How Do You Get Past That Sting of a NO in your MLM Prospecting?
| Posted in Network Marketing | Posted on 29-06-2010
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Positive MLM Prospecting
We’ve all heard it that dreaded “NO” when we were out presenting our opportunity. Maybe our presenting skills where still a bit rough, maybe the timing wasn’t right, or maybe our prospect just wasn’t interested. Whatever the case might have been we heard that devastating “NO.”
Yes, it can really sting and it can really hurt and sometimes it really can let the air right out of your balloon.
However, if you know that it is coming then you are way ahead of the game.
And if you have been in the network marketing industry for a while, you know that it’s coming. You can prepare for it.
Network marketing professionals know, that it takes at least 8 NO’s before they hear a YES. They know, the more NO’s they hear, the closer they are to a YES. So it doesn’t bother them when they get those NO’s.
But, for someone that is just starting out in the network marketing industry, 8 NO’s can be devastating. Most of the time it doesn’t even take 8 NO’s before they throw the towel and quit.
They just signed up for their new home based buisness. All excited they run to their family and friends and they get shut down by NO after NO, after NO. They are disappointed, think network marketing doesn’t work and that’s the end of that. They haven’t learned to not take rejections personally yet.
So again, how do you get past that devastating NO?
Know that it’s coming. Know that it is just part of the game. Better yet, try to avoid it in the first place.
How do I do that you may ask.
There are two ways you may avoid a NO in the first place.
The first way is through “qualifying” your prospects. This business isn’t for everyone. Anyone can do it, but not everyone will. Chose wisely whom you want to work with. Joe Sixpack isn’t right for this business. Don’t sponsor people who need the money, but those who want it. Stay away from negative people. Always sponsor up, meaning sponsor people that are a level higher than you.
The second way is, never ask for a “YES”. By never asking for a yes, you’ll never get a NO. When you approach your contact with your opportunity, don’t firehose them with all the info and then ask if they’re interested. Instead, ask if you have their permission to “educate” them on something you are excited about. Most people like to be educated but hate to be sold. They’ll say, sure, send me some info. It’s a totally non-threatening way.
To your success,
Ilka Flood
The Enlightened Networker
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Adrienne
Cat Alexandra
Oliver Tausend
Diana Samalot
Harleena Singh
Martha Giffen
Micah
Twitter: prfuller
said on 29-06-2010
Absolutely Ilka, never ask for a “Yes”
I cannot believe how many people try to close me in one conversation. My natural response would always be “no” even though it may be of some interest to me.
How many exposures does someone need before they make a decisions, 6 to 8 sounds about right.
Peter Fuller MBA invites you to read..Why I started my own Home Business
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Hi Peter,
I feel the same way. I have to see something at least a couple of times. And even then, I probably need to do more research. Why would I think my prospects would be any different?
Thanks for stopping by Peter and thanks for your great input!
Have an awesome evening!
Ilka
[Reply]
Excellent article Ilka and Peter makes a great point above.
Closing after a single contact is like throwing a business card into a stranger’s hand and after 5 minutes saying “So are you ready to start?”
As for the # of No’s, it will vary from person to person but as you said training yourself to believe that it’s one person closer to a sale will lessen the sting. The truth is that over time and with increased rejections you don’t feel like you are being rejected, because you are not. It’s just that the person prefers another opportunity to yours. Don’t take it personally because it’s not about you, nor is it ever about you.
Ryan
Ryan invites you to read..4 Reasons Why Article Marketing Is Essential For Your Home Based Business
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Thank you so much, Ryan! Your kind words and your wisdom are very much appreciated!
You are absolutely correct, it’s never personal.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great night!
Ilka
[Reply]
NO. NO. NO. NO. NO!
I used to think, to myself, “if they were approaching me with this opportunity / product, what would make me say yes?”
My answer would always honestly be NO.
I would take the info. Check it out for myself and if it suited what I was looking for, or peaked my interested to send me into deeper research then I would contact the person back and pick up from where we left off.
So that is exactly what I do.
Offer the info, let them know where they can get more and make sure they have all my contact details.
When they are ready to say YES, I am always ready to listen, answer and respond.
Dwayne
P.S. I know longer hear NOs
Dwayne Huggins invites you to read..How To Get Backlinks Using Google Alerts Backlink Tip
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Hi Dwayne,
Great approach and very good advice!
I would very much prefer a prospect like you over someone who hasn’t done their homework. I bet you never hear NOs.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by and leaving your great comment. It is very much appreciated.
Have a wonderful day!
Ilka
[Reply]
Ilka,
I do prequalify my prospects to continue with any conversation.
If I continue and they say “no”, then I have to deal with it and on to the next person.
Thanks for sharing,
Tommy D.
MLM Prospecting Hero
Tommy DiPietro | MLM Prospecting Hero invites you to read..How The New York Yankees Helped A Struggling Home Based Internet Business Owner Understand the 80-20 Rule
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Hi Tommy,
Pre-qualifying is important. Not everyone is right for our business…and some WE don’t really want to work with either.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving us your thoughts, Tommy! Have a great night!
Ilka
[Reply]
Hi Ilka!
This was a great article! I think we have all heard the dreaded “no” more times that we want to admit to but, we keep pressing on.
I find it’s best to not assume that everyone wants to do this. Pre-qualifying is the key.
have a blessed day!
Melisa
Melisa invites you to read..Create Your Warm Market -amp Build Your Following Network Marketing Training Tips
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Thank you, Melisa!
I agree, pre-qualifying is the key here.
Thanks for always leaving me your great feedback!
Have a wonderful evening!
Ilka
[Reply]
hi Ilka,
As you just said, making sure you’re working with a qualified prospect sure does help.
Also, I’d like to point out the language you use. Some words will provoke a knee jerk response.
On the other hand, saying the same exact thing, but with different words that can provide interest.
Which would you choose??? Hmmm!
Catch you later,
Jerome Ratliff
Jerome Ratliff invites you to read..How to Use the Law of Vision For Your Home Business
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Hi Jerome,
Very interesting comment. Absolutely, the language you choose is very important. Always try to hit the ‘emotional button.’
Thanks for stopping by, Jerome, and have a great night!
Ilka
[Reply]
Twitter: marcus_baker
said on 30-06-2010
Great points Ilka! I used to let “NO” really get me down but then I learned not become attached to answer and now it really does not bother me either way. Of course I don’t pitch anybody so there is no need to to say no to anything anyway now.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker invites you to read..How to Turn Your Blog Into a Virtual Cash Machine MLM Blogging Tips
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Thanks , Marcus!
I can relate. I used to be the same way. Until someone asked me if the clerk at McDonalds would break down in tears if I rejected his offer to super-size my fries. That’s when it hit home that it’s really NOT personal.
I stopped the pitching a long time ago too
Thanks for stopping by and leaving me your great thoughts!
Have a nice day!
Ilka
[Reply]
I like the advice Ilka,
When I first got started in this industry, I was really sensitive to rejection. I weathered the storm though and now I understand how everything works.
It is part of the game and as wonderful as our opportunities are to us, everyone just won’t see it that way or they may not be ready.
One thing I do experience now is that if you just continue to work on yourself and provide helpful information to people who are in the industry or are looking at the industry, they will come to you and the whole chance of hearing a no is basically erased.
Good ole attraction marketing at it’s best.
Fred
Fred Williams invites you to read..Live Your Passion-What Does That Mean Anyway
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Hi Fred,
You’ve got it! Continuing to work on ourselves makes us not only better, it also makes us more ‘attractive’ to others.
Thanks for stopping by, Fred, and for your very valuable contribution! It’s much appreciated.
Have a great evening!
Ilka
[Reply]
Hi Ilka,
This brings me back to a point when I began in network marketing. I absolutely dreaded the thought of showing the plan to people I knew.
It’s the emotion involved that makes it so hard to swallow. And that emotion is a stumbling block to everything, including online marketing, especially PPC.
The NO’s don’t bother the pros because they’ve learned to take emotion out of the equation.
Great post Ilka,
Wayne
Wayne Wu invites you to read..MLM Due Diligence 102 – Looking Deep Inside An MLM Company…
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:40 am
Hi Wayne,
Trust me, we’ve all been there. Once you learn that it’s NOT personal, the emotion leaves the equation automatically and it becomes strictly business.
Thanks for stopping by and for your great comment, Wayne!
Have a great weekend!
Ilka
[Reply]
When I found a way to constant attract new prospect, I are not desperately waiting for a single decision from a single prospect, and I aren’t married to the outcome of this single presentation.
Instead, I simply share my opportunity in a relaxed way.
Soren Egstrup invites you to read..30K Monthly Residual…GONE- -
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Hi Soren,
I agree. If you have a constant flow of prospects in your funnel you’re not desperate. It then takes the ‘pressure’ off of you and you are more relaxed.
Great comment! Thanks for stopping by!
Ilka
[Reply]
Twitter: luckyoliver70
said on 16-02-2011
Hi Ilka,
the reason people are getting nos is that they’re talking to the conscious mind of people. The art of prospecting consists of talking to the decision-making instance in human minds. Most people know that the best presentation won’t get us anywhere if we try to talk to conscious mind because people took their final decision after 30 seconds.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend invites you to read..MLM Prospecting Made Easy With Tom ‘Big Al’ Schreiter
[Reply]
Hi Oliver,
I believe it’s all in the words you use. First and foremost you need to listen to your prospect. If you do that you will hear what their needs and wants are. If you then formulate your words wisely and affirm what the prospect was just telling that he or she needs how can they say “no” to that. They just told you.
Always great to read your wisdom, Oliver.
All the best,
Ilka
[Reply]