Copyright 2007 Karen Hurd Enterprises, Inc.
You can spot a new MLMer a mile away. They are practicing the “3 Foot Rule”, and clubbing everyone
within reach who can fog a mirror because “everyone wants what we have”. The really serious ones use
the 7 foot rule. These brave souls are hailed by the network marketing uplines as “proof you can do
it”! I’ll admit it’s very brave.
You can spot a new MLMer when you send them an email and you get an autoreply telling you how wonderful
their new enterprise is. Did they even read the email about the PTA meeting? You’ll never know. And now
you’re hesitant to ask, because you might be subjected to a sales presentation when you call about the bake sale.
You can spot a new MLMer because they will tell you they are making lots of money (especially if they are communicating with you online), and they’ve only been in the biz 3 weeks. They tell you that because they think telling you about their fabulous results (even if they don’t exsist) is what it takes to attract you.
New network marketers are some of the least coachable people around. Tell them to wait 48 hours until they are trained before they launch their business, and they’ve literally burned their entire warm list by Saturday.
Amateur network marketers whip out their business card and offer an information pack before you can say, “Hi. I’m Karen. What do you do for a living?”. They almost always make you sorry you asked.
Amateur MLMers answer every question you ask with a presentation.
Confession: I have done every single one of these. Sometimes they worked and resulted in a new customer or distributor. But more often they alienated people and contributed to the stereotype of network marketers as pushy sales people. And you know what? We earned that stereotype fair and square.
When attorneys do what we do, we call them “ambulance chasers”.
I love this industry, I love this profession, and I think network marketers are some of the best people around. I’m impressed by the determination, and the genuine desire MLMers have to run an ethical business that benefits others and changes lives. I believe that MLM is unique in that regard.
Let’s remember that we are a PROFESSION not a side show. Let’s act like humans who respect the boundaries and decision of others, not like aliens from the Galaxy Binary Matrix. If we as an industry act like professionals not rank amateurs, we can change the stereotype, and showcase our industry for what it is: the only business model available for the non-business person to create wealth.
About the Author:
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Karen Miner Hurd has been a Maniac all her life. She lives with her family in Virginia Beach, VA . To find the best home based business ideas and opportunities so you can work at home visit: http://www.coolbiz4u.net./
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Tags: prospecting MLM
November 8th, 2007 at 2:38 am
Sensible post.
Honest, accurate, no-nonsense, constructive and well written.
One of the best I’ve seen in a long while, and perhaps ever.
September 7th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Thank you Karen for your post. I smiled as I read it and I know it to be true. I too have been there and done that. And much of what I do and say I learned from you. You are a positive influence on our industry. Ken Wolff
September 9th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Hey Ken- Thanks so much. You’re a terrific professional in our indsutry.