Here’s an excerpt from something new I did – “Friends, Lies and Network Marketing.” It’s being released by a mainstream online business publisher in the next two weeks.
This is a tip to help make a meaningful career in network marketing – without using or abusing friends, family and neighbors.
“Don’t mislead your friends by talking with them about your product or business as if you were recommending a restaurant or movie.
“Most new networkers do what their trainers or upline tell them to do: “Just talk to your friends. It’s like recommending a restaurant or a movie.”
“But is it? How many friends have you lost recommending a restaurant or movie? How many friends have you lost recommending network marketing?
“Yes, it starts the same way – You meet for lunch or at Starbucks. You exchange news and pleasantries. And then you extol the wonders of your new find. But in the end, you have to tell her you’re selling the thing. That’s when the tension and anxiety set in on both sides – your friend doesn’t like saying No to you, and you don’t feel comfortable revealing your hidden agenda at the end and asking them to buy. One of my students said, “I feel like a piranha.”
“Networkers joke among themselves that they are members of the NFL – No Friends Left. ☹ How often does that happen when you recommend a restaurant?” – Kim Klaver
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Learn to do direct sales without misleading your friends or theirs. 100 customers 100 Days CD program here. Combo with If My Product’s So Great, How Come I Can’t Sell It? here. Was $117. Now $67. No code required.
Well Kim,
This ‘no friend left’ result only happens if we recommend restaurants that use bagged lettuce from Dole, right now. That E coli doesn’t go down without a fight on the way out! >:-O
Seriously, I love to watch some network marketers cornering ‘new meat’ in a coffee shop. They do their initial greeting, slip into “FORM”, as coached by their upline . . . and when they hear the right answers, their eyes start to gleam. They move closer, salivating inwardly. In for the kill they go. In 30 seconds, their claws are out ready to snatch their new find off his or her feet!!!
It’s hilarious also watching said new meat back away, as fast as s/he can — sometimes forgetting her Starbucks’.
Piranha. Great metaphor. We could make a great video spoof, kind of like Wild Kingdom, MLM style.
As humans, though, I think we can do a lot better.
Best wishes,
Pam
drpam.networkmarketingcentral.com
How absolutely exhilarating that we all know the answer now — short sweet first date script that begins with “I sell a product for people who…” followed by the perfect gets-them-off-the-hook question, “Do you know anyone who might like to know about a product like that?”
Voila. Problem solved, friendship saved. Life is still good.
Dianne
When I launched my business officially with my first home party, it was to my friends and family. I was up front about what it was about before they got there, and I made it clear on the day that I was very grateful for their attendance, that all I wished for was their support of my business, and if they liked the products to buy then that was a bonus however not expected. It was also a great way to do my speel about my WHY at greater length than I would have done it one on one, (though not too long!).
They accepted my invitation hence I had permission to speak, and as a result they all learnt something new about me they didn’t know before. Subsequently they ALL bought something, some became regular customers and some didn’t and thats ok.
Subsequently I don’t talk about the business or products when I see them or talk to them, unless they ask me first. Lucky for me they often do which is great. This process occured before I read 100 customers in 100 days, however I would still have done it this way.
Meanwhile any friend unaware of my business I come across, I go the new school way and ask if they would know of anyone who would like products like that….
http://www.kristine.mionegroup.com
I was in those shoes before. When I joined my first network marketing company, I was told to talk to friends, relatives, and other people I know. My upline (let’s call her Jane Hype) even pushed me to invite them to listen to those conference calls so that they can do the business too.
Well, all of my friends aren’t interested. In fact, one of them told me they would do it if I made any money, but either way it went, they didn’t want to do it anyway.
That’s a good way to lose friends.
One thing you could do is if you know people who want to use you for what you know and you have enough of that, sell them your product or the business and yeah, they’ll steer the other way. At least you’re glad they won’t have to call you for anything they need because the first thing you’ll bring up is your product or your business. In fact, I tried this on a friend of mine on purpose and it actually worked.
However, don’t try that to friends you want to keep though. Only to friends you want to get rid of.
My two cents,
Sidney
http://www.e-dental-plus.com
http://www.youarecovered.net
Kim I’m so glad you have found this way to reach so many networkers. There are so many people looking for the “fix” to make their business work. With all the information on the internet it’s impossible to know what is real and what’s just a bunch of hype. Your stuff is real so I hope your articles will change the methods and direction of network marketing.
I was fairly new with network marketing when I found you and NMC 10 months ago. I was frustrated and thinking the business wasn’t for me. I did everything my sponsor said, believed all I had to do was talk to my friends, show them how easy it was to get four who get four, etc. Of course it didn’t work. I was the only one that believed it worked that way.
When I added another company and product to my business I was able to use your methods without any frustrations. I let my friends know what I was doing so if they knew anyone who might want to know about it they could let me know. I had one friend say “So you decided to add something else that’s out of your comfort zone.” I replied that this was exactly in my comfort zone because I had learned so much in the past year. It did show me that most people won’t do network marketing because it is going too much out of their comfort zone. If they could be shown how to do it our way maybe they would be curious enough to ask more questions.
Kim thank you for sharing your passion with anyone ready to listen and learn. It started with one, you. Now your students will carry on and with time we will make a difference.
Robin and the fur gang
“Dig under the fence – Why? Because it’s there. Because it’s there. Because it’s there.
– Author Unknown
Dogs look beneath the surface
Thankfully, I have never fallen into that “NFL” club. I guess it’s because I don’t like missing friends and business, unless it is THEIR idea.
I have always handled my business with my friends just like I would if it were a McDonalds – I would let them know it had opened, and certainly welcome their business, but I wouldn’t ask them if they want a job.
I like to give my friends credit for being smart and savvy, especially as I have gone on to have success in my business.
They KNOW I work from home; they know I have for a LONG time; they know I am successful (mostly because my husband brags about me, but in a VERY low key way) and they know that the email address I use has a website attached to it. (anything following the @ sign is a domain name.)
Some have looked at my website and commented on how nice it is; they are impressed that I was able to do build it, etc.
No one has asked to know more about the business. And, quite frankly, I like it that way.
When I go out with my friends; travel with them; attend parties, bbq’s etc, my business does not come up unless one of THEM mentions it.
My friends are great supporters of my products as customers, and I just got a referral from one this week for a fundraiser.
As a result, I give them LOTS of samples and ways to further experience the products and it works out nicely.
I learned early on that there are all different ways to work the business and the KEY to success is not always in “duplicating” your upline, but in finding the way that fits for you and then taking solid action consistently to build your business.
Keep your friends, and keep your business. Just keep them separate unless it is THEIR idea.
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
MLM Success Coaching
Why is it with apparent PRIDE people talk about being in the “No Friends Left” club? I wouldn’t be proud of that, nor should you!
Sheesh, there gotta be a better way. Better, but not necessarily easier, is what Kim is trying to get through our thick skulls!
Thanks, Kim. You make me smile.
I believe it’s HOW you invite and how you recommend a product.
when you find value in something, it’s hard to keep it yourself…
I love my family friends and when I started 30 years ago I started with them because (1)I was told to (2)I loved them and wanted them to get the same wonderful health benefits I got, ie, no more bleeding gums, headaches, afternoon naps and catching all those “bugs” going around. Some became good loyal customers and some didn’t (unfortunately for them because today they are not very healthy or dead). I rarely talked about the business because I was scared to so I only lost 1 friend that I can think of but even that was sad and I still miss her.
Back then MLM/NW was so new no one had had time to spoil the scene with deception, hype and unfulfilled promises.But that cahnged as the MLM model caught on and thousands of companies started and more and more family and friends became “victims”.
I have become braver about looking for business builders and do have a downline but I am always upfront about what I do and don’t ask my friends to do it. By the way, all of my builders came in because of the product not the business.
Right or wrong, that is the way it has been for me.