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[Debbie Turner Contribution Level: 3]

I was just finishing up a blog post about this and I thought I'd like to have a real discussion about it here with you guys. I've used Mike Dillards line for this statement several times and the discussion only got heated up one time in a strong dissagreement with the prospect.

He posed the question, 'How much money do you make?"

I responded, "Smith, it's really not about how much money I make. It's really about how much money YOU'RE going to make. You may start your business and do much worse than I have, you may do much better than I have or Smith, you may come in and do absolutely nothing at all and make zero money. What's your next question Smith?"

Well, he strongly disagreed with me and told me that it WOULD be a good gage to evaluate what I'm making. I strong disagreed back. We strongly disagreed back and forth for a heated two minutes, then he said, "So, you're not going to tell me how much money you make?" I said, "No Smith, I'm not. Do you have another question for me or are we done?"

He did have more questions. But, wanted to report in with my two cents worth about using this line. I like it, I use it, I make good money, but I'm not gonna say how much I make.

I also want to role model how to answer that question for people who are asking it of me. I know it's on their mind and they're watching to see how to respond to that.

What does everyone else say, do, etc. I'd love to hear from ya'll. (I'm visiting KY and picking up the cute country tones here )

[Aaron Rivera Contribution Level: 1]

Hi Debbie.

Although your prospect got hung up on this issue I suspect it was not the real problem he had.

At the end of the day you answer was a good one, and anyone who is not satisfied with it is probably not someone you want to be working with anyway. One of the main advantages of MLM is your ability to choose who you work with and who you don't.

Therefore you should always take control of the conversation from the point of view that you are qualifying them and working with you is a privilege not a right.

Good luck,
Dean.

freemoney I agree," I try to work with everyone but in some cases you cannot ," social marketing gives the full advantage over to all marketers seeking success not failure ............... lol

[Guest]

Great point!! I get that question ofteN. A direct response is always best in any business, if the response is relevant. Besides, where you belive you are making "good" $$. That figure may not meet the prospect's definition. Also will he even belive you!!?? That entire path is irrelevant, b/c yout earnings has little to do with what a prospect makes!!

Switch the focus back on them, in their mind, and off of you in the future. Use the "Curve ball" response: "Let me ask you, have you ever said I want to earn 1Million per year?" Then ask "How much is a Million Dollars, Paid weekly??" You will be amazed how few peopl know the correct ans. is 20k per week! Therefor Mr. Smith, First we need to clearly define, your financial goals, anf then detail the plan to get you there and beyond!! My income and my plan have little to do with you, other than my vested interest in you acheiving your desired goals.
Tom Savas, Gain Consulting Group, LLC.

[Adam Taha Contribution Level: 8]

Good answer Debbie. Yes, I don't answer this question and I don't need to either. I repy the same as you have. If they don't get it then they don't get it.

But you did great Debbies. You answered truthfully and personally, it's my business how much money I make not anyone else's especially the prospect I am interviewing. I turn question back to them.

The question itself is actually trying to see if you're a leader or not, and you'll fall for, "oh please, please, join my business. I''ll prove it works. I'll show you the checks and even, I'll call my uppline to answer more of your question..Ooh...Oooh, shall I also show you what others make hmmm?"

No Debbie, you were spot on mate. It wasn't about money issue here but belief issue. Plus they didn't do their homework either.

It's like, "Is it a Pyramid?" That's when I know they haven't done their homework for sure.

Good one. Glad you covered this question. You stayed in control and showed leadership.

Adam

[JonMarc Wright Company: Usana Health Sciences, Inc. Contribution Level: 3]

I often answer this question when it is posed to me, not because I am desperate to show them "it works" but just because I think it can contribute to what we're talking about at the time. But I guess it depends on who I'm talking to and what their mindset is on the whole thing. To be honest I don't talk to many people about it, and those I do are usually beyond the "I'm running if you don't say millions" stage and aren't looking for proof as much as just asking a genuine question to get a gauge for what is possible or at least has been done by someone they know given what they know about me and what I do.

There are so many promises and claims in this industry, sometimes people just want some real numbers to sit down and ponder.

jM

[Adam Taha Contribution Level: 8]

Yes true but, there's a difference between being an adult about it, mature and common sense, to saying:

"Ok, can you show me how the business works, the numbers etc. Have you got some paper work I can look at it etc."

Not, "Oh, how much money do you make?"

This is a very big divide, big difference. In this situation one needs to say:

"Hang on Joe, we're not at this stage. I need to first find out more about you before I give such "personal" information. One step at a time. Let's get back to the question etc...

When people sit down etc, there needs to be some mutual respect. That's why I feel qualifying is very important because you're looking for people who are interested, who have a desire, who want to do business, who like more info.

For some years now, I met people ask this question and this question is really saying something totally different.

Either it's "I don't believe I can do it or I'm wanting to know if I can."

Or, "Let's see if you're a leader."

Or, "I heard it before."

People don't join someone because he made x,y,z. They join the person because of leadership, the mutal respect as well is there, the team and system.

How about asking how the "business works, I'll like to know more." Instead of, "Oh how much money you make."

Now, then I'll see they want to really know how business works not, "how much money you make then."

If one drives in a ferrari, that person ain't going to believe it still. So me, forget even answering that question.

If we think for a moment. They ask that question and you say, "X, Y, Z." So, what's next? Why would they go and believe X, Y, Z? What? Because we suddenly said this how much we make, here's the cheques?

No, there is more to this question. It's not about how much money one makes. They are asking something else. That's what I feel.

Adam

[JonMarc Wright Company: Usana Health Sciences, Inc. Contribution Level: 3]

Very true Adam.

I think my point was just that the people I hear this question from are asking from an Adult, pen and paper in hand kind of place, not a "oh yeah? really? well then how much do you make doing this?" and usually it comes up after they know exactly kinds of things I do and what I put into it. If I think they are asking for any of the reasons you were mentioned I wouldn't feel a need to answer the question.

[Adam Taha Contribution Level: 8]

Very true Adam.

I think my point was just that the people I hear this question from are asking from an Adult, pen and paper in hand kind of place, not a "oh yeah? really? well then how much do you make doing this?" and usually it comes up after they know exactly kinds of things I do and what I put into it. If I think they are asking for any of the reasons you were mentioned I wouldn't feel a need to answer the question.

I get what you're saying. Good point. Thanks.

Adam

[JonMarc Wright Company: Usana Health Sciences, Inc. Contribution Level: 3]

You hit it right on though when you talked about that question usually being about something entirely different. An important distinction.

[Adam Taha Contribution Level: 8]

Thanks. It was something I faced a hard time for two years then one day, I decided, it's time my business and me, have integrity. Also, I wanted to uphold integrity for the industry to. It's something close to my heart with other questions.

So I decided four years ago, that from now on, I want to really qualify people, come to a mutual understanding, respect and that we're adults, no need to impress and close ourself from the forest with tree questions.

Since, then, I've never had problems with prospecting, signing up and building a team. I wanted to also then pass this knowledge on because it's about duplication too. And one when prospecting, or using online capture pages etc, we're actually teaching as we do it. And that person can duplicate what I did and think it's right way.

So for a while, two years I battled with it, disagreed with uplines too who want to drag anyone to meetings etc. It's not just a business but a legacy I am building, a family business. So I wanted to make sure I qualify people instead of chasing them, convincing them.

One don't need to if we see the world is full of people.

Ever since that decision I ploughed my way in learn, taking notes, using what works, writing it down, throwing out what doesn't, and teach it back to team.

It is a question I believe many still struggle with but you do meet people earn 100k for example in a job, and they'll test you out. I stand my ground and talk back. And I realised then, from these experiences, they were testing my leadership, seeing if I am going to throw in all info just like that, answer all their questions.

That's why I turn the seat round. I don't care how much they earn, that's not what I am looking for. I am looking for desire, comittment, and if I can...work with this person. If I can't, forget it. Usually though, they'd either be customers and some become in the business. I'm looking to find out their reason why, what they want out of a business, what their willing to do etc. Their needs, how I can help them if they are serious. And come to a mutual respect and agreement to move forward.

I think in past, years ago, the problem wasn't the prospect, it was me. Being attached, defensive, proving, self image but when I sorted this out - I found myself feel as a business owner and I'm in control not someone who may or may not step in business.

It's a very good topic, very good debate too. I hope it keeps going on other questions too.

Adam