There are many discussions and opposing viewpoints on why so many people join Network Marketing and then drop out.
Where does the responsibility really lie? Does it lie with The sponsor? Does it lie with the new person? Or in truth does it lie somewhere in the middle… 50/50
I hope you’ll take the few minutes to watch this video and then ponder.
However
Maybe we should be taking some responsibility for our lack of success in Network Marketing. Maybe when the script didn’t seem to work or our friends said "no", our upline didn’t have any further recommendations.
Maybe we didn’t seek out more information like Tom "Big Al" Schreiter, Michael Oliver’s Natural Selling, the free training at Mentoring for Free that starts with a great ebook you can get here on this page.
Maybe we didn’t want to take the time to learn skills or improve our self by reading good books.
Maybe we didn’t understand delayed gratification……………
Yes, as leaders, we should be providing a gateway to ALL the skills needed for success, but maybe as the failed business partner… we didn’t reach beyond our arm’s length either….
No one can make us successful. That has to come through our own efforts with guidance from good mentors. We HAVE to put in the ‘active’ time if we want to reap the rewards.
To YOUR Success
~Jennifer Fisher
Recently someone asked this question:
If Network Marketing is designed to be the great "out" from a 9-5 JOB, then why aren’t the ‘average’ people I talk to interested in Joining my business?
If only I had the story below to tell at the time, but I didn’t and what I did reply back with was not near as to the point as what Tom "Big Al" Schreiter shared. Read it below.
From Big Al @ http://fortunenow.com :
"Sure I want to be in my own business, but I can’t afford the distributor kit."Your prospect may be short on cash, but he sure sounds like he has a lot of desire, right?
He really wants to be successful in his own business. How motivated is your prospect?
Consider the following summary of a story in Chinatown: A Portrait of a Closed Society. (HarperCollins, 1992):
"Many immigrants start out as street peddlers for three or four years until they have saved enough money (between $50,000 and $100,000) to start their own small business. The book tells about Lin who earned $360 a week peddling vegetables, fruit, and umbrellas. His annual income: $22,000. What is amazing is that Lin saves $18,000 of his income and lives on the other $4,000."Lin has saved over $70,000 in four years so he can start his own business."
Hmmm. I’d say Lin is motivated and willing to make a few sacrifices in his standard of living to achieve his dreams.
Now, back to our original prospect who couldn’t come up with the $40 investment for his distributor kit. What do you think? Does this prospect have a strong, burning desire to be in his own business?
Americans take too many things for granted. We’re spoiled. We want things, but aren’t willing to pay the price. New immigrants to America also want things, but they are willing to pay the price. They are excited that they have the opportunity to pay the price.
What do average Americans want?
- They want to be the boss, but refuse to stay late after work.
- They want to take exotic vacations, but refuse to save from their monthly paychecks.
- They want to own their own business, but only if it is free.
- They want to be a network leader with a five-figure monthly income, but they can’t get away from personal activities to attend opportunity training meetings.
No wonder average people have trouble building a networking business.
They must build the business themselves, and that’s a gross inconvenience.
That’s why successful networkers look for the unaverage American. It’s easier to build a successful network marketing business when somebody is working.
So, is Network Marketing really for the ‘AVERAGE" person?
Anyone can learn the skills and find success. However, I think Big Al is right. We really need to be looking for the "Un-AVERAGE", those who realize there will be sacrifices. There will be inconveniences. There will be challenges. There may need to be some life-style changes for a while.
So sort through the average and seek the un-average!
What do you think?
To YOUR Success
~Jennifer Fisher
With "listening" being one of the most important skills we can learn in Network Marketing, I’m amazed to discover how little importance it measures on the Richter scale of skills in training our new business partners.
Listening is one of the most neglected skills. In school we learned to read, write, speak, but I can’t say I was ever offered a course on listening. There is also a HUGE difference between listening and hearing……. I like to think of it this way.
Hearing – not only do I see your mouth moving, but there is noise in the form of words coming from your direction too…..
Listening – you said you had a toothache and had to make an appointment to go to the dentist. The appointment is tomorrow at 2:00PM
In Network Marketing, I think we’ve put the cart before the horse. We’ve got a great opportunity, great products, services, etc…. We have that script for our presentation and we’re out there like heat seeking missiles looking for people to pounce on to give our presentation to.
One of the most cliché’ ways we’ve learned to get our deal out there is to ask someone what they do.
We give them about 30 seconds (maybe a minute or two) to tell us, just knowing that the next statement from them should be "what do you do"… BINGO! It works. I asked, they said, they asked and then I threw up on them about what I do. Truth is, it was all about me and my deal. I planned the conversation and it went according to my plan. Except wait… it didn’t really, because after I threw up on the other person, all they wanted to do was get away from me. 
I’ve done it and had it done to me. I know what it looks, feels and tastes like from both sides and I bet you do too.
I found these 10 commandments and wanted to share them with you because I believe they fit for Network Marketers just as much as in any other instance or situation. Even though the post is from 1972… they still apply today.
Commandments of Good Listening – as posted by the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program
- the first ten – from K. Davis, Human Behavior at Work, McGraw Hill, 1972
- Stop talking. Obvious, but not easy.
- Put the speaker at ease. Create a permissive, supportive climate in which the speaker will feel free to express himself or herself.
- Show a desire to listen. Act interested and mean it.
- Remove distractions. External preoccupation is less likely if nothing external is present to preoccupy you.
- Empathize. Try to experience to some degree the feelings the speaker is experiencing.
- Be patient. Give the speaker time to finish; don’t interrupt.
- Hold your temper. Don’t let your emotions obstruct your thoughts.
- Go easy on argument and criticism. Suspend judgment.
- Ask questions. If things are still unclear when a speaker has finished, ask questions which serve to clarify the intended meanings.
- Stop talking. In case you missed the first commandment.
One of the most important things I had to learn as I started developing my listening skills was to STOP planning conversations. Frankly, it’s disrespectful to the other person. Yes, I can have a general idea of where I’d like the conversation to go, but planning what to say should be left for speeches… not normal conversation one on one with someone else.
If I ask questions and truly listen, normally the person will tell me what they need or want. Then my job is to ask more questions and LISTEN some more. At some point, we’ll be able to mutually determine whether what I have to offer would be of interest….. Besides, if they don’t want or need what I want to offer, they’re not going to LISTEN!
Learning to LISTEN IS a SKILL. It takes practice and I believe it is also fundamental to building a legacy in Network Marketing. SO, if you haven’t started working on your listening skills…. when do you think would be a good time?
To YOUR Success
~Jennifer Fisher
Maybe you’ve had someone who joined a Network Marketing business opportunity who quit their job after two months in the business. What a great start, huh? Walked away from the JOB so quickly… Wouldn’t you want that too?
There’s a sad side to this story though.
The income earned in those two months came strictly from signing people up (the front end of the plan) not from the recurring monthly residual income (the back end of the plan). Imagine his shock when in the third month, no one wanted to join so there was no income coming in. Panic Time!!!
My friend went to see if he could get his job back, but ……… he had already been replaced.
So, "When Can I Quit my JOB" is a GREAT question.
Here’s what the master, Tom "Big Al" Schreiter has to say about that.
One of the biggest reasons people join network marketing is because they hate their jobs.
Their goal is to earn enough money so they can afford to leave their present employment. Will that give them financial security? Probably not.
For example, let’s say that John earns $2,500 a month. That $2,500 a month pays the expenses for John and his family. While he is building his networking business, his part-time checks of $1,000 per month represent extra income that is not required to cover their personal overhead.
It’s unencumbered money. That extra $1,000 a month could buy trips, nice cars, fun times, pay off debts, or could be saved for retirement or invested for financial security. Life is good with extra cash to spend as you wish.
But what happens when John’s network marketing check reaches $2,500 a month?
He quits his job. Now John’s $2,500 a month network marketing check pays the expenses for John and his family. There is no extra cash or fun money. The budget is tight. John sweats his sales volume every month hoping his check won’t drop to $2,300.
See the difference?
The successful networkers I know keep their job and invest their network marketing check. After a few years they are totally financially independent because of their investments.
Then, they quit their job. Their investments pay the monthly expenses while their networking checks are spent on vacations and other fun activities.
"Nothing magical happens when you quit your job except that your income disappears." — Art Spikol
"Since I quit my j-o-b, I sleep like a baby. Every three hours I get up and cry." — Anonymous Distributor
Something to consider.
Great and wise words…. don’t you think?
To YOUR Success
~Jennifer Fisher
Being a HUGE fan of Tom "Big Al" Schreiter, I came across an article he had written this last year and wanted to share it with you today.
Our mind, and the programs we get from others, control us.
The challenge in business is to overcome this and to begin to take back control of our mind.
When I teach leadership workshops, here are some examples of what I mean.
1. Train the mind to look for reasons why it will work, versus reasons why it won’t work.
2. Accepting problems as a normal part of business. We are being paid as business owners to get past the problems, not to place blame or hide behind excuses.
3. Build a habit of prospecting consistently without expectation of immediate results.
4. "Do vs. Try" thinking.
5. Personal responsibility for results.If we don’t prepare our minds for business, then we will be attempting a business with "job thinking" and we will suffer frustration and poor results.
These are just a few of the things for taking back control of our mind.
What do you teach or aspire to in your leadership thinking?
Tom "Big Al" Schreiter
Great and wise words!
I’m ever so grateful for having met "Big Al" back in 2007. He has helped me change the way I think, the way I talk to people about Network Marketing and I know that he can help you too….. Look him up at Fortunenow.com Apply what you can learn from this great trainer and you’ll find Network Marketing to be fun and profitable.
As Tom "Big Al" says. "Learn the Skills and Only take the volunteers!!!!! "
To YOUR Success
~Jennifer Fisher
Is Network Marketing about selling? I admit that when I started, I thought it was only about selling stuff and recruiting people.
There was no way on earth I could be successful with that kind of thinking and my failure rate proved the point. SUCCESSFUL Network Marketing is NOT really about products / services, but then again it is. I know that sounds confusing and contradictory, but I’ll explain what I have learned and why I say what I’m saying.
We have all been network marketing since we were at least five years old. When Mom took you with her to the grocery store and you told her to buy you xyz brand of cereal, you were Network Marketing. When you told your classmate to go home, throw a tantrum and Mom would give you all the cookies and milk you wanted, you were Network Marketing. You were recommending and in essence – Marketing through your Network – ie associations.
When we recommend a movie or place to dine, we don’t make it life or death, "gotta go there – or else". And when our friends say, ‘thanks but I don’t care for that kind of movie or dining experience’, we don’t bombard them with reasons to change their mind. Maybe we’re a bit disappointed that they don’t want to see a movie we thought was life changing, but normally we just let it go. So, ok, they are not interested.
It’s only when we sign on for a business, dealing in services or products that we seem to go ‘beyond’ referring and sometimes become pushy salespersons. "You’ve got to try this". "Come on, just buy it, you’ll like it". "It’s the latest, greatest thing since sliced bread".
When it comes to our business. We are ‘driven’ and sometimes ‘desperate’ to make that sell. But what we are really doing is ‘driving’ the potential customer away when we try to overcome their objections.
The biggest mistake and one of the biggest causes for failure, in my opinion, is we lose our focus, sometimes even our dignity, for the sake of making money. We lose sight of the fact that not EVERYONE is interested in what we have to offer, and just because we think it is a ‘no brainer’, others don’t see things the same we we do.
One of the most difficult things we must overcome in order to have success is to remove ourselves from the equation. Remind yourself daily; "It’s not about ME; it’s about others". "How can I help someone else?" "What can I give today that will benefit someone else?"
When we stop being a sales person and start being a person of compassion, caring and truly start listening to what others need rather than what we need, our whole life will change including our business. We will sell more (to those who want it), get more referrals and fewer people will run the other direction when they see us coming.
Remember this – no one likes being sold but most people love buying!
To YOUR Success
~Jennifer Fisher
We talk to our friends, family, even sometimes start attacking (yes I used the word “attacking”) strangers on the street, in the stores, at the gas station… etc….. We keep saying the same thing over and over. You know, that script our upline says works MAGIC! ….And yet no one ‘gets it’ like we do.
If that ‘script’ works so great, then why won’t it work for us? What’s wrong with us?
Truthfully, there’s nothing wrong with us. The script just doesn’t work on everyone.
Sometimes I think we put the cart before the horse, or in some cases the wrong horse is in the lead. Now, that’s no fault of ours, but if what you’re being taught to do isn’t working, or isn’t duplicatable by the masses, maybe you need some different skills.
I’m not suggesting an affiliate program, I’m suggesting a free generic education and free skills trainings. For instance -
You have four leads to call today, so, you grab that phone, which may weigh 100 pounds, it may be light as a feather, I don’t know.
Ring, ring. John answers- You start talking. John gives you a one or two word, seemingly abrupt answer. You ask another question, another two word answer. John is so evasive, you wonder why he asked for information in the first place. You get off the phone feeling like you just pulled teeth. John’s a green personality. (35% of the population)
Ring, ring. Jane answers- You start talking, Jane is rather short in her answers also like John, but very warm, polite and accommodating. Even though she’s got a cake in the oven and the timer just went off, she’ll continue to let you talk while her cake goes up in smoke. She’d rather re-make the cake than be rude. Jane is Yellow. (35% of the population)
Ring, ring. Sue answers- You ask your first question and Sue tells you her life story. Though you do your best to get a word in, it’s near impossible and when you hang up, you’re energized but also exhausted. You think Sue just likes to talk, well, maybe that too, but Sue is a Blue. (15% of the population)
Ring, Ring. Bob answers- You ask your first question and Bob takes control of the conversation, tells you who he knows, how important and successful he is and how everybody should be doing it his way. You get off the phone and wonder, well, what just happened here? We feel like a steam roller just ran over us and maybe the hair on the back of our neck prickled just a bit… Bob is a Red. (15% of the population)
It’s the colors technology in action. Though it’s not the ONLY skill we need, it sure rates right up there at the top. Mastering this skill is not an over night process especially in the light that we all have shades of all 4 colors and each color can come out based on the situation at the time. However, we all have a primary that shines through as the most consistent color.
We need all the colors. For in our weaknesses, they carry strength….
If you’ve never heard or if you never really understood why knowing this technology is so important, then get with me and I’ll help you uncover a skill that will literally change your life…. not only your Network Marketing life, but your work life, your family life….. everything …
To YOUR Success
~Jennifer Fisher
I found this at the beginning of November 2011 … somewhere …. and pasted it into notepad. Today when I went searching for where I found it originally, I found 4 different sites, the oldest being in 2010… with no reference to the original author, but as though they had each coined the same exact words…… so I quote from an unknown author today:
If you don’t want your life to be “messed up,” don’t fool around with those who have messed up theirs.
It is a peculiarity of human relationships that it is virtually impossible for one individual to have a lasting positive influence upon members of a group of negative thinkers. Usually, it works the other way. You cannot maintain a positive, productive attitude if you spend all your time with negative people. Those who have wrecked their own lives (and usually blame their misfortune on others) are not the kind of people who will help you achieve success in your own life. Choose your friends and associates carefully, and refrain from complaints about your job, your company, or any individual.
Spend your time with positive, ambitious people who have a plan for their lives. You will find that their optimism is infectious.
It’s really that simple.
Oh, PS: There are two lessons here…
1st – the obvious – - – - Pay attention to where you spend your time and who you spend it with.
2nd – the less than obvious — If you’re like me and paste things into notepad for later, save yourself the headache and time later by remembering to also copy the resource link in to the text document.
Til next time…
To YOUR Success
~Jennifer Fisher
My sister, who is NOT a Network Marketer, posted an interesting status message not too long ago that I wanted to share with you today.
"If you’re not being treated with love and respect, check your "Price Tag." Perhaps you have marked yourself down. It’s " YOU" who tells people what you are worth by what you accept. Get off the "CLEARANCE RACK" and get behind the glass where they keep all the "VALUABLES". "Value" yourself more! "
How we value our self also affects how we present our products/services/opportunity.
If we have a low opinion of our self, it shows not only in our tone of voice, but our words, our actions and even in our silence.
If we have a low opinion of our products/services, don’t think that can be hidden with fake enthusiasm.
Michelle Mayur, over at Wisdom a la carte, wrote a great article: 6 Signs You Are Undervaluing Yourself and What You Can Do About It,
She lists these 6 ‘warning signs’
1. Not knowing what your real Needs are
2. Not being clear to others about your Needs
3. Not setting clear boundaries or allowing people to take advantage of you
4. Faulty subconscious beliefs absorbed from your parents
5. Not putting yourself first
6. Giving more than receiving
Maybe you’re ok here. Maybe you value yourself. In network marketing, we’re going to come across people who want what we can offer, but they’re missing this part in their personal development.
So, give it some thought. Make sure you’re not hanging on the clearance rack and encourage your team to check out where they’re hanging out …. Make sure you’re in the ‘valuable’ section…….. and do it on a regular basis.
Live, Laugh, Love,
To YOUR Success
~Jennifer Fisher
YIKES! What happened to that slogan….. Become your own boss. Make your own hours. I didn’t ever hear anyone say such frightening words as- change, sacrifice, priorities! Can’t I build a home based business without those words coming into play?
What do you mean by Change anyway? What? I need to change my clothes, the way I talk, the channel on the TV? I don’t know if I’m all into changing SOME things. Friends? My habits? What’s wrong with my friends? Gosh, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I wasn’t going to Pete’s house for poker night every Tuesday… and then there’s Friday night at the bar with the guys…
And what did you say??? Sacrifice? Are you talking …. like ….. animals at an alter? My kids (sometimes I think that might not be a bad thing 
) … We talking body parts… like I have to give an arm or a leg? What do you mean? I may have to miss Sonny’s ball game… or Sally’s piano recital?
Priorities? I don’t think I get that one either … I mean, I want to start a home based business in Network Marketing BECAUSE of my priorities… my family and providing them a better life.
All of these possible conversations can come up when we ask a prospective business partner:
How much time do you have per day/per week to work on building your Network Marketing business?
When we start that conversation with someone, it’s not unusual to hear them say something like "Oh, 10-12 hours a week…. like 2 hours a day I guess." That’s when we sometimes drop the ball …. we don’t have the COURAGE to get real with our prospect. I think we don’t share the realities with them because we’re afraid they won’t join us or if they do, they’ll quit when they find out they really DO NEED to make some changes that will cause them to have to make some sacrifices or changes in priorities.
So, we sit down with them and review what they do during the course of the day. That’s when TONS of roadblocks can come up… and the "not enough time" excuse unfolds. Is it really true that they don’t have enough time to build a business ….. or …… just can’t think outside the box they’ve been living in for so long to see where they could fit business building activities into their day?
Not to change course, just shift it a bit for comparison…. in my endeavors to create a new habit of more exercise in my life, I came across an article by Michael Hyatt, entitled One Thing You Must Have to Get Fit. I found it interesting that many of his key points had been excuses for me. SO I ask you to read through them, then let’s talk a minute more.
So, to build your courage and overcome the “exercise time” barrier, try these 9 steps:
- Make a list of options. You’ve heard things like, “get up earlier,” “use your lunch hour,” or “walk after dinner.” Write all the options you can think of to exercise.
- Write out your “Yeah, but” for each option. We all have excuses for why these options won’t work. So, write them out next to the option. Maybe you wrote, “Walk for thirty minutes after work” and next to it, “Yeah, but I have to pick up the kids after school.” This helps you find all of your objections and makes them real.
- Find One “Yeah, but” and Make it a “Yeah, but I can!” If you are courageous, you will find at least one thing on your list you can make work. It could be asking your spouse to get the kids, or it could be skipping a favorite TV show to go for a walk. It’s there. Don’t quit on yourself. Don’t give up until you find one thing and then have the conversation.
- Put it on a calendar. Now, that you have a “Yeah, but I can” option, choose the day you’ll start and choose a duration—maybe a month—on a calendar.
- Tell someone about it. Accountability is a key factor in forming new habits. Tell a friend what you’re planning to do and ask your friend to check in with you and hold you to it.
- Do it. When the day comes, act. No fear. Get up and get out the door. You’ve just exercised your courage muscle.
- Do it again. Put it back on the calendar to do again. More courageous exercise.
- Repeat. Until you’re ready to add something else.
- Tell it. When you finish, tell someone. Celebrate it! Call your friend, post it on Facebook, Tweet it. You’ll be surprised how many people will rally around you.
If you exercise your courage, you will have a long list of healthy new habits
These 9 steps he talks about taking to create a habit of good health, SOOOOOOOOO apply to making time for our business building activities in Network Marketing. AND as good leaders we have to exercise courage in talking to our prospective /new business partners about some of the growing pains of building a business.
Truth is, to be successful in Network Marketing OR any other endeavor that you’re not in NOW, is going to take some change, sacrifice and probably a bit of re-prioritizing.
Are you UP for the challenge to have what you want? I hope so!
To YOUR Success
~Jennifer Fisher
