So your network marketing business is  doing great but all of a sudden your company has this major lawsuit slapped against it and will have to shut down.

Horrors, all those beautiful cheques you were getting will soon be history.

What is a person to do to insulate themselves from just such a scenario?

The funded proposal is the life line and savior of all smart network marketing entrepreneurs.

With a funded proposal you market a product related to what you may be selling.  For example , you are selling some kind of juice that helps people have more energy.

You could create in informational product teaching people how they could gain extra energy by doing “3 Simple Things To More Energy” and offer it free.  It doesn’t have to be a report, it could be an audio by an expert in health and energy or even a video.

You will be collecting leads generated out of  interest in the niche you are specializing in. These will be primed to hear more of what you can offer even if you have to switch company in mid-stream.

In simple terms, the funded proposal is a method used by savvy marketers to generate leads by offering something that will help them improve their lives or business.

A person may have several funded proposals to generate extra income.

How can this save you from your company’s lawsuit and possible closer?

You may be losing all the perks you were getting from your company but you won’t be losing what you have built, a targeted list with people ready to listen to what you have to say or offer.

Just make sure you have something of value to share.

So you’ve been network marketing for a while now and things aren’t happening as quickly as you thought.

It’s quite frustrating and you’re starting to doubt whether you made the right choice and especially whether this MLM business wasn’t all bull in the first place.

Nothing seems to be working even though you work non-stop making calls, follow-ups and presentations but nothing is happening inspite of being so busy with these activities.

Let’s look at this a little closer.  In MLM, a difference does exist between being efficient and being effective.

Most average distributors are very efficient and are doing things the right way.

However, most leaders in MLM are very efficient at doing the right things in an effective way.  See the difference?

Being efficient is a great quality and good to have but being effective at doing the right things in the right way is the difference between having some success and unlimited success.

Ask yourself whether you are doing the right things in the right way? The only thing in MLM to be doing in the right way is communicating, connecting with others. Did you think the answer was a great secret?

Think about it.  What do all top leaders have in common?  They can communicate very effectively with everyone.  Simple.

Teaching your new recruit these next 3 criteria may just save your business:

1. you’re NOT in MLM to SELL
2. you’re NOT in MLM to RECRUIT
3. you’re NOT in MLM to TRAIN

How can this be?  Well, selling your products, attracting recruits to you and showing them how to work their MLM business are all the FRUITS of your effective communication and exposure.

Your priority is to effectively expose your business and products using attraction marketing.  People want what you have if you let them know what it is you have.

So how do you create effective exposure?

• we are often told in MLM that you are an information giver.  This is only partially right but can be a trap as people get caught in giving out too many details and fact.  The key is to make an impact in other people’s lives by moving the prospect from the inside.  You move other people when you keep the focus on them.  It’s all about their dreams, their wants, their future.  Moreover, the focus is on their paycheck not yours.

• creating an emotional connection with your prospect is also very important.  How do you do that?  Simply focus on what your prospect wants to change for the better or have in their life the most and then show them how your products and your business can help bring that into their life.  What is paramount is for your prospect to develop an emotional connection to the product, or the business or you as the leader.  This is easily done during an effective presentation.

• Giving VALUE to your prospect is KING. If your prospect doesn’t see value in what you are offering, doing or who you are, then your prospect will not move toward you.  Giving value is not hard.  Find out what they value in their life and then show them that your products, your business and you can help increace it.  In general, most people want to increase what they have physically, expand as persons emotinally, enlarge their circle of influence and feel totally empowered in their lives.

Your “job” is to simply show them how you can help them do that.

Taking all the above into consideration, then stop worrying about networking, selling, recruiting, training and being busy.  Start getting effective at exposing your business and products and you will see that the rest will take care of itself.

To read more about how to attract others, there is a free book by Mike Dillard called “Magnetic Sponsoring” that puts into clear perspective a very simple method to do just that.

It’s great to have a downline and having a strategy to get prospects. But how much of it are you maximizing to keep your MLM team motivated.

There are 3 things you need to keep your people going:

1. Education: The new distributor should be directed to get familiar with tools the company provides. These can be CDs, DVDs, conference calls, webinars and events. Encourage them to do something related to learning, about the company, products, training, every day. Even top earners don’t stop learning. How do you think they got where they did in the first place?

2. Motivation: Your people need to be motivated to keep their energy up. This will be provided by the company in the form of special events they can attend or daily training calls or even events you set up for your team.

There are times they will feel discouraged.  Didn’t you?  So remember to encourage them during their challenges.  This will keep you and them motivated.  Another tool to stay on top is reading.  Network marketing is a business where you build yourself each day because you learn about yourself.  I don’t think there is another business out there that challenges our shortcomings more than network marketing.

And if you’re lucky enough to attend seminars that target self growth such as the Millionaire MInd Intensive, then you’re on the right track.

Just remember that motivation energizes knowledge.

3. But for knowledge to energize, you need to put it into Action. Action needs to happen right away as those that experience success right away have more success later on.  So you have a new recruit.  Fast track them through your systematized training and help them get results right away.

There’s nothing more exciting than making money right from the beginning to keep your people motivated.

You know, network marketing is not rocket science and that’s why it can be so effective in duplicating if the tools and system are in place right from the beginning.

For network marketing training to be powerful and effective, certain steps are a must.

• “What do I do next?” is usually the new associate’s first question.
  

You can’t let your new distributors be ignorance on fire forever because they will simply get frustrated and give up before even really getting started.

So giving your new business partner a road map to success is absolutely necessary.

• We know that duplication is the key to success and that key gets turned by teaching to teach.

Your network marketing training must be easy to teach and to understand.  Complicating an issue causes problems and drop outs.  People will only think to themselves that they can’t do that, so keeping it simple is required at all times.

Teaching John how to teach Sue to teach Mary to teach Roger is what will bring you success and that residual income you’re working so hard for.

• In order to teach you need tools.

For your network marketing training to be simple you need uncomplicated tools and steps to follow that allows your distributor to quickly learn and implement them.  It is therefore, really important that you go out there with more than just a piece of paper with your name on it.  Your tools have to be multi media driven and touch on all the senses.

The distributor must be able to take personal time to view, hear and review all the tools and then decide which tool is best for them.

• Your training should be broken down into steps

Great network marketing training contains trainings on getting started, prospecting, approaching, presenting, handling objections, following up, and getting the decision. Also there must be training on the company, products and compensation plan.

But don’t forget to also include training on retailing the product as well as recruiting new team members. If you have these topics covered, you have the makings of a great MLM training.

• Automation keeps the KISS principle alive.

Going online with your training goes without saying. That’s the reality of today’s smart consumer.  It also makes it available 24/7 and leaves no one out of the loop.  Yes, they can do it at their pace and during their free time without worrying about missing calls.

So you’re looking at network marketing training automated with text, audio, some video with easy access to websites, tools and international contacts.

Stay tuned for 6 through 10 in my next post.

You are a network marketer and depending on your compensation plan you are only so many people away from unbelievable success.

In my opportunity, one is only 2 people away from realizing their dreams.  That’s why sharing your experience, product or opportunity with as many people as you ca,n will tap into the  law of attraction and the numbers will finally bring what you want.

But in order to attract you have to have something others will want.  Being a leader means developing attributes that you share and touch others with which will encourage them to join you because others will want what you have.

Followers follow leaders but also other followers.  However, leaders follow other leaders and will do what it takes to reach their goals.

So in order to be a leader, certain attributes must be developed. Are you a leader?  If not consider these next points:

• DESIRE:  It’s not about “I want something, but the desire to be the best”  You need to educate yourself so that you can do what it takes .  If going to a weekly meeting is what it takes then do it.  If attending a daily training call is what it takes, then what’s stopping you?

Living your business and sharing your vision keeps it alive and sharing your vision with your team shows them where you are going, that you are on track and that if they want to do the same, then it might be a good idea to do what you do.

Some will, some won’t.

• WILLINGNESS: New business owners in a network marketing scene are given directions to follow in order to educate themselves about the company and the product.

Are they willing to do what it takes?   Sit back and watch what they do.  If they are finding excuses along the way for not having completed a specific task you assigned, them they may not be what you want in a business partner.

• TEACHABILITY: A leader is coachable and eager to learn more.  A leader attends events and does the challenges recommended.

• SELF-RELIANCE:  A leader can be relied upon to produce what is asked of her.  SHe is a person to be trusted and there when needed.

• BE DRIVEN:  A leader is driven to succeed.  You go to bed and get up with your goals on your mind.

• DIRECTED & FOCUSED: A leader stays on course and is aggressive in a way that doesn’t put people off.  What I mean here is that a leader is tenacious and persistent by keeping people in the loop  who have passed on the product or opportunity in the past.

• PERSISTENT & CONSISTENT:  Many times, I have had success by dripping my information to prior contacts who have said no at one time only to say yes later on.  The timing will be right for someone somewhere sometime.

Once you acquire these attributes you will attract others to you.  This does not mean to say that you can’t attract along the way.  Of course not!

As you grow, your business will grow, and the two people you need to make your business an untold success will happen faster than you think!

When training new, inexperienced people for prospecting, there are a few things you need to consider.

First of all, people have different opinions.

How does this relate to prospecting?

Well, the first thing we are told is to share with friends and family.  Some people may find it easier to do that if they come from a supportive family and some won’t because they fear rejection, especially from someone they love.

So how can this be avoided?  By increasing ABILITY.

Your circle of influence starts with your family and can be represented as the middle bullseye on your influence of influence board.  These are the people you are closest to.

If you widen the circle a little you find relatives, then you get to friends, colleagues, people you meet regularly, people you meet once in a while, people you haven’t met in a long time, friends of friends and then strangers.

Get the picture?  Our circle of influence may be wide but at the edges, those we know get to be less and less until you are in the cold call area.

I hate cold calls and I refuse to make any.  So how can you train your new recruit to stay within the first few rungs of their circle of influence?

Teach them a script. You have to know what to say so that you don’t turn your family and friends against you.  It also insulates you from rejection.  It’s that simple

Here’s an idea of what I mean:

“I have just started this new business and I’m very serious about it and my business coach is giving me a challenge to connect with 10 family members who are open minded and you happen to be on my list.  I was wondering if you would help me?

(When they say “yes”)

“Great.  All I need you to do is watch this video and after you can give me your opinion.”

As your newbie practises with their closest family members, their level of ability will increase.  As ability increases, this new prospector will feel more confident and will widen the circle a little.

It’s a win win situation.  Your new associate gains confidence through practise and with your support and excellent training will soon find that prostecting is really simple and in the end quite rewarding.

Who would have thought that “GRATITUDE” would be so important in network marketing?

Without gratitude your associates may be feeling a little used if all you do is ask of them without sometimes giving back to them.

Gratitude will unlock the fullness of your life and it will turn:

1. denial into acceptance
2. chaos into order
3. confusion into clarity
4. problem into success
5. unexpectedness into perfect timing
6. states into perfect events

Now I didn’t come up with those beautiful words.

They’re from my upline leader who has just reached millionaire status today and she was expressing her gratitude to us for being there for her.  Happiness is directly connected to the flow of the heart and although it may show our vulnerability, it also strenghtens us as individuals.

This is the kind of team I belong to.

So don’t forget to show your gratitude to those that are part of your networking family.  It’s through gratitude that you will knit your team into a close group that is caring, generous and long lasting.

Events play a big part of our lives.  There is a day that celebrates our birth.   There is a day we dress up and scare others.  There is a day we give chocolates to the person we love and there is a day we give presents to everyone.

So events are a big thing.  This is especially true in network marketing.

Daily events are ongoing.  You may be attending a daily training call or meeting with your downline or a prospect.

Weekly events mark the week with maybe a call where a VIP is being interviewed.  You could learn more about the product or the business.  You could also be having home presentations where you are able to reach more than 1 person at a time.

In fact I am having one this next Monday evening and I expect a packed house.  Can’t wait.

Monthly events are very useful and should be attended on a regular basis.  There you will find others who are like you.  You will identify and feel the passion, the comraderie and the visions of others.  It’s also a good time to bring a prospect along so they can also feel the energy of the event.

There will be training tips and event product tasting and freebies.  It’s also great fun!

Monthly events inspire you and push you to go past your comfort zone.

But you live too far to go regularly to a monthly event?

Well, I live 10 hours away from mine.  In that case, why not make your own?  Get your people together and do what networking is all about.  Reach out to the community and put posters up so that many can view them.

You have a whole month to get it together.  Have your associates commit to helping this process happen.  And occasionally, you will be able to drive those 10 hours every few months to attend a company event.

The biggest event is the yearly convention.  I have already committed to going to mine next August.  Will I see you there?

Albert Einstein said:”If you’re going to live a happy life, tie it to a goal and not to people or things.”

This philosophy especially applies to network marketing.

Goal setting is something you have to do right from the start for yourself and teach your business partners as well as your product users to do the same.

If you want to achieve what you want in life, no one else is going to do it for you and therefore, before you even share or work with people, you must set a goal.

You need to know where you are before you get where you want to go.  When travelling, let’s say you’re going to the Caribean, you will need to plan what plane, hotel and itinerary you will have.

Your business in network marketing needs the same attention.

It’s not enough to just build but if you follow the  S.M.A.R.T. formula you will be achieving.   So how does it work?

S: your goal must be specific. if you want to achieve a certain amount of commission, name what that amount is and what you have to do to get it

M: your goal must be measurable. How much time will you commit each day in order to achieve it?  If 2 hours a day is what you can give it, that’s fine but you will need to see whether the goal you set is achievable with only 2 hours a day to devote to it.

A: you need to share your goal with someone so you can be accountable to a live breathing person.  Even if you don’t reach it within your desired time line, you will have at least committed to it in the first place.  Telling someone else keeps you motivated.  No one likes pie in the face for not trying.

R: your goal needs to be realistic.  This one goes hand in hand with measurable.  If you’re goal is too large to achieve in the short time your set, there is a possibility you might get discouraged and give up.  Just be realistic taking your experience and time under consideration.

T: give yourself a timeline.  Without a deadline, you cannot measure how far you are getting.  Want to enroll 5 persons next week?  Then make it your goal and give yourself a number to go by.

Your goal will change often and you will have more than one.  It’s a good idea to break them down into time intervals, let’s say every 3 months and review accordingly.

To help you set goals that qualify under our S.M.A.R.T. umbrella, your company will have provided you with tools to facilitate setting up product and business goals.  The next step is to put it all into action because a goal without a plan is just a wish.

I stopped wishing when I started with my networking company because all the tools I needed were there to guide me on to success.