You gotta do it the right way...

Yesterday was an awesome day for my wife and I. We are so thankful for all the wonderful people that God has blessed us with in our life. For this article I want to discuss something that happened while Melisa and I were doing a carpet re-stretch in Zeeland, MI.

Now you might think that I am going to talk about the importance of installing carpet, or working your job, that you gotta do it right. Well, kinda, but not exactly! Though we did an excellent job and over-exceeded expectations, as we are known to do, the real reason for this article has to do with what happened after the job was finished!

Our client's wife had made some chicken enchiladas for dinner and, though she had to leave, her husband served my wife and I a plate to show their gratitude. While he was preparing our plates I had asked him if his wife worked outside the home. His response was, not at the moment, as they had just recently adopted a beautiful little boy from Ethiopia and they are not supposed to leave him for at least the first year. He then went on to say that it would be nice/helpful if they had another income coming into their home.

So, our carpet company, First Class Installations, is not our primary business. Where we are most passionate is in the Network Marketing industry. This is where I want to talk about doing it right! You see we don't believe in chasing after people, selling people, hyping up our opportunity, or anything like that. As a matter of fact the reason we are in Networking to start with has nothing to do with selling. Pay close attention, you gotta do it the right way...

First of all, should you decide that you want to start a Network Marketing business, it is absolutely imperative that you find a company that has a unique product which you would gladly pay for every month, WHETHER YOU MADE ANY MONEY OR NOT! The reason to join an MLM company should not be to make a lot of money, though that quite likely will happen should you do it right. Many people have said, "The product doesn't matter," we beg to differ. Anytime you are focused on money, instead of servicing the customer in the marketplace, you are setting yourself up for failure.

What makes MLM powerful is the word of mouth. But why would you tell someone about a product or service that you are not excited about? In addition to that, Networking is a career, if you are going to spend the next 20-30 years of your life in this profession, why would you be involved with a company that you are not passionate about their products or services?

Second, we do not believe in sharing the business with everyone we meet. Many people have this perception that when you join the business you try and sell your opportunity to everyone you know, including friends and family. Nope, this is where step 1 becomes important. Let me give you an illustration using our business.

We are involved with a company that specializes in Nutritional Cleansing and Weight Loss. When Melisa and I first got started we were both skeptical, AS EVERYONE ALWAYS IS, however after doing some research we wanted to try it and see what happens. Both of us lost 12lbs and several inches. It was obvious the products worked, our results were visible! So here is what happened. People at church and others around us said to us, "Wow you guys look great, you've lost weight, what are you doing?"

Did you catch that? Did you see what just happened? We didn't have to sell anyone anything. Our results with the products attracted interests from the people we know. Now that they opened the door we can share the product and/or business with them. My response was, "Thanks! We started using a Nutritional Cleansing system called Isagenix, we are very pleased with our results. Both Melisa and I have lost 12lbs. If you're interested I can give you some information about it."

The only exception to this rule is if you know someone that would benefit from your product or service. If that is the case you could contact them like this, "Hi Ron, Melisa and I tried a cleansing program and lost 12lbs, I know you are looking for ways to lose weight and thought you might like some information." If their response is positive and they say yes, then go and share with them your products. This can also work for the business opportunity. "Hey Ron, remember we were talking the other day about making some extra money? I might have found it, lets get together." This approach will only work if you know there is a need someone you know has and your business has the potential to accommodate it. Remember it is THEIR NEED, NOT YOURS!

Now back to the carpet job, When my client mentioned it would be nice if there was another income coming into the home, that was an open door. I said to him, "Not to sound like I am pitching you a business opportunity, however, have you ever considered Networking?" Once I asked that question he told us the horror stories he had experienced from friends of his who tried to sell him on a couple of different MLM opportunities. The approach that they took was wrong and because of it he has a negative impression of the industry. YOU GOTTA DO IT THE RIGHT WAY....

Now I could have tried to sell him on why those approaches were wrong, and hyped my opportunity, however that wouldn't have done me any good. I listened, understood where he was coming from, then explained to him the 2 steps previously mentioned above. Not once did I try to sell him on our business. Another key point to remember here is, "If they are not looking, don't try to convince them." Though he did say it would be nice for them to have another income, and with MLM you can work part time from home, that doesn't mean keep talking about your business. There is a need, however, he is not "looking" for what we have to accommodate. Make sense?

Will anything come out of it? Who knows, but it doesn't matter. We had a great talk, enjoyed our meal together, shook hands and went home.

The last thing he said was, "You have great workmanship and really take pride in your work, I am very pleased and will refer you to anyone I know who needs carpet." In the end we developed a new relationship!

That is how you get word of mouth advertising, and, that is Networking at its finest.

If you want to succeed in any business venture, especially Network Marketing, always remember, you gotta do it the right way!

God bless you,
Ron