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[Marius Lombaard Company: Amway Contribution Level: 3]

I just posted an article where I adress the issue of marketing to friends or family.

It may or may not address the concerns you may have. I think this is a very relevant issue, and many people struggle with this.

i briefly go through it and give my opinion and perspective on the matter.

i would love to get your comments on it. you can read it at http://www.keeptalking.co.za/all/business/concerned-about-marketing-to-friends

take care

[Marius Lombaard Company: Amway Contribution Level: 3]

okay here's the message on BN also, i suppose most people just nav. away when they see my link thinking "who is this guy?". well, here's the real deal:

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Are you concerned about marketing to friends or family?

If you feel uncomfortable doing business with friends, family and colleagues, who do you feel comfortable doing business with? Strangers?

Well how do you justify doing business with strangers? You’d probably say because you’re offering a good product or service at a fair price. So why wouldn’t you offer that to friends, family or colleagues? If they’re already using a similar product or service that you could provide, wouldn’t they like to get the same benefits that you’re offering to strangers in the form of quality or price?

I know someone who told a family member that he’d rather do business with them, given that the quality or price is fair, than to do business with a stranger in the same industry which the family member operates in. It just makes sense to compensate a friend or family member rather than a stranger, doesn’t it?

I’ve seen a lot of people do business with friends and family with much success, simply because doing business with them adds an aspect to business which few businesses have: Trust. Do you buy products at the supermarket because you trust them, or mostly because of price and convenience? If a family member could conveniently provide you a good product at a fair price, and add trust to the equation, why wouldn’t you?

I’ve never seen anyone do business with an enemy. If you don’t do business with friends or family, who do you do business with?

[Jayne Cambra Contribution Level: 2]

I only market to my family and friends AFTER they've expressed a concern that I feel I can help them with.

[Chris Tryon Company: Jerky Direct Contribution Level: 4]

This is a lesson that I fear I have may learned a little too late. I am currently doing business with a couple of successful acquaintances who are successful in the industry. One of whom I trust completely.

Jayne was right about marketing to personal friends and family when they have expressed a need that your company or product can help them with. Network marketing is a sharing business. We are in the business of helping people, however we can only offer assistance. The rest is up to them.

[Larry Bilich Contribution Level: 2]

Good post Marius,

To be fair and honest it took me years of being in this industry to finally get it. And I come from years of being a businessman with traditional businesses. And what I mean by getting it is by simply being able to "now" look at what ever company that operates itself with the Network Marketing MLM Business Model and to be able to look at it with a business mind and not a hyped up emotional mind!

I hear and read this all the time here on BN about not marketing to friends and family and most people just want to try and do business with strangers...Its crazy I tell ya! I think people that say that have tried the friends and family thing and because of not finding success with that approach some how in there mind start thinking...Well my friends and family just don't get it. When in all reality maybe they do get it and its you that doesn't get it.

And I talk from experience here and I will freely admitt it and be honest. And I am quite sure I'm not the only one to learn this lesson either. There was a time early on in my Networking days that it was me who did not get it. The answer for me to fix this problem...Finding a great company ( for me that I was comfortable with) that had such good products offered at a very fair price that gave a lot of value and that people actually wanted that it became a win-win for all no matter how you sliced and diced it!

I think that a lot of people are in the wrong company for the wrong reasons and its not a fit for them and they really don't believe in what they do or the products and it shows...

If your with a company that has great products or service's and are priced in the "real world" market and they really would and do offer real value why would you not tell people who you know about it

NO...NO...NO...You say....I just want to offer my great products to total strangers. I don't want my family and friends to have them!! Does that way of thinking when you hear someone say it not sound crazy............!!!!! Or is it just me?

And if your company does indeed have great products or services that also are offered at a great price I bet more friends and family "would" buy from you and even maybe think that your "not" nuts at all with that thingie pyramid business your involved with after all. Heck, some might even want to join you in the business. Wouln't that be a cool thing?

And of course don't cram your business down your friends and families throats. Whats wrong with just happy customers...first? I think to many uplines tell there newbies that the money is in the building a organization of reps and not aquiring customers. Its hogwash!

If you do have family and friends telling you your crazy, maybe you should listen to them. Maybe your just with the wrong company with the wrong products and they see something you don't because you got that emotional hyped up thinking taking over your brain!

Anyway...Just my Ten Cents worth of thoughts on this.

To Your Success,

Larry B.

[Jim Peterson Contribution Level: 1]

Most people new to the industry are concerned that offering a Network Marketing opportunity to family and friends will effect the relationship. We encourage our Team to share our business with family and friends. However, we also encourage them to use us to help educate their family and friends about the industry and how, what we are offering, will benefit them.

[Dave Kotecki Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 5]

Are you concerned about marketing to friends or family?

If you feel uncomfortable doing business with friends, family and colleagues, who do you feel comfortable doing business with? Strangers?

Well how do you justify doing business with strangers? You’d probably say because you’re offering a good product or service at a fair price. So why wouldn’t you offer that to friends, family or colleagues? If they’re already using a similar product or service that you could provide, wouldn’t they like to get the same benefits that you’re offering to strangers in the form of quality or price?

I know someone who told a family member that he’d rather do business with them, given that the quality or price is fair, than to do business with a stranger in the same industry which the family member operates in. It just makes sense to compensate a friend or family member rather than a stranger, doesn’t it?

I’ve seen a lot of people do business with friends and family with much success, simply because doing business with them adds an aspect to business which few businesses have: Trust. Do you buy products at the supermarket because you trust them, or mostly because of price and convenience? If a family member could conveniently provide you a good product at a fair price, and add trust to the equation, why wouldn’t you?

I’ve never seen anyone do business with an enemy. If you don’t do business with friends or family, who do you do business with?

You are combining two different things in this post.
Offering the product you have is one thing.
Recruiting them into a business opportunity is completely different.

I think most would recommend a product they like to their
friends and family. That's natural and it's why network marketing
works. If it didn't, these companies wouldn't make so much
money.

The question, to me, is this:
Do your family and friends trust you so little that they don't
want to try a product simply because you'll get a commission
if they buy it?
Isn't it strange that they would easily try
something else if you told them to get it at a store?

As far as recruiting, why try to get people to start a business
if they have no interest in it?
Once you make money, they'll want to know about it.

[Emmanuel Manow Contribution Level: 1]

I usually will discuss what I am doing with family and friends if they ask me or if they show interest, there you know that your dealing with someone that took the first move to be apart of what ever it is your doing.

I take this approach not only with family and friends, but with everyone.

Sometimes it is good just to start random conversations with strangers, especially at coffee shops, book stores or any place where the setting involves people sitting, you would be surprised on how many people will just ask you "what are you doing"

[Scott Nabors Company: Boresha Contribution Level: 2]

Good News

It's a better that 90% chance that they will buy from you.

Why?

Because they don't want to be sitting with you ...if you fail to succeed and have you pointing the finger at them screaming that they didn't support you.

Bad News

Will They Sell, Promote or Recruit For You (after the inital signup)?

Back to the 90% chance ...that they won't ...but, will avoid the "flying finger".

Best to go after them if needed, but persue the targeted folks looking for opportunity that will SELL, PROMOTE and RECRUIT.

My best bet is to always continue marketing "YOU" and hit the right spots ...hey better networker is a great place to start.

Good Luck!

Scott Nabors
http://www.evolveliteteam.info
http://www.scottnabors.com

[Marius Lombaard Company: Amway Contribution Level: 3]

thanks for the input guys.

let me just clear up some confusion that i seem to have created:

But I make a recommendation to friends and family when it is appropriate, rather than stalking them to join my business

fair enough, product was my intent with the post not business, and yet there is indirect and direct ways to promote without stalking. but a very valid point, i agree.

I only market to my family and friends AFTER they've expressed a concern that I feel I can help them with.

so you have a preference for the indirect approach where the prospect brings up their need or want in a conversation. but there is direct ways of doing so like i've already mentioned, without being a stalker.

Most people new to the industry are concerned that offering a Network Marketing opportunity to family and friends will effect the relationship.

true, yet there's a lot that can be said of people who have absolutely no idea how to market or communicate effectively. a skill that even i had to learn in the past 4 years of my involvement in mlm.

You are combining two different things in this post.
Offering the product you have is one thing. Recruiting them into a business opportunity is completely different.

The question, to me, is this:
Do your family and friends trust you so little that they don't
want to try a product simply because you'll get a commission
if they buy it?
Isn't it strange that they would easily try
something else if you told them to get it at a store?

As far as recruiting, why try to get people to start a business
if they have no interest in it?
Once you make money, they'll want to know about it.

well actually my intention with this post was products. Obviously not everyone will be interested in business, although the same also applies to products.

thanks for the input again guys. all valid points.