Why Is Network Marketing So Hard?

Contrary to all the sensational claims, all the ads screaming, "Easy Money, Just Click Here!", and all the smooth talking videos, network marketing is hard. There, I said it.

Anybody who's tried it already knows this. If it's not hard, then why do upwards of 95% of the people who try it fail?

So what makes it so hard?

Mostly, the companies themselves are to blame. Most company training that I've been a part of has been positively atrocious. They focus almost exclusively on their product and how to present this product to others. They seldom mention how to find people who'll actually listen to what you have to say.

Instead of teaching you how to identify your target market, companies are notorious for blabbering nonsense like "everybody is your prospect." They then tell you to put flyers on cars, hound your friends and family, and exercise the 3-foot-rule. NOTE: Anybody who has not used the 3-foot-rule, you really don't know what you're missing.

Another tactic more slightly evolved companies suggest is to buy lead lists and cold call. Now, to be honest, this method has worked wonders for some people. But speaking from experience, I never recruited one person this way, and I called a lot of people.

Most people, after cold calling a few leads and getting the same dismal response that I did would quit. I know this because I've talked to many former and current network marketers who told me so. I've given up in frustration myself. Mostly because I was unable to make any forward progress at all, and my upline had no clue how to help me.

So what's the right way to approach network marketing today? If it's possible to become successful in network marketing (and I know firsthand, it is), what methods do we need to use?

Firstly, it's essential to generate your own leads. Fortunately, with the Internet, it's become almost easy to do this. Everything from traffic exchanges to safelists to ezine solo ads make it possible to generate about as many leads as you care to. These take either time or money, or both.

You'll also need some sort of website or capture page. There again, you can find all the information you need to set up these online. They're not very expensive, and are crucial if you want to generate your own leads.

Also, you page or site must look professional. You can find professional-looking templates, and if you can't write good copy, you can hire someone to write your copy for you.

So, how does someone visiting your page become a lead? The most effective way is to offer people a free gift in exchange for their contact information. I use a 3-page report I wrote, and you can do the same. Some people use ebooks, which works just as well.

Now that you've captured a lead, what do you do with it? Do you call them up and start pitching your company? Not hardly. Way to soon for that. If you do call them, there's a 75% chance that you'll get voicemail, but that's OK. Your message should say something like, "Hey Bob, this is Joe Smith, and I was calling to see if you received the free report you downloaded from my website. If you have any questions, you can reach me at xxx-xxxx." That's all you need to say for now.

Now, granted, there's a slim to none chance of him ever calling you back. But that's OK. All you're doing now is planting seeds. He's seen your name on your website, and now he's heard your name on his voicemail. Once he reads your report and likes what you have to say, he's no longer a cold lead.

You might call again a couple days later, again asking if he's got any questions about anything he read in your report. The reason: You want to come off as a consultant, not as a salesman. Plus, if he's read your report, there's a good chance he already views you as somewhat of an expert already.

All of this is called "pre-selling," and it's essential in network marketing. No one likes to be sold, but everybody wants to succeed. If you can demonstrate that you're the one who can help them get there, you increase your chances of recruiting this person into your downline.

As I said earlier, network marketing is hard. There are tools today, however, that make it much easier than it used to be. And, if you persevere, the rewards are well worth it.

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