When talking to prospects that are new to the MLM industry, you will usually hear the phrase “I don’t want to sell anything”. This will be followed by the proverbial MLM saying “You don’t have to sell anything, you’re just sharing this information” This happens to be a MLM debate…are we selling or sharing our products and opportunity?
A lot of the MLM “gurus” will tell you that, “It’s not about selling, it’s about sharing.” This is true to a point. You are sharing the knowledge you have learned to another person. This knowledge will benefit both of you as you help them build their trust in you and your business. However to actually say that it’s not about selling is taking it a bit too far. This is a business, and after everything is said and done, money talks. If you haven’t made a sale, then no money is talking! I think the MLM industry is about both.
Let’s break it down. You are sharing your business opportunity, and the idea of a better life with the income that can be earned. You are sharing stories about people who have had much success because of your company. However, you are also selling the idea of yourself as a leader and you are actually selling either a product or service. There is a product of some sort, and money does have to exchange hands.
If you fail to make that rather fine distinction, you’re setting yourself up for a situation where you have a network of eager people ready to share all they know with no actual income coming in.
To have a successful business in MLM, you do need to share your hard earned marketing skills to your downline. This will duplicate your success. You need to share what you know about MLM and share the simple system that produces consistent results.
This however, is the easy part. You can call it sharing, training, mentoring or educating. It all comes down to showing your knowledge with those who will benefit you. But that’s not the hard part. Where people seem to have issues is not following through on the selling part.
No matter what product or service you’re marketing, there needs to be a sale. This is the core of your company. Yet what actually closes a sale is you. You are the only variable that is unique in the situation. Of course you are selling your product, but to do this, you need to sell yourself first. Master this part and the rest takes care of itself.
So, how do you “sell” yourself? Be visible. Put yourself out there on the internet. Blogs, Social Networking Sites, YouTube are great places to start. Voice your opinions, and enter discussions. Be confident yet never pushy when talking to a prospect. Always be interested in them and what they need. People aren’t looking to build a long term relationship with a salesman, but they will stick around for a great leader. Show people you know where you’re going and make sure they’ll want to be there along side you. Research has shown that the best place to learn how to achieve personal branding is Right Here.
