My company's annual convention is coming up shortly, and I'm so excited! My sponsor told me that for every convention you attend, your team grows by 100 people. I don't know from personal experience whether that's true, but I trust my sponsor, so off I go.
Regardless, convention is a can't-miss event. You're surrounded by so much positive energy and excitement. Big dreams are bouncing off the walls. There's laughter and standing-on-your-feet cheering. You get to see the company's vision of what's to come, and it's mind-boggling. There's nothing quite like it.
Yes, there's a plane ticket involved (unless you're lucky enough to live within driving distance), hotel expenses, and the cost of your convention ticket. Do whatever you have to do to get there. I used miles to pay for a portion of my airline ticket and am sharing a room with a couple of my buddies. My company also offers specials on convention tickets, so I made sure to take advantage of one of those.
It's worth it. We live in a doom and gloom world. Here's an opportunity to be surrounded by positivity and opportunity. I can't believe the excuses I hear from people about why they can't make it. If you're serious about building your network marketing business or you're looking for the fire to ignite yours, your company's annual convention is the Holy Grail.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Keep Climbing
Earlier this year I flew to Scottsdale, AZ for a company event. My mom and younger brother had recently become distributors, so they came too. My older brother and his girlfriend decided to join us for the fun of it.
My sponsor invited us to climb a mountain with him. I'd never climbed anything, so I thought it would be fun.
It was...until I got so winded I thought I was going to pass out. I told everyone else to go ahead. I was disappointed in myself and worst yet, embarrassed. I told myself, "Well, I can't keep up with them because . . . " And then I thought, "That's an excuse. Either climb this mountain or don't, but don't make excuses."
I decided I could get to the top if I just climbed and then stopped to rest along the way. As I was doing that, I noticed fears popping up. "Well, what if they start back down and I'm not that far along?" And "What if I can't do it? Look how high up that is!! I'll never get there."
I'd sit down to rest and I'd visualize myself at the top of the mountain and I'd say, "Thank you, Lord that I'm at the top!" Then I'd start again and say to myself, "Focus on one step at a time. That's all you have to do." Or "how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
When I finally got to the top I was so proud of myself. I did it!
And then I realized that my experience was a great metaphor for building a network marketing business. As you work your way to the top, it's OK to stop and rest, it's OK to be fearful, but keep taking one step at a time.
The main thing is not to quit. And it doesn't matter if you get there after other people. Once you're at the top, you don't care. All you notice is that you're at the top and isn't the view awesome?!
My sponsor invited us to climb a mountain with him. I'd never climbed anything, so I thought it would be fun.
It was...until I got so winded I thought I was going to pass out. I told everyone else to go ahead. I was disappointed in myself and worst yet, embarrassed. I told myself, "Well, I can't keep up with them because . . . " And then I thought, "That's an excuse. Either climb this mountain or don't, but don't make excuses."
I decided I could get to the top if I just climbed and then stopped to rest along the way. As I was doing that, I noticed fears popping up. "Well, what if they start back down and I'm not that far along?" And "What if I can't do it? Look how high up that is!! I'll never get there."
I'd sit down to rest and I'd visualize myself at the top of the mountain and I'd say, "Thank you, Lord that I'm at the top!" Then I'd start again and say to myself, "Focus on one step at a time. That's all you have to do." Or "how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
When I finally got to the top I was so proud of myself. I did it!
And then I realized that my experience was a great metaphor for building a network marketing business. As you work your way to the top, it's OK to stop and rest, it's OK to be fearful, but keep taking one step at a time.
The main thing is not to quit. And it doesn't matter if you get there after other people. Once you're at the top, you don't care. All you notice is that you're at the top and isn't the view awesome?!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Sorting Not Selling
What can create a lot of unnecessary tension for you in your network marketing business is the idea that you have to convince folks to sign up. You have to "sell" your business to them. Almost instantly that image of the sleazy used car salesman pops up, doesn't it? (My apologies to the used car salesfolks who show integrity in their business.)
Trying to sell the opportunity to people is exactly what you don't want to do. When someone tries to make you do something, how likely are you to do it? Even if you want to, just on general principle, now you'll dig your heels in and refuse to participate. Selling people doesn't work.
Network marketing isn't a selling business anyway. I know that seems counter-intuitive but it's true. Network marketing is actually a sorting business. We are looking for people who are looking for this product/opportunity. Not trying to manipulate someone into signing up.
Instead of thinking of your mission as selling your company's product/opportunity, think of your mission as finding the people who want what you have to offer. Just as you are looking for them, they are looking for you!
And you won't have to "sell" them anything.
Trying to sell the opportunity to people is exactly what you don't want to do. When someone tries to make you do something, how likely are you to do it? Even if you want to, just on general principle, now you'll dig your heels in and refuse to participate. Selling people doesn't work.
Network marketing isn't a selling business anyway. I know that seems counter-intuitive but it's true. Network marketing is actually a sorting business. We are looking for people who are looking for this product/opportunity. Not trying to manipulate someone into signing up.
Instead of thinking of your mission as selling your company's product/opportunity, think of your mission as finding the people who want what you have to offer. Just as you are looking for them, they are looking for you!
And you won't have to "sell" them anything.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Plug in to the System
Professionals tend to be "Lone Rangers." We're used to being relied upon to get the job done by ourselves.
That attitude will kill your network marketing business. NM is all about systems. From Day 1 it is no longer your job to do it all by yourself; it's your job to plug into the system.
What's the system? Whatever your NM company has to offer. It often includes training websites, materials (such as books and audios), conference calls, and events (from training days to annual convention).
My sponsor holds a conference call once a week. Unless I'm deathly ill (or on vacation), I'm on that conference call.
Why? You'd be surprised how easy it is to lose your motivation. Plugging into the system rejuvenates you, helps you remember why you joined, helps you see that your obstacles are the same as everyone else's and that they're not insurmountable.
This past weekend I attended a half-day training event my company put on. It's actually a kick-off event for our annual convention that is coming up. I was surrounded by lots of positive energy, enthusiasm, and excited folks. Not to mention I got some excellent training.
That event wasn't in my city or even in my state. I had to drive several hours to get to the event. I even convinced a couple of team members to go along with me.
Why did we go all that way? My sponsor says that often it's a small thing you hear that can result in a big shift in your thinking. And that big shift can cause exponential growth in your business.
Plugging into the system gives you multiple opportunities to tap into those kinds of shifts.
That attitude will kill your network marketing business. NM is all about systems. From Day 1 it is no longer your job to do it all by yourself; it's your job to plug into the system.
What's the system? Whatever your NM company has to offer. It often includes training websites, materials (such as books and audios), conference calls, and events (from training days to annual convention).
My sponsor holds a conference call once a week. Unless I'm deathly ill (or on vacation), I'm on that conference call.
Why? You'd be surprised how easy it is to lose your motivation. Plugging into the system rejuvenates you, helps you remember why you joined, helps you see that your obstacles are the same as everyone else's and that they're not insurmountable.
This past weekend I attended a half-day training event my company put on. It's actually a kick-off event for our annual convention that is coming up. I was surrounded by lots of positive energy, enthusiasm, and excited folks. Not to mention I got some excellent training.
That event wasn't in my city or even in my state. I had to drive several hours to get to the event. I even convinced a couple of team members to go along with me.
Why did we go all that way? My sponsor says that often it's a small thing you hear that can result in a big shift in your thinking. And that big shift can cause exponential growth in your business.
Plugging into the system gives you multiple opportunities to tap into those kinds of shifts.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Have Fun!
Network marketing is such a fun business.
Then why does my sponsor have to continually remind his team to have fun? Because sometimes we get so caught up in achievement--trying to find people to show our presentation to, trying to sign people up, trying to get promoted--that we forget to have fun with it.
But here's the thing: the way we attract folks to our business is by having fun.
Everyone already has enough work to do. Most folks go to jobs they hate or at least dislike. They also have tons of errands to run and chores to do. What they don't have enough of is fun in their lives.
If you're having fun building your network marketing business, you're putting out some major positive energy. People are drawn to laughter, excitement, optimism, and big dreams.
Isn't that one of the reasons you signed up?
Then why does my sponsor have to continually remind his team to have fun? Because sometimes we get so caught up in achievement--trying to find people to show our presentation to, trying to sign people up, trying to get promoted--that we forget to have fun with it.
But here's the thing: the way we attract folks to our business is by having fun.
Everyone already has enough work to do. Most folks go to jobs they hate or at least dislike. They also have tons of errands to run and chores to do. What they don't have enough of is fun in their lives.
If you're having fun building your network marketing business, you're putting out some major positive energy. People are drawn to laughter, excitement, optimism, and big dreams.
Isn't that one of the reasons you signed up?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Log Your Hours
It's easy in network marketing to get caught up in stuff. Watching videos, reading books, going to seminars. Doing that stuff can make us feel like we're doing something to build our business.
Personal development and training are essential of course. But you've got to watch your balance. If all you're doing is learning about how others are building their successful NM businesses, you're missing something: Taking action to build your own!
I love how Dr. Tom Barrett describes this critical point in his book Dare to Dream and Work to Win. He uses the analogy of a pilot. When someone in the flying industry wants to know how long someone has been a pilot they don't ask, "How long have you been flying?" They aren't interested in how many classes the pilot has taken or how many manuals they've read. They only want to know one thing: "How many hours have you logged flying?"
It's the same thing in network marketing. The question is, how many presentations have you done? With my company, we have a daily scorecard where you can keep track of your activities. You score a certain number of points for each activity. You get the most points for doing a presentation. That should tell you something. Also, my sponsor also gives his team members recognition and a pin once they've done 100 presentations.
That was my first goal: to get that pin and the recognition for 100 presentations. So I set that goal and accomplished it in the first 10 months.
Does your company have a similar honor? If so, go for it. If not, you don't have to wait for your company to do it. Set up a goal and reward system for yourself and your team.
Personal development and training are essential of course. But you've got to watch your balance. If all you're doing is learning about how others are building their successful NM businesses, you're missing something: Taking action to build your own!
I love how Dr. Tom Barrett describes this critical point in his book Dare to Dream and Work to Win. He uses the analogy of a pilot. When someone in the flying industry wants to know how long someone has been a pilot they don't ask, "How long have you been flying?" They aren't interested in how many classes the pilot has taken or how many manuals they've read. They only want to know one thing: "How many hours have you logged flying?"
It's the same thing in network marketing. The question is, how many presentations have you done? With my company, we have a daily scorecard where you can keep track of your activities. You score a certain number of points for each activity. You get the most points for doing a presentation. That should tell you something. Also, my sponsor also gives his team members recognition and a pin once they've done 100 presentations.
That was my first goal: to get that pin and the recognition for 100 presentations. So I set that goal and accomplished it in the first 10 months.
Does your company have a similar honor? If so, go for it. If not, you don't have to wait for your company to do it. Set up a goal and reward system for yourself and your team.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Getting Ready to Get Ready
When you sign up for your network marketing business, the first temptation is to spend hours and hours getting ready to get ready. You need to read a few more books about NM, understand every nuance of your company's compensation plan, maybe buy some training programs from a guru, redo the list of your warm market...
Professionals are especially guilty of this behavior when we start an NM business. We feel as if we have to know everything before we take the first step.
In fact, knowing everything before you start will actually slow you down. One, it gets you bogged down in details. Remember, NM is about simplicity. It also may cause you to share too much info with folks you talk to. That's the death knell. You'll overwhelm the person, and they'll run screaming.
"Well, Monica, I need to do some preparation, don't you think?" you argue. Sure. Your company will provide you with the fundamentals. Maybe a few checklists, a training website. Do the few things they recommend, and then just hold your breath and jump in the water.
The sooner you do your first presentation, the sooner you're on the path of doing what needs to be done to build this fabulous business that's going to provide you and your family with financial freedom.
So learn the fundamentals and then just leap!
Professionals are especially guilty of this behavior when we start an NM business. We feel as if we have to know everything before we take the first step.
In fact, knowing everything before you start will actually slow you down. One, it gets you bogged down in details. Remember, NM is about simplicity. It also may cause you to share too much info with folks you talk to. That's the death knell. You'll overwhelm the person, and they'll run screaming.
"Well, Monica, I need to do some preparation, don't you think?" you argue. Sure. Your company will provide you with the fundamentals. Maybe a few checklists, a training website. Do the few things they recommend, and then just hold your breath and jump in the water.
The sooner you do your first presentation, the sooner you're on the path of doing what needs to be done to build this fabulous business that's going to provide you and your family with financial freedom.
So learn the fundamentals and then just leap!
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