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Who Are You Catering to in Your Network Marketing Business?

Posted by Ilka Flood | Posted in Network Marketing | Posted on 08-05-2012

24

Tom 'Big Al' Schreiter Quotes

 

Are you catering to the needy ?

 

When I first started out in the network marketing industry that’s exactly what I did. When my sponsor asked me to make a list of a hundred people I made sure I included everyone that I could think of who “needed the money” that a network marketing business can provide.

Boy was that ever the wrong way to go about building my business.

What I didn’t know at the time was that “needy” people don’t have the right attitude. They don’t have an entrepreneurial mindset. They think differently. Believe it or not, some of them are actually happy with what they have and where they are in their life. They are content with putting in their 8 to 10 hours a day at work and then go home and cuddle with a six-pack in front of the TV. That’s why it is so important to qualify your prospects.

Here I thought I was presenting them with a great opportunity to help better themselves and improve their lifestyle and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why they didn’t bite.

Then “lucky” for me, there were those that went for the carrot I was dangling in front of them and did join my business. But only to sit there and do nothing. Those were the kind of do-it-for-me people.

How frustrating! Have you ever tried to push a wet spaghetti noodle?

No, those aren’t the right people for your network marketing business. You will save yourself a whole lot of frustration and risk of getting burned out if you keep away from people like that.

But how can you tell the difference?

How can you tell who’s right for your
network marketing  business?

 

If you don’t know the person the best way to find out more about him or her is to ask questions. What do they do? How long have they done it? Have they ever thought about doing anything else? Do they have any networking experience? You get the drift.

You can tell by the answers you get if they are a prospect for you or not. You want to look for people that are self-motivated, hard-working,  people who are able to think out of the box  and are self-starters. People who read instead of watching TV, people who better themselves through personal development. Those are the people who are right for your network marketing business.

“Rich people have small TVs and big libraries, and poor people have small libraries and big TVs.”  ―Zig Ziglar

This post was inspired by Oliver Tausend’s Facebook status up date from this morning. Oliver is a very good friend of mine and a fellow network marketer. If you’ve never been to his blog you are missing some incredible content….AskOliverTausend.com. Thanks, Oliver, for the great inspiration!

“Give the person with a need…a job. Give the person with a desire…an opportunity.” -Tom ‘Big Al’ Schreiter

You know I always love your feedback. So please add your thoughts below in the comment section. Maybe you have some other tips on finding the right people for your network marketing business.

To Your Massive Success!


The Enlightened Networker

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Comments (24)

Oliver Tausend
Twitter:
said on 08-05-2012

Hi Ilka,

now that’s cool that I (and Tom) were able to inspire you to this great post. Well, his quote might sound harsh but it’s nonetheless the truth. And you are right on: Certain people are actually happy with their lives even if it looks miserable from the outside.

A great way to determine someone’s desire is to see if they send you a profound WHY, a WHY bigger than any obstacle. I also have a little sheet I share with people where they can just check what they want to do with their lives.

Big Al boils it down to “wants” vs. “needs”: We as humans need many things, and need to do many things, such as paying taxes. But do we want to ? No, of course.

The goal is to only work with people who want they need. If someone needs something (more money, more time, more health whatever) but doesn’t want, we’re lost.

Thanks for sharing your insights and the kind mention and link back to my blog.

I appreciate you.

Take care

Oliver
Oliver Tausend invites you to read..Effective Blog Commenting Strategies For Network Marketers Part 4My Profile

[Reply]

Ilka Flood
Twitter:
Reply:
May 8th, 2012 at 6:05 pm

Hi Oliver,

Yeah, you did. I was going to write about something completely different. And then I read your status update and thought …”that’s it!”

The truth sometimes is harsh, and it hurts sometimes too, but Tom is absolutely right. You have to have the desire to change and the determination that at whatever cost you will not quit until you reach your goal.

I love that you added the “Why” and the “Want.” Your “Why” has to be big and strong enough to carry you through the rough patches….and you really, really have to want it.

Thanks so much for your awesome feedback! You added a great deal more value to my original post. I so appreciate you.

Be blessed,

Ilka

[Reply]
Harleena Singh from Freelance Writer
Twitter:
said on 08-05-2012

Informative post Ilka!

I guess the way you started would be the way most of us would start, when we do anythig new. We do include everyone, even those whom we feel may need more money.

Though I am not from the marketing niche, but I understand quite well about what you mentioned in the post. I think you are right when you say that people who want to get into this niche need to have the right attitude, entrepreneurial mindset, and they should be hard working, self-motivated, and those who are ready for changes and want to better themseleves.

I liked the questions you should ideally ask when you don’t know if the person’s right for your network marketing business. I think by asking them you would surely get to know a great deal about their mindset and if they are good enough to join you.

Glad that Oliver inspired you and I do need to check out his blog too, which I shall soon after here.

Thanks for sharing and letting me know something new. :)
Harleena Singh invites you to read..3 Ways to Create Family Bonding TimeMy Profile

[Reply]

Ilka Flood
Twitter:
Reply:
May 10th, 2012 at 4:55 pm

Hi Harleena,

Yes, you can learn a great deal about a person by asking questions. I love the saying…”There’s a reason God gave us two ears and one mouth.”…We should listen twice as much as we speak :-)

The most successful network marketers are good listeners. They find out if the other person has a need before the start “selling.”

Thanks so much for your great feedback! As always, I really appreciate you.

Ilka

P.S. Sorry for the delay in responding but our youngest came to visit yesterday…and I drop EVERYTHING for my kids :-)

[Reply]

Harleena Singh from Freelance Writer
Twitter:
Reply:
May 10th, 2012 at 9:53 pm

Not a problem for the delay in replying Ilka! I would have done the same. :)

Enjoy with your youngest.:)

[Reply]
Bruno Buergi
Twitter:
said on 09-05-2012

Hi Ilka
I did the same thing when I started in MLM. Make a list of people, ask them to join the business and then people don’t want to meet you again, because they are affraid that you ask questions.

Still up today, MLM companies teach the wrong marketing strategy and this is one of the major reason people leave the companies and are affraid to join an other one.

Thank you for your post

Bruno
Bruno Buergi invites you to read..Tribe Marketing – There is Power in CommunityMy Profile

[Reply]

Ilka Flood
Twitter:
Reply:
May 10th, 2012 at 5:00 pm

Hi Bruno,

Great to see you here again! I think we all start off that way…or maybe I should say most of us. Some, I guess are lucky enough to have a great mentor from the start.

You know, you brought up a very valid point…there still are MLM companies that teach this business the wrong way. Mostly it is been taught by management who has no clue how things really work in the field. Thankfully there are great mentors out there like Dani Johnson, Kim Klaver and Mike Dillard for example, who teach it the right way.

Thanks so much for your great feedback!

All the best,
Ilka

[Reply]
Micah
Twitter:
said on 09-05-2012

It’s always important to qualify your prospects. Like Mike Dillard said, it’s once your start telling people no, that people will want to join. It’s all about posture and attitude.
Micah invites you to read..“Study: Penguin Onslaught Slowed By Viral Outbreak. Bloggers Relieved.”My Profile

[Reply]

Ilka Flood
Twitter:
Reply:
May 10th, 2012 at 5:04 pm

Hi Micah,

Oh, totally. If you don’t qualify your prospect you’re up for a battle…and you’re not the one winning :-)

Mike Dillard is right, “taking it away” makes it so much more desirable. We all want what we can’t have ;-)

Thanks for adding such great value to the conversation!

Be blessed,

Ilka

[Reply]
Alan Hands
Twitter:
said on 11-05-2012

That’s a great article and I’m sure we’ve all been through something similar at the beginning.
These days I qualify my prospects by getting them to fill out an application to work with me – and I don’t just go through the motions with this and accept them all. I’ve wasted so much time in the past with needy people that this is the only way forward for me now and the quality of my new team members is so much better as a result.
Alan Hands invites you to read..May 11, Free MLM Leads – How To Get ThemMy Profile

[Reply]

Ilka Flood
Twitter:
Reply:
May 13th, 2012 at 10:16 am

Hi Alan,

Now that’s interesting. I’ve thought about doing the same thing in the past. While I do ask a lot of questions I’ve never gone all the way…having prospects actually fill out an application to work with me. I bet the quality goes way up.

Thanks for your great feedback!

Ilka

[Reply]
Adrienne
Twitter:
said on 11-05-2012

Oh Ilka, I was that person too and I did that for years. I just wanted to help everyone. I know, I know, it doesn’t work that way because the majority of them really don’t want to help themselves. Oh, they say they do but they don’t have that drive and determination to succeed.

You are right though, by asking plenty of questions you’ll soon find out if they are really people who are willing to do the work. If not then you’ll only be wasting your time. Energy suckers is what I call them.

Great post and awesome advice Ilka. Thank you for “waking” some of us up.

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Mother’s Day!

~Adrienne
Adrienne invites you to read..How To Create An InfographicMy Profile

[Reply]

Ilka Flood
Twitter:
Reply:
May 13th, 2012 at 10:19 am

Hi Adrienne,

I think most of us have, especially us compassionate types. But the good thing is we learned from our mistakes and moved forward.

Thanks for your great feedback! Always appreciated.

Have a great week!

Ilka

[Reply]
Viola Tam
Twitter:
said on 12-05-2012

Hi, Ilka,

I love this post! Full of gems! Oliver and Tom ‘Big Al’ Schreiter are both great mentors. I love big Al’s quote!

His ‘Need vs Want’ CD is noe one of my key training materials. Ladies tend to want their best friends and families to do the buisness more then those people want the products or business themselves!

I believe that the best way to really help is to INSPIRE. Just like Oliver has inspired you to have written this wonderful post! Having said that, there are people who would not be inpsired NO MATTER WHAT! We just have to accept it.

Keep up the great work, Ilka!

Viola Tam
Viola Tam invites you to read..Tips from Network Marketing ‘Secret Millionaire’My Profile

[Reply]

Ilka Flood
Twitter:
Reply:
May 13th, 2012 at 10:39 am

Hi Viola,

Thank you very much for your kind words! I think you hit it right on with what you are saying about us ladies. I guess that’s just our nurturing nature.

However, just like you mentioned, it is better to INSPIRE people. That makes them think for themselves and the cause for doing something (the WHY) is there own.

Great feedback, Viola, I love it! Thank you so much!

Ilka

[Reply]
CEZAR
Twitter:
said on 12-05-2012

Great post Ilka! It’s really about sorting, not selling. You’re so right, asking questions and qualifying your prospects is SOOO important. When you’re starting out, anyone and everyone is who you’re looking for, but when you grow and learn in this industry, you realize that you’re looking for “leaders-to-be.”

Thanks for sharing!

Cezar

[Reply]

Ilka Flood
Twitter:
Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 11:43 am

Hi Cezar,

Welcome to my blog! It’s a pleasure to meet you.

You hit the nail right on the head…Your looking for “leaders-to-be.” EXACTLY!

Thanks for your great feedback!

Ilka

[Reply]
Pete Goumas said on 14-05-2012

Hi IlKa,
I agreed with your point of view that in order to findout who will go long with our network marketing businesses is to ask questions and when you recieved proper answers then it will show green light to build long term relationship. I also think that we should not be very choosive in making our circles because it also reflect our tendency to accept people of different perspectives.
Pete Goumas invites you to read..What Is MythologyMy Profile

[Reply]

Ilka Flood
Twitter:
Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 11:47 am

Hi Pete,

It’s great to meet you, welcome to my blog!

I have mixed feelings about being to choosey. I know personally I have become very selective and it might bite me in the butt as I may shut the door on someone who could be a “diamond in the rough.” Maybe I’ll ease up just a little. Thanks for the reminder!

Ilka

[Reply]
Anton Koekemoer
Twitter:
said on 15-05-2012

True – But I also think that a lot of information can be maintained by rather asking them on which Social Media Channels (if any) they spend their time on , that way- most of the times you’ll be able to see their interest and also what or where their passion in life lies. A lot of good questions will come up as soon as you see who they are online, so do yourself a favour. Research the people online as well. Its a great place to start without even seeing the person face to face.
Anton Koekemoer invites you to read..Branding your business with social media marketingMy Profile

[Reply]

Ilka Flood
Twitter:
Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 11:52 am

Hi Anton,

Great to meet you!

You brought up a very valid point. Checking people out on the various social platforms lets us know what their agenda is and also what kind of a person you are dealing with.

For example, if someone “hides” behind a logo or picture of a pet instead of displaying their profile picture, you know that they are most likely not the right prospect for you.

On the other hand, if someone smiles on their picture, tells a lot about themselves and has a lot of interaction going on, that’s probably a good candidate.

Thanks for bringing that up! That’s a great point!

All the best,

Ilka

[Reply]
Wayne Woodworth
Twitter:
said on 26-05-2012

Great post as usual Ilka. I find it absolutely astonishing how many people would rather sit around and gripe about how “bad” things are rather than get off their butts and make it better.

I like Anton’s idea of checking out your prospects on social media. That’s a great way to find out what kind of person they are, if they are generally positive or negative, and what motivates them. Great idea.

Wayne
Wayne Woodworth invites you to read..How to Succeed in Network Marketing – Some People Will, Most Won’tMy Profile

[Reply]

Ilka Flood
Twitter:
Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 10:00 am

Hi Wayne,

Thanks so much for your kind words! A great quote comes to mind that fits your comment perfectly…

“If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo

I agree with you, Anton’s idea is a great one …and it will save you a lot of grief in the long run. Plus, connecting with your contacts on FB has another advantage….they may not be ready or interested in what you have right now, but circumstances have the tendency to change :)

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your great feedback! I appreciate it.

Have an awesome week!

Ilka

[Reply]
Etieno Etuk
Twitter:
said on 05-06-2012

Great post, Ilka. Questions are the answer. Asking a person the right questions allows you to know that person more.

Thanks for sharing.

[Reply]

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