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As a 20 year veteran in the MLM industry, I have seen and heard almost everything that this industry has to offer, despite the development of the “next best thing”. New pay models, fast track bonuses, residual income after your first 30 days and of course, you must be duplicatible are all notions tossed around in this industry like a Frisbee at the beach. Many do not fully embrace the fact that their Network Marketing business is actually a business, and to be successful in it (that is to make some consistent part-time or full-time income); it will require some consistency and solid business acumen on their part. With the aforementioned being said, many questions arise early on in the process of selecting if you actually want to get involved in this industry. In this submission, I will introduce the most asked questions of those contemplating entering into the Network Marketing industry would be a wise decision for them.
1. Is this one of those pyramid scams?
When people say is this a pyramid scam, first of all that is insulting to ask. Because what they are essentially asking is are you trying to involve me in something illegal which speaks to who and what they think you are. More times than not they do not have a clue as to what they mean by that question. And if you do not believe me ask them “what do you mean by that?” Then they will reply “you know, one of those things where the person at the top makes all the money and the person beneath them makes less and so on and so.” To that my response is always “you mean like the President makes more than the vice president who makes more than the assistant vice presidents, who make more than the regional directors who make more than the managers who make more than the assistant managers who make more than the hourly workers. You know what I call that I call that a job. So please do not try to impress me with a question that you do not truly understand yourself because by that definition any and all jobs are pyramids.” What they are actually asking is, “is this illegal and will I get in trouble for participating?” The answer to that is, of course not. When most people ask this question what they are referring to is a Ponzi scheme. A Ponzi scheme is when someone takes money without exchanging neither a good or service. And those are illegal in all 50 States.
2. Can people really make significant money with this?
Of course they can. It is a business and people all over the world make money participating in business activities. Now with that being said here is the caveat, it works if you do. What that means is I am amazed how individuals require more by way of compensation through their network marketing businesses than they do from their traditional jobs. We want to put in three hours a week and expect to become millionaires in six months. And when it does not happen we become either surprised or frustrated with our outcome. Don’t be ridiculous! I can honestly say that the business model works and it pays well so much so it does create millionaires. But those millionaires actually work and not talk about working. Last, I would like to make an important note, quite a bit of the time people in the network marketing industry confuse being busy versus being productive, I’ll assure you there is a huge distinction. It has been said that practice makes perfect. That is a lie from the pits of hell. Perfect practice makes perfect. What is the difference? Well, I am glad you asked. If you are not practicing the right habits to begin with the outcomes will always be lacking. In short, yes network marketing business models do make money.
3. I hate sales, do I have to sell?
This is a trick question because everyone who says that they do not like to sell has always spent 10 – 20 minutes trying to sell me on the idea that they do not like to sell, which is hilarious. Truth be told it requires sharing information. Now most people would suggest you are just playing with words, it is the same thing. But, it truly is not. This is where we need to have a paradigm shift. When I present something to you my desire is to give you information. My assumption is that you are an adult and you know if you need it or not. Let me let you in on the million dollar secret. How many of you if I could tell you how to never get turned down again would think that this is valuable information? (I see hands popping up all over the place SMILE) Well here is the secret, give it away. Give information away. Meaning of course you want them to get involved, but let them close themselves. Surely they know their needs better than you know their needs. The purpose is not to get a yes; your purpose is to give the information away. There is a funny thing that I have learned about people over the last 20 years. Over 90% of the time no one wants to be sold. However, 100% of the time people like to buy. Would it not be great if you did not even have to chase down prospects much like McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, and Starbucks with customers? Well, when you are doing the business right that is what happens. Especially when you utilize an SLO.
4. Is this going to take a lot of time because I am a busy person?
That would depend upon your WHAT. What is my reason for doing this? Do I want an extra ten dollars a month or an extra ten thousand dollars a month? Your time will be proportionate to the amount of money that you want to make from your business. Here is the rub, over 90% of the people in this industry never achieve full-time income, yet your businesses want you to be duplicatible. I can’t speak for you but this was not something that I wanted to duplicate. The only people who make money in this industry are the leaders and those who are coachable to be leaders, meaning the people who put in the time. If you want to make it big in network marketing you must learn to convey leadership qualities and eventually become a leader who others perceive has intrinsic value. Keep in mind a network marketing business is based upon residual income and not linear income. Linear income is when we substitute time for money quite simply when I work an hour I get paid for an hour. Residual income helps me leverage my time. I believe it was Henry Ford who said I would rather have 1% of the efforts of 100 people than 100% of my own.
5. Do I need to recruit my family and friends to be successful with this?
Absolutely not! It would be nice to have them along, but the truth is most will not come along and your family and closest friends can be some of your biggest critics and naysayers and frustrate you from doing the business. Please do not get me wrong when you have the support of your family and friends there is nothing greater, but when you have their contempt it is like having the whole world against you. What makes it difficult sometimes for your family and close friends to get involved with you is that they know you for better or for worse and in their eyes you lack a certain level of credibility than that of someone they are less familiar with. Essentially, we are hard-wired to remember others worse moments as oppose to visiting their best. Nonetheless, this business can be done totally without family or friends and one can have a tremendous lifestyle doing so.
These questions are questions that have been asked and probably continue to be asked as long as there are network marketing businesses. Regardless of the questions that arise, you can have Purpose Directed Success.
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Original Post Date: July 11, 2013
