What Network Marketer doesn’t want to grow their business? Seems like a silly question, huh? But when you stop and consider for a moment that there are many in mlm who use the wrong methods when working their businesses, the question has to be asked. Now, what I really want to know when asking this question is whether those who use tactics like the “3-foot rule”, and who are still placing fliers on peoples’ mailboxes and car windshields are aware that there is a much better way to expand their network of prospects and business associates. First off, let me say that if you’re using any of the above tactics to build you business, please stop immediately. I say this, not as a Network Marketer, but as a citizen who hates getting fliers taped to my mailbox (that pesky tape never seems to come off cleanly). And when I’m in the Barnes and Noble trying to have some leisure time, It really makes me uncomfortable having to have a discussion about a prospective business opportunity with some fellow I’ve never seen before. Please know, that if those are some of the methods you’re using, they are very unattractive, and don’t really position you well as someone who can lead others toward Network Marketing Success. Please don’t understand what I’m not saying…I appreciate the creativity and the work ethic that Network Marketers exhibit when they consistently place themselves in the path of people who they believe can benefit from their products and their opportunity, but it’s important that serious thought go into whether these tactics are actually helping or hindering them in the long run…particularly in the eyes of prospects and potential customers.
I just know how I feel when I come home and see that car driving up and down the wrong side of the street…positioned ”just so” in order for the driver to be able to get to our mailboxes from the inside of the car. So, what do I do when I get these fliers on my mailbox? Quite frankly, I crumble it up and promptly discard the flier into my recycling bin. Am I being cruel, here? Possibly, but I do get irritated, not by the fact that the person wants to get the word out about his or her business, but by the fact that they seem to be entirely comfortable with coming extremely close to violating my privacy. Well, I’ve spent entirely too much time on that particular topic. Guess you can tell how I feel about those types of marketing tactics, huh?
Back to what I really wanted to say. When you look to grow your business, you must seriously consider what types of activities you will undertake in order to make that happen. The term Network Marketing implies that the business owner will work to establish and expand his or her network by communicating with people…terms like “word of mouth”, “social networking”, and “sharing” are fairly popular in mlm, so that is not a foreign term to any business owner, whether they’re a newbie or a crafty veteran. The type of communication is important, and exactly what type of discussion will take place is another essential component in the successful expansion of any business network. What we often see from those in Network Marketing is a ”default” to what has worked in the past. One reason I believe this happens is that many veteran MLMers have obtained their success approaching people. At this point, there is probably not that great a need for them to learn something new, whether it is more effective or not. They’ve got so many people in their organization that there really is no real urgency to change what has worked so well in the past.
The problem, though, is that they can only teach those new to Network Marketing what they know…thus, they teach the old methods and hope that things work out for the best. As long as a new business owner is on Autoship for the minimum monthly requirement, they’re set. Where does that leave you?
Building your social network should be a high priority for you since that’s
the key to you pulling in those ridiculous monthly checks with bonuses galore. You could use the methods your upline is teaching you, but I guarantee, after a year of not making any money, you’re going to start wondering if there’s a better way somewhere out there. I hope you think of me when you have this discussion…Not that I want to gloat or anything like that, but because I want you to be reminded that there is, indeed, a better way to build your business. It is through the using the Internet. The World Wide Web is growing at an amazing rate, and that’s not just because our younger generation loves sitting in front of the computer. It is because businesses are wising up and are running the Internet in droves as they see the vast potential of Internet Marketing. The leverage one gets through this medium is unmatched. No matter how many traditional Networking groups you join, and how many business cards you accumulate through business fairs and expo’s, one-on-one and group breakfasts, etc…etc…you will never come close to reaching the potential of the internet. You can literally see your business explode overnight on the Internet because your audience grows immeasurably when your business’ message is online…you won’t get an audience anywhere near that using traditional marketing. In closing, I would encourage you to give what I’ve said here some serious thought, and if you’re trying to build without the internet, you might be doing youself, your family, and your business a grave disservice. It’s worth a look, and once you see what it is I see, you will wonder what took you so long. Hopefully, you won’t wait too long to take action and we’ll be able to say “Better late than never.”
When a new Network Marketer gets started out in the business, their first and most pressing need is to figure out how they will get their message to the world. It can be an extremely daunting task since they usually have little to no knowledge of how this Industry works. In addition, they typically are lacking in experience, and often times resources to really make the big splash they so urgently want to make. 
people will hear your message and be ready to take action! Let’s see here…and the options are many…You have anything from $1.00 lead specials, on up. If you want the Super Duper Qualified leads, you’re gonna have to pay up big time, but the rewards will far outweigh the investment…Yeah, Right! If your idea of reward is having to chase these people down day after day…trying to get them to watch your Company’s Opportunity and Compensation DVD only to be perpetually disappointed with their lame excuses about why they couldn’t take 15 minutes out of their week to review the information. Wait a minute…Weren’t these supposed to be the Super Duper Highly Qualified leads?
What’s the solution, you might say? Well, it comes down to being able to generate your own leads through developing and then feeding your own marketing funnel on the internet. It really is quite simple, when you think about it. There are many people involved with Network Marketing in various capacities who have created a funnel through which they have attracted people to them by providing valuable information, products, and resources that are high quality and intriguing enough to compel prospects to action. Usually, that includes the prospect giving their name and email address for access to information products, services, newsletters, etc… These people then end up on an email lists (also known as the “Drip System” and are considered a ”lead”, though not necessarily a high qualified lead, but they are now seated in the Internet Marketer’s “virtual audience” of prospects and begin receiving information, newsletters, product promotions, and other related materials that are designed to move them along the marketing continuum until they eventually reach the classification of “highly qualified”, and make that purchase. This is how lead generation works…it takes time, but the energy expenditure from this process is nothing compared to what you could do in a person-to-person format, especially if you’re plan is to build a large organization.
Will your business survive without the internet? Good question that I’d like for you to ponder for a moment. Right now, the internet, and in particular, the social media are extremely popular. People are using the internet for various resons, not the least of them is promoting their businesses. Let me ask you another question…If you’re not using the Internet to promote your business, do you think you’re reaching your potential? I would venture to say that you’re not even close right now. I say that because of the sheer volume of users, and particularly consumers who now use the internet to purchase products and services. It’s literally taking over our culture as many people would now prefer to purchase online. When they do search for whatever it is they want, will they run into you on the web? Will they set eyes on your buffet of products and services? If the answer is no, then it is highly likely that your business-building efforts are not being maximized. 
Well, it’s been one heck of a ride! Two years in MLM, and I had already had enough! I’m not one to give up so quickly with new endeavors…in fact, my tendency is usually to stick with things too long. Not this time, though. Many a time over the last year and a half, I would ask engage myself in a dialogue that sounded something like this…
