In a recent survey done here, which included 173 readers,
the giant majority voted they would rather buy from an ‘authority’ they didn’t know personally than from a friend who was not an authority. Updated results here.
Given that the networking business has been based on reaching out to those we know first, that was quite a shock to many readers, INCLUDING those who voted.
One telling comment:
“For years we’ve been hearing that people buy from those they “know, like, and trust”. That was always put forth as an argument for network marketing being a superior marketing medium.
“Kudos to you, Kim, for asking the more perceptive question, essentially: “What is more important — Liking a salesperson or trusting their knowledge of the product?”
“This puts a whole new light on the subject. Ignorance on fire just doesn’t cut it, especially in the health & nutrition market.
“Sure, I would like to give my business to a friend, but first they must be knowledgeable.” Paul Kemp
Solution: Be the friend who is ALSO an authority.
New program coming up: Authority: How To Get It In One Week. Email me here for early bird registration and a cool bonus product I’ve never ever given away before.
I’m looking forward to your new program; Authority, get it all in one week. Thank you for sharing
Hi Kim,
Your headline in the email really caught my attention so I had to come over and read your post. I was surprised to read that 86% of MLMers say they wouldn’t buy from friends. (I always make it a point to buy from friends first if possible.)
Of course then reading on it made perfect sense. It makes a huge difference whether that friend is knowledgeable in the product or not. Especially in the health and wellness industry.
Thanks for sharing this!
Ilka
Boy do i want this. Because of my background people keep telling me I am an authority. I have a drive to get info on Alternative Medicine and do lots of research on the many aspects of this field and share it with others. Thanks Kim for developing this.
Hello Kim,
I have to confirm that people for some unknown reason do feel that way & act on it as well. I mean they do not in general buy from those they know.
Having experienced this first hand, it makes it difficult to build your business and probably the reason many drop out so soon. Being the authority does not mean that they will automaatically buy fromn you either. As I have spent time leatning about my products and how they would help and family and friends still act like I am from Mars.
It is something that we have to really dig into to change this attitude and hopefully your program will do that. At least help us to do that for ourselves. There seems to be the fear of being taking advantage of if they buy from a friend. I have told numerous people why would I suggest somthing for you to try that could help you if it would not work. That just does not make good business sense.
It makes you wonder doesn’t?
Thank you,
Yes, Lorenzo, it is not easy or obvious. You wrote, “Being the authority does not mean that they will automaatically buy fromn you either. As I have spent time leatning about my products and how they would help and family and friends still act like I am from Mars.”
The authority program I am teaching does not assume that you are an authority on your product. That’s good, of course, but it’s not what others mean when they say they prefer to buy from an “authority.” 🙂
the info caused me to revaluate how prospects are interiewed. Really it is all about learning about them, not trying to get them to do what would be good for them…you think!
Hi Kim,
Thinking about it I came to the conclusion that if I had to choose between a person I knew, liked and trusted but wasn’t authority or a person who was authority, I would buy from the authority.
When someone is an authority, that means to me that the “trust” is there – maybe not the “know” and “like” – but the “trust” IS there.
I can accept that for my business as well. It’s just business – it’s not personal.
Theodore from Greece
PS: Btw if both were authorities I would buy from the friend.