("Are You A MLM Junkie?" : MLM Network marketing secrets - is another great article about mlm, network marketing and a little about home based business on mlm network marketing "Are You A MLM Junkie?" Webster's New World dictionary describes the word Junkie as a narcotics addict, or one addicted to heroin. I call a MLM Junkie someone who is addicted to joining multiple MLM programs without making a profit in any one of them.)
"Are You A MLM Junkie?"
By Robert Blackman
Webster's New World dictionary describes the word Junkie as a narcotics addict, or one addicted to heroin. I call a MLM Junkie someone who is addicted to joining multiple MLM programs without making a profit in any one of them. Does this description fit you?
Well, to be completely honest, it fit me, once. I, too have fell prey to all the hype and salesmanship that goes along with the promotion of a MLM program.
Whether it was a brochure, cassette tape or conference call, I found myself hanging on their every word and dreaming how fabulous it would be not to have to get up and go to work the next day.
So, don't feel bad if you've joined and dropout of several MLM's -- you're in good company.
Before I tell you how to prevent from catching this most fatal MLM disease, you must first understand some very basic principles about MLM's and how to profit from their structure.
First, the only legal way to profit from a MLM is to help the parent company move their product or service via a referral system -- mainly YOU and those you help recruit!
You get compensated when you sale or refer others who buy from a MLM. You want to be aware that simply profiting by signing someone up has been termed illegal by the Federal Trade Commission. That doesn't mean you can't make a significant start-up bonus on the initial sale of a good or service, which is, of course legal. You just can't profit at the point of entry.
Second, you must understand that joining a MLM program means you're starting up a business. Most people don't treat this event as such. Instead, they treat it like rolling the dice at Vegas, or buying a lottery ticket.
If they don't hit it big with a fleeting attempt, then they go somewhere else and try again. You must treat your MLM opportunity like you would a traditional business. I have, for instance, spent well over $250,000 in starting and maintaining my printing business.
That's why you'll find me down here in the 'wee' hours of the night and on weekends -- I don't want to squander my investment -- and I make sure my printing company makes a profit. It's too bad that the average MLM'er doesn't see it that way. But, who can blame them.
For around $100 bucks you can join and buy products from almost every MLM in the country today. And, sadly enough, the company and their upline do a very poor job of training and informing the new recruit of what it really takes to make money in their opportunity (a key point they leave out of their marketing material!)
Nobody drops out of a program if they are making money. So, the first check point is to get off to a fast and profitable start. I find that if someone in my organization isn't making money within 3 to 4 months, they start sniffing around for something else!
Joining a program that doesn't have a written plan on what it takes to make money -- and I mean precise steps that have been formulated through trial and error -- then unless you recruit a "hoss" in your downline I'll predict that over 90% of your group will drop-out and join another MLM!
Once you've done your homework, it's time to sit yourself some goals. Don't go out and spend your entire budget on an ad or mailing list.
Instead, budget yourself. To build my groups I spend anywhere from $100 to $500 in any given month. If you can't spend at least $100, then don't expect your group to grow fast. Plug-in with your upline (that means calling and meeting with them if possible every single week.)
Remember that treating your MLM like a lottery is sure to give you lottery results -- one in a million. But, if you work only half as hard at your MLM as you do your traditional job you'll soon find that results occur more quickly.
Maintaining those you recruit is priceless in MLM. I find that I convert about 10% of my prospects from my ads. How do I do that? Simple. I mail them and call them within one week. I also make sure they get some sort of communication from me monthly. Either a phone call or a newsletter.
If you can get 2 out of every 10 you recruit to duplicate you own efforts you re doing great. That means 20% of your group is constantly ordering product, placing ads, mailing material and making follow-up calls. How do you make sure they do that?
You don't, and you can't. People are self-motivated. But, you must remember the golden rule to building a life-long relationship with your downline:
People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care!
Barking instructions and acting like a "big-wig" is a sure way to run off your group. They get that stuff at work -- they surely don't want it at night and on the weekends! So, your job is to consistently recruit people.
I put in 25-35 people a month in any of my given 4 programs I work. This way, I don't try to get my downline to do the things they're not ready to do anyway. I'll let those kinds of people "incubate" .
This only works, though, if they are ordering the products. Check your downline report. Those who don't order product eventually dropout!
Send them an encouraging letter letting them know you are available to help them if they want it. Don't be pushy or camp-out on them waiting for them to do something. Instead, go out and recruit MORE PEOPLE!
There are over 260 Million people in the U.S. today and it has been estimated that only 6 or 7 million are actually in a MLM - that means only 2% of the population is even in a MLM - contrary to popular opinion - the market is NOT SATURATED!
Your second check of your downline report is to identify those who are ordering product and are recruiting others who buy product. Call these people. Tell them what a great job they are doing and ask if they need any help! You'll be amazed at the results. If you stay in a program long enough, you'll find out that the next statement is true.
I'd rather be in a bad deal with good people, than in a good deal with bad people!
Treat people like you care -- and then take care of them. This keeps them and YOU from jumping from program to program and becoming a MLM JUNKIE!
Robert Blackman is President of Diversified Enterprises Inc. A printing and Direct marketing company. He is also President of The Profit Network, a Voice Mail & Fax-On-Demand MLM company. Not only is Robert successfully making money in 7 different network marketing ventures, he also provides a discount printing, writing, designing and ad placement service! Want to know how to make money in any MLM? Now you can! Robert Blackman's two cassettes & book entitled, "How To 100% Absolutely Guarantee That You Make Money In Network Marketing" is now available. For complete details on how to get them today; contact Robert Blackman via email at: robert1mlm@aol.com
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