The military has something called “boot camp” for all new recruits. No matter how eager you are, you always go through this basic training process to ensure that you do not become an unnecessary casualty on the battlefield. While most network marketing companies have basic training for new associates, some people bypass this training and run straight out on “the field.”
Almost all become a quick casualty of network marketing.
Network marketing creates the opportunity for just about anyone to have his or her own business, but that doesn’t mean that everyone is ready to run a business. Poorly trained business owners don’t have a plan for action, experience more rejection, have a more difficult time recruiting and are not able to successfully promote their company’s products or services. The result is a lack of results.
Incidentally, this problem isn’t limited to network marketing. Many people start new businesses and fail because they lack critical skills for success. The good news is that skills are learned and that means you can always get the training you need to succeed if you’re willing to subordinate your ego enough to seek it.
If you’re just getting started in network marketing, or if you’re thinking about it, consider why you’re getting started. You recognize, like so many others, that Network Marketing can help you get the things you want. Perhaps it’s to make more money, to pay your bills, spend more time with family, or to focus on school and not have to worry about “punching a clock.” The list is as long as the number of people with dreams of something better. If those dreams are important to you, then doesn’t it make sense to make sure that you have a bit of training before rushing out to promote your business?
Ask your company what personal development and business training is available. Take advantage of it. The saying is that your income will grow as much as you do.
Of course, there’s a dark side to training as well. Basic training is just that: basic training. If you tie up all of your time with training programs and no time working for your new business, you’re not going to get any results and you’ll be a casualty of network marketing. Balance your training with taking action as quickly as it feels comfortable for you. Continue your training until the “box drops” and take constant and regular action to build your business.
When starting in network marketing, some will tell you to immediately make a list of all the people you know. The notion is that you’re going to promote your business to your friends and family. There’s a grain of truth to this, but the picture isn’t complete if you don’t understand the complete process.
Think about it this way: If you were starting a “traditional” business, perhaps you might need an accountant to keep the books up to date. If you had a friend or family member who was an accountant, would you offer him or her the opportunity to work in your new business? If you didn’t and your friend found out that you hired someone from a newspaper ad to fill that accounting position, especially after your company became successful, do you think your friend would be a little hurt or even mad that you didn’t let him or her know about the opportunity?
If this still doesn’t make sense, here’s a little game to help you.
Imagine that you’re opening an Italian restaurant. You invested your money to get started, leased a space, ordered high quality ingredients, beautiful place settings, rustic interior decoration. Everything is beautiful and ready for your grand opening. At this point you realize that you don’t have any money left to run advertisements for your restaurant! What will you do? Certainly you’re not going to let your grand opening end in a bust.
Unless you’re hopelessly egocentric, the best thing to do is to make a list of all of the people you know who eat food. You’re going to promote your business by contacting these people. By the way, the word, promote, means “to make known.” If you have any negative feelings about the word promote, get over it. Making your business known is a pretty harmless concept, isn’t it?
So pretend this is you and make that list. Write down a name, the phone number if you have it, and maybe a word or two about the person if anything comes to mind. Don’t spend too much time over each person at this point. You’re just making a list of people you know who eat food.
What would you do next? A little preparation is useful. Perhaps make a few index cards listing the different types of dishes you’re planning to feature. What kind of people will like those the best? What would someone order if he or she doesn’t like red sauce? What if someone is a vegetarian?
Next, you would contact each of your friends. How do you start the call? How about saying “hi.” It’s a friend, isn’t it? Be a friend. Let them know you’re starting a new business and you spent your budget on having a great opening and don’t have any advertising budget. Ask them if they know anyone who likes Italian food. Notice how I didn’t say to ask if they like Italian food. If they do, they’ll let you know. You’re not just letting them know you’re starting a business, you’re letting their friends know you’re open for business as well. This is what networking is all about.
Really imagine yourself doing this. You’re not calling to tell your friend all the ins and outs of Italian cooking and you’re not calling to describe the molecular chemistry of espresso and why it’s different from “regular coffee.” You are simply, promoting your business. Your friend might not like Italian food and may not know anyone who does. That’s ok. He or she may never come to your restaurant, but that’s ok. That person is still your friend.
Promoting your business should feel casual and effortless. It should be the easiest thing you get to do during the day. Without a bit of consideration and training, you may end up making the process incredibly difficult for yourself. If you don’t do something about it, and learn how to take the right kinds of actions in your business, you’ll end up a casualty of network marketing.
