I am always amazed at how often I am asked "why do you love network marketing so much?". While it would seem that there's a easy, short and obvious answer to that question, every time I'm asked this question I stumble a little bit. Not because I am at a loss for words or because I can't come up with an answer, but because I can't sum up an answer in a catchy, witty, and neat little statement adequate enough to do this question properly. Oh, I suppose if I had to I could say something catchy like "MLM is about helping people to transform their lives, and I love how that feels". But the person who asked the question cannot even begin to grasp what I could possibly mean by that response, so it might as well fall on deaf ears. They still think Network Marketing is about getting people to sell soap for you so you can get wealthy, or that its a hoax or pyramid...and they can't see past that (in most cases but not all). It's our pessimistic, "black OR white" society we inherited that is responsible for this mentality. We are conditioned to be pessimistic in nature and to look for a "gimmick" in everything that crosses are path. God forbid there actually be some people and opportunities looking to enrich and empower our lives.
In an attempt to slay the negative people and pessimists, I MUST write this article out of a responsibility to those who seek an honest perspective on how much there is to LOVE about the Network Marketing industry. multi-level marketing is still the MOST misinterpreted and underestimated industry in existence. Regrettably, most will never take the time or exert the energy to fully comprehend this industry because of pointless misconceptions that dominate their minds. But this is for the few this article reaches and if I contribute to ONE person, then it is completely worth my time!
First off, there's so much I love about Network Marketing. Everyone you ask that same question to will have a slightly different answer. A general definition for network marketing is that it's a way of recommending, promoting and sharing products or services that you use, believe in, and see value in within your network, i.e. your sphere of influence. This means sharing these products/services with friends, family, coworkers, people in your community, etc.
The fact is that we all do network marketing every single day. We just don't get paid for it. I guarantee YOU have told someone you know how much you like a particular restaurant. Then you find out two weeks later that the person you told about the restaurant ate there and adored it so much that she took her friends there the very next night. Imagine if every time you recommended a movie, restaurant, clothing line, doctor, nail salon, or professional service, that company issued you a check as a sort of "referral fee". You would probably tell everyone you know about it and tell them how much you LOVE that restaurant and that they should eat there. Unfortunately, businesses don't typically want to share their profits in this manner. You do not even get a thank you. Imagine how much business would boom if they offered some compensation for referrals. Business would double, at least!
This situation is happening everyday and most of the people doing this form of UNFUNDED Network Marketing are in some kind of financial hardship or are in need of augmenting their income in some way. Even a couple extra hundred bucks a week is usually the difference between a family making a mortgage payment and keeping their home, paying bills, or just being able to afford a nice dinner out once a week. Even an extra thousand dollars a month could mean taking that fabulous family vacation you've been wanting to go on but could not scrape together the proper funds. Are you beginning to see why it is such a tragedy that people do not take the time to fully understand the MLM industry?
In 2010, 1.6 million people filed for bankruptcy. Well, how many billions of dollars were generated due to that 1.6 million people's referrals of other people's products and services? How sad is it that these people did not get a single penny in return and even worse, had to file bankruptcy due to lack of income.
Despite anything you hear about the economy, the MLM industry continues to grow every year. One of the best things you will receive from the MLM industry (as long as you're part of a company/team that has integrity) is the opportunity to help people grow and prosper. The MLM industry does so much for so many. People usually join for the income potential but stay because of the 3 equities that are built in the process. Those three equities are: equity in finances, equity in relationships and equity in yourself (who you become as a result of MLM). Yes you can make A TON of money in this industry. But it's the person you develop into, the skill sets you acquire, the mindset you cultivate and MOST importantly the unbreakable bonds of friendship and partnership that come into existence through this industry that really matters.
When Network Marketing is done right it should look something like this:
1. Become a product of the product: That means you've enrolled with someone of integrity within a company that has a reputable track record and you come to use the products/services and believe in their benefits. If your belief level is lacking, no one will join you. You HAVE to believe in what you are doing. I am lucky enough to be with a company that has one of the most documented DOCUMENTED natural medicinal substances in the world. So my belief level is through the roof. Any wonder why I sponsor so many people? Documentation beats conversation 100% of the time! I would consume my company's products whether or not there was a comp plan attached. So make sure you can get behind whatever products/services your company provides so that there is ZERO doubt!
2. Use the 'system' (tools, trainings, marketing materials, etc.) to start sponsoring people. The secret sauce to this business is to say as little as possible to as many people as possible. When they have questions, point them to a website, upline leader, webinar etc. Learn to leverage the system and you will maximize the time spent on your business. The top objection people have in this business is lack of time. So eliminate that excuse by spending no more than 1 minute piquing a person's interest. Lean on the system after that.
3. Teach the people you sponsor to do the same. Everything you do right (or wrong for that matter) duplicates in this business. Duplication is the key to exponential growth. When you teach people to PROPERLY duplicate your efforts, hang on and strap in because you are going for a ride.
4. Repeat and HAVE FUN!! Enjoy the impact you make as you contribute to people's lives!
