Network Marketing Is Not A Lie…
I don’t know about you but I’m sick of people putting down our industry… when the truth is… business in any field is tough.
Most new businesses don’t last through the first year. Saying that networkers have a higher rate of failure is ridiculous.
If anything, we have a higher success rate because we’re among the best trained business men and women on the planet.
And network marketing is not a lie: People like you are living their dreams every day. retiring early, traveling, making a little more money each month…
You don’t have to be Mike Dillard, Aaron Rashkin, Mike Klingler, Or Ann Sieg to live your dreams either. I know a lot of people see all the big money and they give up before they even begin. But seven years ago most of our leaders were in the same place you are today.
It takes time and work, but running a successful home based business is possible as long you’re realistic… and most people I meet are. Most home based business owners would be happy to make a few extra bucks at the end of the month. They don’t care about all the toys. They don’t need a million bucks. They would be happy to pay their bills and help out a few friends or relatives.
They just want enough money so they don’t have to stress about it. Or maybe they hope to retire early and travel a bit. That would be cool. I mean, I’m sure you don’t sit there dreaming about hordes of people lining up with credit cards begging you to take their money. Do you?
I hope not! I’d probably run away SCREAMING if a buncha strangers started running after me with money.
Spread Your Wings And Fly
But what I can’t understand for the life of me is people who give up before they get started. Because there’s a whole world begging for help. People are losing their jobs, their homes, even their family. They’re turning to our industry for help. They’re waiting for you to guide them to their dreams.
People with dreams like yours. People who want a safe, honest and dependable monthly income on their own terms.
And don’t kid yourself, you already know where to find them…
You could start with Better Networker, because markets don’t get hotter than that. True, it’s a higher level of competition but real leaders stand out like chalk on rock.
And if you’re ready to spread your wings and fly, there’s hundreds of ways to generate leads – to meet people and help them out.
There’s…
• Twitter.
• Facebook.
• Youtube.
• LinkedIn.
• Blogging.
• Articles.
• Forums.
Or…
• Networking
• Telephone
• Advertising
• Partnerships
Or…
• Sizzle cards
• Post cards
• Direct mail
Or…
• Pay-Per-Click
• Press releases
• Banners ads
• Ezines
You get the point, right?
If you aren’t getting leads then you’re probably not looking. It’s raining leads, you just need to build a basket.
But what do you do to get all these cold leads to warm up to you? I mean, let’s say your “flooding” your basket (nerve center or blog) with leads – what’s next?
You give them something they want.
You get them to opt-in to your list. You give them something they want and then you STAY IN CONTACT with them. You slowly move them through your marketing funnel and show them how you can help them out.
You earn their trust.
You build relationships. You open your arms and offer to help them reach their dreams of retirement and travel. You help them make a few extra bucks a month they wouldn’t have without you.
Maybe you don’t have all the answers yet. That’s okay.
Share what you know and be honest about it. Master a skill they don’t have and make yourself valuable. You don’t have to be an expert to lend a hand.
Besides, you’ll get there over time.
And when you do… that’s when the money will follow.
Till then, you have to be honest with yourself. Stick to your guns. Lock yourself in a room and study your books till they get dog-eared.
Become the leader you know you are.
Your dreams are not a lie.
To your success,
Jason Better “The Better Networker
P.S. I’m not gonna claim I have all the answers. I don’t think anybody does. But if you enjoyed this post I think your friends would too. Feel free to share it with them on Twitter, because network marketing is not a lie.
19 Comments
Patty Gale on November 25th, 2009
This is an absolutely fantastic post. We are THE only industry that can offer true financial security with a 3-5 year plan.
Go to any other industry.. financial services, insurance, etc. and those professionals also have a 3-5 year plan with a difference.. Their 3-5 plan is just to get established.
I know because I worked in investments for 17 years.
Our 3-5 year plan is to freedom.
[Reply]
November 25th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Hey Patty, thank you.
I think that’s what people tend to
forget. They single out network marketing
and turn a blind eye to the rest. Any business
is tough.
At least, in network marketing the
skill set comes with you no matter what happens.
[Reply]
Mitchell Dillman on November 25th, 2009
First off, thanks again Jason for another powerful and thought provoking post.
What a GREAT time to be here!
Our world is in a way bad place right now both financially and environmentally.
The facts are, though, it’s what we make it…We may just need to turn off CNN (constantly negative news) and open our minds to the posibilities…
You do realize that there were more millionaires made during the great depression than at any other time in history.
Many of use have been and are simply busy positioning ourselves for the impending opportunity to come!
I see us as standing at the doorway to the modern day Industrial Revolution. Our computers are the Steam Engines which will propel us into the most prosperous time ever known… All Aboard!
As I continue to learn and grow as an on-line entregreeneur, I realize our market is Huge and there are prospects everywhere. I predict more and more conventional businesses will continue to implement ‘work from home’ programs which will only help solidify what we already know.
Thanks again for such thought provoking articles. I am only as good as the people I surround myself with and I am on a never ending journey to seek knowledge. Your input is valued.
Sincerely,
Mitchell Dillman
Eco Warrior
[Reply]
November 25th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Mitchell,
You are a leader through and through man.
I love it. This comment should be read by everyone
in network marketing. It’s a classic.
Actually, just an idea… but I bet you could turn it
into a powerful article in it’s own right.
Maybe I should “turn off CNN (Constantly Negative News)”
And the other CNN too.
We really do learn from everyone we meet. It might sound
“tacky” but no man is an island.”
[Reply]
Wayne Wu on November 25th, 2009
Hey Jason,
I heard on a training call that 60% of us network marketers do not make a single cent. Now, that doesn’t sound too good on its own, but the call went on to say…
- Real Estate agents spend about $2000 to get trained and get a licence and 60% quit without ever selling a single home.
- Life insurance salespeople spend many months in ‘on-the-job’ training and pay to do their exams and more than 60% only sell one life insurance policy in one year, and that they sell to themselves!
- 70% – 80% Loan officers drop out without ever earning a commission.
- The dropout rate for Kirby Vacuum Cleaners salespeople is 90%.
- 80% – 90% of new car salespeople drop out without ever making a sale.
So in any sales field, a 60% per cent failure rate is pretty good!
But in academic studies as well, I’ve heard that 60% of people never complete their university degrees.
As you say, you just have to stick at it and take things step by step.
Some people just have expectations that are too high, too soon and that makes them all stressed out and feel like failures when they don’t reach their unrealistic goals.
Yet, if they would just look back for a second, they would realise they have come a long way and they are much closer to their dreams than they give themselves credit for.
All the best,
Wayne
[Reply]
November 25th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
@Wayne Wu
You rock. I wish I was on that
training call cuz it sounds like an
earth-shaker.
I once heard it said that 9 out of 10
new businesses fail within their first year.
Then most drop out by the second and so on.
The odds of being in business for five years
is pretty slim… so if 40% of network marketers
make a couple of bucks we’re really ahead of
the curve.
This is the place to be. 
[Reply]
Amanda on November 26th, 2009
Your article is so encouraging and empowering to me that I feel I have to write something. Actually this is the first time I submit a comment after reading articles. I have been in network marketing for more than five years. However the progress is far from my expectation. I totally agree that it is a good platform to transit from employee to entrepreneur that I keep on finding ways to make it successful. Knowing about attraction marketing one year ago, I felt excited. I did PPC etc but there is no concrete steps to drill in this direction. Two months ago, I learned about Renegade University that give me hope again to work on attraction marketing. While there are so many things to learn and certain time is needed to master some of the skills, your article did encourage me to be patient, continue to learn, keep on focusing what is learned and action and results will and must be coming.
Thank you again!
[Reply]
November 26th, 2009 at 9:17 am
@Amanda
Why, I’m flattered. I’m happy you took the time to
comment Amanda.
The one thing I’ve noticed about most of the pros
in our industry is that they all seemed to devour as
much training and information as they can and lock
themselves in a room until they get it down pat.
Sounds like what you’re doing with Renegade
University.
Patience is most definitely a virtue.
One wise man said, “Fail fast and fail forward.” In
the end… even that is enough… as long as time
doesn’t run out.
[Reply]
Donna Newby on November 26th, 2009
Thanks for the suggestion Jason and everyone else for some great input on our industry.
Wayne’s stats deferentially show in all the miserable business people impatiently driving to work I see every morning on the school run, maybe they should turn of CNN too!
Mitchell’s approach has kept many of us in this industry and enjoying life, just like this morning when I decided to imagine all those grumpy people as great network marketers like everyone on this site. Wow what an amazing world we live in!
Thanks again lets all have a rocking day.
Donna
[Reply]
November 26th, 2009 at 9:20 am
@Donna Newby
You got me thinking…
“What would the world be like if we
were all in network marketing?”
Oh no… let’s hope they take the
time to read your last article or we’re
all going to be hearing about .com this
and .com that. haha.
Oh my. But if the world were filled with
networkers… at least we’d all know each
other… and we’d all be getting 500 e-mails
a day too.
[Reply]
Peter Montgomery on November 26th, 2009
Hi Jase,
Hi everyone,
Once again great post as always.
When I first got into this industry it was out of frustration.
I discovered it almost by accident while I was looking for another way to make money, and I wanted the ability to take my business anywhere I wanted Geographically speaking.
As I’ve mentioned here before I’ve had my own Xerox repair business for 4 years now (no boss for 4 years:)
I know how tough it is to get a business off the ground.
I only had 14 machines to service at the time and had already left Xerox so it was do or die.
All up I started the business with 15 grand.
5 and a half of that went into my work vehicle.
The rest went on tools, a laptop and Parts etc…
I only had a few grand left and that was the buffer to pay the bills till it kicked off.
Very tight budget indeed and no back up plan.
I’ve learnt sooo much about business and systems, mindset, people, networking etc… in the last year through network marketing, and all the great training we get in our back offices and on sites like this one.
I’ve applied what i’ve learnt to my copier service business and have had excellent results.
I’ve actually been able to take my business and turn it into a home based business which is what I wanted in the first place
when I found this industry.
I never thought there was any leverage in what I do.
It’s not set up to recruit people or anything like that. More like I’ve been able to clone myself and market what I do to the globe
and people can subscribe to my site and learn how to fix their own copiers on the spot and get printing again Fast.
I’d like some help if I could.
I have my nerve centers being designed as we speak.
For branding sake, they are identical except for the headlines and the videos and copy will relate to what the site is. e.g.
How to generate leads etc…
and How to fix your copier etc…
Everyone that uses my copier repair services are a business owners and would benefit from some of the products in my network biz e.g. Google Adwords Guide etc… and my Marketing and business skillset.
so I expect a bit of crossover from each of my businesses.
My question is based around the social aspect.
Should I have seperate youtube channels , facebook page, or would combining the 2 be o.k.
I’m thinking along the lines of confusion.
On youtube If they want copier help and watch some value adding bait to bring them to my copier nerve center and then go on to watch my marketing stuff, would the messages be too conflicting from a Touch Point perspective.
How should I approach this?
I would love any opinions.
Thanks
Pete.
[Reply]
November 26th, 2009 at 9:13 am
@Peter Montgomery,
I think you have an amazing opportunity
Peter. As for what you should do… well
start with your market. If you feel like you
could serve them better by combining the
two then that might be a good idea.
If you think it would just confuse them… well
keep it separate.
In the end, you have to think about what they
want. Every market is different… so I can’t give
you advice… only opinions. But I would
err on the side of keeping things simple.
Don’t make people visit any more sites then
they have too. This is where personal branding.
Branding your name and self like the pros do
really comes in…
Markets can change but if you build a culture
of trust and credibility around your personal
name then it’s easier to diversify.
Hope that helps.
[Reply]
Peter Montgomery on November 26th, 2009
Thanks Jase.
Keeping it simple and Thinking about what they want.
Good stuff.
Most of them have no idea how powerful the internet can be for a business.
I didn’t.
My eyes are truly open to the possibilities. What’s normal to us (now) is completely foreign and revolutionary to other industries.
Copywriting, internet marketing, how we deliver our services. Anyone with a technical skill that someone already pays for can clean up just by knowing how to research and fill a gap.
I know that what I’m setting out to do will turn some heads in my field. No one is doing it.
I’ve found my Niche.
And I can Leverage that success in networking and on it goes…
Thanks for your help.
[Reply]
November 26th, 2009 at 10:12 am
You’re lucky in a lot of ways.
Like you said, they aren’t used to
internet marketing, copywriting and so on.
So it’s like you walked into an orchard with
low hanging fruit. Happy picking.
I guess, right now… it’s just a matter of
how many baskets to build… and how big.
[Reply]
Tony on November 26th, 2009
Hi Jason,
Some of my prospects refer to this site:
http://www.mlm-thetruth.com/
I found this site is quite annoying me,his one sided report make people more skepticsm for MLM business.
Could you give me some advice how to explain people that the report is not reliable?
[Reply]
Holiday Wishes From Jason Better…Network Marketing Business Blog on December 24th, 2009
[...] Network Marketing Is Not A Lie… [...]
Hi Jason,
Great post and kinda strange how the powers of attraction have played into this one for me!
I was only thinking this morning that I really need to get my head in a book as I have been solely focusing on getting my free training videos completed and I feel like I need some balance and inspiration to help me get through my work.
I thought to myself! I wonder what Jason would suggest, he’s full of great marketing tips and ideas, but it’s not often we see him write about motivation!
And here you are bigging up our dreams
And most importantly adding in the reality to go with it like a true Networker and Entrepreneur.
That’s the bit that most heavy’s (hypy heavey hitters) forget and I think that’s why our industry get’s such a bad rep.
But hay as one of my idles Jim Rohn once said to me “What you become directly influences what you get” so we know where the heavy’s are heading, but most importantly we know where us honest Networkers are headed and with hard work, consistency and integrity are dreams are made reality along with those we help along the way.
Ok off my preachers stand now!
SO back to the question I asked myself this morning! any suggestions for books on leadership you have found to make an impact on your personal development Jason?
Keep up the good work,
Thanks for making me smile
Donna
Oh P.S. hope you like the new post on our site you inspired it.
[Reply]
November 25th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Well Donna, you’re off to an incredible
start with Jim Rohn. The big books that
have inspired me have been Think and Grow
Rich, How To Win Friends And Influence People…
Which I’ve read a pile of times.
I’m also a HUGE fan of Earl Nightingale’s recordings.
Those are the best… Jim Rohn of course.
And I will have to go and read your new post too. I
wouldn’t miss it. So see you soon.
[Reply]