February 2012

A Look At A Few MLM Tools

by Michael Taylor on February 28, 2012 · 0 comments

dreamstime m 4070356 269x300 A Look At A Few MLM Tools

Tools Are In The Equation...

Multi-level marketing (MLM) is one of the most popular and successful forms of business today. It allows all people, regardless of education, ethnicity, nationality or sex, to apply themselves to the market world. By aligning oneself with an intelligent company and like-minded people, a devoted, hardworking salesperson can rise from street-level surroundings to high-rise prosperity.

Here is a look at a few MLM tools:

- YouTube, Facebook & Twitter

MLM, at its most basic level, is about finding people. In order to recruit a salesforce, which is what churns and propels the business, an MLMer needs to locate people willing to put in the time and effort necessary to be successful.

Social networking tools like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter almost seem like they were specifically designed for people in the multi-level marketing world. Videos, images and text allow a single person to reach millions – hundreds of millions, even – of people around the world. By creating pages and channels with these programs, salespeople can post their goals, results and basic contact information.

These tools remove the space and time gap that stops most people from really succeeding in MLM. No taxi, train or jet can enable this amount of recruiting.

- Search engine marketing

For the last 10 years, few fields of study have garnered as much attention and speculation as search engine marketing (SEM). Simply put, SEM is the art of raising internet “visibility.” This means making a business or product more well-known, popular and influential. Just like a brick-and-mortar business, the internet has travelers, and websites that can get them to walk through their “front doors” will make more money.

SEM is great for MLM because they both deal with the same thing: Presentation. By using various ad methods and keywords, a salesperson can skyrocket their earnings and recruitments. It is estimated that over 2 billion people use the internet. That’s too large a market to be ignorant about.

- Blogs

A blog – a personal web journal – is superior to a traditional website in at least one way: Intimacy. When you go to a blog, you see a face, a name, a person. Those intimate identifying factors are often omitted – sometimes purposefully – from glossy corporate websites.

By building a simple yet informative blog, MLMers allow their potential recruits and clients to really get to know them. Their personality can shine through the business smoke. The blog can be used to post daily information, personal tidbits and hard-to-find recommendations. All of these can be featured exclusively on the blog.

A tool is nothing more than something used to achieve a specific task. In multi-level marketing, the task is to reach as many recruits and clients as possible. As population and technology change, the tools necessary to succeed in any business realm, including multi-level marketing, change too. With the MLM tools described above, the job of a multi-level marketer becomes easier, quicker and more fulfilling.

 

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dreamstime m 19708345 300x215 The Attraction Marketing Blueprint Is All About Building Relationships

Build By Attraction

So many people in network marketing focus on developing the perfect sales pitch. They look for magical words that they can deliver to people every time so that they always get a conversion. A few people do have a natural talent for sales, and they will deliver the perfect pitch every time. However, the rest of us can grow our sales the smart way with attraction marketing.

The attraction marketing blueprint focuses on building relationships. Instead of focusing on getting something from people, you focus on what you can give to people. It’s not only a better way to sell; it’s also a better way to live. You’ll develop confidence in your opportunity when you actually recognize the difference that it can make in people’s lives.

Making Contact

The web gives you a great opportunity to provide people with valuable content. You can write articles and blogs, or you can share links over social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. When you follow the attraction marketing blueprint, people will find your material and make contact with your brand before you ever meet them. If they like what they see, then they’ll want to find out more. They can join your social media network, sign up for emails or talk to you over Skype.

Understanding the Other Person

Once you’ve acquired a person’s contact information, you have to take the time to find out why the person has sought you out. Maybe they’re working a traditional nine-to-five job and are looking for more independence so that they can spend time with their families. Maybe they have tried numerous network marketing businesses but have never really succeeded at any of them. Your job is to share your experience, your wisdom and your opportunity with them. Focus the conversation around what they need and about how your offer will meet those needs.

Being Available

Instead of pressuring the other person to make an appointment with you, simply offer your availability. Tell them to let you know if they’d like to spend a half hour together talking about what they want to accomplish. Offer to let them set up a time to chat with you over Skype. People deserve to take the time to consider their options before investing in a business opportunity. leads who have taken time with the decision are much more likely to be serious about being successful.

Maintaining the Relationship

Perhaps someone has “liked” your Facebook account and has started commenting regularly on your posts. Take the time to answer their comments and to send them a personal message. If you haven’t heard from someone in a while, then send a quick email to ask them how they are doing. The attraction marketing blueprint is about capturing the conversion in the natural progression of the relationship instead of pressuring your leads to give you a quick answer. When they become part of your network, the relationship that they’ve built with you will be an important key to their success.

 

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10 MLM Recruiting Tips to Bring the Right People On-board

by Michael Taylor on February 24, 2012 · 0 comments

iStock 000016414509Medium 300x222 10 MLM Recruiting Tips to Bring the Right People On board

Not Everyone Fits, Targeting Is The Key...

Following these 10 MLM recruiting tips for effective recruiting will transform the way you bring people into your business:

1) Recruit the right people.

In many cases, your family and friends may not be the kind of people who will succeed at network marketing. Instead, you may want to go to MLM meetups, join online groups or respond to MLM questions in online forums. The prospects that you will meet already know the potential value of an MLM business and will be much more likely to succeed.

2) Focus on solving problems.

Your prospect is looking into your business opportunity because they have a problem, and you have the solution for that problem. Stay positive and focus on how you can help your prospect obtain the results that they need. Whether they want more freedom, more income or more independence, your opportunity can solve their dilemma.

3) Tell them why you are calling when you call.

Always tell people why you want to meet and why you want to connect. MLM trainer Doug Firebaugh suggests certain clarifying phrases, like, “The reason I’m calling is,” “The reason I want to share this with you is,” or “The reason I am reaching out and connecting is…” These phrases show that you respect the person’s time. They also demonstrate your belief in your opportunity.

4) When someone calls you back, have a speech ready.

Try saying, “My company is looking for people to try a few products for us. We’re also looking for people who have talent to join our business. Can we set up a time to talk, if you’re interested?” Don’t try to come up with a speech off the cuff. Preparation will make you sound professional.

5) Value your prospects’ time.

Never let an initial conversation be longer than 10 minutes, and never let an appointment go longer than 30 minutes. When you value people’s time, they will value your presentation. One of the most important MLM recruiting tips is to always look busy and engaged with your business when discussing the opportunity with others. Long meetings can make you look as though you are desperate for recruits.

6) Focus on value.

Tell the prospect how your opportunity brings them value. Try phrases like, “How this will bring value to you and your family is…” When you center your recruiting on value, people will have a clearer picture of how your opportunity will fit into their lives.

7) Don’t fear today’s economy.

Use the difficult economy to talk about why now is the time to get involved in an MLM business. Tough economic times are motivating people all over the country to start their own businesses. The opportunity that you have to offer is often exactly what people are looking for in today’s economy.

8) Focus on what you are giving, not on what you are getting.

If your focus is on getting something from your prospects, then they will sense your insincerity. Instead, focus internally on what you are giving to them. Prospects will respond more positively when they sense that your motives are genuine.

9) Become a valuable resource.

When you become a resource for people who are looking for answers, you will build credibility in their eyes. Never hesitate to offer freebies, little-known tips or other things that bring value to prospects. When they see you as an authority, they will be much more likely to respond to your offer.

10) Become the answer.

Don’t hesitate to “become the answer” as you are closing out your meeting with a prospect. Try saying, “I am the answer to what you are looking for, and I am happy to share my map with you.” If you are that passionate and that willing to stand behind your opportunity, then you will persuade people to follow in your footsteps.

 

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You Should Be Using An Attraction Marketing Formula

by Michael Taylor on February 23, 2012 · 0 comments

iStock 000017922013Small 300x199 You Should Be Using An Attraction Marketing Formula

What Is Your USP?

Whether you’re just getting started with network marketing or whether you’ve been in the business for a while, the attraction marketing formula can change your view on how leads are generated. Imagine that instead of using interruptive marketing techniques like advertising, cold calling or unsolicited email blasts, your prospects come to you and ask you to learn more about your opportunity. Does it sound too good to be true? It’s not. The following questions will help you to develop your own attraction marketing formula.

What’s Unique About You?

If you look online, then you will see numerous websites set up by network marketers like yourself offering training or tips on succeeding in the business. How can you distinguish yourself when the competition is so thick? Determining what makes you different from other marketers in the field is the key to developing your personal attraction marketing formula. Do you have tried and true tips for converting customers or for adding to your downline? Can you provide inside information about some of the opportunities that are out there? Try checking out your online competition to see what’s missing so that you can find an original angle for presenting your material. The key is to develop your own unique brand so that others are compelled to follow your leadership.

What Need Does Your Product Fulfill?

Instead of calling potential leads and trying to convince them to buy into your opportunity, put yourself in their places and try to figure out what they need. Do your products fill a certain niche that no one else has thought of? Does your opportunity give people a chance to find more independence and to make more money? Consider what your customers need and explain the way that your opportunity can meet those needs. Describe the way that your opportunity has improved your life or the lives of others. You can also offer testimonials, if appropriate, on your personal website.

How Do You Get Your Message Out There?

The Internet has given network marketers many opportunities to spread the message about their personal brand. Learn about using social media, blogging, email marketing and personalized web pages to disseminate what you have to offer. When you give potential leads value by producing a free blog about important topics, for instance, then they are more likely to ask you for the opportunity to learn more. You’ll have their permission to contact them, which will make conversion much easier.

The attraction marketing formula is about drawing people to you, not selling yourself to people. When you offer value based on your own personal brand, you will begin to attract a following. Focus on making people come to you, not on tracking people down to deliver a sales pitch. You will not only attract more leads but also find that those leads will stick with you for the long term.

 

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iStock 000014310682Medium 300x225 Learn More About MLM Business Opportunity Network Marketing

Build Your Team

MLM business opportunity network marketing is the perfect work-at-home business. All you need is a phone, computer and some work space in your house and you can start building your future. You can even write part of your mortgage off as a deduction if you use a spare room, according to the Internal Revenue Service. MLM and network marketing are synonymous. They both pertain to a business opportunity that allows you to earn commissions off purchases from people in your downline.

Most MLM business opportunity network marketing companies pay their members many levels deep. That means you can earn money on those you personally recruit, the people your recruits sign up, and so on. This can go on 10 levels deep and even up to infinity. Some people have thousands of people in their organization and earn tens of thousands per month from it. MLM makes perfect use of the concept of leveraging, where you make money from your own efforts as well as from others.

MLM is not the same as it was 50 or even 20 years ago. There are so many ways to market your business. Most companies offer free replicating websites that you can use for promoting your MLM business online. They also have training systems to show you what to say to people when they call. Moreover, company conference systems enable you to invite prospects to hear messages from some of the most successful people in your organization. Therefore, you don’t have to sell people into the business. You just tap into the system they have in place and start making money.

Postcards are another way of marketing a network marketing business. Most MLM companies recommend list companies you can use for mailing postcards. Many of these eager opportunity seekers on the lists are just waiting for the right opportunity to fall into their laps. And you can introduce them to one. The income potential in network marketing is virtually limitless. You start part-time while working a job and work your way into a full time job that pays a six-figure income.

There are many types of network marketing companies. The type of company you join is your choice. Most of them sell nutritional or vitamin products. Hence, you can maintain a healthy lifestyle and make money simultaneously. Nutritional businesses are ideal because members usually receive their products each month on auto ship. The repeat orders allow members such as you to earn a monthly residual income that continues to grow each month. You can also market the products to retailers and others in your area, giving you two income sources.

MLM business opportunity network marketing can be fun for both you and your spouse. One person can work on marketing while the other answers calls or invites interested parties to conference calls. The key to successful network marketing is offering a duplicable system that your recruits can use to market their businesses. You can be highly successful in MLM if you help your downline members make money.

 

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How to Adopt a Growth Mindset

by Michael Taylor on February 16, 2012 · 0 comments

HiRes 300x248 How to Adopt a Growth Mindset

Do Not Limit Your Mindset

Everything that we perceive about the world is colored by our mindset. A professor from Stanford named Carol Dweck identified two basic mindsets that people have as they approach both business and personal situations. These mindsets determine and help to create the world we encounter and to define our approach to the opportunities we face.

Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

A person with a fixed mindset believes that their qualities are carved in stone and unlikely to change. These people believe that the abilities, talents and skills that they have will never advance beyond what they were given at birth. All gifts are predetermined, and no one can change the lot they are given. Not only do people with fixed mindsets believe these things about themselves, but they also believe that others, too, cannot change and grow.

The growth mindset, on the other hand, believes that all people are dynamic. People with this point of view believe that everyone can change, and they believe they can cultivate and grow their own talents. While a person may start with a quality like intelligence, that quality is only a starting point for success. The rest comes through effort, trial and error, and persistence.

These mindsets determine how we approach the challenges that come our way. If we believe our potential is fixed, then when something negative happens, we focus on protecting ourselves and concealing our failures. If we believe that we can grow our potential, then we admit our mistakes and focus on turning the deficiencies of today into the assets of tomorrow.

Implications of the Fixed Mindset for an MLM Business

If you believe that the world has only a fixed number of talented and self-motivated people, then you may neglect the growth of your current team to focus on recruiting new people. You may tell yourself that your current team has limited resources and that finding a new, more talented person will be the key to getting some production in your downline. Instead of believing that your team can change and grow with a little investment from you, you will assume that your people have limited talent and resources.

Everyone who runs their own business goes through cycles of difficulty. If you have a fixed mindset, then you may assume that you don’t have the resources or the talent to get through those difficult times. Without a mindset for growth, you may simply assume that mistakes or bad circumstances cannot be overcome. This sense of fatalism can lead to the failure of your business.

The Difference That the Growth Mindset Will Make

If you believe that both your business and your people are dynamic rather than static, then you will create your own opportunities. You will look at leads that are resistant to the opportunities that you offer and believe that you can persuade them to see things your way. You will look at areas where you have deficiencies, and you will believe that you can change those areas for the better. Best of all, you will understand that your team possesses a unique set of talents that can be cultivated. You will work to build relationships instead of discarding people because you don’t think they can meet your expectations.

Believing that all people, including you, can grow their skills to meet challenges will give you a new sense of optimism and passion. That kind of passion can’t help but attract new customers and new executives to your team. By challenging yourself to grow, you will create the environment that you need to motivate your team and to expand your business.

 

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Motivation Through Inspirational Quotes for Business

by Michael Taylor on February 13, 2012 · 0 comments

iStock 000012723220Medium 300x265 Motivation Through Inspirational Quotes for Business

What Motivates You?

It is a very common and an unfortunate truth that motivation often diminishes as the pressures of a business mount. It can sometimes be very difficult to reestablish the original drive in any member of a business from the CEO to a mail clerk. Through the use of inspirational quotes for business, many members of a business can rediscover the energy that brought them into the market originally.

The biggest reason members of a business begin to lose their focus and motivation is stress. There is a constant pressure in a business to succeed repeatedly and without fail. This can become devastating to morale, especially when a business is experiencing a downturn and attempting to recover. Inspirational quotes for business can help reinvigorate people by reminding them of small truths that often get forgotten as stress mounts. For example, when a business is struggling it is important to remember that only the weakest of a herd get taken out by a lion. So the following quote reminds an business member to always keep trying no matter how bad it may seem at first:

“Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle, when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”

Another great use that motivation through inspirational quotes for business would be that, when a person has lost motivation due to general personal issues or burnout, it can be very helpful to just throw a reminder about why they might have started out in the first place. Napoleon Hill once said, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. Thoughts are things! And powerful things at that, when mixed with definiteness of purpose, and burning desire, can be translated into riches.” Quotes like this remind people that they originally entered the business because they had an idea or dream to do something great and that they should refocus on that idea in order to head back on the path to success instead of lingering in their current position.

Finally, quotes can be used to ease the tension in a work environment. It is a common strategy in business to use humor to diffuse an uncomfortable situation such as the entrance of a consultant to try to streamline. For this particular situation the use of a quote like “a consultant is someone who takes the watch off your wrist and tells you the time” is a great way to make people chuckle for a moment while they are trying not to stress out over the addition of an outsider.

Overall, it is up to an individual to find the motivation to do a great job. That said, the use of inspirational quotes can help those individuals rediscover their passion and motivation for being successful.

 

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Should You Buy Business Opportunity Leads?

by Michael Taylor on February 12, 2012 · 0 comments

c177157 a Should You Buy Business Opportunity Leads?

The Choice Is Yours

All businesses need new customers to ensure continued success. Studies have shown that customers quit for a myriad of reasons. Some will not return to a business because of a dispute or because they have received bad service. Others simply move away and some no longer have a need for the products sold. Competition from other similar businesses is also a major factor which can result in significant customer loss.

Savvy business owners continuously look for ways to increase their customer base and one relatively simple way is to purchase business opportunity leads. Care must be taken before these leads are purchased, however, since their origin and value must first be validated.

A quick internet search will produce literally thousands of sites that encourage the purchase of business opportunity leads. Before a vendor is chosen, one must first understand how these lists of potential customers were created. Before the wide use of the internet, almost all of these leads were compiled from business names in the original Yellow Pages. If a business had a telephone, it was automatically listed in this directory along with its address. Lead generation companies merely lifted the information from the directory and put it on a list. Now, the popularity of the Yellow Pages has declined and a good number of businesses operate exclusively through the use of cell phones, and may not be found in any standard business directory. Therefore, it is exceedingly important to ascertain where the particular business opportunity leads are generated from, before a decision to purchase is made.

Since the inception of the Great Recession, thousands of businesses have failed. It is critical that any lead generation service has methods to determine if its leads are still fresh and viable. How often do they contact businesses to verify information? Do they investigate by telephone or only by email? It is obviously senseless to pay for dead leads, but this problem can occur especially if a business owner purchases without proper due diligence.

Finally, if direct mail leads are necessary, make sure that the vendor has a credit policy for returned letters and cards. Most lead services will state upfront that only 90 to 95 percent of their addresses are valid, but they should offer credit for undeliverable and returned mail up to that point.

Opportunity leads can be a great help and a jump start for many businesses, but be sure to qualify both the company and the leads they offer before a purchase is made.

 

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This Is The True Mindset Definition

by Michael Taylor on February 11, 2012 · 0 comments

iStock 000013934516Medium 200x300 This Is The True Mindset Definition

It's All About Your Mindset...

Imagine the following scenario for your MLM business: instead of going out and recruiting customers and distributors for your MLM business, you offer materials and services that others find irresistible. By delivering value to customers before the sale, you generate a pool of qualified leads who already know the value of your product and your opportunity. You don’t go to the opportunity; the opportunity comes to you. Does that sound impossible? It’s not. The key is to understand the mindset that will bring you this kind of success. Ask yourself some of the following key questions about your personal mindset definition:

1) Do you believe that you can meet every challenge?

Successful entrepreneurs have an optimistic mindset. They believe that they have the ability to grow and to change to meet the demands of life. They understand that entrepreneurs are made, not born, and they are willing to push themselves to grow.

A person with a growth mindset believes that his or her qualities are built over time. Therefore, that person seizes every opportunity for growth and success. Instead of working to prove yourself over and over, you work to shape yourself to meet life’s challenges. When you believe that you can succeed no matter what the challenge, then others will be attracted to your confidence and optimism.

2) Are you willing to fail in order to succeed?

Not every idea is a good one, but a successful entrepreneur is not afraid of trial and error. The focus is on the journey and on cultivating enthusiasm for what you do. As long as you learn from your mistakes and apply that learning, you will adapt quickly. The key is to separate your actions from your ego so that you are not afraid to grow and change.

Instead of comparing yourself to other people or to an idea of perfection, ask yourself if you’re a little better than you were yesterday. If you are continuously making progress, and if you understand that success takes time, then you are more likely to stay motivated. Experts have found that when you look at a challenge as an opportunity to get better instead of viewing the opportunity as a “pass/fail” scenario, you are much more likely to conquer the challenge.

3) Do you believe that everyone can continuously grow?

Too many people in business rest on past accomplishments. They congratulate themselves for their successes and then never move on to the next level. In today’s fast-paced world, the new developments of today are the ancient history of tomorrow.

When you believe that you can grow, and when you believe that others can also grow, then you will become a person who attracts and cultivates talent. Remember that Michael Jordan’s high school basketball coach didn’t think that he was a promising athlete, and Ben Hogan was rumored to be an uncoordinated child. When people tap into a passion, they grow to overcome their setbacks. When you expect growth from yourself and from your team, you will draw people who share your vision.

Attraction marketing is one of the big buzzwords floating around in today’s MLM circles. When you execute attraction marketing successfully, you attract leads instead of working very hard to generate them. Those who are successful believe that they can meet challenges. They take risks that become learning opportunities, and they expect their teams to work and continuously grow.

How you perceive your business will shape the perceptions of others. That is the true mindset definition.

 

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Do You Have An Entrepreneur Mindset?

by Michael Taylor on February 8, 2012 · 0 comments

thumbnail 212x300 Do You Have An Entrepreneur Mindset?

You Control Your Mind

Network marketing businesses are popular to start because the initial costs are low. However, when you’ve tapped out leads among your friends and family, and you’re not sure what to do next, an entrepreneur mindset will carry you to the next level. Entrepreneur Magazine listed five characteristics of great entrepreneurial leaders. See how you compare.

1. Great leaders have vision.

When you are putting together a downline team, you have to have a vision of what you want to accomplish. Then, you must communicate your vision to the team. Learn to use your verbal communication to paint a picture of your goals for the people who are working for you or with you. Ask them what they think your vision is so that you know that they understand your mindset. Always keep your vision in front of you as you are working, and reevaluate your vision occasionally as your goals change.

2. Great leaders have passion.

Think of great leaders of the past and how people were willing to follow those leaders to the ends of the earth because they believed in their passion. A great leader has the ability to light a fire in the bellies of their team members that will carry them through the challenges and obstacles that will inevitably come. If you don’t feel passionate about your business and about your goals, then you need to realign your vision with your values so that you can connect to your passion.

3. Great leaders make good decisions.

People with a true entrepreneur mindset are not afraid to make tough calls. Howard Schultz, the legendary CEO of Starbucks, points out that if people on your team aren’t given the chance to participate in decisions, then getting their buy-in will be difficult. Do you want to set a goal for your MLM team? Then ask for the input of your team members before setting up the challenge. Don’t be afraid, however, to make the ultimate decision after you’ve listened to their input.

4. Great leaders build great teams.

Don’t assume that, as the leader of a team, you are responsible for doing all of the legwork for the team. In reality, your job is to equip the members of your team to become leaders in their own right. Give your people responsibilities, and then see what they will accomplish. Never micromanage your team, but do inspire their confidence by offering them support. Never forget that your sense of humor can be a powerful ally for getting through a crisis. When emergencies strike, your team, no matter how well-equipped they are, will look to you for inspiration.

5. Great leaders have character.

Your character traits will determine the strengths and weaknesses of your leadership abilities. Do you live with integrity and abide by your principles every day? If you aren’t sure how others see you, then take the time to ask for feedback from trusted members of the team. Remember that their feedback is about you the leader, not you the person. Asking for feedback is not a sign of weakness; instead, it shows that you are willing to face difficult truths about your leadership style so that you can become better. Remember that humility is a common character trait of great leaders.

Take an honest look at yourself and ask whether you have an entrepreneurial mindset. If you don’t, then you will need to make some changes if you want to succeed at network marketing. If you are already a good leader, then remember that you must continue growing both personally and professionally if you want to become truly memorable.

 

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