6 Steps to Successful Network Marketing
By Stacy Hartmann

Everyone who starts in the business of network marketing has the same goals in mind. We are looking for more money, which equates to more freedom to do the things we love, like spending time with family, traveling, volunteering or whatever other leisurely activities we enjoy. So overall, money is just the means to an end. We do not want money just to have it; we want it to support our core values and beliefs.

There are a few things that must be in place before anyone attempts to build a home based business. First, if you are promoting a product or information you must believe in it with all your heart. Second, network marketing is hard work. People will tell you it is easy money and that is simply not true. It is not a part time job, it is all the time and incorporated into your daily living. Finally you must have clear goals set about why you are pursuing this field. Have a dream and NEVER GIVE UP. If these things are not in place, please do not waste anymore of your valuable time reading the rest of this article. If they are in place or you can put them in place, here comes a strategy for the opportunity of a lifetime in network marketing.

Below are some ideas on how you can be successful in running your network marketing business:

1. Build and keep relationships. The bottom line is you have to care about people. If you help people get what they want, you’ll get what you want. Make it your mission to spread your company’s message to the world and believe in it with all your heart. Hear the testimonies and successes people have had with the product or information and use it as fuel for your business. Think of how you like to be approached and approach others in that way. It’s the basic golden rule. We are all human and we can see through a person’s motives. If we feel someone is just in it for themselves or to make money, we don’t want anything to do with them or the product they are “pushing.” If you listen carefully to people and their needs, you will know when the right time is to share the product. You are not pushing this product; the product is supporting the people. To recap, the first step in any prospect is to build trust and a relationship through listening and genuinely caring about people and their needs.

2. Friend first, product second. Once you have a relationship with someone and you determine that your product would be congruent with their wants and needs, it is time to introduce it. Know everything you can about the product and if you don’t know the answer, find it. Brush up on your customer services skills. To continue to build on the relationship, start by sharing your experience with the product and testimonies from other people who have taken it. Maintain an eager attitude and don’t spin the business because that ignores the product. Don’t overwhelm people with too much information. Put together a concise information packet to hand out to prospects. It can include a letter outlining your experience, a brochure, samples, articles or any other useful information. I try to make the packets personal and sincere.

3. Follow up. This is very important. I am going to say that again. Follow up is very important. Be sure to get a name and phone number of everyone you talk to about the product. After a couple of days, call them and see what they think or if they had results with samples. Use the system that works for your business, which should already be developed by the company. Do not reinvent the wheel. If people have results from the product ask them to tell you about them. Be persistent, but give people time. Someone once said it’s SW “some will, some won’t, so what.” You are going to hear that people are not interested; it is part of the business. Keep your door open and be grateful about the new relationship you built and will maintain. Follow up is so important that you will see it over and over again as we move through these steps.

4. The business. Once someone has invested in the product and wants to get signed up, it is then time to talk business. Again use the system that is already in place because it will likely work. Inform people how to make their product pay for itself or possibly even make additional money. Let them know that they are not doing it alone. It is very important to train people how to run their business. Be supportive of your downline and help them build their business. Revel in their successes, because the more you help them be successful the more successful you will be. As I mentioned earlier, it is hard work. When you enroll someone new you need to be in constant contact with them helping them each step of the way until they have their own system in place. Set up meetings, do phone consultations, and help them plug into the company support lines and conference calls. Become their mentor and coach them through every step, this is a team effort. The better trained they are the more likely they will succeed and continue in the business. If you haven’t heard from someone for awhile check in and see how they are doing. Be a leader and build one at the same time. Remember, this is about relationships first and foremost.

5. New prospects. There are going to be times in this business where you lose steam and wonder where you should turn next. Every chance you get put yourself in a situation where you have an opportunity to share. Go places, be around people, strike up a conversation, build relationships and the prospects will continue to come. Make your company a habit by sharing it with somebody new every day. Live your life through the eyes of your newest distributor. If you like more busy work, send out letters, stop at businesses, talk to doctors, hang up flyers, develop a website or look into online marketing, the options are endless. Overcome your fears and do something that makes you uncomfortable, it helps you grow.

6. Better yourself. If you continue to work hard on yourself, you can make a fortune. Read books, “The Secret” is highly recommended. Really take a look at what you want in life, set goals and focus on them. Write them down. Attend every company function that you can. Participate in the phone conferences if they are offered. Utilize the people in your upline because you don’t have to do it alone. Be grateful for everything you have and have faith in the message that you are sharing about the product you believe in.