Some people who check out iPads here get pretty excited to have one of their own.
Here’s something cool Apple does on their
sales page, that gives the prospect more confidence
about spending that $800 or so. On the iPad sales
page, they put this in easy-to-see type:
Talk to a Specialist.
Get answers before you buy. Talk with
a knowledgeable Specialist now
Call – 800 555 1212
This is not a rah rah person who tells you how great the iPad is and who
pushes you to buy, like in so many MLM meetings. To the contrary, the specialists
answer your questions. They are trained to let you know if the product is right for you,
given what you want to do with it.
Wouldn’t it be cool if an MLM prospect with no previous mlm or
business experience were encouraged to speak to someone impartial
before they buy in? Someone who knows what an inexperienced person needs
to do to make a success of it? It would certainly reduce the giant drop out rate.
If there were no such person available, the newbie might be invited to attend a few
training meetings so they see, before they commit, what sorts of things
they’ll need to be doing to make a go of the business.
The tension around doing something like this is, of course the money.
After all, what if the newbie discovers, in the training or in that chat with
an impartial specialist, that she doesn’t want to do sales (or sharing)?
There goes the money you (or someone else) were counting on.
Could it be that potential loss is what prevents implementing a change like this?
Yet, wouldn’t it be better for the newbie with no mlm or business experience to be
offered a taste first? Or a chance to talk with an impartial specialist who
knows mlm – before handing over her credit card in all the frenzy of the rally?
PS This is one conflict that gives meaning to the saying,
“(Lusting after) money is the root of all evil.”
Wish I had followed this advice when I started online in 2005. The woman that signed me up convinced me I would make a living from home that very first year in the business. The reality was I did not know anything about Network Marketing except what was covered in my Business classes at Washington State University.
I am glad I did not give up on the industry as a whole. I found a group of people that do the business in a professional manner and that means qualifying someone like you mention in this post. We set up a system that only allows serious people to enter into our compensation plan and once someone does earn their way into your business, you know you have a team member that is in for the right reason!
Hey Danielle,
You write, “We set up a system that only allows serious people to enter into our compensation plan and once someone does earn their way into your business, you know you have a team member…”
Sounds interesting. Can you elaborate that that means? Like, does it mean a person has to earn a certain amount before they can sign up as a higher level (but the bigger package) business builder?
The number one reason most people want to buy from someone is trust and respect.
Why? Fear of loss is the most important buying motivation, whether it’s a product purchase or signing up in a network marketing business.
I agree. As for myself and the sponsor I had, we were both willing and we did sell and sponsor people. I don’t think it’s necessary to mention the company, but, other than Wowing the customer, how can one hope to keep selling the products, customer loyalty, month after month, when it’s so easy to just purchase from the store.
Customer loyalty. Hey, a monthly business, like Kim says, of 100 customers, and drop shipping would be the ideal, of a product that costs 10 or 20 dollars, is a good start. So much talk about thinking little. Hey the 100 customers in 100days is a believable and doable goal. Besides, whatever the product’s cost, that is a good monthly income. Drop shipping, go for the second 100 customers. Of course as a businessman one keeps in touch with their customer. I sell online, and I have yet to have a repeat customer. I hope to one day; we give quick shipping and deliver what we say; that’s that. The product I have in mind can only be sold on the company’s terms, and “they” will not allow me to sell it online by my methods. I am considering doing an end run, just as an experiment. “They” could discontinue dealing with me, I suppose, but what I do not understand is once I purchase the product, whatever the price, what does it matter to “them” what I resell it for and how I sell it? I could even sell the product for less than I bought it. Would that make “them” happy? As I am writing this, this makes me want to pursue my ideas.
Thank you for letting me vent .
…….00
I work with a company and product with the same rules and it’s fair to everyone that they have them. People get started selling a product they believe in and have personal experience, education on and want or need to earn income with particularly in this economic environment. It’s unfair to expect new people to have to compete with internet marketing experts especially when they aren’t abiding by the rules of distributorship to follow up and make sure the customer gets the support necessary to achieve successful results which are guaranteed by the company when purchased through a distributor doing business properly.
Those who simply sell and let the customer figure it out for themselves open up a bad reputation for the product if repeated poor results are attained due to lack of education and support. This is part of a consultants/distributor/franchise owners responsibility if they want to build a happy repeat customer base. If you’re an e-tailer, find another product that drop ships in the same category, there’s always other products. Leave the opportunity to those who want to follow the guidelines and let people who aren’t so skilled at technology have a chance.
when you’re selling product online from an mlm for less than retail you’re able to reach what potentially could be reached by other reps in any state or country the product is licensed to sell in. More people are giving mlm a shot now because there’s such a lack of employment particularly for those over 50, and that segment is notoriously unfamiliar with technology and marketing in general. They likely got in to make some extra income working retail vs the mlm comp plan so in essence you have the unfair advantage by using Amazon or Ebay as potential customers of global reps could go bargain shopping to eliminate the built in retail profit which is there to compensate people for the effort in promoting, educating, and following up whereby they might earn a living. You however would be the guy who benefits from all the work of others that enlightened the customer and sold them on the product but instead of buying from the person who told them, they find you who undercuts the rep while you benefit and undermine the program and disregard the contract you signed.
If you’re a mass wholesaler or discount seller offering the product at a few bucks higher than wholesale, you eliminate the comp plan, circumvent the procedure and benefit of working the program and screw the distributors who follow the rules. The customers never get to learn the options, the fine points or understand that they can earn from referrals etc. You simply collect the lowest profit margin, sell masses, let the customer figure it out, cannot offer the money back guarantee because you’ve acted against the agreement and have to operate under stealth.
The customer never learns they could get a lower price if they enroll themselves because you cut away the details. The company writes their policies to protect the earning potential of distributors who aren’t mass e-tailers or haven’t got the wherewithall to become one. Network marketing is a personal relationship business which is why the product was chosen for the means of marketing. It takes explanation, customer education or follow up in most instances or otherwise the success rate is much lower than if used correctly.
I think it is a great idea Kim. How about integrity before profits as a motto, and doing right by the other person.
Greg,
Yep, I agree. But that money conflict will prevent this kind of integrity for many recruiters. It’s just so easy to justify asking for the order before the person knows diddly about what they need to do to earn any money at all. Sigh.
Right on! They made it look sooooo easy when I went to my first meeting. I had no idea how many phone calls it would actually take to “get my three”.
So, what would you say to a prospect, Kim?
Hi Barbara,
One thing we often did is invite a prospect (after they’d seen the
business presentation) to one or two of the initial trainings. That way
they’d know what they have to do to earn any income. So instead of
saying, “Well, when are you ready to get started?” We’d sometimes ask, “Would you
like to see how we actually do this? We’re having a short intro training
X night, want to come and see if you can do it?” Or something similar.
Sometimes the person would do that first. Sometimes they’d decline and
sign up for the big package. But when someone gets that option, it’s usually
so surprising that whatever fears they had, that they might be making
a big mistake, seemed to be reduced.
I think that’s exactly the effect the Apple notice has on iPad buyers. It’s there.
Get answers before you buy. Reduces the fear around spending the $799.
I think it’s not likely to happen in MLM because the need/desire for the money
earned from that recruit order is just too tempting for the recruiters, new or old.
Why risk losing it?
In connection with the business presentation we do a thorough interview to find out if this is the right type of business for the prospect. If you want to succeed at anything, you have to work hard. Sports, business, marriage, anything. No point in trying to tell people it’s easy.
Spending a little more time to begin with, and perhaps losing them, is much better than spending a lot of time over a longer period of time, possibly creating frustration for both of you, and stealing time from finding the ones that will be a major partner.
And to Kaal: You should have unique products that are nor available at ‘any store’. I do 🙂
“Would you like to see how we actually do this? We’re having a short intro training X night, want to come and see if you can do it?” Or something similar.
Sometimes the person would do that first. Sometimes they’d decline and sign up for the big package. But when someone gets that option, it’s usually so surprising that whatever fears they had, that they might be making a big mistake, seemed to be reduced…”
Freakin’ Brilliant!
Thanks K2
Delighted you stopped by, John. 🙂