Rockin’ It ‘Old School’ — Revenge Of The Network Marketing Caveman
I have to admit I’m getting a little bit annoyed by all of the “old school” versus “new school” arguments popping up in articles, blogs and forums. Maybe you are too.
If you “buy in” to the debate then you have to imagine there’s two types of networkers. On one side there’s a bunch of cavemen with clubs. On the other, there’s a bunch of pencil pushing nerds with laptops. That might be a little dramatic but I think it paints a picture.
So Let The Battle Begin — “Cavemen” V.S. “Nerds”
“Old School” Caveman
• Cold calling
• 3-Way Calls
• People you know
• Family and friends
• Face-to-face
• Door knocking
• Buying leads
• Advertising
• Referals
And so on…
The Worst Case Scenario: You have to get your butt out the door to meet or “cold call” strangers. Picking up the phone and connecting with people who seem to hate you. You’ll face rejection and possibly alienate your friends and family. Then you’ll go broke buying leads.
Maybe that’s not your experience, but for some people that’s what network marketing life is like. Sad but true.
But let’s look at the other side…
“New School” Nerd
• Capture pages
• Autoresponders
• Blogs and Websites
• Marketing forums
• Article marketing
• Video and audio
• Social media
• PPC advertising
And so on…
The Worst Case Scenario: Your head explodes because there’s so much info and technology out there. You don’t know where to start. But when you do start you notice that everybody and their grandmother is out there with a website. The worst part: they have a 7 year head start on you.
So where do you fit in?
So where do you fit in? Knocking on doors? Picking up the phone? Networking? Or maybe you spend all your time and money online? But one thing’s for sure… you didn’t get too far without using a few secrets from both sides.
What you can learn from cavemen…
Don’t dismiss the caveman. While the techno-nerd is starving in his cave planning his assault on the mammoth herd… the caveman grabs a stick… stabs a mammoth and comes home with a couple of broken ribs and a year’s supply of steak.
But on the flip side…
What you can learn from nerds…
While the caveman was out breaking his ribs killing mammoths… the geek invented a spear thrower. It leverages the power of the human arm and increases the velocity of the spear. It basically turns a caveman’s spear into a missile.
What’s the point? Well, It’s a “long range” mammoth death stick.
It’s the difference between bullets and ballistic missiles. An incredible leap of primitive technology.
But someone has to get out there and use it like a caveman.
In today’s terms… someone has to pick up that phone and make the call.
This is where two world’s collide… the caveman and the nerd.
Inseparable.
The truth is we all have a little caveman and nerd in us. And we become successful when we master both.
Let’s not forget it was only “yesterday” when phones were all the rage in marketing. At one point in time, the nerds were the ones who used phones. And if one thing is for sure, technology will continue to have a huge impact on how we market and communicate with our teams.
But you still have to bring home the steak.
This is why old pros will continue to have success as long as they’re willing to adapt. And young bucks will struggle until they unleash their inner caveman… or cavewoman.
Reminds me of an old quote which is a little harsh but hammers the point home…
“Young men think old men are fools, but old men know young men are fools.”
– George Chapman
What do you think?
Jason The “Better Networker”
P.S. If you enjoyed this article and you already subscribe to this blog please share it with your friends on Twitter by clicking the little green “retweet” button on this post.
New here? If you’re not a member yet then you can get your free tips sent straight to your inbox every time a new post is up. All you have to do is put your name and e-mail in the little box below. Presto!
12 Comments
Rebecca Geiger on October 13th, 2009
Even though a caveman could throw me over his shoulder like a sack of grain.. I still think nerds are hot! On the show big bang theory- Sheldon is my hero!
But then a caveman can carry my computer for me too!
Like you said: both are good! but for different purposes!
[Reply]
October 13th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Good day Rebecca.
I caught a few episodes of Big Bang
theory… loved it. I think there’s a
room for nerds and cavemen…
even better when the two cooperate. 
[Reply]
Josh bxoer on October 13th, 2009
Thanks Jason. While a lot of folks bust on “old school” marketing, the facts are:
15% of people have a Type A personality. These folks have no problem building their empires “Caveman” style. Well what happens to the other 85%? Well they better learn how to market using the “new school method”. The challenge lies with companies that are teaching their distributors to market using the method of the ancients. It’s all they know so they think everyone will just pick it up and roll with it and have the same results as they did. WRONG. I think that anyone can learn and succeed at any marketing method. The question is, do you want to have the success in 3-5 years or 3-5 months. 1.5 billion people are your audience online. Last time I checked there were only 350 million in America and a small fraction of that in your little town. Which do you think will get bigger, badder results?
[Reply]
October 13th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Hey Josh.
Man, you could turn that
comment into a killer article.
Right on. I think some people
are stuck in the stone age…
and some are just as stuck
behind computers.
You seem to have the best of
both worlds.
[Reply]
Jackie Ulmer on October 13th, 2009
We are all going to have preferences for how we do things; that’s just the way it is.
While I “prefer” to be online, socializing and developing my warm market in that way; the fact remains that great people for our opportunity are out there all of the time.
Sunday, I did a VERY old school thing – I hosted a product party (yes, a HOME party) with my 14 year old daughter. We had a blast, put about $150 profit in our pockets in 2 hours and created some ongoing customers.
And, we booked another party from the party. This all creates a form of residual income, really. And, it certainly gets the word out about our product.
Today, I’m back at the internet game and loving it. But, there will be times you’ll catch me offline, fine tuning my communication and speaking skills!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
PS – 2 years ago, we bought a new boat. We surfed online and found it; drove to Vegas and test drove it; bought it and came home. All of the boat dealers haven’t shut their doors because some boat buyers buy online! Food for thought!
[Reply]
October 14th, 2009 at 8:28 am
@Jackie
Very true Jackie. You sound like
you have your act together and
one foot in both worlds. A lot of
people have trouble with that.
Here’s to wishing you even more
success in the years ahead.
Thank you Jackie.
[Reply]
Elmar on October 13th, 2009
Great Article Jason,
Indeed, you can’t read an article or blog without reading arguments about the “old school” versus “new school”, and it can be annoying. Personally I was an “old school” marketer for 11 years and I found out I had to learn new skills, otherwise I would be left behind. But on the other hand some of the “old school” methods stay worthful.
I never looked at it the way you describe it above. Thanks for the new insight.
Elmar
[Reply]
October 14th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Hey. Nice to see you back
again Elmar.
I think the young networkers
tend to dismiss old school
“secrets” far to easily. It’s
interesting to see how both work
together.
Thanks Elmar.
Glad you liked it too.
[Reply]
Kelly Wissink on October 13th, 2009
Thanks Jason!
Kelly Wissink
[Reply]
October 14th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Hi Kelly. And thank you
for reading. I hope to see
you back again soon.
[Reply]
How true! just experienced this last week when I attended our annual convention. Went for dinner with two of the top earners and realized that so much of what they do is a combination of Caveman and nerd.
They used technology to make their prospecting easier (e.g. find out information, needs and wants or their prospect) and then use caveman techniques to prospect them and build a relationship.
[Reply]
October 13th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Hey Andy.
Thanks for dropping in.
Yep, I’ve noticed the same
thing. It’s almost impossible to
find a real success story who
ignores human nature or technology.
A little bit of both.
[Reply]