In yesterday’s post, I quoted Rupert Murdoch, billionaire media company mogul:
“Those of us in so-called old media have also learned the hard way what this new meaning of networking spells for our businesses. Media companies don’t control the conversation anymore, at least not to the extent that we once did.”
In Rupert’s case he means the news media companies.
We all know the three old networks (ABC, NBC and CBS) don’t rule the roost anymore. Neither does Murdoch’s Fox News. We all have more choices now.
Network Marketing companies have always controlled the conversation they have with their Reps. First, there are their one-sided contracts that all reps sign. Second, the sales pitch all reps learn to use.
The sales pitch conversation between company and reps goes like this:
“This financial opportunity is the greatest on earth. Our miraculous products sell themselves, and our advanced research leaves everything else in the dust.”
Many reps, who typically have little other experience in business or sales, are eager to believe it. Sounds great.
And off they go, hoping to sell the financial opportunity to all by repeating this ‘conversation’ to anyone who will listen. After all, that’s what the company and upline says to do, isn’t it?
But it doesn’t work anymore…and hasn’t for years. Companies and upline blame the reps, of course. But the problem is this:
Real people know there is no one business opportunity or product that’s best for everyone. The words themselves sound silly to all but the most naive folks.
In the face of thousands of direct sales and networking companies, to say nothing of innumerable other business types, how can each one be “the best”?
How credible do we look trying to control the conversation like that? (WE ARE #!!)
What can we do to change our conversation to be more in sync with today’s marketplace?
“Our product is the best” always reminds me of opposing sports teams, both praying to God to allow them to win. HUH? Get a grip, fellas — how about praying “Please let the best team (today) win”? Every product, like every team, has its fans and supporters. As Kim says, we don’t buy every shoe in the store, but they all get bought by someone.
Years ago I did a presentation at a business referral group on behalf of the NWM’ers in the group, who represented five different companies. I told the “regular business” owners that if they knew anyone looking for a second income we all hoped they’d check out each of our companies to see what made the most sense to them. Many in the audience (actually, even a couple of the NWM’ers) had blank stares — they just couldn’t believe I wasn’t pushing only my own deal, and they kept looking for the catch. It was great fun watching their disbelief. I knew people would (and should) go with what most tugged at their heart or brain, so why assume that’d always be what I had to offer??
We need to start the right conversations even if there are still some OS marketers waiting in the wings to sweep our prospects right off their feet, sigh. Little by little, step by step, a new world’s a comin’….and we have Kim to thank for that!
Dianne
All businesses have a nitch market. As Network marketers we are looking for a specific consumer to match our product and a certain type of person to do the business with us. In our nitch we need to believe we are representing the best product and company or why be in business?
Nancy Carlson @NMC
http://www.perfectmombusiness.com
If there is only one great Network Marketing company around the industry must be in trouble. This is how I start on one of my web pages.
A company can’t be everything for everyone so why try. There are good things with all of them just like every person has good things about them. I try to let people see what a great industry Network Marketing really is without any motives of pushing my company.
Happy Thursday
Robin
The truth always wins
What? Simple.
We tell the simple unvarnished solid and stolid truth. All the time. When did that stop becoming the best way?
Read about it in our new book ‘Not All Marketers Are Liars’. 😉
We all think we are in the “best” company. After all – we chose it didn’t we?
It’s kind of like the spouse who chooses a mate and hears that that mate is abusing their children. They bury thier heads in the sand “He/She wouldn’t do that”. That’s because no one wants to admit that the person they chose to marry could do that.
I was at a website recently that touted “we have the best company, the best products and the best reps”. As a matter of fact, their slogan is “Simply the Best”.
Well…me being me…I had to take them up on the challenge. I looked at their policies and their comp plan. DEFINITELY NOT the best.
When we make these kinds of claims and others can prove that they are false, it tears down the integrity of the entire profession. Companies need to stop.
I chose my company and I feel that it’s the best company FOR ME. It may NOT be the best for YOU.
Have a wonderful day!!!
Roxanne Green
Visit My Blog
Hi Kim.I belong to a success team
with (5)other people from other
companies.We meet every other
Monday and we share whats working
with our business.And we have
MLM socials where we invite people
to take a look at each opportunity
We never cross the “my business is
the geatest business opportunity
ever line”.You would be surprised
at the success of everyone’s
individual business.
Raven
Dianne, that must have been a great presentation. I wish I could have seen all those stunned faces. What a great concept, be a spokesman for the industry and just for your company. Doing that takes a genuine heart to help and serve others. Great stuff, thanks.
Connelly
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