Forums

[Troy Anderson Contribution Level: 1]

I wanted to share a phone conversation I had the other day with a couple that are one of the top income earners in a very well known health and wellness network marketing company. I won't mention which one, but it is one that I'm sure many of you have heard of and it is a company that I respect for having a good product.

I happened to be talking to this couple about some non MLM related business and we got into a discussion about what they were doing and how much money they were making etc. They told me how they were about to leave for an all expenses paid trip with their company as a result of their production. I congratulated them and told them how I though network marketing was the best industry to be in and hoped I too could one day reach the level they attained.

At that point they began to try and recruit me into their business. I told them I was already in a company that I was happy with felt was the best vehicle for me to achieve my success. They than tried to convince me that their company was better! It didn't matter how nice I was or what I said, they were certain I had a better chance of success in their company. They also tried to convince me I should sign up for a $99 auto ship of their product because it would make me feel better and I would be healthier as a result of it. When I asked them where I could find more information on the product, they told me there really wasn't anything available on the internet due to some sort of regulation. What a load of garbage! They expected me to freely pay them $99 every month to take their magic pills to make myself feel better without knowing what was in them. Maybe this is just me, but that seems a little crazy.

They continued to pressure sell me for about 10 minutes until I told them as politely as I could that I really was not interested. I think I had to tell them no about 8 or 9 times before they finally stopped pestering me.

After I got off the phone with them, it made wonder, if they were one of the top 3 income earners in the company, how many of their friends and family had they annoyed along the way to get there. There is no way I would ever join their team. I don't want to have to hard sell anyone on my company or my product. Talk about stressful. I could feel my blood pressure rising as I was talking to them.

This experienced reinforced in me the techniques that I use to build my own business. I never hard sell anyone on my product or my opportunity, they either get it or they don't. If they don't want it, I simply move on. I find this is a much more effective way in building a successful organization with much less stress. After all, this is supposed to be an enjoyable business. If you're not having fun, maybe you are doing it wrong.

[Forest Marie Contribution Level: 4]

Whatever works works...

At the end of the day, the only thing that determines success is results.

I'm not saying I use that approach - I don't - but if it works for them, they're going to keep doing it. Sounds like they don't like to take no for an answer, which a lot of sales people are taught.

Other than that, I find it interesting you mention early on you respect them because they have a good product but later call said product a magic pill.

But yeah, I agree with you on methodology preference, but I am not willing to say outright that old school does not work because it still does and it always will, even if it doesn't work for you or for me.

See you at the top,


Forest

[Kay Somji Contribution Level: 1]

I work directly with the top income earner in my company (well number 1 in Canada, number 3 worldwide) and he has achieved it all by "old school" methods. These methods may not work for the average person but for some people they definitely do. He has an attraction marketing attitude and mindset but has no website, and doesn't use online lead generation or email lists etc. All that said, he is a highly skilled individual at what he does and I can see why he has been able to create the kind of success he has.

Sometimes, people in this industry do get lucky. I know some people will argue with me but there are some top earners who managed to get there by signing up a few people who can really do all the work for them (depending on how their compensation plan is structured). This is what it sounds like for the person you describe. I cannot imagine that person having much success taking the approach you describe.

[Jesus Leon Contribution Level: 1]

Good for you!!! I am the same way. Personally, the "old way" of doing things didnt work for me, but it works for some people. I do not try to "sell" anyone on my business. To be quite honest the more successful I get I notice that the number and type of people I let into my business has totally changed and continues to change. When I first started out I would recruit anyone under the sun but now, through experience I have learned that certain people are not right for your business and in the long run will more than likely either quit or cause you heartburn at night. We all need to treat our business as what it is, a business. I appauld you my friend for not taking the "hard sell approach" and for staying true to yourself and your business.

[Connie Loeschen Contribution Level: 3]

To try to recruit someone away from their MLM company is like asking a married woman or man for a date. You will only insult and lose them as a respected friend. Only when they realize the "marriage" has cracks will they make a decision to look else where. It takes trust, building a honest relationship....not selling.
My two cents.
Connie Loeschen

[Eldon Beard Company: Watkins Incorporated Contribution Level: 2]

The "old school" methods still work, for those who have the guts and persuasive skills to pull it off. For most, building relationships first + advertising to bring prospects to you works much better.

I really hate it when someone approaches me acting like they want to be friends, but after a couple of questions like "how are ya" and "what do you do?", they slide right into a bizop presentation. Definitely a turnoff for me, and I believe for most people these days.

[Jen Patton Contribution Level: 2]

I was just having a conversation with someone in my company about this the other day. The funny thing is that the ideas and marketing techniques that are used by most of us on Better Networker are still considered "cutting edge" by a lot of networkers and companies out there.

The majority of the top income earners in my company do things "old school" and it is working for them just like it always has. I think a lot of it has to do with the way that you are taught from day one.

I agree with you though on the pressure tactics- don't like it, never have.

To your success.

Jen

[Wendy Krick Contribution Level: 2]

To try to recruit someone away from their MLM company is like asking a married woman or man for a date. You will only insult and lose them as a respected friend. Only when they realize the "marriage" has cracks will they make a decision to look else where. It takes trust, building a honest relationship....not selling.
My two cents.
Connie Loeschen

Connie, I agree 100%. MLM is not about sales. It is about relationships and people join people not companies.
~Wendy

[Forest Marie Contribution Level: 4]

To try to recruit someone away from their MLM company is like asking a married woman or man for a date. You will only insult and lose them as a respected friend. Only when they realize the "marriage" has cracks will they make a decision to look else where. It takes trust, building a honest relationship....not selling.
My two cents.
Connie Loeschen

Well, that's an interesting analogy. But I don't agree with it...

I have my own newsletter and I am approached by networkers quite often about other opportunities. In fact, there's two people at this community on my newsletter that reply back to every E-Mail I send about their company (it's an automated option, but I respect them for it).

I'm personally never insulted by it and further, I don't stop talking to them because they sent me an offer.

Of course, that's just me. I only take offensive if it gets excessive or outright disrespectful. You ask, I answer, and let it be that...

To me, this is a dog-eat-dog industry, and I've found, by nature, all entrepreneurs are open-minded and look at "other" things from time to time. And you never know until you ask.


See you at the top,


Forest

[herb daly jr Contribution Level: 1]

Being 30 years in the business I guess I grew up with the "old school"
way of doing MLM. And as years go by technology changes, people
change, ideas change, etc. etc. But the bottomline is no matter how
you choose to do your business, and recruiting all depends on one thing.

How You Feel About It! Your Belief System! If you absolutely hate
approaching people in malls, calling friends and family, prospecting by
phone, or any other type of recruiting you will not succeed. You have to
believe in your own marketing system. I know people that have built
huge organizations just making a list, that's it. I know a lot of people that
have built huge downlines with postcards.

My point is whether you make a list, prospect by phone, use direct mail,
video marketing, attraction marketing, forum marketing, whatever? Become
very good at what you do, and if you enjoy it and believe in it you will
succeed. Like they say there are many roads to success. Which one do you
want to travel? To make huge amounts of money being 'passionate" about
what you are doing is the key factor.

Just because your upline, or some guru thells you this is the way to do the business
doesn't mean it will be right for you. Only you know that. With so many marketing
systems and ideas out there, there should be something for everybody. Find your niche!

You know your strengths and weaknesses, better than anybody. (Self Assessment).

Herb Daly JR.
30 years in Direct sales & Mktg.
mailto:cashabundance@gmail.com
http://www.CashisKingsite.net
http://www.mlmmastermindphoneburner.com/a/herb