And How Will This Affect All Affiliate Marketers or Programs?

Usually I love Mondays, but this week did not start off well for me. I found a letter in my inbox from Amazon telling me that my affiliate account had been closed as of today, March 8th 2010, and that I will no longer be paid advertising fees for customers I refer to Amazon.com after that date.

Amazon state their reason:

We are writing from the Amazon Associates Program to inform you that the Colorado government recently enacted a law to impose sales tax regulations on online retailers. The regulations are burdensome and no other state has similar rules. The new regulations do not require online retailers to collect sales tax. Instead, they are clearly intended to increase the compliance burden to a point where online retailers will be induced to “voluntarily” collect Colorado sales tax — a course we won’t take.

We and many others strongly opposed this legislation, known as HB 10-1193, but it was enacted anyway. Regrettably, as a result of the new law, we have decided to stop advertising through Associates based in Colorado. We plan to continue to sell to Colorado residents, however, and will advertise through other channels, including through Associates based in other states.

My thoughts are,  … If a giant like Amazon won’t comply with this new Colorado law … who’s going to be next?

What other companies are going to follow suit? ebay?  Google Adsense? Online Affiliate Programs?

Will other states follow suit and pass similar legislation in hopes of reducing their deficits?

How long will it be before other affiliate marketers nationwide are affected?

Let me know what you think. Thank you in advance for your feedback.
By the way … anyone got a spare bedroom? Just considering my options =)

It just might be, if Senator McCain’s new proposed bill becomes law. If you are a distributor with and MLM company marketing liquid nutritionals (or any nutritional supplements for that matter) then you better read this article.

Senator John McCain is attacking the MLM nutritional industry with a stupid bill.  The “Dietary Supplement Safety Act” threatens to dramatically change this industry.

If this bill becomes law it will require you to register your nutritional supplement business. Yes, you read that right, you as a distributor of liquid dietary supplements will have to register as well, not just the company you work with.

Read more here.

Wow!  What will they think of next to make life difficult for us network marketers?

Build Your Business with Rapport

“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

Building rapport is the first step in building a relationship with your customers, clients or future business partners. It’s a skill anyone can learn and like anything else, it takes practice. The more we practice, the better we get at it. Eventually it comes naturally. My husband is great at this. He has a unique gift to make the person he talks to laugh within the first 30 seconds. Humor is a great ice-breaker.

Here are 3 important points that will help you become a great rapport builder:

1) Ask questions. You can find out a lot about a person by asking questions. Listen to the answers they give you and you will find out what their needs are. People love to talk about themselves.

2) Listen. I mean really listen to what they are telling you. Keep eye contact and give them your full attention. Looking around while listening is not only rude, but it will give them the impression that you are distracted or don’t really care. Make them your total focus and show genuine interest. Let them have the feeling that there is nothing else more important at that moment than they are. Do participate in the conversation but listen more than you talk.

3) Compliment. There is nothing that will give you faster or stronger rapport than a genuine compliment. Emphasis is on ‘genuine.’ Really mean what you say. People will see straight through a fake or insincere compliment and that would only hurt your trying to build that relationship. So be totally sincere. It makes us feel good when we get a sincere compliment and we open up. If you don’t know the person very well or you have just met, compliment them on their smile, their outfit or anything else that strikes you at first glance.

Building rapport can be a lot of fun and it’s different with every person you meet. The more you practice, the better you get.

How do YOU build rapport? I’d love to hear your comments on this.

I’m sure, if you’re a network marketer, you’ve all heard the following comments made about our industry…

“Those at the top are making the most money.”

“You’ve got to join a company in the very beginning in order to make any money or be successful.”

True or false?

“It’s unfair and biased to look at the MLM or Network Marketing industry and claim it’s flawed because the people at the top make most of the money, when the same can be proven in every industry.” _Tim Sales

Watch the video below:

1. Focus on what the prospect wants not what you want.
2. Recruit through their eyes not yours.
3. Use the word “you” at least 4 times. Use it more than you use me or I.
4. Paint word pictures. Use phrases like…”What would it be like if…
5. Don’t use Network Marketing Lingo.
6. Double the size of your Warm Market.
7. Listen closely to what your prospect is saying.
8. Always tell the prospect why you are calling. You need to be real.
9. Bring value to your opportunity. Let them know the reasons why you joined.
10. Don’t recruit. Connect their hearts to the hope and possibilities. Hype comes from the head. Hope comes from the heart.
11. It’s not about hype it’s about hope. Hope for a better future. Enlighten their lives. WIFM (What’s in it for me) the radio station everyone is tuned in to.
12. Be in the presentation not just at the presentation. Be sincere.
13. Let the prospect ask questions.
14. Be focused.
15. Use their name at least 3 times in the first 3 minutes. People love to hear their name. People need to know you have taken an interest in them.
16. Follow up. Don’t chase your prospect. You’re not a dog. Show your leadership by following up with them, but don’t chase them. Get them talking again. Make a friend. Ask them what they like so far. Ask if they have any questions about your opportunity.
17. Don’t lose your old contacts. Keep in touch with them. Timing may not be right for them right now.

    A great system to keep in touch with your prospects and customers is SendOutCards. It is also a powerful system to get referrals.

18. Use the phrase…”If this is righ for you…”
19. Be forward focused. Use phrases like…”This is a new year. Have you ever thought of having your own home business?”
20. Always setting the next steps. What do you do next? Show them their next move. Be the Pied Piper.
21. People don’t follow what you say or do but who you are. Be genuine. Stay in your confidence level.
22. Always thank your prospect for their time. No matter what. Always ask for a referral.