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[Tony Rush Company: Empower Network, LLC Contribution Level: 2]

Just got an unsolicited call from a network marketer. I assume he got my information from this forum since he's apparently a member here. I'm not looking to embarrass anyone but hopefully this will be of assistance to someone else. Here's what the call sounded like:

Me: Hello, this is Tony
John: Hi, Tony. This is John _______. How are you doing?
Me: I'm doing great, John. What can I do for you?
John: Well, I'm calling from an organization called _________. I understand you're involved in a home business, is that right?
Me: (At this point, I'm tempted to just say I'm not interested in a pitch but I figured I'd hear him out.) Yes, that's right.
John: Well, Tony, our organization helps people like you save money on things that you're already buying every single day whether it's Wal-Mart, K-mart, Sam's Club, the grocery store your power bill, etc. And what I'd like to do is send you some information so that you can start saving money on these things...as well as earn an income by showing others how to do the same.
Me: John, I appreciate your enthusiasm for your program but I'm not at all interested. Thank you for calling, though.
John: You're not interested in saving money?
Me: John, if I'm concerned about prices, I choose to EARN MORE MONEY than to get into the mindset of people who clip coupons, saving a dollar here or there, etc.
John: I'm not talking about coupons. I'm talking about being able to buy your gas for $1.50 per gallon!
Me:: John, that's my point. I don't care what gas costs. I don't keep up with those things. I think worrying about prices and the economy and gas prices is a form of lack consciousness that comes from watching too much TV. I couldn't care less what the price of gas is. And when I pull up at the pump, the last thing I want is for the quality of my thinking to drop into a mindset of "Oh, I need to save some money on this gas."
John: Yes, but....
Me: John, are you actually interested in what I'm saying? Because you're asking me questions and each time I give you an answer, you seem to use it as an excuse to keep selling me something that I've already told you that I don't have any interest in.
John: Well, I can see that you and I are definitely not on the same page.
Me: We're not. And I told you that about 60 seconds ago when I told you I wasn't interested.

John hung up.

As I see it, there are two things on the table here and it's important not to get them confused with each other:

A. John's actions as a marketer
B. My opinion about prosperity consciousness

Here are some things that come to mind:

1. I didn't inquire about his product, service or opportunity. He cold-called me. My phone number isn't top-secret and I'm not offended that he called. But, it's a completely inefficient way to work the business. He's better off to do some marketing and spend his time with people who've actually ASKED for information on his business.

2. He was friendly in the beginning. He did that well. It made me pause my idea about just telling him I wasn't interested and actually hearing him out.

3. He actually did a good job of describing his product/service. It was short, concise, to the point. And then he asked my permission to email me something. If he was actually on the phone with someone who'd ASKED for information about his business, I think he's on the right track.

4. When I indicated my lack of interest, he couldn't stop selling.

Kiss of death.

If you're on the phone with someone who actually says the words, "I really don't have any interest at all", you are not on the phone with a prospect. You're on the phone with someone who is not going to buy They're not going to join. The best thing you can do is to say, "Thanks for your time. I hope you have a great day." and hang up.

John didn't do that. When I told him I wasn't interested, he just kept on selling.

I can tell you this: I've sold millions of dollars worth of products over the years and I have YET to argue someone into a sale. It doesn't happen.

When a prospect says "I don't want it" or "I'm not interested at all, thanks for your time".....and you keep selling, you're completely invalidating the prospect. To keep selling him is to basically say, "You don't know what you're saying" or "You're an idiot" or "You must be stupid" or "Your opinion is less important than my presentation".

And this is the key point I wanted to make: guys, don't spend your time with people who aren't prospects.

There are so many people out there who are HUNGRY for a way to make a large income from home, we never have to lower ourselves to invalidating our prospects or arguing with them about what we do.

It's amateurish.
It creates ill-will.
It ruins your positive vibration.
It never makes money.

So, first rule of thumb when it comes to prospecting: spend your time with the prospects. People who actually want information on what you're doing.

I hope that assists. And I hope -- if John reads this -- he understands that he's got tons of potential; he just needs to point it in the right direction.

Tony Rush

P.S. By the way, my comments about coupons, affordability, economy, gas prices etc. are probably fodder for another conversation. The point of this article is that -- for WHATEVER reason -- I wasn't interested. But, if someone wants to discuss why I feel the way I do about coupons and "saving money on purchases", I'm happy to offer my perspective.

Make it a great day!

[Graham J OConnor Company: Isagenix Corporation Contribution Level: 2]

Hi Tony, interesting post.

I think John is going about things the wrong way, however if he persists with this method then I think he should tweak his approach slightly. IMO he should have pre-closed his pitch by asking whether or not the prospect was concerned about rising grocery, gas or entertaininment bills. Most fixed income prospects would agree and then he could then "solve" that issue with his pitch. Along the lines of "..if I could introduce you to a way of .... [USPs] ... would you be interested?"

I also think he needs to decide what market he is pitching to, is he pitching a retail solution or is he pitching a home business opportunity? I don't personally think you can pitch both at the same time. If it were me I would pitch the retail benefits first then once I have made a few sales, try and turn those customers into distributors which means a new pitch.

I am so glad that I do not cold call anymore.

Best regards
Graham J O'Connor

[Cheryl James Company: Talk Fusion Global Contribution Level: 3]

Thanks for sharing this Tony. It is an interesting reference.

It sounds like John probably has some experience as a telemarketer. Everyone knows telemarketers can't accept a no. Hmm... I wonder why they get such a bad rap?

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

I love that way of thinking, Tony.

It's funny, I've always thought the same way (not caring
about the prices of stuff) even though I would consider it
on larger items. Like a car or something.

I just never thought of it as prosperity consciousness or going out
and getting more money to pay for things.

Isn't it odd that people will drive across town to save a nickel on a
gallon of gas? That's less than a dollar when you fill up!

[Tony Rush Company: Empower Network, LLC Contribution Level: 2]

Dave, you got it!

What's really interesting is that it's not really about the amount of money, I don't think. Because, if you told that same person that there was a dollar bill lying on the sidewalk five miles down the road, they wouldn't get in their car to go get it!

And yet that same person will drive out of their way to save 5¢ on a gallon of gas so they can save $1 on a 20-gallon tank.

Conclusion: it's not about the dollar. It's usually because they're acting out some internal programming about how you're supposed to worry about the price of gas....always look for a deal....don't overspend....etc. In most cases, they pick it up from their parents while growing up.

Food for thought!
Tony

[Patti Magyar Company: Rodan + Fields Dermatologists Contribution Level: 2]

Tony,

Your feedback to John was thorough, professionally done and right on! John should be grateful to you.

No matter how experienced or successful a network marketer is, there is no right to attempt to force, impose or manipulate a sale.

"No" means no!

AND, making such an overture not only hurts "John." This approach cheapens all of network marketing, for which we must all continually pick up the pieces!

Please do not do this!

~ Patti