Step Away From Your Electronic Device…. and Pick Up the Phone
I have a 16 year old daughter — 16 going on 30.
She lives with her mom, some 4 hours from me. Although I see her as much as possible, we rely on phones and emails to communicate daily. We used to speak on the phone almost every day, just checking in to see how her world was going.
Then a funny thing happened.
Caitlin discovered text messaging.
Now, I’m not against texting, and I think it has its value in certain circumstances. But what is happening with us, and with the world at large, is that we are replacing human connection with electronics.
Rather than having a nice, warm phone converstion, I am now faced with a barage of text messages every morning, always starting out with:
“hi”
“how r u?”
“whats new”
“btw, i got my hair cut”
“gtg my bus is here.”
Not only are we failing to connect on a basic human level, but my 16 year old is also forgetting how to spell 
So why do I bring this up?
Because I see the same thing happening in the world of Network Marketing. The Network in Network Marketing means connecting with people. It means human connection. Not electronic.
I have no problem with using texting or autoresponder emails to help drive your business. They definitely have their place.
But if you really want to make you business explode, if you really want to begin seeing the kind of results that will help you justify the capital you put into your business, then by all means….
Step away from your computer…. and pick up a phone.
There is nothing like talking to a person… one on one.. that can create an instant connection with your prospect. Only in actually hearing each others voices can you get a real feel for what a person is like, how they would fit into your business, and whether or not they have what it takes to be your next leader.
It may in their voice inflection. It may be the WAY they say something, not actually what they say. It may be their tone, upbeat or downcast, that gives you the clue you need.
All of this is lost in a text message or email.
You need to pick up the phone and establish actual human contact.
And for your prospect… let them hear your voice, your confidence, your excitement in what you are doing. None of that can be transmitted electronically. Let them hear the empathy in your voice as you listen to their problems.
Only then will they really know that you are on their side, and you can help them.
I watch in amazement as so many new network marketers depend almost solely on their computers or PDAs to run their business.
They would rather send 100 emails or text messages rather than pick up the phone and have one conversation.
It has become easier (preferable?) to rely on electronics and less on human interaction.
While it may be easier, in most cases the results will NOT follow.
You see, networking is about connecting with people. And the best way I know of to connect with someone is to look them in the eye and talk to them. And if you can’t look them in the eye because of distance, then they absolutely NEED to hear your voice to convince them that you are the person that can help them achieve their wildest dreams.
If you’re wondering why your business is floundering, listless, and not moving forward, then shut off the computer, pick up your phone, and start making connections with your prospects.
Chances are very high that your results will pick up, and you’ll actually make some friends and feel better about the world in the process.
30 Tips in 30 Days: Day 2 — Just Who Are Your Prospects?
IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE PREVIOUS TIPS IN THIS SERIES, Go to the Business and Marketing Tips Category on the right side of the blog.
Hi again, everyone. Yesterday we discussed how to go about setting up your new home based business. So now you’re all set to go prospecting!
But who exactly ARE your prospects?
When I joined my first network marketing company a number of years ago, I was taught that…
EVERYONE WAS A PROSPECT. Anyone within a 3-foot radius was fair game.
This single piece of advice set me back at least 3 years in terms of network marketing success.
Why? Because, while it’s very nice to think that everyone wants to join your opportunity, the realistic fact is that network marketing is not for everyone…. in fact, it’s not the right fit for MOST people.
The first and most important fact that you’ll need to get in your head is that you are looking for that special person who understands the value of the network marketing industry AND who is at the right time in their life to go after their dreams. Not everyone is.
I’ve talked to many great prospects who were fully qualified to join my team but, after discussing their current circumstances, realized that the timing was just not right for them to give the time and dedication necessary to be successful in this industry.
I’ve gotten to the point where I am fairly exclusive in who I choose to work with in my business. I don’t take just anyone. This may sound a little arrogant, but it’s as far from arrogance as you can get.
I’ve realized over the years that people who join network marketing for the wrong reasons or having unrealistic expectations will LIKELY FAIL. I feel that by choosing not to work with them at the beginning, I am actually doing them a favor.
I am saving them a lot of frustration and, more importantly, a lot of money.
So who do I work with?
I am looking for the following qualities in a prospect:
- Someone who understands that this is a BUSINESS, and businesses cost money when first starting up. It will take people with NO CASH a lot longer to turn a profit in their business, and 99% of them will quit before they see that profit.
- Someone who understands that building a business is a PROCESS, and it is not a get rich quick scenario. In fact, unless you’ve got prior network marketing experience and have already learned the skills necessary to make money online, it will likely TAKE A WHILE TO TURN A PROFIT. I see many people looking for a home business opportunity who are doing so because they NEED A JOB. They have no money and need to make some quickly to pay their bills. These people are NOT your prospects.
- Someone who is coach-able, will listen and follow directions, then take what they’ve learned and apply it to their businesses in an independent manner. In other words, people who take responsibility for seeking out the information they need, and then applying that knowledge to grow their business. Coach-ability and independence are key traits in a network marketer.
- Finally, I am looking for that person who is NOT AFRAID TO TRY NEW THINGS. For most people starting out in network marketing, the skills they will need to acquire are much different than anything they’ve done before. They need to understand that growing their business will involve getting out of their comfort zone. For me, making videos was a huge challenge. I disliked even the thought of making a video and having it splashed on YouTube for everyone to see. But I knew that video marketing is a very powerful way to get your message out, so I took a course, got the knowledge I needed to make videos and understand how to promote them, and then I made the videos. They were terrible at first, downright awful. But I kept doing them until I got more comfortable. This is still a skills set that I am working to improve, but I’ve come a long way and gotten past the discomfort. This is a very important quality in a potential prospect, and one I value highly when determining if I want to work with that person.
So there you have it. The traits and qualities I look for when deciding if I want to add someone to my network marketing team.
If you are just starting out, you will probably be saying to yourself, “But I haven’t sponsored anyone. I can’t afford to be choosy.”
The fact is, you can’t afford NOT to be choosy. Take it from personal experience. If you sponsor people who are not the right fit for network marketing, you and your new team member will have a miserable experience.
Worse, you may even feel as if you are to blame for getting them involved in the first place.
Set your standards now. Think of the kinds of people YOU WANT TO WORK WITH.
And then prospect.
Now prospecting is not just a process of reaching out to anyone who will listen and trying to convince them of your great business opportunity.
Now you are the one in control. You are talking to people, getting to know them and understand them. And as you do that, you will know if they are right for YOUR opportunity.
This is YOUR BUSINESS. You are the CEO. You make the decisions.
Decide early on who your prospects are, and you will save yourself a lot of time, money, and stress.
For my more experienced readers, can you add to this list? Leave a comment.
Til tomorrow,
Bob Clarke
December 2, 2008; Cresskill, NJSee what business Dr. Clarke has chosen above all others
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