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Networking in Less Traditional Ways

Most small business owners and those in network marketing know the conventional ways to network and make new business contacts.  Joining your local Chamber of Commerce, for instance, or joining any other group of  small business owners. 

Those entrepreneurs who achieve the most success use less common methods, find unique networking resources and often connect in very different ways.  It is a lifestyle change for the really great networkers, something they do every day, and always thinking of more creative ways to connect with people about their business. 

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If you’re open to trying some new ways to connect with people, there several easy ones. 

·        Local groups not involved in the “business world.”  Attend and participate in various community/civic board  and neighborhood meetings.   Get active in meetings and activities at your children’s school.  Becoming involved in this type of meeting can offer many opportunities to network with your neighbors and those who live and work in your area.

·        Wasting Time – We all know that no matter how well we plan our schedules, there will always be times when you have nothing to do but wait.  Instead of being bored and getting frustrated while waiting in a long line and your motor vehicles office, take advantage of this opportunity to chat with someone else in line.  It’s possible that the conversation can lead to an opportunity to mention your business.  If that happens, you just may find a customer or someone who would like to refer someone to you.

·        Don’t be Shy:  If you are normally not a very outgoing person, it is in your best interest to push yourself beyond your comfort zone and boldly start a conversation with people wherever you go.  When you’re in an airplane or on a bus, for instance, even standing in line at the grocery store are all great times to push yourself and talk to people around you.  It could well lead creating a new network. Connection. 

·        Talk to the Top:  Many small business owners limit their networking to others who own small business owners, or individuals they know.  That is, people in a similar level to themselves in the business world.  Have you ever considered approaching people with more “clout” in your industry?  If you find an opportunity to place your product or service to someone high up in a company who may benefit by it, do not waste the opportunity.  Once you’ve gotten your business’ message to one powerful person, it may just open doors for you with others.  This could lead to growth of your business more quickly.    

·        Media Marketing Outside the Norm:   We all realize the importance of social media marketing, but top networkers don’t limit themselves to Facebook fan pages or Twitter feeds.   Instead, they spend time regularly, often daily, participating in social communities relating to their fields and other networks directed more toward business than “friendships.”  Getting your name and that of your business out there, in as many places as possible, can be a very powerful way to create new contacts.

How to Handle Objections in Network Marketing

As network marketers, we will have questions, objections and concerns from prospects.  It comes with the industry.  So, rather than trying to avoid them, it is important to learn how to address them. 

In my experience these are the questions/objections we hear most often and how I suggest you respond to them.

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·        I can’t afford the (start-up, monthly) fee.

Different network marketers have their own way of dealing with this objection.  Some say, anyone can afford it if they really want it.  If that is your perspective, you would approach the prospect with “How do you plan to change your life so you will be able to afford it?” or “If you can’t afford to get started with us now, you need this more than anyone!” or “By taking advantage of the opportunity I’m offering you, I can help you change your financial situation and ease the burden.”

Others, if they really believe the person is "broke," they also believe they’ll never succeed with the business and quit due to the inability to pay the required fees. 

I have actually had prospects who said they could not afford to join my team, but they loved the business and wanted to join anyway.  Of those, some have been successful; others quit as soon as their first payment came due. 

I’ve had a few who said they didn’t have the money, and I could tell, this would be someone who would waste my time and quit within weeks.  With those, I simply accepted that they truly could not afford it, and I wished them luck.

None of us can always make the right judgment call.  We’ll make mistakes occasionally.  But in general, the longer you’re in the business, the fewer times you’ll read people wrong.

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·        I’m not a sales person. 

In some network marketing companies, they tell prospects, “no selling is required.”  I personally disagree.  If you are with a reputable network marketing company, you have a product or service you must sell, and sales experience can be beneficial.  In addition, we all must sell OURSELVES to sell our product or recruit new team members.  If the prospect doesn’t like you, you’ve lost the sale. 

However, there is selling, and there is SELLING!  If you have to convince the prospect that your product is good, you are selling too hard.  More than likely, you will not sign that prospect.  Instead, I believe in presenting my product, answering the prospects’ questions, and then allowing them to decide what is best for them.  When it comes to recruiting, in particular, I do not want to work with anyone who does not want to work with me.  So, why try to convince them otherwise?  

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·        I don’t know very many people – OR, I don’t like to ask my family and friends to buy my product or join my company.

Neither do I!  Most companies recommend that you talk to your “warm market” first.  Nearly my entire business is done on the internet.  However, although I have never asked my family or friends to purchase my product or tried to recruit them, they are aware of what I do.  Whatever “job” we have had, our families usually know what we do for a living.  It simply comes up in conversation.  By making people you know aware of what you do, they may well send referrals your way, or they may say, “Really?  I can use that!” or “What’s involved in working your business at home?” 

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·        I need to discuss this first with my spouse.

I never discourage anyone from talking to their spouse about the product or opportunity.  I do the same.  However, I always ask if we can schedule an appointment when I can speak to the prospect along with their spouse so that I can explain my service or the opportunity.  There are two reasons for this.  

1)  There are “dream stealers,” those people who automatically look at network marketing as illegal or a “scam,” and I’d like the chance to explain what my company is before they discourage their spouse; and

2)  The prospect doesn’t really know my product or company.  If the prospect tells their spouse about it, important details may be left out, or they simply may not present it well.  If I speak to the spouse, I will be sure they get all the information, and that they will get it correctly.

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Of course, there will be other objections, but I have found these to be the most common.  Once you are comfortable with responding to your prospects’ objections, you’ll begin growing your business more quickly.  

What do I need in my home office?

People looking for a network marketing business or just starting out often wonder whether they have everything they need to begin.  Because we’re all trying to earn money, not spend it, you’ll want to start out with the basics, which you likely already have.

Of course you’ll need a computer; either a laptop or desktop will do, with at least two browsers installed.  Fortunately, you can download browsers free online in most cases.  You may run across a website that will not operate properly in Internet Explorer, so you’ll want a back-up browser.

I’ve learned that, while Internet Explorer was once the browser of choice, there are a wide variety available now for both PC and Mac users.  Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Chrome and Safari are all very commonly used.

You’ll need a high speed internet connection, such as cable or DSL.  While rarely you’ll find a network marketer using a dial-up connection, it will not work with most high-tech websites today.  

You must have telephone access, and unlimited calling is preferable.  Some networkers use VOIP and Skype, google talk, etc., all of which are free or very low cost.  In most situations, these will work fine, but I’ve discovered that people using these services are sometimes unable to dial into conference call services.  So, you’ll want to check this out to determine whether that will effect you.

Of course, you’ll need basic office supplies like pens, stapler, paper, and you’ll also need a printer connected to your computer.  You will need a quiet dedicated work area away from the rest of your friends and/or family. The best workspace would be in a room with a door, but many just starting out use their kitchen table or a small computer table in the corner of a bedroom. This works fine for many people.  I also recommend good lighting and a comfortable desk chair.

If you have children, it is best if you can work when they are at school or sleeping, if someone in your home can care for them while you work, or if they play quietly while you work.  However, you may be working at home because you want to stay home with your children, and most callers would understand if there is a little noise in the background.  But if your children are crying for arguing, it is best to terminate the call and call the person back once your children are quiet again.

You do not need the computers and accessories with all the “bells and whistles.”  Most required features are included in today’s basic computers.

I recommend you not invest in your home office or your company - besides those costs required by your company - until you are in “profit” mode.  That is, when you’re earning enough to cover all your required expenses.

So, now you’re set to begin working your home business and earning some money!

Best of luck!

What Happened to Commitment?

Why do so many people today struggle with commitment?  Maybe you are having difficulties yourself. 

This is happening with our personal and business relationships, careers, business small businesses and network marketing.  It seems to spam all age groups. 

For example, young children who don’t want to be bothered going to soccer practice after the novelty wears off.  Another example is Baby Boomers who suddenly tire of and dump their spouses after 40 or more years.

Why do so many people launch with great enthusiasm into new ventures, but then lose interest with the first obstacle?  Why do so many people so easily abandon their goals. Many justify giving up by blaming the economy, the recession, the company with whom they are working, whatever excuse sounds good – even the weather.

In most cases, in reality, the real reason is lack of commitment.  Why are so many people lacking commitment?  Some reasons are based on our background, our upbringing or lack of self-discipline.

Some of the reasons related to a specific goal could be:

• The goal is too big and feels impossible to achieve.
• The goal is too small, so the reward is not worth the effort.
• The wrong goal … setting goals on others’ expectations, not your own.

Is it too late to hope for improvement?  No, the recession has brought many people face-to-face with a new reality.  A new generation is learning that a college education is no longer a ticket to a job for life and a pension. That financial security depends more than ever on developing our own income  from more than one source.

So what is your level of commitment?

Team Motivation

There are many ways to keep your team motivated.   Here are a few.

·        It is important to keep your team members informed.
Be sure they are aware of everything that happens in the company that will effect them, directly or indirectly.  Hold regular meetings and/or conference calls.  We all feel more important if we feel like “insiders,” when we know about changes, improvements and news going on in the company.  If they feel as though they are not “in the loop,” their performance may suffer.

·        Acknowledge Accomplishments and Give Regular Feedback
Positive feedback is what keeps everyone moving forward.  It’s essential to improve your team’s work.  It’s not all about praises, but about objective and concrete information that helps them improve the performance of the team.  Don’t criticize if someone makes a mistake.  Instead, discuss ways they can improve their activities next time, asking for their input.

·        Praise Generously
Be sure to acknowledge and recognize a job well done, or even a great effort that perhaps didn’t provide the results they’d hoped for.   Don’t pass up an opportunity to make each person feel better about themselves and their work.

·         Leadership means learning to see the best in the others to empower their potential, which subsequently will help to fulfill the team’s goals.   When we treat everyone with respect and show our approval, we’re creating a climate where the team’s assets will actually appreciate in value.

·        Share the Vision
Create an exciting future by shaping a vision that it will compel your team to move toward it, to reach out and grab the prize.  Visions are powerful, and when they are shared and understood by your team, it helps to overcome any obstacles that may stand in the way.   

Steve Jobs - the "King" of Entrepreneurs

I saw this posted on linkedin.com.  It is such a well-written article, better than I could have written, I decided to share it here.  I give credit to the author at the bottom of this post.

STEVE JOBS 1955-2011

Steve Jobs was the Thomas Edison of our time. Just as the light bulb changed the way we looked at things so did the innovations that Steve imagined and produced. He was of the world's greatest marketers. We will miss him.

In his own words he expresses his philosophy of death elegantly:

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs

The world has lost one of the great visionaries in history. Yet he continues on as in inspiration to all of us that seek innovation, perfection and success. Our condolences to his family and the folks at Apple Corporation, and all who admired him.

Robert Fleming
CEO
eMarketing Association

www.emarketingassociation.com