Readers: If you believe that the perception of our industry (in the U.S.), as one where you “monetize your friends” is a problem leading to people quitting or staying away – unnecessarily – this post is directed at you.
Some people deny this is a problem; others call people names who hold this belief, and even our own NMers are resigned and admit that they’ve become members of the NFL (no friends left).
But I wonder – isn’t this attitude just sticking our collective heads in the sand and crying every day because so many people quit on us? Is it really all their fault then? 95% of them?
To change this particular perception about us, that we “monetize our friends” what do you think is ONE thing we can teach everyone to do differently when they talk to their friends about their product or business?
While some of you may not approach your contacts anymore, the great majority of MLMers do, because that’s what they’re told to do and, it’s cheapest and quickest. And we all know (and continue to suffer) the consequences of them doing that the old school ways.
What’s one constructive thing you think we each can do, that would make a difference in altering that specific, very negative perception?
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Have you emailed this Manifesto to your new recruit? Friends, Lies and Network Marketing – see here . No charge. There’s an email link at the top right.
First, and maybe this would solve the whole problem: Stop telling people to make that list of 100 people. And worse, to call those 100 with your upline on the call too. It took me six months to over come the ickiness I felt about contacting my 100 and actually do it. I thought I felt icky because I maybe didn’t want to succeed, as had been suggested to me. But no, I felt that way because it was an icky thing to do. Really, how would you feel if a friend called with a sales guy on the line? Speaking words that sounded scripted and unlike your friend? If we treat people the way we enjoy being treated, fewer problems?
What’s one constructive thing you think we each can do, that would make a difference in altering that specific, very negative perception?
I think one specific thing everyone in mlm can do is to use your approach, Kim. For instance, when people ask me what I’m doing these days, I would say something like this:
”I’m in the infomercial business.”
Really? What do you mean?
”The company I work with runs infomercials 24/7. When people watch them and call-in, I help them complete their order, and I get a commission. Maybe you know someone who might be interested in doing the same thing?”
Never put people on the spot. Assume they are not interested, because most aren’t, but that they might know someone who could be, because some will.
Tracy
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Just one thing? Ok.
Teach a new Distributor about Marketing. It is called Network Marketing for a reason. (By the way, when did the word ‘Network’ come to mean only your friends and family?) Teach your newbie different ways to reach out to customers. Find out the ones he likes and feels comfortable with. Then, teach him only those and teach him well. Work with him and help him build a strong customer base.
Ask them if they know anyone who . . .
Walter Reade (from Wicsonsin)
This one is easy. What if all NMers became Kim Klaver graduates (or all NM companies taught New School philosophies)? That would certainly give our industry a positive perception.
1)We would start looking for people for whom it’s the right thing to be doing.
2)We would learn and teach ROMs.
3)We would learn to say to our friends, “first date script” + “it worked so well for me I started marketing it”, or “do you know anyone who would be interested in a product like that”, or “what if it works for you like it did for me?” Amazing what these three little phrases have done for MY business.
4)We would learn to market our products first, develop a customer base and then look for those business builders, and we would notice that the 4 needs one more ‘leg’ to become an Ace.
5)Most importantly, we would stop trying to cramp that size 8 foot into a size 5 shoe. We would look at ourselves as “Prince Charmings” looking for that foot that fits the “glass slipper.”
In my humble opinion, 93% of our 95% dropout rate were never right for the business to begin with. Think our numbers would look better if we had “said no first” to them, or if we had told them the truth about what and how long it really takes to build this business.
Venetta
http://www.venetta.myflpbiz.com
This may sound too simple – the one way to stop the “monetize your friends” is to stop talking to your friends about your business or product – period. 300 million people in the United States alone – why go to friends (or family).
My friends and I have other things to talk about and I still have a place to go for Thanksgiving dinner (although I almost blew the last one several years ago). Now I am a New Schooler and know bettter.
What’s one constructive thing you think we each can do, that would make a difference in altering that specific, very negative perception?
Stop the ‘sales’ pitch and start a conversation to see if there is a fit.
I’m sure this post will draw fire. But here goes anyway. No our business model and companies may not be for everyone, but if you are proud of your company and the mlm model as you would be proud of a brick and mortar business that you opened such as a dry cleaning store or fast food restaurant and you can see a possibility of a member of your family or a friend joining you in the business and learning and growing in that business and making some money from their efforts wouldn’t you offer the opportunity to them before you sought out an investor or another type of business associate. I had several brick and mortar business’ while my children were growing up and they worked with me in most of them, as did some of my younger siblings. Today with my mlm business I have one son that is not for this business model and one that is, the one that is has been working and marketing at his own pace and his own style. I didn’t introduce him to the business to excite him with the “big money”, but he needed that extra $300-500 a month raising 3 children. Our business model is one that the average person with the will, and our help can in fact succeed. I think the question we should be asking ourselves is who do we know that we want to work with in our business, because once we attract them we are bound to them to help and guide them through their journey of success with both the trials and tribulations. I for one am selective in who I want to work and grow with. Now with that being said, I have siblings, cousins, aunts, etc. that I wouldn’t approach regarding my business. At a family function when asked what I’m up to these days, I tell them just like I would tell them about a new job. If they find it interesting I let them know we can talk later, if not we had a great family function.
I talk to friends and family about my business all the time. The difference in what I’m doing compared to what most people are taught, according to the ‘old school’ way, is that I’m just sharing whats going on in my life.
I tell them about the product and if something particular exciting occurs, like meeting Robert Allen, or Richard Paul Evans (BookWise) I share those things but my goal isn’t to sell them on the business. I’m just excited about the changes and events in my life.
If getting involved were right for them, they’d be able to make that judgment call without me trying to sell them on it.
I love my friends and family. No amount of success in Network Marketing is worth losing them.
Kim,
One thing we can do that is really effective is to change our own lives. Get more healthy, if that is your product like mine. Also, make more money, not borrow more money and buy things that people will ask about. When they do, say something like, “Oh, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to hear about that, until they beat you into telling them. So, don’t start with friends and relatives just lead them into making their lives better by example.
First and foremost, people need to stop being ‘scared’ to talk to people they know. Yes I think the good cop/bad cop approach is intimidating to some. However if you have a product line that you believe in, why would you not want to shout it out to the world?
I LOVE telling people about my products, how they are a healthy alternative and better for the environment. If people are not interested, no harm done. I know in my heart I shared!
Personally, the only people I know of who have an aversion to sharing with people they know – are people who have joined many MANY Network Marketing companies and have contacted that same warm market several times already.
In their own eyes they feel like failures from trying so many things and are embarassed to contact those people again…
The key is. Find a product that is your passion. Find a product that you CAN talk to anyone about. Use it, love it, live it!
Alethea Anderson
http://www.AletheaAnderson.com