Looking for a way to launch an MLM business?
After all, MLM is one of the most popular forms of direct selling today, and it has helped many people break away from their desk jobs and manage their own business at their pace. In 2016, there were about 5.3 million Americans who were active in direct selling and another 15.2 million who received discounts from direct sales.
That’s 20.5 million people overall compared to 20.2 million in 2016.
However, even with these numbers, it’s not an easy way to make money as many people seem to think.
Networking marketing requires a lot of work, especially in the first few months. You may even work hard with little results for a year before establishing a profitable business.
The best way to network does not consist of one step. If you are ready to learn how to get your business running at full speed, keep reading and we’ll teach you how.
Choose a Stable and Reputable Company
There are three things you need to factor in when choosing an MLM company: stability, integrity, and product.
Choose a Well-Established Company
Spare a few minutes to search some information about the company on Google.
Does its website look legit? How old is the company? Are there any issues within the company that made it to the news?
Google is also a good place to check its growth. If they’re currently undergoing a turmoil, it might be best to avoid that company for now.
Check the Reputation
Another way to gauge the company’s reputation is by looking into the people holding the top positions, especially the one who’s running the whole thing. Their names should be on the website.
The ideal people to work for would have no links to scandals and legal troubles. If the higher-ups are law-abiding, that tells that the company might have a fair system. If not, then the company itself isn’t trustworthy and it might crumble any minute.
Of course, look into their experience as a marketer itself. Their success in the industry should mean that they know how to keep a company afloat.
Review the Product
Needless to say, the product should be marketable. The best way to network is to make sure you focus on a product that has the natural capability to draw positive reviews. Check if the product:
- is safe as certified by authorities
- has legitimate studies and research backing it
- has a fair price
If you can, try out the product before signing a contract. If you like it, you’ll have better chances of selling it and you will be confident that you’re selling a quality product.
Stay Away from Pyramid Schemes
A common misconception is that all MLM companies are pyramid schemes. To be fair, some businesses are merely posing as MLM, perpetuating the myth that they are the same. The best way to network is to let people know you’re not reeling them into these types of schemes.
Pyramid schemes are all about recruiting as many people as possible to earn money. These are illegal, so if you don’t want to get into legal troubles, avoid them at all costs. On the other hand, MLM focuses on moving the product, and recruiting is simply a part of the business plan.
With that in mind, watch out for the following red flags.
The “Distributors” Make More Money Recruiting
Remember, an MLM’s main income comes from the sales. If the whole pitch focuses on you getting more money by recruiting other members, that’s a red flag.
The Company Has No Market Analysis
If the business really cared about its products, it will care to perform a market analysis for their product like what an MLM does. The important thing for a legit company is the consumer demand. If it doesn’t seem to pay much attention to that aspect, it’s a pyramid scheme.
You Have to Pay a Huge Inventory Charge
MLMs may charge you a start-up cost for their products, but the amount is not insanely high as that of a pyramid scheme. Often, they will disguise it as an inventory charge, although you shouldn’t have to pay a huge amount for it.
Scamming customers this way is not the best way to network as it builds a negative image.
Legit businesses also tend to offer to buy back any unsold products for at least 80% of what you paid, which is another indication of its legitimacy.
Learn the Best Way to Network with the Experts
Before signing up, assess if the community is helpful and supportive. You’re going to need their help as you embark on this journey because networking isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Make sure that your mentor is available at reasonable times when you need their help. You also want someone who can be honest when teaching you so you can improve.
After signing up, it’s time to learn the best way to network from your “upline,” and make sure you’re open to trying out their suggestions.
Pay special attention to your mentor’s selling techniques and the way they handle you as well. In due course, you will get to the part where you’ll build your own team and mentor your downlines.
Learn how to treat your future downlines as early as starting out by taking notes of what you like and don’t like about the mentoring. Remember, it also benefits you if they perform well.
Share Your Product
As a part of a legitimate MLM company, your focus is on selling the products. This means the best way to network is to make sure your business plan revolves around advertising a product and creating a need for it.
Depending on what you’re selling, you can probably provide free samples to those interested. You may also host a party and invite your neighbors (and let them invite people over as well) for product testing.
As for your friends, co-workers, and family, the best way to network is by not talking to them about the product out of the blue. Because of the misconception about MLMs, pestering them about your new business might turn them away rather than entice them.
Instead, use the product on a regular basis (if it works for you). It will pop up in your conversations in a natural way without you being pushy about it.
It also helps if they see a difference in you after using it. This works on cosmetics and beauty products in particular, but it can also work on other merchandise depending on your business plan.
Build Some Leads
You might get some loyal customers here and there, but the best way to network and get bigger earnings is by getting new leads. We’re talking about discussing the product with someone you barely know
Keep in mind, however, that it’s natural to receive hundreds of “no’s” at the start. This shouldn’t discourage you. Rather, the taste of a single “yes” in 20 “no’s” should drive you to push harder until the leads start coming in without you doing anything.
A couple of methods to get leads is cold calling and asking for referrals. Yes, these are old techniques that are still around because they work. Cold calling might annoy some people, but if you do it right, you can convert some to sales.
Asking for referrals from your customers is also a good way, but asking them to refer you to other people is even better. This way, they will be the one to reach out to you and not the other way around, which might make them feel that you’re just another marketer.
Buying an advertisement is also a way to get some leads, but this will cost money. It might, however, enable you to reach a wider audience.
Remember to follow up on your leads, as a “no” might not mean “never.” Pushing those leads, reminding them of the opportunity ahead, is arguably the best way to network. Develop a system for following up and take note of those who expressed interest but said no for some reason.
Make Friends Everywhere You Go
The best way to network and branch out is to make a friend out of everyone you meet in your daily life. Don’t go out thinking about making a million bucks. Think of making a million friends instead.
Reach out to people at the gym, join other groups, or talk to your barista. Spark a conversion and build a relationship with them. Note that “building a relationship” doesn’t equate to “recruiting” or “prospecting” them.
Try to make genuine friends and interact with them. Make them like and trust you as everyone can help you in some way. Some might have interest in your product, and a few might be a fit for the business.
Likewise, you can help them as well in your own ways as a friend would do.
Build Your Team
Remember that the best way to network is to never shoulder all the burden. You can’t do it all alone.
To keep the business running and to maximize profits, you’ll need to recruit members into your team. However, don’t treat this as a pyramid scheme that only cares about getting people onboard the scheme.
The people you recruit should people you think will bring something valuable to the team. You should be able to see yourself working with them and you should see them having the potential to be great salespeople.
At the same time, they will also expect something from you. When talking to prospect members, you should be honest and direct. Don’t hype up the product or the earnings potential just to get them onboard, and don’t ever make false claims.
The second part of recruiting, which other people often forget, is the mentoring. You need to be there for your downlines even if it takes weeks to train them. Don’t hesitate to hold their hand if need be while coaching them on the best way to network.
Build a relationship with them to show them how they can do that with other people. Their growth and success will benefit the whole team.
Have a “Networking Kit” at All Times
In line with making friends everywhere you go, treat everyone as someone who might ask you about your business all of a sudden. You can discuss it with them without materials, but as a marketer, you should prepare for these instances by bringing some with you at all times.
Your smartphone is a good start – save some articles, photos of the products, a video, and such. However, a tablet is better so that the screen is big enough for the two of you.
You can supplement this and your pitch by also bringing business cards and brochures. When both of you are in a hurry, you may give the brochure and hand your business card so they can contact you when they’re ready to sit down and talk.
Of course, don’t wait around for them to call you. Don’t forget to get their contact information as well so you can follow up with them.
Utilize the Internet
In today’s digital age, the best way to network is to use online platforms to your advantage.
Marketing with SEO and email also works for MLM distributors. Businesses use the internet to increase product sales and build awareness, so why don’t you use their tactics?
Start a website (after checking the company’s policies about it, of course) publish content at regular intervals, and maybe guest post in other websites in the same industry. Make sure to create your own and don’t duplicate the company’s website. It will hurt your rankings, and other distributors are likely doing this as well.
The website should have your contact details, a contact form, and a button that allows visitors to subscribe to your email list. Set up an email marketing campaign and an auto-responder that automatically welcomes new subscribers and sends out pre-written emails at your chosen frequency.
Social media is also a great way to do some network marketing, but avoid doing it on your own profile. In the same way that you wouldn’t want to start every conversation with a pitch, don’t post about your business opportunity at all times. That’s spamming, which will only encourage them to hide you from their feed.
You may set up a group or a page where you can post updates, opportunities, or feedback. Treat it as your business’ page where people can find information, and then invite people to join the group or like and follow the page.
Keep Learning About Network Marketing Strategies
This is simply a gist of everything there is to know about MLM marketing. Want to know other tips to formulate the best way to network that works for you? Never pass up an opportunity to learn.
Visit our blog now for more information on marketing strategies. If you need professional help, contact us and let’s build a solution that works for you and your business.