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[Brian Schultz Contribution Level: 2]

So my personal opinion is that the online funded proposal is dead.

The theory makes sense but it's effectiveness is waning. Reason being is because 99% of network marketers are using one, or have tried one, or have seen one. It's over saturated, it's almost impossible to rank the squeeze pages high on the search engines. People aren't opting in like they used to, and the ones that do don't convert well anymore.

Now some people will argue and that is fine. Some people are still having success with them, but not many. That is not what this post is about. If you disagree that's cool, and if you choose to post why you disagree that's cool too. I want to hear others opinions.

I do however agree with the premise of targeting a certain market of people that "get it" and those would be other network marketers. I also believe in targeting non-network marketers as well, but in a fashion that isn't wasting your time, their time, or in a way that is to aggressive and pushy. But that is another discussion for another day.

It involves calling other marketers on the phone. Now calling people is the biggest fear of Network Marketers, and it's proof positive in sales letters and videos promoting funded proposals, what does a funded proposal promote? The fact that you don't have to call people on the phone, they call you. It promotes other benefits as well, but we are just talking about that one particular benefit for this discussion. So if you do not like or are afraid to cold call then this won't be for you.

But if you don't mind actually working and are serious about building your distributorship then you may want to try this if targeting other network marketers is part of your selling plan. Up to you.

Research the distributor url's of a particular company. For this example we will use Visalus.

The distributor URL for their branded websites is: personsname.bodybyvi.com

Now try this go to Google and enter in "site:bodybyvi.com" (without the quotations).

You will get results of Visalus distributors. Go to their site and their phone number should be listed.

Give them a call and see how their business is going.

I'm not gonna get into what to say, because there isn't really a set script, but find out if they are still with the company, how business is, if they are making money, what are they struggling with, what their opinion of the company is and what they don't like about the company. They may be happy and you can just move on, but there will be the people that aren't thrilled with the company and you might be able to show them how they might be a better fit to be with your company.

You can find out the distributors urls for any company pretty easily. Just go to facebook. Type in the company name and find a person with the company. Go to their about page and most likely they will have a link to their company branded site.

I just did one for Nerium and the urls are nerium.com, so I put in "site:nerium.com".

Does it work? I have no idea, I just thought of it, but it can't hurt to try. If anything I can ask them if it would be OK to send them some information via email and at least try to get them on my list for future marketing.

Good Idea? Bad Idea? Thoughts?

[Mario Sanders Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 6]

When you try to prospect other network marketers you also open yourself up to be prospected as well.
"I'll listen to yours if you listen to mind" will always exists when you try to prospect other network marketers. If what they are doing does not conflict with what you are doing, then it's fine to go with them and add another business under your belt. But if they are promoting the same promotional products then you would have a conflict waiting to happen.
I've tried other marketers products and could not do them because of health reasons. I wrote them and explained my side of not being able to join their group. Doctors have warned people of such products are unhealthful and may do damage to the internal organs over a period of time. Given the reasons of not joining their group, other marketers would not even try your products. It's almost like losing an uphill battle. Other network marketers are not open to new ideas especially when they have to change theirs.

[Michaelangelo Flores Contribution Level: 1]

That is an interesting concept to play around with Brian. I am keen to try it myself.
Just a quick note though - do you think anyone will complain about any privacy issues doing so? (Which they really shouldn't, otherwise, they shouldn't have displayed their contact details there in the first place.)

This does seem like something that could bring results though, since cold-calling still does. Although I do get the feeling that you may come up as a little bit stalkerish? The targeting still is a little better than actual cold calling though, since you are already calling people who are already (or was) in network marketing.

I reckon you could either suggest prospecting them into your funnel to use your systems or do you reckon just straight up into your company opportunity?

Wow this really is something to play around with huh...

[Joyce Penner Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 8]

Like your thinking Brian.

When 95% of people are not making money in their current situation, you'll find the ones who want to join someone who is successful so I agree: pick up the phone !
Joyce

[Brian Schultz Contribution Level: 2]

When you try to prospect other network marketers you also open yourself up to be prospected as well.
"I'll listen to yours if you listen to mind" will always exists when you try to prospect other network marketers. If what they are doing does not conflict with what you are doing, then it's fine to go with them and add another business under your belt. But if they are promoting the same promotional products then you would have a conflict waiting to happen.
I've tried other marketers products and could not do them because of health reasons. I wrote them and explained my side of not being able to join their group. Doctors have warned people of such products are unhealthful and may do damage to the internal organs over a period of time. Given the reasons of not joining their group, other marketers would not even try your products. It's almost like losing an uphill battle. Other network marketers are not open to new ideas especially when they have to change theirs.

This is true Mario. It's one of those things that one might want to play around with. When someone is so invested and dedicated to their company it can be tough, but I would think if you make enough calls you will hit a distributor that is unhappy with their situation.

It is a bit of an uphill battle, but again might be something to add to the marketing mix.

[Brian Schultz Contribution Level: 2]

That is an interesting concept to play around with Brian. I am keen to try it myself.
Just a quick note though - do you think anyone will complain about any privacy issues doing so? (Which they really shouldn't, otherwise, they shouldn't have displayed their contact details there in the first place.)

This does seem like something that could bring results though, since cold-calling still does. Although I do get the feeling that you may come up as a little bit stalkerish? The targeting still is a little better than actual cold calling though, since you are already calling people who are already (or was) in network marketing.

I reckon you could either suggest prospecting them into your funnel to use your systems or do you reckon just straight up into your company opportunity?

Wow this really is something to play around with huh...

Good question. Not 100% sure. Like you said they put their contact info out there, granted it's for potential new recruits to call them. I'm sure that if someone isn't interested they will just get off the phone with you fairly quickly and you just move to the next person.

I wouldn't think it's stalkerish unless you are continually hounding them. To me this would be a sort of one and done type of method. You can most likely find out within the first two minutes if the person is happy with there company or not. If they are happy where they are I would just move to the next person.

[Brian Schultz Contribution Level: 2]

Like your thinking Brian.

When 95% of people are not making money in their current situation, you'll find the ones who want to join someone who is successful so I agree: pick up the phone !
Joyce

Exactly. Joyce.
I still think that putting yourself out there and just calling people is still the best way to make contacts

[Chris Tryon Contribution Level: 4]

I agree with you Brian and Joyce.

There are LOTS of people using devices to glean phone numbers from web sites and then paying for robo-dialers, which I, personally find to be a nuisance! I would welcome a "real person" calling me. At the same time, I agree with Mario. You open yourself up to "reverse marketing." The idea of "I will look at your opportunity if you will look at mine" is quite common.

If you approach other networkers the "right way," a good majority of them will take a look at what your company has to offer. Some of them might even join you. Even if they don't join you, you could very well have gained a "contact" for the future, if they aren't satisfied with their current company or up-line. Most people who call themselves "networkers" get bored easily and quit LOTS of companies before they earn any serious income or find a "permanent company" to stay with.