Image Of Network Marketing

Traditional business concepts have had a real shake up in the last decade with the internet changing not only the way people interact but also how they do business. With the abundance of information available consumers have changed some of their shopping habits which in turn of course has affected the ways businesses market their products. The same applies to MLM (Multi Level Marketing) companies. Their structure goes against the traditional concepts of business in itself but this industry also has had a shake up from the internet.

MLM companies have been around for years now but certainly in the last few years they have grown in number and type. The traditional marketing methods have been to go out and speak to as many people as possible to introduce the business concept to them as well as market a product. This method is effective although it certainly has been a factor in creating the negative image of Network Marketing in general. We’re not talking about the perception that a lot of people have that Network Marketing is a “scam”. We’re speaking of the image of Network Marketers being “pushy, desperate and smooth talkers”.

The methods employed by many companies to “prospect” people are quite outdated especially considering that today’s consumer likes to have more control over what is marketed to them and are quite “wary” of being sold to. A lot of people who start MLM businesses of their own have had little or no sales experience and often are told that they can build their own business quite quickly with no “selling” involved. One upline said to me “ You don’t like selling? Great you’ll love this business!”. I found that difficult to understand considering there were products to move and a business concept to sell. I was told that we’re not selling but “sharing”. Since I have been in retail sales for 15 years I thought I knew what selling was but apparently not.

I believe it’s important to have transparency in this industry to help get rid of the lies that are often told to prospects when they start out. These lies and outdated methods have helped create the image today of MLM companies in the mind of the general public. These lies range from the idea that everyone is a prospect to just letting the system do it all. This is not a reflection on the companies that supply the products or the compensation plans themselves only what I speak of is regarding the systems used to “get people in”. To tell people who have no sales experience that they are not selling then send them out with little training with a “script” is like sending untrained and unarmed troops into battle.

As for how this relates to the internet there are still a lot of companies who don’t use the net as a tool to help attract those people who are actively searching for the right business to start. When I say “right business” I refer to the right business for them. I have spent much time searching for the right people to work with using this method and found a great deal of time is wasted speaking to people who are just not interested in my “Business Opportunity” and are just waiting for me to leave. There are many people who do want to hear it but the process of finding them is time consuming. This being the topic of lie no#1 of The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing, a free ebook that can be downloaded through the link below.

Where I am heading with this is why would companies continue to use this outdated method and not employ an automated system that finds those wanting to start their own business for you? I’m not suggesting some turn key system where you just switch it on and watch all the prospects and dollars come rolling in but a system that simply attracts those already searching and allows them to initiate the contact. You still need communication skills and business and marketing skills to build rapport with people but the conversation you have is much different. For starters you know they are at some stage of interest and want to hear about your opportunity so it takes away the stress of having to get through the “What’s he trying to sell me?” barrier.

Humans are social creatures so personal interaction is vital to this business. This is a method of using both online and offline ways of attracting and building your teams. The internet has become a great way to get your marketing message out to many more people then you could do yourself. It doesn’t take the place of personal interaction and to tell you the truth I don’t believe your business would be as successful without it, at least in the long run. It also is a valuable marketing system that is ignored by a lot of MLM companies. I myself have gone from the traditional method of speaking to hundreds of people to utilising the net to automate my message to those who are looking and found results much higher. The internet is here to stay and more and more business is being done over the net and people are getting more confident with using it so it is ludicrous not use such an amazing tool.

The image of the industry is improving as more and more people are getting exposed to it but still need to know what the difference is between a true Network Marketing company and “Pyramid schemes”. A lot has been done by these shonky companies to damage the industry but there are many companies that have great integrity that those exposed to them see that and don’t worry about the others. Although, unfortunately it is a reality that this image is there. General deal with it immediately up front as the quicker I can get past it with a prospect the quicker we can look at the real issues which is building the business.