3 Mistakes to Avoid With MLM

I am a strong supporter of MLM. I believe it's the only opportunity out there that doesn't ask for previous experience, a college degree or letters of recommendation from previous employers. Each year, several million people sign up with one of the many network marketing companies out there.For those several million people, I believe there are a few mistakes that are often made that can be avoided:1. Don't assume what you have to offer is right for everyone. I see this all of the time. The new MLM distributor is told to go to their family and friends and ask them to "help out." This is not how businesses are built. Think of the newest restaurant in your town. Did the owners tell their family and friends to come buy dinner?If you've chosen to sell children's toy products and your favorite aunt doesn't have children, asking her to buy or sell your products is probably going to produce a "no." It's not fair to anyone involved for you to assume that your products or opportunity are right for everyone. This same concept will fall over into your everyday life. I see people every day pitching their wares and opportunity to those who never asked. Don't assume that everyone wants to buy your products or join your team.2. Don't offer sales pitches to those that didn't ask for them. This rule can be applied both online and offline. I remember one email I got from a man claiming to be my old long lost friend. He wrote how great it was to reconnect with me and he remembered what great friends we were. He then went into his sales pitch all the while saying he wanted to help me and what he was offering was going to help me. First off, to assume I "needed help" was a wrong assumption. Secondly I did write him back and told him a whole story asking him to send a check for $200 right away to his dear old friend. I actually never heard from him again.I get sales pitches on Facebook also. I hit delete on the message and often hit the "remove friend" option. I'm really not looking to connect with those who want to spam me with their sales pitches. When you constantly pitch your products and opportunity to those who didn't ask for it, we're back to rule one. Don't assume everyone has an interest in your products.3. Don't forget to follow up with both customers and potential team members. Follow up is key in a network marketing business. While you, the distributor want the new team member, it's not always the top priority for the soon to be new person. If someone says "call me next week," then by all means call them next week. If someone doesn't return your phone call, call again. I continue to try off and on until asked to not try again. I don't call daily, but I'll certainly try three or four times per year until they either say yes or no. I do the same with customers. If someone asks for a catalog, they have an interest in the products. I ask them if they're ready to order shortly after they get their catalog and then again off and on. I also let them know when new products are available. Again, this is done three or four times per year, not weekly and not even monthly.These are the three most common mistakes I see made in MLM. I hope these tips have helped you develop a strategy for being the best you can be in your own MLM business.