...one of the most common excuses given in Network Marketing!
This is a mindset that kills many a network marketing career. The facade has been created out there and seems to have subliminally been downloaded on the mental hard drive. People seem to think that MLM is about 'bugging people' you know. Due to this, many people avoid the industry like the plague!
The image people have in their head is calling people and saying "Hey, I'm in this cool new business and I know you could use extra cash. Want to join my team?" This scares the hell out of them. Why? FEAR. Fear of rejection. Most fears are actually based on rejection in one form or another.
Now let me present 3 scenarios....
1) Have you ever eaten at a restaurant, and loved it so much that the Monday morning you went to work and told everyone about the amazing wait staff, the fantastic food, and the gorgeous decor. It came naturally, because you genuinely loved the experience. Yet no one paid you to do this!
2) Have you ever purchased a new lotion, loved it, carried it in your purse, and offered to the gals at work? Yep, it came naturally, because you loved the product. Again, did you get paid for this?
3) Here's another, have you ever purchased a cell phone that is so awesome with widgets and apps and it's the best thing since sliced bread and you simply could not wait to show everyone? Uh huh....natural...for no pay.
SO how does this apply to network marketing? Simple. Be excited about the product you represent. Share it with others, just as you tell them about a restaurant, lotion or cool cell phone. Just share. No pitch, no sales, just share.
Now here's the flip side of the above 3 scenarios, look at how they generate interest...
1) WOW, that sounds great - where is the restaurant? I'd love to go this weekend I have family coming into town!
2) That lotion is fantastic, where did you buy it?
3) That phone totally rocks, how much is the service? Where can I get one?
TAAA DAAAA! You just created business for 3 businesses, and they did not even ask for a referral! That is networking. Sharing information with a network of people.
Now take it a step farther....
1) Someone who knows someone at your office asks for a restaurant recommendation, the person remembers that you mentioned a new place in town. That person tells the new person your experience and creates yet another new customer for the restaurant.
2) Someone from your office buys the lotion you brought in, shares it with her sister who is visiting from out of town, who loves the lotion and bought it too. She brought it to her office and shared it the next week. 2 gals from her office went out and bought it too...
3) Someone who overheard your conversation about your phone was on the subway and overheard a conversation between some people choosing a new cell phone. They mentioned the phone you were talking about. The person decided to interject on the conversation and share the details you shared at the office.
See how simply sharing something from your product line can open doors to conversation and then it travels naturally through the grape vine. This is just nature, people share ideas, and pass them along from one person to another.
How does this apply to a network marketing business?
Well, this is where the term 'be a product of your product' comes in. Go into the office and share one of your products. Let the conversation carry on normally, and when they ask where you got it, tell them the truth! "Oh I started a home business, check out the catalog!"
You did not bug anyone, you shared, they asked, you made a sale. All you are doing is giving yourself the referral instead of the restaurant, the store that sells the lotion or the phone manufacturer.
Remember, it's not about bugging anyone, it's about growing your own successful business :)
Have fun!
~Alethea Anderson
