Advice

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You Don’t Need to Answer to Your Upline

October 12, 2009 in Advice | No comments

Many network marketing companies say that the person who sponsored you will train you on how to run your business in order to begin making sales and growing your network. I find some faults with this common network marketing training method. Now that I have been growing my own downline, I realize that not everyone is responsive to me when I reach out to help. At first I wondered if I was being pushy, but that couldn't be it considering I only sent an email or two offering my help.

Not everyone in my downline is non-responsive. Some are very communicative in terms of how to get going with their business. What I realized is that we are all independent distributors. The way I run my business is not the same way someone else will want to run theirs. When I started my business I asked my sponsor a lot of questions since I had no idea how anything worked. Fortunately, I have a good sponsor and he was very helpful.

However, as time went on and I began applying my own methods for attracting new leads and sales, I realized that I don't need to check-in with my sponsor or run my business in the same way he does. We are all separate "businesses." He has no right telling me how to run my business just like I have no authority in telling my downline how to run theirs.

We Don't Have to Be Duplicable

I've also realized that the common saying that we must teach our downline a duplicable system is nonsense. Why would the methods that work for me, work like a charm for my downline? Chances are, they wouldn't. When I started, I was taught about the 3-way phone call. I quickly disliked this form of bringing on new team members. It seemed weird that I would sit quietly on the phone while someone else explained my business for me.

I didn't want to push this on my downline for several reasons:

  • What if someone isn't comfortable talking on the phone with strangers?
  • It's by no means easily duplicable
  • I don't like talking on the phone so why push it on someone else?
  • It makes you seem incapable of talking about your own business when your sponsor is speaking for you.

Over time, I learned that marketing online was a much better fit for me. I don't know a large enough network of people to throw home parties and I wouldn't feel comfortable inviting strangers into my home. Cold calling is out of the question and speaking to random people is time consuming, particularly if they are not interested in the first place.

By using the internet, my endeavors are working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week regardless of what I'm doing. When leads contact me, they are truly interested in what I am promoting. I rather spend time talking with a qualified lead than random people who could care less.

As independent distributors, we are not required to set up a duplicable system. What we can do is offer our advice and if it is accepted fine, if not, no big loss. Every network marketer can run their business in a way that works for them.

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Not Everyone is Qualified for Network Marketing

September 28, 2009 in Advice | No comments

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone is cut out to be a network marketer. That is the big misconception about the industry because some marketers will try to recruit anyone who will listen. What tends to happen is that people with an "easy business" or "fast money" mindset join a company and as soon as an obstacle appears, they quit.

It is true that almost anyone can start, but there are still some requirements to consider when talking to a prospect. There are a few things we can do as network marketers to help people who truly want to be in this industry.

1. Be honest with your prospect
The worse thing we can do as marketers is try to dazzle prospects with the hopes of easy money or an easy business. You can ask any successful network marketer today if running their business was easy and I bet they will tell you that it took a lot of work to get to where they are. Let your prospects know up front what is involved. It is a business and requires time and effort.

2. Learn about your prospect's mindset
This is someone that you may potentially work with. Do they have a "make money fast" attitude? Are they looking at the business short-term? Is the only thing on their mind, "How much can I make?" These are the wrong mindsets and you will only be hurting yourself by working with that kind of mentality. Chances are, a person with that attitude will surely quit at the first sign of "work."

3. Get out of desperation mode
When we take on the desperation mindset as marketers, we attract people who are in it for a quick buck. If you want to attract qualified individuals who understand the work that is involved then change your own mindset. You don't need to be desperate to build your network. There are people out there that you can work with, you just need to have them find you (learn marketing skills.)

I have experienced all kinds of mindsets in just the first few months of being in this industry. I have run into those who are all about the dollars and cents. I have met those who understand that it takes work. In the long-run, it is much better to have a smaller team of individuals that will run their business rather than signing up those who are seeking something easy only to drop out later.

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Are You Asking Your Prospects the Right Questions?

September 22, 2009 in Advice | No comments

SNN6 Interview
Creative Commons License photo credit: srqpix

Many new marketers are often pumped up and excited about their new business and that is a great way to start out. Yet, when it comes to presenting the products or business opportunity, they fall flat and wonder why their prospect doesn't take the same interest as they do. How can someone NOT like what I have to offer? These products are awesome! Who wouldn't want to own their own business? Have you asked those same questions or very similar? Don't worry, I have also and I believe one of the biggest reasons new marketers have trouble pursuading others is because they aren't probing their prospects.

Probing Your Prospects

Now, when I say probing, I don't mean literally poking your prospect and trying to see their insides. Besides, that is a good way to get arrested! All kidding aside, probing simply means asking the right questions. I've learned that everyone is motivated by something. If someone takes an interest in your products or business, it is very likely that something inside of them is motivating their interest.

When someone contacts me about products or starting their own business, I begin by finding out why they are interested in the first place. I will ask about what they do, their background, family life, etc. Most of the time, they are very open and will tell you right away why they want to use the product or start a business. Once you learn their motivating factors, it makes it much easier for you to tell them how what you are offering can meet their needs.

Shut Up and Listen

Often times, we can actually over promote and talk the prospects ears off without ever listening to what they are trying to accomplish. Sooner or later, the prospect is turned off and realizes that you could care less. Most people can read through a sales pitch and most people do not like being sold to. You may feel it is necessary to get out everything at once about your business. It's easy to think that the more information you pile on, the better a person will understand the value in your company. It's important not to get caught up in information overload.

Diagnose Their Concerns and Offer Remedies

Network marketing is a great business model because it is based on helping others reach success. As you help others achieve, you in turn achieve also. Consider how much easier it would be to help people if you understood their concerns first. Having a deeper understanding allows you to offer a remedy to their concerns. Maybe your prospect is looking to earn some side income to pay bills but can't take on another job. You can use that information and explain why joining your network is a convenient way to start a business part-time. You can go into how the business can be run from home, etc.

When your prospect can relate their concerns to your offer, it makes it make it easier for them to make the decision. You help them see how they can benefit. Of course, there are no gaurantees that asking the right questions and listening will convince every prospect to take on your offer. However, it is a much better method than making them feel like just another lead.

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Do You Feel Like Quitting Network Marketing?

September 16, 2009 in Advice | No comments

phoo
Creative Commons License photo credit: Unfurled

When you were first introduced to a network marketing company, you were probably highly-motivated and excited about building your business. After a month or so, you realize the work that is involved. You may begin to have doubts and question whether the business is right for you. Feeling as though you want to quit is very common among new marketers. Before you call it quits, you should really consider what the real problem is.

It's Natural to Feel This Way

Almost everyone who steps foot into this industry feels like quitting in the beginning. It is a natural human emotion to want to give up when things aren't happening the way you expected. It's not uncommon for many new marketers to throw in the towel after a few weeks because they realize the work involved in growing a business. If you understand that it's very common to feel like quitting, you can get past those feelings much easier. Don't be so hard on yourself if your progress is slow. You can't compare your progress to others. Your success is waiting for you but not if you give up so easily.

Have Time to Get Over Your Learning Curve

What many new marketers don't often realize is that learning how to market and network takes time. Most new marketers don't possess any marketing or networking skills. There is a learning curve to learning about this business. Everyone learns at their own pace and chances are you also have another job and work your business part-time. Before deciding to quit, at least allow yourself the time to get past your learning curve. You may be amazed how things can pick up once you begin applying what you have learned about marketing and networking.

Learn How to Handle Disappointments

One sure thing about network marketing is that you will be faced with rejection which leads to disappointments. It's a good idea to learn how to develop a strong mental attitude and learn not to take setbacks personally. You will no doubt have high expectations of those you present your business to. If they should change their mind about signing-up or reject you all together, you have to remember that you can only help those who want to help themselves. Some people are not ready to start a new venture. Keep this in mind and disappointments will be easier to handle.

Remember, just about everyone in this business has had their share of failures. The successful ones have learned from them and used it to their advantage. Don't give up because you've had one bad week or aren't progressing the way someone else has.

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