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[Guest]

why would they (you) be?

- you are sold on the business model
- you have downlines that may follow them
- you don't need to be trained
- etc... (i'll let you fill in the blanks)

why wouldn't they (you) be?

- you weren't always a network marketer and had to start somewhere
- you get pitched everyday by so called leaders through guerilla warfare
- you are prone to being head hunted and probably won' be very loyal
- etc (i'll let you fill in the blanks)


what are your thoughts? your actual thoughts? not thoughts you read in an ebook!

[Steve Rodgers Contribution Level: 3]

I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic or not. Seriously.

Networkers are already sold on the business model. They don't think it's some 'pyramid'.

Some are trained better than others.

Some have huge downlines and may follow you.

If you get head hunted who cares? You might lose people to other opportunities/ leaders/ etc, but that's part of the game. Don't let fear of losing stop you. Keep on building your dream.

Beats being a newbie

Beats trying to drag one around.

-Steve

[Guest]

I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic or not. Seriously.

Networkers are already sold on the business model. They don't think it's some 'pyramid'.

Some are trained better than others.

Some have huge downlines and may follow you.

If you get head hunted who cares? You might lose people to other opportunities/ leaders/ etc, but that's part of the game. Don't let fear of losing stop you. Keep on building your dream.

Beats being a newbie

Beats trying to drag one around.

-Steve

ok... here are my responses respective to your comments:

1. we haven't had the chance to communicate face to face, let alone over the phone, so your best bet is to take me seriously... it's a safe bet when dealing with people unless they show you otherwise

2. i'm a networker and i still think it's a pyramid, because essentially it is... it's your pyramid and you can build it as big or small as you want and as fast or slow as you want

3. whether they have received no training or a world of training, it makes no difference... application is key and that's what differentiates the dreamers from the leaders

4. i'm not a huge fan of wishful thinking, so if you may or may not have a huge downline that may or may not follow you isn't a real selling point... my goal isn't to find as many people as i can to make money off

5. it's not a numbers game, it's a relationship game... i can handle people coming and going but it merely shows a lack of relationship building and a lack of team which creates loyalty and long term results

6. everyone begins as a newbie, no matter what you do in life you begin a newbie... this includes you and me and mike and everyone else that has ever done anything in life

7. there is nothing more fulfilling than teaching someone how to be financially independent and make life their choice and not something that just happens... i wouldn't consider educating others a drag

having the right attitude can make or break you, and when i say you i refer to anyone and everyone... if you see your team members as a drag or people that should be making you money, dare i say that network marketing is the wrong industry for you

[Guest]

I agree with Steve on this one.

If you are targeting business builders, other network marketers is a great market to go after. Those who just want to make money online will be a little more challenging, but, thats not saying you can't go after these guy . You just need to offer tham massive amounts of value to any target market that can help them improve.

Regards

Kiran

thanks for your response... and i forgot to thank Steve in the last post... so thankyou too... i enjoy an open forum where people can exchange ideas and challenge one another intellectually to grow as people and in our case networkers and business people

1. what points do you agree with steve and why? i find it interesting to know as it seems at this point in time you both agree that network marketers are the best target market... this interests me and i'd like to know your though process

2. it is true that other network marketers are business builders and a great market... do you believe that you should seek networkers in the same industry (such as voip or travel) or branch out to a non competitive industry that is still within the network marketing framework?

3. what would you consider massive amounts of value? do you expect someone to pay for your membership, send you samples first, send you an affiliate link to a training program, explain how the team works and where they fit in, receive a newsletter, be included in the team goals, etc...???

it is important to ask questions in life because questions give you answers, if you are not questioning people then you are merely guessing and have no real guide as to what makes them tick and for what reasons they will sign the dotted line, so to speak... i can't wait to hear your replies as some philosophers would say a good conversation is better than sex, i wouldn't say i agree but i do love a good conversation

[Steve Rodgers Contribution Level: 3]

I think you may have misunderstood me a bit.

I stated from the top that I wasn't clearly understanding you.

I don't feel that educating team members is a drag. I'm coming from the angle that you train them before they are team members.

That's my angle because I do believe in relationship building and I believe you start building that relationship long before they join ever join my team.

However I also have no emotional attachment as to whether or not they make that decision.

I was brand new once. I'm sure it was a total drag for my upline when I couldn't seem to 'get it' as fast as they expected.

I had to take it upon myself to learn the skills and even the mindset required to get it done.

My questions to you are: Do you want to fill your downline with people who are uncertain as to whether or not the 'pyramid' you sold them into is legit. Are you prepared to have to keep selling them every time you want them to take an action (ie. learn a skill, apply a skill, check out a webinar)?

Or

Would you rather focus your efforts on training people before hand and demonstrate that you are a good leader to join in a business model they already understand, feel good about and believe in?

My point is simply taking the pressure off of yourself and in turn taking the pressure off of your prospects.

Students should feel like students until they are ready to lead and find leaders within their own group of students. The difference between my thinking and your thinking is the point in which the business is bought into.

You apparently weren't being sarcastic
-Steve

[Guest]

that's a great point about training prospects before the become your team members... how do you train your members before they join your team?
- do you teach them attraction marketing
- do you educate them about the industry
- do you explain why you get paid to do what you do
- do you set goals and ask them to set some too
- etc...

it's great to hear that you took the time out to learn the skills and mindset required... it's a great sign of leadership and traits of a great upline, after all, if i was in your downline the first point of contact is my sponsor... and i would expect them to have the right information and education for me, whether i asked for it or not (a leader gets things done whether called upon or not!)

and to answer your questions:

1. i don't sell people, they choose to join the team for their personal reasons... this becomes their motivation and personal goal that drives them to excel

2. i take pride in sending my downline and their downline periodic or adhoc emails on new training material, a video i recommend, a book i have read or an article that explains something really well that will help them build their business... it is this commitment to my team and their business that feeds the fire (i don't believe in motivational emails as i receive from my upline, actions speak louder than words)

3. sure training people before hand is important and essential... it must remain constant though as you don't want to get them signed up and then send them on their merry way, you must first replace yourself and then keep them by your side

when you mention that students should feel like students, do you mean that they should feel inferior? or have an open mind to what you have to offer?

i don't think there is a difference between our thinking as i haven't actually given my opinion or stand on the matter at hand, i am merely investigating the statement "network marketers are NOT your primary target market" so that i may better understand people's thought process on the topic... i can see both the positives and negatives for both sides of the argument and i thought that discussing it in a socratic way would be ideal to generate some creative and passionate responses to enlighten the community

[Forest Marie Contribution Level: 4]

Good topic.

Lately I've been targeting brick & mortar business owners and white collar professionals like myself through Google Pay-Per-Click.

Interestingly enough, they buy more and have much more to spend.

I target network marketers with tools/resources, etc.

I don't like to target them too much for a business opportunity.



Forest

[Steve Rodgers Contribution Level: 3]

when you mention that students should feel like students, do you mean that they should feel inferior? or have an open mind to what you have to offer?

What i mean about students feeling like students is that when people don't know something, they first try to sort out the overall gist of it. When they feel like they have a good handle on something, they will then start to apply it and begin to teach others, looking for leaders within their new group of students. That learning phase is a very important step and should be nurtured with the encouragement toa take action. Let them know they are on the right track and watch as they lead themselves.

A good upline cannot make people do anything, they can only recognize the attempt to lead and provide guidance, reference and encouragement. They cannot do the thing for them.

I believe what I'm trying to say here is that there are 2 kinds of people for the sake of arguement for this thread: Those are involved in Network Marketing and those who are not.

The ones who aren't also fall into 3 categories:

1. People who know nothing about the industry except that it's one of those pyramid schemes.

2. Those who know nothing but are looking for a change and want to learn about it.

3. Those who used to be involved, but failed for whatever reason and believe it's a scam

The only 2 groups that you should be looking at are the ones who are involved and need no external motivation or convincing.

You definitely can market to those who are not involved in the idustry (from group 2) but expect it to be a tougher road to hoe and a longer process as they go through their own 'student' phase.

You knw... don't drag tham around to do stuff. Let them come to you when they are ready to take action and need your guidance.

In Forest's case, he is targeting high caliber professionals who may not have experience in the industry, however more than likely those people don't need a mindset or motivation upgrade. They just a need a professional change of atmosphere.

So I guess Networkers may not be your only target market, but they definitely are further along in the 'let's get things done' process and will see better results out of the gate.

In some cases it's not their first rodeo.
-Steve

[Guest]

thanks kiran! some great points you have made and interesting reading, my question would be... how far would you go? would you go as far as headhunting people within the same organisation? or do you stick to network marketers in general? and why network marketers in general? would it be easier to have a specific group that your message is refined to? as opposed to a generic landing page?

the only reason i am asking these questions is because everyone has their motivation to join, and this is usually something personal such as paying their mortgage off faster, having more time to spend with family, affording that elusive holiday, etc... so once people have their motivator (personal goal), they join someone they trust and feel they could work with to achieve that goal, in a company that supplies a product or range of products they consume and feel comfortable referring others to... so if you target a certain mlm company and refine your landing page to be personalised for them and them only, would you not see a higher conversion rate?

[gail reynolds Contribution Level: 2]

ok guys, lets get a womans prospective on this toopic shall we?!
Being a networker for around 6 years now, i have come to the same conclusion time and time again. Its all about YOU....I have had team members come and go, some stay for the long haul and others talk the talk....but dont walk the walk....However, NONE of my team are fellow network marketers, NONE cam from a knowledge of MLM and networking yet, I still have managed to become very successfull in my field. My point is, although this is how my team has naturally progressed i wouldnt and am not taking out the idea of other networkers now becoming part of my team, obviously this would grow my team faster and easier. But, hey, I am a woman, i can multi task!! so i can and will be doing both. I suppose i have learnt that becoming successful isnt about WHO you know its about HOW you work, relate and help others.
gail