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[Peter Arnold Contribution Level: 3]

Hello Partners:

I want to respond directly to an earlier post which I had intended to comment on.

Monica Odenwald raised some excellent points earlier in this thread - but in particular, I'd like to respond to one of them...

Here's the Comment - "... I recently watched Mike Dillard and Jay Kubassek on their INSIDE-OUT DVD. In it Jay said that the three components of NETWORK MARKETING online are MINDSET, MARKETING, and MISSION. This forum's thread seems focussed on marketing without a MISSON to support the process. Therefore the lacks depth or personal meaning behind the marketing".

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MINDSET - MARKETING - MISSION - I too, saw that Video ('Inside Out') - I loved it.

Here are my own thoughts on this...

SUCCESS with an Online business is like a 3-Leg Stool - with each of these components representing a leg. Each leg is critical. If one leg is "missing" - it collapses.

But I truly believe that SUCCESS ((in anything worthwhile in life)) comes from within - and that it takes even "more" inner qualities to 'achieve' success, such as - a big dream - a burning desire - setting goals - vision - faith - taking action - believing in yourself - determination - persistence, and more.

Without these qualities, it will be difficult to meet and overcome challenges and adversities in business - in life.

Let me clarify that, although the emphasis of this thread is on MARKETING - I agree completely, that without the right (positive) MINDSET - and a clear, "focused" MISSION - the MARKETING part alone, will simply not be enough. And indeed, reaching our 'life purposes' will depend on this much bigger picture.

In fact, I feel so strongly about this, I put together a little Website a while back on the power of Mindset:

See at => http://www.ProsperityMindset.org

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I appreciate all the interaction on this.

Sincerely / Peter A.
http://www.PeterArnoldOnline.com

Peter Arnold, CLU, CFC / Founder
Business Achievers Academy / Canada

[Alicia Bausley Contribution Level: 2]

Hi Joyce,

I’m new here and couldn’t resist reading this very interesting thread and responding to it. The topics go in a variety of directions, but I’d like to add a few words.

First, the most important first step is in creating a relationship with your prospect and uncovering their own specific needs, wants, challenges, pain, desires, etc. Then it’s up to you to determine if you can truly help them by solving their problem with your product, opportunity or services. I recommend picking one.

Because if you are writing content to your reader regarding your opportunity – those looking for a solution for back pain, won’t spend much time on your site.

And yes, I agree with Peter – we have a vast selection of nice small targeted niches out there, other than just network marketers, who are just waiting for you!

Hopefully if you have targeted your audience properly, you will have zeroed in on what they need. However I recommend further qualifying this prospect by making contact with them on a personal basis either in person or over the phone.

Secondly, we ARE in sales and I’m going to be the first to say that each of us who are soliciting our wares, are sales people. We can call ourselves solutions providers, experts, consultants, associates, and whatever name we ‘attach’ to ourselves, but the bottom line: we are selling.

That’s why we write sales letters to prompt a call to action from our reader. We want them to ultimately buy from us.

Being in sales is not a bad thing.

It’s an honorable profession – as long as we treat it as such. Most business entrepreneurs (in network marketing or small businesses) have a difficult time with high conversion rates because they fail to ask for the sale. They need a huge amount of leads because they can’t convert them into a sound customer base who buys repeatedly. A call to action, by the way, is asking for the sale.

I have multiple businesses where I have asked for the sale each and every time I close. But I do this after I have determined if I can truly help with my product/service/opportunity.

In fact, I wouldn’t be the top producer on Ann Sieg’s Renegade Marketing Team or have built a home-based business corporation that brings in millions if I failed to take that step and ask for the sale each and every time.

My customers do stick around too, are loyal and bring in an outstanding amount of referrals. Asking for the sale does not have to be obnoxious. If done properly, can be very comfortable and helps your prospect make a decision. It also allows for objections, which can further determine your prospect’s concerns.

What is distressing is that many network marketers learn something called ‘sharing’. Frankly, I don’t share – I teach, educate and solve my prospect’s problem. And yes, I get paid handsomely for this because I ask them if they are ready to make a decision that works best for them and purchase the ‘solution’.

Persuasion on the other hand is the old sales peddler’s way of selling. I don’t use it and I don’t recommend it.

Thanks for letting me put my two cents it!

Warm regards,

Alicia Bausley
Empowered Business Entrepreneurs

[Jordan Schultz Company: Numis Network Contribution Level: 3]

I didn't read all of the posts here, just the first one by Peter, But I agree about leading with a relationship! I personally am using an attraction marketing system, but I'm not shoving the system in everyone's face, and I feel a lot of people are getting side-tracked from the true meaning of attraction marketing. The system is just another tool to make that process easier on the new-comer, but it upsets me when I see 15+ of the exact same e-mail coming to me from facebook groups weekly.

ORIGINALITY is still the key! You have to give things your own little twist.

I also would like to mention that if all you're doing is offering people you don't know to use your attraction marketing system because it works, then essentially you're just trying to sell someone on a product. Think about what you're doing before you do it. Attraction Marketing should be the sharing of knowledge that makes someone want to learn more from you personally!

I could go on and on, but I won't. I only want to re-emphasize one thing.....

ORIGINALITY IS KEY!

[Peter Arnold Contribution Level: 3]

A couple of quick comments...

Alicia Bausley - very nice to see you here at BN - WELCOME!

I'm a big fan of what you and Lisa Hanfileti are providing our industry at your 'Empowered Business Entrepreneurs' sites ( http://www.EBEwebsite.com + http://www.EBEblog.com ) - wonderful resources for marketers and entrepreneurs. You are both exceptional coaches, caring professionals and successful leaders, who are continually 'raising the bar' in our industry. Many thanks for your thoughtful and helpful comments on this thread.

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Jordan Schultz - I really like the way you refer to Marketing SYSTEMS as "tools" - exactly! :>)

And this is true whether we create our 'own' Systems or buy into one of the 'pre-built' Systems. In my opinion, it's the same with Autoresponders, Websites, Videos, Audios, Blogs, Webinars, etc - they're all helpful "vehicles" enabling us to better leverage our efforts and our time. But the real secret is connecting with the "human psychology" side - the personal contact - the relationship building - the authentic YOU.com.

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Warmly / Peter A.
http://www.PeterArnoldOnline.com

Peter Arnold, CLU, CFC / Founder
Business Achievers Academy / Canada