Network marketing is a growing and often misunderstood business model. A lot of network marketing people still don’t understand why so many people avoid the industry. Even worse, they don’t seem to understand that they are part of the problem.
How many times have we seen, experienced, or even participated in a “meeting” where we were invited for dinner and then discovered that we had just been set up for a business presentation?
How many times has someone asked for our “opinion” about a business idea and we discover that they are really just trying to force a network marketing pitch down our throats? How many times have you been the one asking for the “opinion”?
I love this industry. I’ve been a full-time network marketing professional since 2000. I was part-time for a number of years before that, and believe me when I tell you, I probably did all those things and more. I had learned all sorts of ways to trick and manipulate people in to letting me pitch my network marketing “deal” to them. I have always been a “people person” and I love talking to people. But it took me a while to figure out that the vast majority of people simply are not like that.
Do I still talk to people? Absolutely! But I’m much more “laid back” about it now. I like to strike up conversations with people about their jobs, family, etc… and the opportunity usually comes around for me to tell them what I do for a living. When asked, I will typically say something like, “I teach people how to fire their boss and create a life they love”. or “I teach people how to fire their boss and work from home”.
The responses range all over the map.
Some look at me like I just started speaking some new language they’ve never heard. They aren’t ready to talk more about it so we move on to another topic.
Some look at me and say, “Man, I wish I could do that.” and I say, “I’d be happy to show you”.
Some look at me and ask, “How does THAT work?” and I say, “I’d be happy to show you.”.
Depending on their response and where we are, I may ask more questions or set up a time for us to talk more later. This doesn’t mean they join me every time. Many times, I hear “no” or “not yet”. That’s fine. I just look for folks ready to have the conversation. Many of them will join later when the time is “better”. I don’t worry about that. I just keep having the conversation.
See how much simpler that is? It’s so much easier to talk to someone that WANTS to know more. I’ve got a lot of friends who are not involved with network marketing, at all … friends who are involved in other network marketing companies… and friends who are involved with my network marketing companies with me. We all get along fine and they even invite me to dinner (no presentations allowed).
This does not mean I don’t invite people to discussions, presentations, etc.. I just don’t try to manipulate them. I let them know that I have something I’m very excited about and I’d like a few minutes to talk it over with them. They can say “no”. Again, I don’t get too caught up in whether or not they want to hear. I am just trying to find out IF they want to hear.
One of my other favorite strategies is to advertise online on sites like this one. Like you were probably doing when you found this article, there are a lot of people who are looking for information on network marketing, home based business, working from home, etc… Like you, they find this article from ads, links, or search engine results. Did you notice the ads that appear on this page and the other articles on this site? So do they. When a particular ad grabs their interest, they can simply click the ad to learn more.
If they click my ad, they will typically get taken to a page that offers to share information in exchange for their name and email for follow up. From there, my automated system takes care of sending follow up messages, video presentations, and sharing basic information. The letters I send out invite them to get with me directly for further questions. By the time I hear from them, they have seen the information and usually just have a few questions or maybe they just want to know I’m a real person.
I won’t spend any time trying to convince you that my way is the “best” way. There are network marketing professionals who do very well with traditional approaches and others who do well with online marketing strategies like mine. There are plenty who do well with a combination of traditional and online network marketing strategies. The one that will work best for you is the one that you will do consistently.
If you’d like to know more about advertising with us, click here.
If you would like more information about network marketing in general, click here.
We are glad you stopped by and hope you check out an offer or two from some of our advertisers, as well!
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I completely agree. Been there done that with friends and family when I got started.
I think we all go through that. We get excited and believe everyone else should be excited, as well. We learn, over time, that it just doesn’t work that way. We learn to identify the folks who are ready to hear and that helps us build a solid team of folks that actually want to work together. Makes all the difference in the world!
Thanks for the insights, yes , the method you mentioned that appeals to me most is the advertising online option as opposed to face to face traditional communication. Advertising online has just been too expensive an option for me . And verbal communication isnt a good option for me. So I’ll click your links, and review more what you do.
At just $19.95 per month, it’s hard to categorize this system as “too expensive”.