cornering someone and giving them the low-down on your product or service. I've had brochures, business cards and samples shoved into my face or hands without so much as a how-do-you-do. Really, that isn't much more sophisticated than the man who got on the bus and put a booklet in everyone's hand.

It doesn't feel very good and I immediately look for the quickest escape route. Seriously, in today's world it´s antiquated and very "old school". So what is the "new school"? Relationship marketing. In other words you "date" before you marry or have sex. You get to know each other. You woo the other person through dialogue and mutual conversation. You impress your potential client with how you can help them with a problem rather than sell to them right out of the gate.

How Does "New School "Marketing Work?

For example, you may have a network marketing business. Rather than immediately sell your vitamin, miracle drink, lotion or potion, you sell yourself first as someone who people would even want to do business with. You know people´s concerns, worries, doubts, fears and problems and you make it your business to allay their anxieties and solve their problems.

As you give first, people will then become attracted to wanting to do business with you. It's why this type of relationship marketing is often referred to as "attraction marketing".

So ask yourself:

• Is my business growing?
• Do I get referrals easily and regularly?
• Do people come back and do business with me?
• Am I attracting people to my business regularly and consistently?

If not, you may want to look at how you come across to people. Do people see you as pushy or obnoxious? I remember reading an email from a distributor who was "luring" people into her business. That word did not give me a good feeling as no one wants to feel manipulated, trapped or lured.

The Power of Attraction Marketing

The spiritual principle of "treat others as you want to be treated" is the foundation of a solid business. So how can you use this principle in real life? Some really basic steps are:

1. Take an interest in other people and what they are doing.
2. Ask questions and find out how their business is doing.
3. If you know of someone that can assist them with a problem they mention, pass on the referral.
4. Listen intently to what they say.
5. Be "real" in how you talk to people so you don't come across as condescending.

But today with attraction marketing, it needs to go beyond that. Are you clear in your own mind that you are the expert in your field? Do you know the answers to your client's problems? Are you keeping up to date with what is happening in your field? The world is shrinking and fast. You need to be aware of trends in your area of expertise. Specializing in one area is becoming more and more important.

Let's use the example of someone who sells life insurance. They could specialize in helping young families find a policy that´s right for them. They could niche market to people who have had serious medical challenges and would appear to be uninsurable. Or they could help the wealthy use their insurance policies within a trust. Once decided upon, brand yourself as the expert in that field. Become known as the "go-to person" in that arena. Become the diabetic expert in your network marketing company and know exactly what products work best for diabetes. A car salesperson could become an expert in helping people with poor credit buy cars. A clothing boutique could specialize in helping petite women buy clothing that is flattering to their size. Do you see all of the possibilities?

Rather than putting your product into everyone and anyone's hands like the man on the bus did the other day, learn the rules and tools of attraction marketing, niche yourself and have clients searching for you, talking about you and referring you to others. Now isn't that an exciting possibility!