Are You Prepared to Do Business?

Here's a quick story about being prepared.Yesterday morning when I checked my email, I saw that my local supermarket was having a special this week on steak. Since it was a beautiful, warm, sunny day I knew my husband would be up for grilling. I went to the store to buy some steaks. Normally, whatever type of meat is on sale that week has been packaged and put into the self-serve case. Occasionally, it is in the display case. Neither was true yesterday! There was no steak at all in the self-serve area and the display case was completely empty and being cleaned, something I think they should do while they are closed!I suppose they thought since it was Easter, people already had plans and they wouldn't get many shoppers. But I saw plenty of people in the store and not everyone has big plans for that day. I asked about the steak and they said it would be 15 minutes before they could even cut any. I left and came back 2 hours later thinking the case would now be full. It was still empty, and I had to wait for them to cut my steaks!I wonder how much business they lost from people who didn't even ask?To me, being prepared in network marketing means having the following on hand:Ice-breaker statements
Business cards
Product flyers
Product samples if applicable
Product or service testimonials
3-way calling on your phone
1-2 memorized story about your businessI am astonished when I attend a business mixer and someone doesn't have enough cards with them. It happens frequently!Ice breaker statements should always be benefit statements. Tom "Big Al" Schreiter has a course on CD to help you come up with these and Bob Burg provides examples in his books as well. These are what you use to answer the question, "what do you do?" or "what is your business?"After you have a relationship built with someone and they find out what you do, they might be open to trying your products. You can do a raffle give-away at a meeting or mixer too. Many companies do not make it easy to sample their products unless you attend a "home party" and most people avoid those because they fear the "hard sell" approach. At a minimum you should be able to provide information about your product, on paper or via the website, to anyone who is interested.Testimonials can be your own or someone else's. You can set an appointment for a 3-way call for either product or business testimonials. The point is, you need to know who to contact to get that set up quickly, and they need to be reliable. Having a third party validate your story is always valuable no matter how experienced you are.Your short business story is to be used ONLY when someone wants to hear more! It should explain just the basics of what network marketing entails and the niche your company is in.If you are new to MLM you might not have this all ready, but I encourage you to become prepared.If you are not new, and you are not prepared, ask yourself why. Do you:Balk at the price of business cards or keep forgetting to order them?
Always forget to bring the cards or have the product flyers with you
Hesitate to follow-up with people
Keep putting off getting 3-way calling set up
Feel guilty asking your upline to do a 3-wayIf any of this sounds like you, perhaps you are actually afraid of success! If that's true, get started on self development. You need to fix the procrastination or you won't get the success you desire!

Build MLM Leads Through Need-Based Marketing

Technology has provided far greater accessibility to both people and information. This has helped improve the opportunity to create your own, informed and eager MLM leads. Gaining an understanding of how to reach out to the public, and which segment of the public that you specifically should focus on makes your endeavor all the more likely for success. When you are able to offer viable solutions to the real problem or problems of your audience, they are guaranteed to give you a little bit of your time.Let's face it. Humans by nature are a selfish breed. We want anything that is going to better the quality of our lives. We want that elusive life-changing opportunity. We want the better deal, the best information. But above all, we want it now. Buy offering specific solutions you can attract people based upon their needs. People who need money will respond better to information that offers creative and inexpensive ways to generate revenue more than they will listen to the many glories of your business. Find out what people need so that you can market your business in such a way as to address these needs.So how can you implement strategies to address the wants and needs of potential MLM leads? By remembering what drew you to the opportunity in the first place. Determine the benefits of the opportunity in terms of how others can have life changing effects from it. When you answer these questions you have established a strong foundation for the generation of good leads. When you address the specific problems that an individual is facing, you automatically capture their interest.A careful study of your answers can quickly determine who your audience should be. Perhaps you will find that you cater to single mothers or students who need an income but have little time. Maybe marketing your business is best geared for single men who enjoy nightlife, or married couples that want to earn extra income together. By focusing on a specific market you can create materials that reach out successfully. People appreciate information that has been tailored to their needs.Another invaluable tool in lead generation is frequent internet use. By providing ways for potential leads to access free, viable information you will see and be amazed at how quickly your new leads start hunting you down. When you create a blog or website, make it an opportunity to offer a free e-newsletter.Let your readers know that help is available and be specific about how your business can help them. When your information is valuable it can have exponential effects. Interested parties will begin to recommend your newsletter and your blog. This can be an opportunity to become a pioneer of innovative ideas for your particular niche.An inexpensive, cost-efficient method of doing this is to offer a free e-newsletter that comes monthly or bi-monthly. This not only offers potential clients or sign-ups something at absolutely no charge to them, it enables you to create your own database of e-mail addresses that, and a virtual welcome mat to speak about your business opportunity every time the newsletter runs. Best yet, by signing up they let you know that you have already sparked their interest.You will be surprised how much more successful this can be than purchased MLM leads. The people that you are selling to have chosen to hear what you have to say. This makes for a far more receptive audience than groups that have inadvertently stumbled onto mailing lists and had their contact information sold.

"Fools In Paradise" Or "The Yellow Brick Road?"

I often take time out to reflect upon my position as a network marketer, and it's ironic that in the greatest industry ever created with unlimited potentials we spend so little time in putting our focus on what we know to be the more fundamental factors in being great marketers. Is it that we're just too busy being busy? All in name of making money? Why aren't we increasing those skills that set us apart from the norm? How do we determine whether we are moving in the right direction with our business? What are the indicators? Is it that our commissions are getting larger? or is it the new found popularity in the social marketplace? Are we developing all the wrong habits? Are we concerned whether or not the strategic marketing systems we have in place are designed to support our businesses in the long stretch?Here's some breaking news for those still suffering from that lottery mentality. You're not going to wake up in the morning and magically become a Mike Dillard, or David Wood, Jeffrey Combs or a Cedric Harris, just to mention a few. These top producers are masters of the game, and have put in their time learning and perfecting their skills. They have positioned themselves for the upsurge that they know is coming to this particular market. They understand exactly what network marketing mean, now and the future, smart men and by no means just lucky, but rather vanguards in our industry with leading edge techniques that we can all learn from. Why wouldn't you chase these people down and get that infinite know how?Shouldn't we be focus on improving our article marketing, video marketing, SEO comprehension, and people skills? Listen very carefully...You can have a 1000 leads a day, but it doesn't mean a thing if you can't close. We can no longer hide at home behind our computer, and expect the numbers in our business to keep increasing. We have to get back to the personal touch. Everyone and I mean everyone that's successful in this business is all great closers. If you are plugged into a successful system your chances are a little better, but without those most crucial interpersonal skills, you are dead in the water. Become great at what you do, learn all the things you don't know about your business, learn more about your competition, for if you failed to get back to basics, eventually your business will suffer. Its a great time to put our ego's in our back pockets, and seek out the people that have what we truly need to not just survive, but thrive in this industry.We are constantly failing because we forget that this industry works best on an informational format based upon what value we can give, and the results of that value make others successful. People always ask why I don't write articles on the business itself, my simple answer. I write articles of simplicity because there's more than enough people writing about the technical, and business jargon. Without understanding what your true mindset is, you will never be able to reach the level of success that many only dream about. Stay focus on what YOU need, and your business will grow. Personally develop yourself on a daily basis, stand firm with the promises that you have made, and always be aware that it is YOU who makes the different between failure and success, it is YOU who have the power to impact the lives of others, and it is YOU, who is the designer of your future. Today you have a choice.

Legitimate Online Job Opportunities

From my experience, 97% of income opportunities are a scam. Whether you find them online or in the newspaper, many money making scams will make you lose money instead of making it. I have found that most of the offers making promises of big money are just out to get yours.During my research I came across a site that offers free money making information. This site offered to teach you how to use their system with a step-by-step video guide and tutorials. Only it's not free. There is a $50 fee for membership which provides a training system. The resources however are free after you join.The training program allows you to learn at your own pace so you can take your time to make sure you understand everything instead of being rushed through it. They teach you how to submit ads for different companies that are willing to pay for your services.This can be done from anywhere that you have an internet connection, at any time of day or not so that you are not tied to a desk or a schedule. You can work as much or as little as you like because you are your own boss.The system provides you with online networks of thousands of companies who are looking for people to post ads for them.There are free methods available to use for posting your ads or you can use the paid methods. It is all up to you. They both can make you money. The more ads that you post, the more money you can make.As I said before, there is a membership fee for the training system. When I checked into it, it was around $50. After paying the membership fee, there is no cost to register with the companies to post ads for. You get provided with everything that you will need to get started. Including sample information that you can copy and paste into the forms that are provided.The training program is available online 24/7 and there is a support team available to answer any questions that you might have.This is "NOT" a get rich quick scheme. But, it is a legitimate way to make some money. You don't need your own website. You don't sell anything so the don't have to call or talk to anyone.All you do is choose the companies that you want to work with. I personally look for companies that appeal to my own interests. Might as well promote something that you actually like. You log into your ad account, enter ads into the ad forms and submit. It's real easy.Many companies pay weekly and they offer check by mail, direct deposit, wire transfer or paypal.

Generating Leads - For Your Work at Home, MLM Or Networking Business

In the world of network marketing, multi level marketing (MLM) and work from home businesses, getting sales is what its all about. We need sales to grow and profit just like any other business. Everyone that's been in a business of their own knows these sales come from leads. And leads come from advertising. Most businesses have found successful ways of driving leads to them so they can in turn make sales, so what is the problem in these network marketing, MLM and work from home businesses. Why do the leads and sales dry up. We're going to look into that and what can be done to solve the problem.Traditional Antiquated AdvertisingIf you are in a traditional work from home business such as network marketing or MLM, you are being taught to advertise and market the same antiquated way its been taught for decades, build a list. On this list goes your family, friends, old school mates, your mail man and everyone you come into contact with (also known as the 3 foot rule.)The Problem With These MethodsBut, if your like most people the idea of pestering family, friends and people you don't really even know doesn't really appeal to you. The biggest problem with this approach is that you are only asking these people to look at your business or product because you KNOW them, not because they are actually interested in a business opportunity. These are just the people you happen to know. Even if this method doesn't bother you and you talk to all the people on your list, what happens when that list is depleted. Do you buy leads list now, or what are you supposed to do?Great News and A New Way To AdvertiseThe great news is that hundreds of thousands of people are looking for a business like yours to start every day. This is especially true in this bad economy. People traditionally are looking more when the economy is bad because they lost their job or want something better. The problem is you just don't know them. So, how do you find these leads that actually want what you have to offer? You don't, they find you and they come asking for it. People are searching for what you have everyday on the internet by the thousands. There are free ways to reach all these people. Simple free marketing like article, video or forum marketing to more complex methods like pay per click which cost money are available to you. These methods bring targeted leads to you daily.Use These Methods or Get Left BehindIf you want to implement these methods in your business there are training's out there for you to learn all of them. You can go to a school, buy a course or get books explaining these methods. The best way to learn these online marketing methods though, is to find a mentor who is using these methods right now to grow his or her business. This way you can actually ask someone if a method works well or not and how you can adjust them to get the best results. You can continue to use the old school marketing methods still used today and get left behind or learn the new methods that bring you leads that are actually interested in what you have to offer, because they are out there!

For MLM Success, Learn Internet Marketing As Well

In today's fast paced world, one no longer needs to venture out of home when it comes to buying something. Almost everything today can be acquired by the single click of a button (accompanied by adequate funding of course). This has become possible largely because of the widespread usage of the internet.This extensive internet usage has also had an effect on the MLM industry, and doing business in the MLM world has seen a considerable facelift over the last two decades. So whether you are an MLM newbie or someone who has been around for decades, staying abreast with the latest in internet marketing management and an effort to learn internet marketing will definitely hold your MLM efforts in good stead.How Good Are You at Internet Marketing Management?No MLM expert can deny the fact that you need to learn internet marketing if you wish to succeed in any MLM campaign. This is simply because the internet opens up a much wider audience, and by using the right MLM strategies, you can have probable prospects come to you, instead of you having to hunt them down. A good internet marketing guide for MLM campaigns should ideally take various aspects into consideration and these include creating an effective website, sending effective emails, becoming a part of social networking websites, etc.How Well Have You Positioned Yourself?When you look at entering the MLM world, it is very important that you position yourself well. As opposed to looking and acting like a novice, you should carry yourself with the air of a pro. This is where paying attention to aspects such how confident you appear, how 'disinterested' you seem in looking for probable distributors, etc. come into the picture. Remember, only when people view you as an expert would they want to become a part of your network. Therefore, this is definitely an aspect your MLM guide should focus on.How Much in Tune are You with the Fine Nuances of MLM Networking?While you should learn internet marketing to succeed in your MLM campaigns, you should also be in the know how of effective ways to deal with people in real life situation. Therefore, an effective MLM guide should also delve in real life situations. For example, a good guide should be able to tell you how to make money even when your distributors leave your down line, how to dominate phone conversations, etc.So along with your wanting to learn internet marketing, you should ensure that your guide to MLM success also focuses on things that you should do when you have to interact with people over the phone or in person. This would then make it a complete MLM guide.

Take Advantage of the New Internet Economy

Is your business taking advantage of the new internet economy? 25 years in the corporate business trenches taught me a few things about the obstacles that businesses face in the age of worldwide internet economy. The collapse of many big businesses was inevitable as the momentum of new business models arose in the wake of rapid changing technology. This articles examines the shifts to online business models.Traditional Businesses are Losing GroundTraditional businesses are finding it more difficult to remain profitable in a globalized economy. Globalization has forced companies to stay innovative and at the forefront of market demands worldwide. As traditional big businesses deteriorate, large amounts of work professionals are seeking career changes and entrepreneurial businesses. Many are diving into the world of internet marketing with the intent to create an income that will sustain them for the rest of their lives.Those corporate professionals who have only worked in the corporate world are frequently intimidated by market shifts. Rapid transitions are daunting when it pushes large segments of the workforce into unknown territory. But as intimidating as it can be, the shift to online worldwide business actually levels the playing field for displaced corporate employees who are determined to redefine how they provide. The internet creates new business opportunities for expansion and growth in every marketing sector.Legitimate and Reputable Online Business ModelsLegitimate and highly reputable online business opportunities exist that provides entrepreneurs with a smooth transition into the internet marketing world. Social networking, article marketing, video marketing, pay-per-click advertising are just a few of the skills that an entrepreneur requires to make a living online. If you had to start from scratch it would require a massive amount of time and investment.New internet business models together with an industry-leading mastermind group is the most effective approach to building an internet marketing business and making money on the online. The key is that instead of struggling to build a company from the ground up, with all the required time, energy and capital investment, you leverage a proven business model and existing marketing system. In this case the up-front investment in testing and refining the system, as well as the ongoing development of new methods, will be a part of the total package you receive from a highly reputable company.Due Diligence in Selecting an Online Business ModelIf you have been contemplating leaving the corporate world, opportunities abound for you to redefine how you will move forward in providing for yourself and your family. You can even continue to work at your corporate job while ramping up an internet business. This is an exciting time for new opportunities and ventures and those who take advantage of the opportunities will reap the rewards.

How Network Marketers Are Like Politicians

Let me be brutally honest with you. 95% of network marketers are ANNOYING! I say this not to be mean but just to be honest. I say this with LOVE in my heart because until you're able to understand why so many people hate network marketing you'll never be as successful as you could be.People see network marketers like they see politicians. People who make a lot of big promises and almost never follow through. People who will say just about anything to get you to vote for them/ sign up for their company and then abandon you when they really need you.Now obviously not all network marketers are like this. However, I think that if we really take a good look we would see that a lot of us are.How many times have to pulled out all the stops to get someone to sign up for your company and then once they do you don't talk to them anymore. You just leave them to their own devices expecting that they'll call you if they need help.Well the truth is that most newbies won't call you they'll just end up getting frustrated and give up.If you want to be a great leader and a great network marketer you have to really care about the people that you bring into the business. You have to want success for them just as much as you want success for yourself and you have to do everything possible to make sure they are in the position to win. That is what makes a great leader in network marketing.Also, make sure that when you're trying to get people to sign up for your business that you don't make promises that can't be kept. Don't tell people that they're defiantly going to get rich right away because you don't know that! When you make big promises that you can't carry out you make people become bitter and mistrusting of not just you but ALL network marketers.Many people feel like all of network marketing is a scam because they've met someone who told them a whole bunch of lies to get them to join the business and none of the things they said actually came true.Be a network marketer who does what you say you're going to do and care about the hopes and dreams of the people you're in business with and you will be a great leader in your company.Don't do those things and you'll be like every politician who promises things and doesn't deliver when it matters most.