HOW TO SUCCEED IN NETWORK MARKETING WITHOUT PERSONAL SELLING

So you have started your career in network marketing or intend to but are not sure you have what it takes to succeed because of the prospect of personal selling involved? The good news is you can definitely succeed; however, the challenge is you need to look for the right business opportunity and to change your mindset. The way forward in network marketing is slowly evolving from the traditional MLM model. Here are a few ways of succeeding in your business without personal selling.

Find a company that does not preach the need for a warm market

Traditional MLM companies that ask you to write an exhaustive list of your friends, relatives and work colleagues and try to recruit them into your business should be avoided, especially if you are concerned this may lead to strained relationships and a great deal of embarrassment.

New network marketing companies are springing up which abhor this practice and instead teach you how to generate leads with little or no cost. Some of these systems do all the sales work for you. For example, for a small monthly fee, one company uses call centre operators who call applicants on your behalf to answer any questions they may have about the business. These companies base their unique selling point on the time freed up for members to focus on marketing their business rather than trying to sell the opportunity.

Find a system designed to make leads come to you

New network marketing companies moving away from traditional MLM design their entire system around reducing or eliminating the need to call leads. With effective auto-responder strategy, leads are prompted at pre-determined intervals about the opportunity using effectively designed email messages. In a nutshell, you will not fail in this type of opportunity solely by not calling your leads.

The only people this type of system requires you to call are those who have already joined your team to mentor and coach them. This is the key to their strategy, i.e. retaining existing team members is more profitable than recruiting new ones.

Learn the art of providing a service or opportunity instead of trying to close a sale

Ok, you are with a traditional MLM or ‘new Age’ network marketing company or are planning on joining one? In recruiting new team members you need to learn the art of providing a service or opportunity instead of trying to close a sale. This is very important because when you joined a network marketing company you did not do so to enrich your sponsor but to be successful yourself. You must develop the mindset that you are offering a service that would help your prospect achieve their goals, this will influence the level of confidence you have in communicating the opportunity. Bear in mind and convince yourself that if one prospect doesn’t join you another will. That is one of the secrets to recruiting success. For example, a plumber markets his business and if you call him to book an appointment he knows if you don’t want his services someone else does and this is true. You need to develop that mindset. If you did not believe you were offering an opportunity to someone else then you are most probably with the wrong opportunity for you. Get out now.

If you are looking at taking the plunge into network marketing or have recently started, I hope you have gained some insight into how you can overcome the weakness you may have in personal selling. You do not need to run the risk of alienating friends and family to succeed in this industry. Be patient and choose the right opportunity for you. Develop the mindset that empowers you to believe you are trying to help yourself and others and ensure you take the necessary action to back your claims in terms of offering coaching, mentoring and support.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL INTERNET MARKETING ENTREPRENEUR

The successful internet marketing entrepreneur is one who is confident in his ability, always striving to grow his business and to grow personally in terms of self development and takes responsibility for his actions and results. They consistently achieve good results by good judgment rather than luck and they have a mindset that is based on consistency and persistence.

Below are 7 main characteristics demonstrated by these successful entrepreneurs. It is important to note that not all entrepreneurs possess all these characteristics. However, each entrepreneur does possess the majority of them. The list is not exhaustive.

1. An internet marketing entrepreneur as with all good entrepreneurs does not see problems or issues as something to worry about but rather as challenges which need to be overcome. Instead of looking for excuses why they cannot achieve something, they spend their time looking at ways in which they can solve their problems.

2. He is very comfortable in his own skill and skin and has principles and beliefs which he adheres to. The successful internet entrepreneur is not a fan of doing something just because it is culturally accepted to do it, especially if he disagrees with it. He is very independent and does not bow easily to peer pressure.

3. Is not a fan of trying to change people. Instead, he believes in moulding individuals in a way that would make them more effectively use their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses. As far as he is concerned leaders are developed not born; he believes anyone can become a leader.

4. They are kids at heart, excited by new challenges, with a zest for learning. They love to improve and do not have the capacity to rest on their laurels. Standing still to an internet marketing entrepreneur is as bad as regressing.

5. The successful internet marketing entrepreneur is selective of people he spends time with. He usually allocates the majority of his time to people who and activities which add value to him or his business – this could be his family, his mentor, his top team members or friends. He does not like to waste his time on people whose words speak louder than their actions.

6. Possesses a great deal of humanity. An internet marketing entrepreneur whose only aim is to become as rich as possible, even at the expense of others can never fulfil their potential. The successful ones are those who also pay a keen interest in helping others achieve the success they have. Not only does it help them self actualise, it also could translate into considerable residual income.

7. He is authentic and original, always looking for innovative ways of growing his business. He will learn from the best but is also committed to being the best and that includes leading the way in new technology, processes or activities.

The successful internet marketing entrepreneur displays the majority of these seven characteristics. They are always striving for ways to fulfil their potential but it is important to point out that they will never achieve their full potential due to their nature. By design, they are always looking to improve and never stand still. They may achieve all their goals and their dreams but will always look for a new challenge to be overcome.

CONQUERING YOUR FEAR OF FAILURE IN ONLINE BUSINESS

So you want to start your online business from home but are too scared to take decisive action due to fear of failure? You have heard too many horror stories of how people's dreams are dashed by lofty promises that never materializes. You are not alone. I and countless others have had to face this fear. But you know what? I'd rather try and fail than not try at all. Some people, including me conquer the fear of failure in starting an online business. Let me share a story with you.

My daughter was delighted one fine summer morning. I was walking her to school instead of using the car which I would normally do. She was pleased because she expected to receive a 'star' from her teacher as reward for being a good girl and exercising.

As she skipped ahead of me in delight, I had other things on my mind. As we passed our driveway, she asked "Daddy, what's that yellow thing on your car wheel?" That 'yellow thing' was the real reason I was walking her to school this fine morning. "It's called a wheel clamp", I sheepishly answered. You know what kids are like...six questions later, she understood that people who do not pay their parking tickets on time sometimes end up with these yellow horrible things on their car wheels.

As sweet as she was, the look she gave me and what she said next changed my life forever. It was the look someone gives you when they feel sorry for you. She seemed to finally understand why she did not always have MacDonald's or ice-cream when she occasionally asked. "Oh, they did the same thing to Melissa's dad", she told me. "Don't worry Daddy, you can take some money from my piggy bank".
Those two sentences broke my heart. I knew Melissa's dad. He is a fine gentleman, always polite. He was going through the same thing as I was. Good corporate jobs, managerial positions for both of us but still struggling to make ends meet. Daddy was so broke that his little daughter feels sorry for him.

I promised myself that day that it would be the last time I felt the way I did, like a mustard seed, because of a lack of money. I had lofty dreams like helping the underprivileged in Africa and taking my kids to Disney World but couldn't pay a parking ticket. I needed to realize my dreams by waking up! I promised myself that as long as I had breath, I was going to secure the financial future of my kids so that they are never in a position where they couldn't afford a parking ticket. I also promised myself that I would help as many people as possible to enjoy financial freedom. I got this inspiration from the plight of Melissa's dad. Sometimes the people who need help the most are those we think do not. I place myself and Melissa's dad in that category. On the surface, we appeared successful but in reality, we were staring at the abyss of personal failure.

People like Donald Trump have stressed the best way to achieve financial freedom is to be your own boss or to get extremely lucky. I decided to choose the former route and start an online business. It has been a challenge but I have enjoyed it immensely. The results, the challenges, the frustrations and the delight have been truly empowering. Several months down the line, I have fired my boss and I am now working my business full-time. I am truly on my way to achieving financial freedom for my family and helping others do the same.

Do not for one moment be fooled into thinking it has been smooth sailing. My friends and even my wife thought I had lost my mind when I decided to quit the corporate world. They had heard too many stories of how people fail in these types of businesses online. Initially, I had similar reservations but thankfully, another fear emerged which totally surpassed the fear of failure. That was the fear of inaction. Now, I dread not doing whatever it takes to ensure my life's mission is complete. If I didn't do what it takes to achieve my goals, I strongly believe I would end up a bitter and twisted man. I couldn't remain plodding in the corporate world, being afraid to open the bills, not having enough money to take my family for a meal and continually feeling like a failure. The way I conquered my fear of failure in my online business was to accept that I was a failure already and that I was not going to settle for my present circumstances.

I would like to walk my children to school out of choice and not because a 'yellow thing' was stuck to my car wheel. I will take the necessary steps to ensure this happens.

I hope my story will help inspire you to take option. Please bear in mind that an online business is not a get rich quick scheme. No matter which system is being offered to you, you need to realize that success or failure depends on you. Do not let failure be an option. Refuse to be intimidated by the fear of failure. Instead, channel that fear into action. Be persistent and consistent and your dreams will come true. The people that succeed in online businesses are those who treat their business as a business and not as a hobby. Go for that dream but taking action daily towards achieving your business goals.

WHO SUCCEEDS IN NETWORKING MARKETING

Apparently, there are two types of people in this world. Those who take life too seriously and those who are happy go lucky. It is reassuring to note that both types of people can be successful in the network marketing industry and both are as liable to fail, although they would beg to differ.

For the serious types - let's call them Pragmatists, life has got to be planned and organized day in, day out. They are terrified of taking undue risks and derive great pleasure from knowing everything is in order. They are generally regarded as seeing the glass half empty. This ability to plan and organizing is vital in growing a network marketing business.

The happy-go-lucky types or Sunshiners as they are sometimes called see life as an adventure and get a buzz of trying new things even if making mistakes could be costly. They are considered as the positive types, seeing the glass half full. They are happiest trying new things and having the adrenalin rush of uncertainty. This is very important, especially in times when the business results are frustrating. The Sunshiners would relish the challenge of turning her fortunes around.

The one set despises the choices and lifestyle of the other. However, each group has serious but totally misguided misconceptions about the other. For the Sunshiners, they see the Pragmatists as boring and unhappy control freaks. The Pragmatists regard Sunshiners as reckless and irresponsible.

Although these observations might seem true to the lazy mind, on deep reflection, they are absolutely ridiculous, if looked at in isolation. This is because every human being can be happy, a control freak, reckless and irresponsible. It is the situation or context that brings forth these behaviors.

For instance, a Sunshiner can be boring especially in areas where they have no interest. They would demonstrate drive and energy when they are engaged in an activity. They would be so engrossed in what interests them that they would sometimes ignore the needs of others. That kind of sounds like being boring to me. It can also mean bad leadership when put in the context of the network marketing industry. Leadership in the industry is about addressing the needs of your downline in terms of coaching, mentoring and support. They could be control freaks too. They always want to be in an environment that is fun, vibrant and challenging....and they would do anything it takes to ensure that happens. They guard their independence zealously in the way a control freak does.

A Pragmatist can be reckless in their haste to judge Sunshiners. The latter group really makes them uncomfortable when it comes to serious issues. They do like their energy and seemingly boundless enthusiasm sometimes but quickly get tired of it. They are very quick to scoff at the grand plans of Sunshiners, which insinuates recklessness. The perception of this group being more responsible than the Sunshiners can also be questioned. Take a situation whereby they have made their plans and tried to stick to it judiciously. The Sunshiner, who happens to be the Pragmatist's partner, feels stifled by these plans. All things being equal, you can bet your bottom and seriously devalued dollar that if a minor tweak is made to that plan and something goes wrong, the Sunshiner would be blamed for it. If that's not shirking responsibility, I don't know what is. In the network marketing industry, partners usually join forces to run their business. It is highly likely that the Pragmatist would try to take credit for when things go right and blame the Sunshiners when any risky marketing plan goes wrong. Rather than focusing on influencing change, they resort to the blame game which really annoys the Sunshiner.

It all goes to show that in haste to pigeon-hole ourselves as either Sunshiners or Pragmatists, we fail to realize that we, as humans are more complex and less black and white than we realize. I am convinced that every human being demonstrates the same kinds of behavior. The only difference is that we react differently according to the situation.

Therefore, I live you with two bits of advice rolled into one. Live your life! Live and let live!