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Ok, we’ve heard it all before. “Join now and we’ll build it for you”, or “Join our downline building club and you’ll get rich”. In fact, I receive several emails per day promising some variation of these statements. I’m sure you’ve seen them too.
Let’s be completely honest. I’ve even fallen for several of these lies and scams myself, and you guessed it, not one of them made me rich.
I’ll agree, an automated system would be great, but the truth is that it will never provide a long-term successful income. You see, people want to work with people, not web sites or emails, and with a failure rate of nearly 98%, there’s no debate that something is not working as promised.
The question is what portion of the MLM Prospecting System needs to be overhauled and stream lined.
The answer is All of It!
Let me explain. You’ve probably been told to write down a list of your family and friends, order an affiliate web site, send out thousands of emails, or even waste money sending packages of flyers, booklets, audios or videos.
Don’t feel bad, I’ve tried it too, and all I accomplished by doing this was putting myself into deeper credit card debt, while my MLM Company made out like bandits by selling everyone marketing materials.
The truth hurts, but there it is. Now, what can the average person do to turn this situation into a profitable venture?
The first step is to think outside the box and be prepared to grow as a person, develop your skills, and commit yourself to success.
Now, what makes a powerful MLM Prospecting System work?
Before I disappoint you, let me just say that the most successful people in the MLM industry utilize a very simple system to build their businesses. It’s not about the Internet, computers, or guru marketing tactics. It’s much more simple than that.
There’s no magic bullet or super secret marketing tactic.
In a nutshell, your MLM Prospecting System should be built on a foundation of relationships. Web sites and emails cannot build relationships.
There are basically 5 elements to a strong MLM Prospecting System.
1. Lead Generation
2. Personal Contact
3. Presentation
4. Training
5. Mastermind Team Building
I will be detailing each of these topics in future articles, however, I want to briefly go over the basics of each element right now.
Lead generation is the basis for any MLM Prospecting System. You may have the knowledge to generate your own leads, or you can delegate this task to a reputable lead generator. You see, the one thing that successful people understand is the concept of delegating tasks. Find someone who is good at something and put them to work. It’s a win win situation.
Now, you have a lead generator that is producing hundreds, or even thousands of target market leads. What now? Simple, you personally invite them to evaluate your product or opportunity. Don’t waste your leads by sending them a generic email that they delete. Build the relationship with them and make a friend. This is not as difficult as it might seem. Always keep in mind that it should be based on their needs and not yours. If they honestly feel that you’re there to help them they will be much more receptive. People are much more attracted to a teacher than a salesman.
The presentation is where most systems fall apart. Remember, automated presentation systems do nothing when it comes to building a relationship. People not only want to hear about the company, product, and pay plan, but more importantly they need to know that they can succeed and they need to see that you have a simple, effective system in place that will help them. The key however, is not presenting to prospects one on one. The leaders are presenting to literally hundreds of people per day via a simple tool called the conference line. There is a certain skill and technique to be mastered here, but this is how large numbers are created in any MLM business.
Training is perhaps the easiest part of the MLM Prospecting system. Your goal is not to train everyone, in every aspect of the business. Keep in mind; the average person will never be a salesman or public speaker. So don’t teach them to do that. Most people are comfortable with working a job, so give them a job. Simply train them to contact your prospect list and set appointments for your “LIVE” presentation. This way they only need to learn this one skill to build a successful business. Just imagine, how fast would your downline grow if you had 100 people each inviting 2 people per day to your conference call presentation. That is how you create exponential growth. Anyone can be an appointment setter, but very few will ever master sales or public speaking, so use this to your advantage.
Finally, develop a Mastermind team. This is simply a group of 2 or more people with a common mindset. There is power in numbers and when you develop a strong Mastermind group your business will explode. Brainstorming with your team will result in a more streamlined MLM Prospecting System. Remember, you cannot do everything yourself, but as a team, you can accomplish anything.
In short, a successful MLM Prospecting System will never be based on computers or the internet. It will be based on YOU, and your ability to establish relationships, present your opportunity to large numbers, delegate simple tasks to your downline, and establish a Mastermind team effort.
The truth is that the most successful marketers in the world have been doing this for years, but they’re not teaching others how to do it for themselves. Once you start thinking like a leader, you’ll start generating the income of a leader.
Troy Berlin has been involved in small business, and home-based business operations for more than 15 years. and is currently active in home business consulting, training, and coaching. Anyone can achieve success in there own business by applying a simple, effective, and proven system. The Secret is finally revealed in a Complimentary 22 minute consultation! Learn More - http://www.MentorMindset.com
The New Guy is a person we all know. And regardless of age, gender, race or personality - spotting The New Guy and stepping onto their front porch is your duty as an existing member of any organization. Here’s why:
You become an ambassador. If it’s their first time, your initial step onto their front porch will serve as a reflection of the welcoming nature of your organization. They’ll walk out of that meeting thinking: you know I felt right at home with that group. Those guys were really welcoming!
You make an UNFORGETTABLE first impression. Not only will you make an UNFORGETTABLE first impression for your organization, but you will leave your mark in The New Guy’s memory as “the first person who made them feel welcomed to the group.” Do you remember the first person you talked to at one of your organizations? Call them right now and thank them.
You become a resource. Tell The New Guy all the ins and outs of the organization. Give them the scoop - in a non-gossipy way - about the group and all the people you know. This will help them determine who they’d like to meet in the future. Also offer yourself as an available contact for just about anything. Try saying, “Hey - I’ve been a member for a while now, so if you need anything or have any questions, I’m here for you.” There’s no better feeling than the security of having at least one friend in a new organization.
How to Spot The New Guy
All New Guys adhere to a standard of New Guy Protocol. In this article, you’ll learn some of the most common behaviors that will empower you to extend hospitality to those who need it most. Remember, approachability is a two way street: you must be approachable to, and you must be the one to approach others.
Eye contact
Is the number one indicator that conversation is desirable. In other words, when people avoid eye contact, what they’re really avoiding is an interaction. So when you see The New Guy walk in to the room; stop dead in their tracks and a) stare blankly into space, b) check out every person that walks by and/or c) meticulously examine every crack in the beautiful white ceiling - it means they need you.
To get more specific on this type of New Guy Protocol, let’s examine a psychological barrier many New Guys put up called an involvement shield. It’s exactly what it sounds like: an object that keeps you involved and serves as a shield from communication. Think about this: why do people read books, listen to headphones or solve crosswords while riding the bus? Sure, those are all fun, enriching and engaging activities - but so is conversation. The only difference is, conversation actually requires another person; whereas these involvement shields are independent of interaction.
A perfect example of an involvement shield is the organization’s program. Whether it’s a church bulletin, speaker outline, announcement sheet or just the schedule of events, isn’t it amazing how long some people will spend with their noses buried in something so mundane? Do you honestly think The New Guy is SO immersed in that engaging, one page schedule of upcoming events that they’ve actually been re-reading it over and over for the past 12 minutes?
Or is it possible they’re staring blankly at the piece of paper thinking to themselves: okay the meeting should start pretty soon so if I just sit here and look like I’m completely involved with this stupid agenda nobody will come up and bother me and then I can eat my salad and get the heck out of here before anyone realizes I’m The New Guy.
Other common involvement shields are:
*Cell phones
*Promotional tables with information/giveaways
*Snack/buffet table
*Signage on the wall
*Centerpieces
Never Eat Alone
Another behavior you’ll notice is that New Guys don’t often arrive with another member; although that is one effective technique for acclimating into the group. So because they’re usually on their own, it’s not uncommon for them to sit by themselves. Of course, don’t assume that someone who sits by themselves is new - their tablemate or friend may be in the bathroom or walking around the room somewhere.
Here’s a great tip: every meeting you attend, take a few minutes to look over the room. Find out who’s sitting alone. Take note of the seats on either side of the person to see if they’re taken. If it appears there’s room for one more, politely ask to join them. Most likely they’ll be thrilled you stepped onto their front porch and inform you about their association with the group.
Who Stands Out?
Inconsistent clothing is another telltale sign that someone is new to the organization. If you belong to a group that maintains a causal and comfortable dress code and someone you’ve never seen before walks in with a three piece suit, you can bet he’s The New Guy. (Or the speaker!)
Also look for inconsistency in the nametags. Nametags are easy indicators of the level of someone’s involvement in a group. Depending on the organization, most board members, staff and veterans will have slightly different nametags than The New Guys. Some New Guys might not even have nametags!
Lastly, one of the toughest parts about being The New Guy is confusion about when to show up. You can look at the meeting time on the website, in the brochure or on the bulletin, but unless you’ve been there in the past, you won’t have the insider information on when most people arrive.
So if you get to the meeting and see someone who’s obviously been there for at least 15 minutes prior to your arrival, they’re probably new. Also, if during the program, a meeting, service or speech you observe someone sneak in the back of the room unnoticed by most of the audience - they’re also probably new.
It’s tough being The New Guy. It’s uncomfortable; you don’t know anyone and you stand out like a sore thumb. But we’ve all been there before. So past experiences motivate us to take it upon ourselves to become greeters and extend hospitality to those who need it most.
© 2005 All Rights Reserved.
Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, “The World’s Foremost Expert on Nametags” and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.
What would you do if you went to a networking function and you were the only person of your race or nationality in the room? What if no one was speaking English? Would you be uncomfortable? Would you network like you always do? What would you do?
In “Fresh Blood in the Gene Pool” I talked of reaching beyond our comfort zones, going places where we have never been and meeting new people to expand our opportunities. Here is an example of how you can do this.
I was invited by a new networking friend to attend a meeting of the Chinese Business Association of Atlanta. As I was driving downtown to the location, I was excited about the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends and business acquaintances, I was thinking about what this meeting might be like.
I arrived, parked my car and took the elevator to the 26th floor. At the door I signed in noticing the packed room of people in attendence. Ahead of me a chair was added to an already full table and I was welcomed to sit down. I had arrived a bit late so the program had already begun, and as I sat there listening with the others, I had no idea what the speaker was talking about. He was speaking in Chinese.
About 10 minutes after I arrived, the speaker deferred to the first table of attendees who began to rise one at a time and talk about their business. Across the room, I saw my friend sitting near the window so I went and sat next to her. I asked her if they were doing introductions and she said, “Yes, they have one minute to give their elevator speech.”
As they went around the room, occasionally I would catch a few words of English as things were referred to that have no word to describe them in Chinese. Often the room would erupt in laughter as someone would say something humorous. I was in a normal networking environment. The only difference was that I did not speak the language.
When it was my turn to speak I rose and gave my one minute about AtlantaEvent.com. I said the same thing that I say everywhere I go. Then I sat back down and the few remaining people finished up and after a few words, the meeting was adjourned to open networking.
It was great. It was just like any other networking meeting that I have gone to. Most of the people in the room spoke English when I approached them. There were many unique businesses that were represented. I found myself paying closer attention as people spoke, because the English was a bit rough for a couple of people, but everyone was very nice and I felt like a part of the group.
So why am I telling you this in such boring detail? Because in that room was a new world of opportunity for me and for you. There were a few of the regular mix of accountants and realtors, but there was tremendous opportunity for someone selling a product or service to find a lot of potential clients.
You see I have spoken before about people and what we all share. We all have needs, dreams, wishes and desires. We all want to be treated with respect and importance for what it is that we may believe or feel. We all want to and usually do stay in our own comfort zones.
It makes no difference if we are black, white, or any race or color, we are all human beings. In my city and in every city in this country there are business groups that represent every nationality that exists. There are people who need what we sell or do, even if they do not look like us or speak our language.
Our country was based on the proposition that all men are created equal. It grew from the children of every country in the world. Our ancestors at some time in history came from other lands and they mixed themselves into the culture of this country to become Americans. Over time, we have all been accepted.
It is a very small world that we live in and getting smaller. At the same time if we look at the opportunity for business, it keeps getting bigger with the development of global markets. Do not let fear keep you from receiving the benefit of this growth. Reach beyond your comfort zone, find the international business community and give them your one minute presentation. You may find your business growing at speeds far beyond what you ever though possible.
You may also find a lot of new interesting friends in the process.
Jeff Glaze is the Editor of http://www.AtlantaEvent.com, founder of http://www.privacy-first.com e-mail certification program and the author of several e-books. His company, Mostcool Media Inc.( Mostcoolmedia.com ), specializes in marketing planning, coaching, business networking training, web and media development. His e-book “The Six Xtremes Of Power Business Networking” is available here: http://www.atlantaevent.com/ebook.htm Jeff Glaze is available to speak to your group and can be contacted at 678.508.5975
Copyright © 2006 by MostCool Media Inc.