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!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Rejection Ain't Easy...Is It?
Rejection can hurt. You show someone your presentation, or, heck, just invite them to take a look and they say, "No." But what you hear is (imagine a deep booming bass voice echoing) "NOOOOOO!"
Professionals aren't used to out-and-out rejection. I got used to my status--as a Harvard Law grad and a big firm lawyer--opening doors for me. When I became a network marketer, all of that went out the window. Instead, I was just "Monica Parker, Network Marketer."
And when people said "No" to my opportunity, it felt as if they were saying "No" to me. It felt as if I was being personally rejected, rather than my product. Ouch.
Does it have to be so painful?
Maybe not. It's actually a question of perspective.
Just think of your 3 closest friends. I'm betting they're all very different people. They probably have totally different perspectives about life.
That's exciting news. Why? Because it means you get to choose. You get to choose the perspective you want to have.
Let me offer a few perspective shifts for you to try on when you hear a "No:"
Perspective Shift #1: When you walk into a store, you browse around. You don't see anything you want. The owner asks, "May I help you?" You say, "No thank you" and walk out. Do you think the store owner dissolves into tears? No. They know it's not personal. They simply don't expect everyone to be interested or buy something.
Perspective Shift #2: Network marketing in some sense is a numbers game. The more no's you get, the closer you are to a yes. There's no way of getting around those odds. That means, every time someone tells you no, consider celebrating. I recommend hanging up the phone, jumping up and down, and shouting joyfully "Awesome! I got another no!!"
Perspective Shift #3: When my younger brother was a little boy, he had no qualms about asking for anything he wanted. Prime example: After my dad opened one of his birthday gifts, my brother said, "Can I have that?" My older brother and I were astonished by his audacity. My mom summed up my younger brother's attitude simply: "He figures the worst thing you can say is, 'No.'"
The next time you're feeling the sting of rejection, try a perspective shift. Use one of the above or come up with your own.
Professionals aren't used to out-and-out rejection. I got used to my status--as a Harvard Law grad and a big firm lawyer--opening doors for me. When I became a network marketer, all of that went out the window. Instead, I was just "Monica Parker, Network Marketer."
And when people said "No" to my opportunity, it felt as if they were saying "No" to me. It felt as if I was being personally rejected, rather than my product. Ouch.
Does it have to be so painful?
Maybe not. It's actually a question of perspective.
Just think of your 3 closest friends. I'm betting they're all very different people. They probably have totally different perspectives about life.
That's exciting news. Why? Because it means you get to choose. You get to choose the perspective you want to have.
Let me offer a few perspective shifts for you to try on when you hear a "No:"
Perspective Shift #1: When you walk into a store, you browse around. You don't see anything you want. The owner asks, "May I help you?" You say, "No thank you" and walk out. Do you think the store owner dissolves into tears? No. They know it's not personal. They simply don't expect everyone to be interested or buy something.
Perspective Shift #2: Network marketing in some sense is a numbers game. The more no's you get, the closer you are to a yes. There's no way of getting around those odds. That means, every time someone tells you no, consider celebrating. I recommend hanging up the phone, jumping up and down, and shouting joyfully "Awesome! I got another no!!"
Perspective Shift #3: When my younger brother was a little boy, he had no qualms about asking for anything he wanted. Prime example: After my dad opened one of his birthday gifts, my brother said, "Can I have that?" My older brother and I were astonished by his audacity. My mom summed up my younger brother's attitude simply: "He figures the worst thing you can say is, 'No.'"
The next time you're feeling the sting of rejection, try a perspective shift. Use one of the above or come up with your own.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Never Quit on a Bad Day
The best piece of advice I've ever heard about building a network marketing business is this:
Never quit on a bad day.
So profound. Think about how that works. You've got 3 presentations scheduled for the day. You're excited. What if all 3 of them sign up? You don't want to get your hopes up too high though. Even if just one signs up, that's a pretty good day.
Then the first one cancels and can't tell you a date to reschedule. Closely followed by the second person who cuts you off even before you get started saying, "Is this network marketing? If it is, don't bother because I'm not getting involved in any of those pyramid scams." And the third, who's a close friend of yours, is a no-show. And avoiding your calls.
And to bring a wonderful day to an end, you knock coffee on your computer. Perfect. Just perfect.
It's tempting to quit on a day like that. "What's the point of doing this?" you growl. "No one's going to be interested. I hate people." You fume as you mop up coffee off your keyboard which is ominously typing the letter "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" across your screen without your assistance. "I don't know why I'm even bothering. I'm never going to be able to do this. I should just quit."
Stop. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. (Well considering you didn't sign anyone up today, I don't think we have to worry about that one.)
But seriously, stop. Take a deep breath and let it out. Never quit on a bad day. Go find your kids and head to the park to play Frisbee or something.
Because here's the fun part: they won't all be bad days. There will actually be some good days. And you won't be remotely interested in quitting then.
Not until a bad day rolls around again. Because it will. It's that day you're thinking about throwing your company's presentation materials in the toilet because a woman you showed it to says, "Let me check with my husband before I spend $10 a month on your subscription program" (never mind that you know for a fact this woman just bought a Prada bag, took a family vacation in Martha's Vineyard, and is thinking about signing up for a Pilates series--because she just told you!). Take a deep breath, let it out, and murmur your mantra: Never quit on a bad day.
So then it's on to the next day which turns out to be a lot of fun because you sign up a buddy who's really excited about the business, and you're back to thinking this is the greatest business in the world, and you're going to...
Pretty clever huh?
Never quit on a bad day.
So profound. Think about how that works. You've got 3 presentations scheduled for the day. You're excited. What if all 3 of them sign up? You don't want to get your hopes up too high though. Even if just one signs up, that's a pretty good day.
Then the first one cancels and can't tell you a date to reschedule. Closely followed by the second person who cuts you off even before you get started saying, "Is this network marketing? If it is, don't bother because I'm not getting involved in any of those pyramid scams." And the third, who's a close friend of yours, is a no-show. And avoiding your calls.
And to bring a wonderful day to an end, you knock coffee on your computer. Perfect. Just perfect.
It's tempting to quit on a day like that. "What's the point of doing this?" you growl. "No one's going to be interested. I hate people." You fume as you mop up coffee off your keyboard which is ominously typing the letter "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" across your screen without your assistance. "I don't know why I'm even bothering. I'm never going to be able to do this. I should just quit."
Stop. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. (Well considering you didn't sign anyone up today, I don't think we have to worry about that one.)
But seriously, stop. Take a deep breath and let it out. Never quit on a bad day. Go find your kids and head to the park to play Frisbee or something.
Because here's the fun part: they won't all be bad days. There will actually be some good days. And you won't be remotely interested in quitting then.
Not until a bad day rolls around again. Because it will. It's that day you're thinking about throwing your company's presentation materials in the toilet because a woman you showed it to says, "Let me check with my husband before I spend $10 a month on your subscription program" (never mind that you know for a fact this woman just bought a Prada bag, took a family vacation in Martha's Vineyard, and is thinking about signing up for a Pilates series--because she just told you!). Take a deep breath, let it out, and murmur your mantra: Never quit on a bad day.
So then it's on to the next day which turns out to be a lot of fun because you sign up a buddy who's really excited about the business, and you're back to thinking this is the greatest business in the world, and you're going to...
Pretty clever huh?
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Don't Reinvent the Wheel
It can sometimes be challenging for professionals to become network marketers. You're too smart for your own good. Let's take lawyers, since that's my background.
Lawyers are trained to solve problems for their clients, to improve things. That same mindset will get you into trouble in network marketing.
You take one look at the presentation your NM company provides and think, "That's too simple. It could be so much better. More elegant, more organized, more (you fill in the blank)."
And so you start to tinker with it. Adding your own materials, your special little twists. Next thing you know you've got this elaborate, intricate, brilliant marketing campaign.
Let's say it works--you sign up some customers and distributors with your reinvented "wheel."
Here's the problem: Network marketing isn't about you and your special talents. It's about duplication. If the folks you signed up can't do what you're doing, they'll give up.
That's the beauty of network marketing: its simplicity. Your NM company has purposely designed its tools to be simple so that anyone you show it to can do it. More importantly, anyone you show it to believes they can do it.
The question for professionals who join a NM company then isn't, "How can I use my brilliance to make this presentation better?" It's, "How can I keep it simple so that anyone I show it to thinks they can do it too?"
And the answer to that question is, use the tools your company provides.
Lawyers are trained to solve problems for their clients, to improve things. That same mindset will get you into trouble in network marketing.
You take one look at the presentation your NM company provides and think, "That's too simple. It could be so much better. More elegant, more organized, more (you fill in the blank)."
And so you start to tinker with it. Adding your own materials, your special little twists. Next thing you know you've got this elaborate, intricate, brilliant marketing campaign.
Let's say it works--you sign up some customers and distributors with your reinvented "wheel."
Here's the problem: Network marketing isn't about you and your special talents. It's about duplication. If the folks you signed up can't do what you're doing, they'll give up.
That's the beauty of network marketing: its simplicity. Your NM company has purposely designed its tools to be simple so that anyone you show it to can do it. More importantly, anyone you show it to believes they can do it.
The question for professionals who join a NM company then isn't, "How can I use my brilliance to make this presentation better?" It's, "How can I keep it simple so that anyone I show it to thinks they can do it too?"
And the answer to that question is, use the tools your company provides.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
What's So Great About Network Marketing?
There is nothing like network marketing. With a traditional job, you have to go to work to get paid. Every day, all day. Your boss decides if and when you get a raise. And to acquire wealth it takes most of your life. When you're self-employed, you've got autonomy sure, but you're still trading dollars for hours. Take a vacation or get sick--the money stops coming in. With a franchise, you have to shell out a minor fortune, show up everyday for a full day of work, and deal with employees and all the headaches that go with that. With network marketing, you can build a business that grows whether you're working or not. You can start with a small investment and no employees are required. Your income potential is unlimited. And you can be financially free in 3 - 5 years.
Network marketing is about leverage. Most of us have grown up with the notion that to build wealth we have to work on our own and we have to work extremely hard for the rest of our lives. Network marketing is based on leverage. You create wealth by building a team of many with each person doing a little. Eventually, your income grows and grows with little or no effort from you. Sound bizarre? Here's what J. Paul Getty, who amassed one of the world's largest fortunes, had to say about the concept of leverage: "I'd rather have 1% of the effort of 100 men than 100% of my own effort." That's what NM is all about.
Network marketing is about helping others. It's about building relationships and encouraging people to create the lives they want. No more stabbing someone in the back and climbing over their dead body to get to the top. Not that you'd do that. But sadly we probably all know someone who has had that unfortunate experience. You can't reach the heights in network marketing unless you're helping many others do the same.
Network marketing is about dreaming and dreaming BIG. Remember when you were a kid and you had exciting plans for your future? You get to become that dreamer again. You get to jump out of bed every morning excited about what's ahead.
Network marketing is the ultimate in personal development. It's a no-excuses, no-whining, no-complaining, be-a-leader, dream-big, believe-big adventure. As you grow and develop as an individual, your business grows. You become a better, stronger, more positive person.
I love this business!!
Network marketing is about leverage. Most of us have grown up with the notion that to build wealth we have to work on our own and we have to work extremely hard for the rest of our lives. Network marketing is based on leverage. You create wealth by building a team of many with each person doing a little. Eventually, your income grows and grows with little or no effort from you. Sound bizarre? Here's what J. Paul Getty, who amassed one of the world's largest fortunes, had to say about the concept of leverage: "I'd rather have 1% of the effort of 100 men than 100% of my own effort." That's what NM is all about.
Network marketing is about helping others. It's about building relationships and encouraging people to create the lives they want. No more stabbing someone in the back and climbing over their dead body to get to the top. Not that you'd do that. But sadly we probably all know someone who has had that unfortunate experience. You can't reach the heights in network marketing unless you're helping many others do the same.
Network marketing is about dreaming and dreaming BIG. Remember when you were a kid and you had exciting plans for your future? You get to become that dreamer again. You get to jump out of bed every morning excited about what's ahead.
Network marketing is the ultimate in personal development. It's a no-excuses, no-whining, no-complaining, be-a-leader, dream-big, believe-big adventure. As you grow and develop as an individual, your business grows. You become a better, stronger, more positive person.
I love this business!!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Beach Money Review Part 3
One more post on Beach Money by Jordan Adler. As I mentioned in a previous post, Jordan joined 11 different network marketing companies and spent 10 years making very little but spending a lot. How do you avoid that? Read the book!
But here's one juicy tidbit to tide you over as you wait for your copy to arrive in the mail: In Chapter 6 "The Numbers Don't Lie," Jordan talks about the key to financial freedom in network marketing: Recruit 20 - 30 folks to join your team.
Why is that the magic number? Russ, a multi-millionaire in the field, told Jordan, who was a struggling network marketer at the time: "One third of your recruits will do absolutely nothing. One third will do a little. And one third will make a good income. Usually, one of them will build a group of thousands."
Jordan found this advice a bit hard to believe but he trusted Russ. Turns out Russ was right.
What's that little voice inside your head saying right now? Here's what mine said when I read this section of the book: "OK so let's say Russ and Jordan are right. 20 - 30 isn't a huge number but can I even get that many folks to sign up?"
Let me share Jordan's thoughts on that doubt with you: He references an article in Time magazine that featured Marshall Applewhite. Marshall was the Heaven's Gate religious group leader who convinced 38 of his followers to commit suicide at the appearance of the Hale-Bopp comet. He told them they they would be able to ride on a spaceship with Jesus that was hiding behind the comet.
Jordan says, "Don't you think that if this crazy guy could recruit thirty-eight people to commit suicide and jump onto a comet with Jesus, you might be able to find twenty to thirty people to do network marketing with your company?"
It's a little hard to argue with that one.
Get your copy of Beach Money at www.BeachMoney.com
But here's one juicy tidbit to tide you over as you wait for your copy to arrive in the mail: In Chapter 6 "The Numbers Don't Lie," Jordan talks about the key to financial freedom in network marketing: Recruit 20 - 30 folks to join your team.
Why is that the magic number? Russ, a multi-millionaire in the field, told Jordan, who was a struggling network marketer at the time: "One third of your recruits will do absolutely nothing. One third will do a little. And one third will make a good income. Usually, one of them will build a group of thousands."
Jordan found this advice a bit hard to believe but he trusted Russ. Turns out Russ was right.
What's that little voice inside your head saying right now? Here's what mine said when I read this section of the book: "OK so let's say Russ and Jordan are right. 20 - 30 isn't a huge number but can I even get that many folks to sign up?"
Let me share Jordan's thoughts on that doubt with you: He references an article in Time magazine that featured Marshall Applewhite. Marshall was the Heaven's Gate religious group leader who convinced 38 of his followers to commit suicide at the appearance of the Hale-Bopp comet. He told them they they would be able to ride on a spaceship with Jesus that was hiding behind the comet.
Jordan says, "Don't you think that if this crazy guy could recruit thirty-eight people to commit suicide and jump onto a comet with Jesus, you might be able to find twenty to thirty people to do network marketing with your company?"
It's a little hard to argue with that one.
Get your copy of Beach Money at www.BeachMoney.com
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Beach Money Review Part 2
Let's talk some more about Jordan Adler's book Beach Money. One of the things I like about the book is that it is easy to read. Short chapters. But packed full of punch.
Take Chapter 16 "The $1 Yardstick Solution." Hold up a yardstick. Imagine that each inch represents 2 years of your life, so that would mean the whole yardstick represents a lifetime of 72 years.
The most productive years then are between 10 inches and 32 inches. You could work, work, work, work, and work some more for 22 inches and then hope that you have enough to retire on.
But if you make Beach Money, you could achieve in 2 inches (4 years) what you couldn't do in 22 inches (44 years). 4 years!
Why is that? Just think about it: When you retire from a job, you stop getting paychecks. But when you build Beach Money, it comes in month after month, even when you stop working. For years.
Jordan says, "A consistent four-year commitment to making money the Beach Money way can create a monthly residual income stream that will last far into the future."
I'd so rather make the 4-year commitment than the 44-year commitment.
Take Chapter 16 "The $1 Yardstick Solution." Hold up a yardstick. Imagine that each inch represents 2 years of your life, so that would mean the whole yardstick represents a lifetime of 72 years.
The most productive years then are between 10 inches and 32 inches. You could work, work, work, work, and work some more for 22 inches and then hope that you have enough to retire on.
But if you make Beach Money, you could achieve in 2 inches (4 years) what you couldn't do in 22 inches (44 years). 4 years!
Why is that? Just think about it: When you retire from a job, you stop getting paychecks. But when you build Beach Money, it comes in month after month, even when you stop working. For years.
Jordan says, "A consistent four-year commitment to making money the Beach Money way can create a monthly residual income stream that will last far into the future."
I'd so rather make the 4-year commitment than the 44-year commitment.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Beach Money Review Part 1
Beach Money. What image pops into your mind when you hear that?
Imagine this: You're lying on a comfy lounge chair on the beach. Let's say St. Barts. It's warm and sunny with a slight breeze. The ocean is so beautiful--clear blue-green water. You hear the lilt of island music, birds cawing, and kids laughing as they play in the water. You sip an icy cold pina colada and watch those blue-green waves lapping the shore. Take a few seconds and actually visualize yourself there. Just doing that lowers my blood pressure.
You've got your laptop with you. You reach over to click on the Internet. But there aren't any emails from some annoying person at your office who is refusing to recognize that you're on vacation. You don't have that corporate job anymore. Four years ago you decided to build a network marketing business on the side. You worked diligently and consistently every day part-time and bit by bit your business grew. In what now feels like just a few short years, you are financially free.
You no longer check your email to see what insensitive client is insisting you get back to them pronto either. You don't have those clients anymore. You're checking to see how your business is going. Look, 10 people have joined your team. Your business is growing even while you're on vacation. You close your laptop, stretch, and wonder whether you want to crack open that legal thriller in your beach bag or take a windsurfing lesson. Or maybe just take a nap.
That's Beach Money. Money you earn while you're at the beach.
Is something like that even possible??
It is. I know someone who has achieved that goal. And he's an ordinary guy.
I don't mean ordinary in a bad way. I just mean that he'd tell you himself that he's no different than the average person. And yet he has achieved extraordinary success.
It didn't come easily. You can read all about Jordan Adler's adventure in Beach Money: Creating Your Dream Life Through Network Marketing. Jordan joined 11 different network marketing companies over a 10-year period, spending quite a bit and not earning anything. Now he's a seven-figure income earner in his current network marketing enterprise.
Does that mean you'll have to join 11 NM companies and struggle for 10 years? Absolutely not. That's the purpose of Jordan's book: to demystify how to build a thriving network marketing business, even on a part-time schedule.
We'll take a look at the book in the next post. But you don't have to wait. You can order your own copy of the book at www.BeachMoney.com.
Imagine this: You're lying on a comfy lounge chair on the beach. Let's say St. Barts. It's warm and sunny with a slight breeze. The ocean is so beautiful--clear blue-green water. You hear the lilt of island music, birds cawing, and kids laughing as they play in the water. You sip an icy cold pina colada and watch those blue-green waves lapping the shore. Take a few seconds and actually visualize yourself there. Just doing that lowers my blood pressure.
You've got your laptop with you. You reach over to click on the Internet. But there aren't any emails from some annoying person at your office who is refusing to recognize that you're on vacation. You don't have that corporate job anymore. Four years ago you decided to build a network marketing business on the side. You worked diligently and consistently every day part-time and bit by bit your business grew. In what now feels like just a few short years, you are financially free.
You no longer check your email to see what insensitive client is insisting you get back to them pronto either. You don't have those clients anymore. You're checking to see how your business is going. Look, 10 people have joined your team. Your business is growing even while you're on vacation. You close your laptop, stretch, and wonder whether you want to crack open that legal thriller in your beach bag or take a windsurfing lesson. Or maybe just take a nap.
That's Beach Money. Money you earn while you're at the beach.
Is something like that even possible??
It is. I know someone who has achieved that goal. And he's an ordinary guy.
I don't mean ordinary in a bad way. I just mean that he'd tell you himself that he's no different than the average person. And yet he has achieved extraordinary success.
It didn't come easily. You can read all about Jordan Adler's adventure in Beach Money: Creating Your Dream Life Through Network Marketing. Jordan joined 11 different network marketing companies over a 10-year period, spending quite a bit and not earning anything. Now he's a seven-figure income earner in his current network marketing enterprise.
Does that mean you'll have to join 11 NM companies and struggle for 10 years? Absolutely not. That's the purpose of Jordan's book: to demystify how to build a thriving network marketing business, even on a part-time schedule.
We'll take a look at the book in the next post. But you don't have to wait. You can order your own copy of the book at www.BeachMoney.com.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
How I Became a Network Marketer
Most of you will join a network marketing company because a friend introduces you to the business. My route was a bit different.
My dad recommended I read Steven K. Scott, so I picked up a copy of his book, The Richest Man Who Ever Lived. I was enthralled. Somewhere in there he talked about how he'd started a new company. He presented the opportunity at a church and though there were lots of people there, only 2 folks in the audience decided to join. Within months they were well on their way to earning 7 figures. Why did the other folks at the church not see what those 2 saw? Scott said that opportunities are often right in front of us and we miss them. We walk right past them. I didn't want to be that person.
Scott didn't provide the name of his company in the book, so I Googled in the hopes of finding it. When I found it, I saw that it was a network marketing company. I groaned. Several years back two friends had tried to interest me in their NM opportunity. I researched NM, talked to a few trusted advisors, and decided it just wasn't for me.
Now here I was again. So I said a prayer. I said, "If there's an opportunity here for me, help me to see it." I went to Amazon to browse the latest books on network marketing. I glanced at a few but nothing really caught my attention. I was getting bored but there was one more book on the page of my search, so I clicked on the link to it. It was Beach Money by Jordan Adler.
The book description was something like, "Earn money while you're at the beach" and "Impact thousands of people's lives." Two of my favorite things. That got my attention. Plus, in the reader reviews a lot of folks said not only was the book great but also the author was a good guy. How often is it that readers know the author? I ordered the book.
It's an easy read. I read it in one night. But I was so excited by what I read I had trouble sleeping.
While I knew Scott's company wasn't the one for me (I wasn't excited by the product), I decided to keep my eyes open. Shortly after that, the NM opportunity that excited me presented itself. I did my research--on the company, on the products, on the industry again. But I still wasn't sure. Was NM really the opportunity for me?
Late one Saturday night when I was reading Success From Home magazine which featured the company in it, an interview with one distributor caught my attention. She said that she loved the company because it allowed her to live a philosophy that she'd grown up with--"You reap what you sow." That resonated with me.
I prayed again that night. I said, "Could You give me a sign? I know You're not going to part the clouds and say, 'Monica, sign up for this company,' but if You could give me some kind of sign, maybe during the sermon..." (I knew I was going to church on Sunday.) I'd never done that before but I figured, what the heck, it couldn't hurt.
At church the next day I was so excited. I had a notebook and pen. I was ready. The minister said, "We're going to be talking about America's future today." I'm thinking, "Who cares?! Focus on Monica's future!" He said, "Turn in your Bibles to Galatians 6:7." And he read it. It reads, "You always reap what you sow." I almost fell out of my chair.
I joined my first NM company.
My dad recommended I read Steven K. Scott, so I picked up a copy of his book, The Richest Man Who Ever Lived. I was enthralled. Somewhere in there he talked about how he'd started a new company. He presented the opportunity at a church and though there were lots of people there, only 2 folks in the audience decided to join. Within months they were well on their way to earning 7 figures. Why did the other folks at the church not see what those 2 saw? Scott said that opportunities are often right in front of us and we miss them. We walk right past them. I didn't want to be that person.
Scott didn't provide the name of his company in the book, so I Googled in the hopes of finding it. When I found it, I saw that it was a network marketing company. I groaned. Several years back two friends had tried to interest me in their NM opportunity. I researched NM, talked to a few trusted advisors, and decided it just wasn't for me.
Now here I was again. So I said a prayer. I said, "If there's an opportunity here for me, help me to see it." I went to Amazon to browse the latest books on network marketing. I glanced at a few but nothing really caught my attention. I was getting bored but there was one more book on the page of my search, so I clicked on the link to it. It was Beach Money by Jordan Adler.
The book description was something like, "Earn money while you're at the beach" and "Impact thousands of people's lives." Two of my favorite things. That got my attention. Plus, in the reader reviews a lot of folks said not only was the book great but also the author was a good guy. How often is it that readers know the author? I ordered the book.
It's an easy read. I read it in one night. But I was so excited by what I read I had trouble sleeping.
While I knew Scott's company wasn't the one for me (I wasn't excited by the product), I decided to keep my eyes open. Shortly after that, the NM opportunity that excited me presented itself. I did my research--on the company, on the products, on the industry again. But I still wasn't sure. Was NM really the opportunity for me?
Late one Saturday night when I was reading Success From Home magazine which featured the company in it, an interview with one distributor caught my attention. She said that she loved the company because it allowed her to live a philosophy that she'd grown up with--"You reap what you sow." That resonated with me.
I prayed again that night. I said, "Could You give me a sign? I know You're not going to part the clouds and say, 'Monica, sign up for this company,' but if You could give me some kind of sign, maybe during the sermon..." (I knew I was going to church on Sunday.) I'd never done that before but I figured, what the heck, it couldn't hurt.
At church the next day I was so excited. I had a notebook and pen. I was ready. The minister said, "We're going to be talking about America's future today." I'm thinking, "Who cares?! Focus on Monica's future!" He said, "Turn in your Bibles to Galatians 6:7." And he read it. It reads, "You always reap what you sow." I almost fell out of my chair.
I joined my first NM company.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Commit to a Year
When you start a network marketing business, you're excited. So excited you're pretty sure that that momentum will carry you until you're making a fortune. Which isn't going to take that long anyway--maybe a few months or half a year. Hah! That's your first mistake. While I have seen some folks build fortunes in a few months, that's unusual. And there are specific reasons driving that kind of success. (I'll talk about that in a later post.)
It's good to be excited. It's a crucial component of this new venture. But you're going to need more than excitement. You need commitment. Decide that you are going to commit to your NM business for a year. That no matter what happens you are in it for the year.
And not just playing around with it for the year. That doesn't count. You are committed to building your business for the year. Using whatever daily plan or approach your network marketing company provides.
Commitment builds your network marketing muscle. And believe me, you're going to need it. Because you're about to go on the most amazing adventure of your life.
It's good to be excited. It's a crucial component of this new venture. But you're going to need more than excitement. You need commitment. Decide that you are going to commit to your NM business for a year. That no matter what happens you are in it for the year.
And not just playing around with it for the year. That doesn't count. You are committed to building your business for the year. Using whatever daily plan or approach your network marketing company provides.
Commitment builds your network marketing muscle. And believe me, you're going to need it. Because you're about to go on the most amazing adventure of your life.
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