If you don’t have enough leads or salespeople, you won’t succeed. To reach the next level in your business, you’re going to need to attract more prospects, which is why you’re going to love these tips for effective network marketing recruiting.
The way to attain time freedom and financial freedom is to leverage your time and efforts by building a team. That’s why recruiting is one of the most important skills that you can learn to grow your network marketing business.
To recruit successfully, you need to know what motivates others and you must put your prospect’s interests first. However, that’s not always easy. In fact, for years I struggled until I had the right mentors who came into my life and changed everything. That’s why I’m passionate about saving you from years of struggle by teaching you what to do to succeed now.
In this post, I’m sharing some of my most valuable, insightful golden nuggets that I’ve learned in my 28+ years of experience in network marketing and business. Although some of these tips may not be new to you, there’s some advice here that I bet you haven’t heard yet. Be sure to stick with me until the end!
1. Resist Getting Frustrated
Most people are not willing to do what they need to do to improve their life. They’re in a comfort zone. Maybe they lack vision or motivation. They live paycheck to paycheck while complaining about life and how they wish things were better. However, they’re not willing to participate in their own rescue. Even if you throw in a lifejacket, they won’t grab it.
Jim Rohn says that you’re looking for the looker. So, don’t get stressed when people don’t jump on the opportunity you’re introducing to them. Accept that you’re sharing the information and taking them from unaware to aware. Most people will not see what you see, but the right people will show up when they’re ready.
You can’t force people to get started when they’re not ready to get started. They won’t be happy, which means you won’t be happy. Prepare yourself and be in the right mindset when you’re prospecting. This will help you to stay positive and avoid getting frustrated.
2. Be Patient Because It’s a Process
Recruiting is a process, it’s not an event. You’re building a relationship, so give the recruiting process some time.
Right now you’re getting paid on what you did 90 days ago. 90 days from now, you’ll be getting paid on what you do now. You have to fill your funnel and accept that it takes time to grow your team.
Recruiting is like a garden. You wouldn’t plant a garden today and then show back up tomorrow and go, “Where’s my harvest?” That would be silly.
You have to plant the seeds. If you plant a few seeds, at the least, you’re going to get only a few crops. If you plant a lot of seeds, you’re still going to lose some, but you’re going to have a bigger harvest. You cultivate the ground and water the seeds, then you reap your harvest. The same thing happens when it comes to network marketing recruiting.
In this analogy, cultivating and watering are giving prospects information, setting a good example as a person who is already running a business, and following up consistently. Ideally, you want your prospect to actually recruit themselves when the timing is right.
3. Work on Yourself
You don’t attract what you want, you attract what you are and what you’re looking for. If you want to make more money, then you have to become more. Be very intentional about your personal growth because you are your best investment.
I met a guy who won a lottery, and the first thing the lottery people did was make him watch a video. The video was one story after another about how the lottery ruined lives. Most of the winners lost the money and someone committed suicide. The winners didn’t become millionaires; they were given millions of dollars.
But, if you were to take all of the money away from someone who had earned it, they’d go earn it again. That’s because they had worked on themselves to nurture what’s needed to succeed.
Look at the people in your network marketing organization. Same company, products, compensation plan, branding, and systems. The difference is you.
So, as the messenger sharing the message, you want to become the best messenger you can. Work on yourself as hard as you work on your business. You’ll find that your posture, energy, excitement, and enthusiasm will improve and attract others.
After all, people aren’t looking at the company only. They’re looking at you! They’re asking themselves whether they want to work with you. Pay attention to the vibe you’re putting out there. Would you want to be sponsored by you?
When I had an organization of several hundred thousand people around the world, it was fascinating that I could have one organization with massive issues. It all went up to the leadership in that leg because they were always looking for drama. What you seek is seeking you, so work on growing as a person and as a leader.
4. Avoid Getting Emotionally Attached to Results
You can’t control results, but you can control the activities that lead to the results.
If you find yourself getting frustrated, remember to be consistent and persistent. Keep a good attitude. Do the simple things on a daily basis. Although the basics may seem to make no difference at all, they compound over a period of time to lead to success.
It’s a numbers game. You talk to five people and all five want to join. Or, you talk to another five people and no one’s ready to join or buy your product. It’s okay!
Don’t get emotionally attached to the result. Whether things are going great or going badly, remember, “This too shall pass.” No company or product goes up all the time. What goes up must come down, and what goes down must go up.
The important thing is to keep going. Focus on the tasks that get you the results so that you don’t get so frustrated that you quit.
5. Stay Strong Enough, Long Enough
Many people are excited at the start of building their business. Eventually, they go through some frustrating times, get discouraged, and quit. Quitting is the only way to fail in network marketing. You’ve got to stick with it, do the basics every day, and keep going.
But, what happens? You do the basics and get bored. You don’t see the success that you think you should have fast enough. So, you reinvent the wheel and complicate things a few times over. Then you say it doesn’t work and you quit.
Look at it this way, you wouldn’t invest in a McDonald’s franchise and decide to change the proven system that works. Maybe you don’t want the cheeseburgers in the yellow wrapper or the fry machine on the left side. Maybe you’re sick of asking customers if they want a combo meal or an apple pie with their order. But, no, you’re not going to make any changes because that’s the system and it works.
So, master the mundane and do the basic things every single day because THEY WORK. It’s like pushing a car that’s out of gas in neutral. You’re trying to move the car off the highway. You give it everything you have. Finally, you get the car moving, but as soon as you stop, the momentum stops and you have to start all over.
Continue to do the things that work and eventually you will get to where you want to be. Your story will inspire and motivate people all over the world just like mine. If I can do it, you can do it.
A rocket is off track on the way to the moon 97% of the time, but it continues to readjust and eventually gets to the moon. Do not quit!
6. Follow the Thompson Rule
When you’re prospecting, remember the Thompson Rule. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that every prospect wants to make a lot of money.
Larry Thompson has retired from the network marketing profession. I’m not sure how long he was in the field, but it was longer than I was. He made over $80 million. He and his wife, Taylor, teach this to distributors:
Of the people that are looking and open to join your business 80% are happy with making $500 or less a month. 15% are looking to make $2,000 – $3,000 a month. 5% are looking to make more than that.
I saw an article that said that $300 a month additional would save most people from bankruptcy. When they get to $300 to $500 a month, then they can see a little bit further. As they become more successful and see the potential, they may switch from the 80% to the 15% and then to the 5%.
However, most top money earners in this profession will tell you that had they been told they would generate the kind of income that they’re generating, they never would’ve joined because it didn’t seem possible or doable.
Since they joined with the perception that it was a way of making an extra $300 to $500 a month, the goal was attainable and believable. As people go along, often they can see double what they’re used to making. As you’re prospecting, keep that in mind.
If it sounds easy, it’s probably sleazy! Don’t pitch that people can make tons of money without having to put in the work. It doesn’t help you in the recruiting process. Do not over-hype or over-promote. You don’t have to.
7. Set an Example
Be aware of how you’re handling situations, interacting, and engaging with others as you go through the process of getting customers and reps. Because how you go about business is training for future reps.
People are watching you, even if it’s subconsciously. Remember that most people don’t like sales and are very busy. Later on, when they’re deciding if they want to join you, they’re wondering:
- Can I do what you do?
- Do I want to do what you do?
- Do I have time to do what you do?
- And, do I want to do to my friends, family, and neighbors, what you just did to me?
The key is to understand that part of the training is how you bring them on board.
For example, if a person says to you that they don’t like sales and are short on time, then you can explain how the business was designed for busy people. You can remind them how you brought them on board by asking them, “What did I do with you?”
Then the person will recall that you casually mentioned something you were excited about and an opportunity for additional income, after which you sent them a video for more information. When the person had more questions, you sent them another video and connected them with someone who answered their questions.
Once the person thinks about the process they’ve been through themselves, ask them, “Can you do what I did?” And, they can come to a conclusion on their own since they’ve personally seen and lived the example. You’ve demonstrated the process well, which made it duplicatable.
How you prospect is part of the way that you’re bringing someone on board.
Now, your process could set an example that works against you. In that same scenario, let’s say that instead of providing videos you did a 45 minute presentation over the phone.
At the end, the person could say, “Well, it sounds good and is very motivating, but I could never do what you do.” Or perhaps, “I like sales, and I could do what you did, but I don’t have time to spend 45 minutes on the phone with someone doing a presentation. And, I don’t have time to know every ingredient, all the compensation plan examples, and questions. So, I don’t want to do it. It’s not for me.”
Be aware that you’re always training others in the example that you set.
8. Use a Third Party Tool
A third party tool is another way to share information on your behalf so that you don’t have to do it all yourself. Maybe it’s a website, magazine, DVD, conference call, or webinar. The third party tool is anything that allows you to be the commercial and that gets the prospect to watch the movie, so to speak. Third-party is always better to take the pressure off of you.
It’s a number game. So, let’s say you’re getting one out of ten people that joins. That means you need a hundred people to review information to get ten recruits. Maybe you’re reaching out to 40 or 50 people to get 10 commitments, and once you get back with those people and go through the process, you’re getting one out of 10. After you learn your numbers, it’s a matter of how fast you really want to move. But, getting the information out is critical.
I suggest that you say less to more people. Instead of begging that one friend that you know needs it for 30 minutes but they don’t want it, spend three minutes with 10 people. Look for the one who is really interested and says, “Thank God you gave this to me. What took you so long? Where have you been?”
Amateurs convince, professionals sort. If you’re going to go on a recruiting run to grow your business, you don’t have time to convince anyone.
You’ll get into a rhythm and then fill your funnel. The more reach outs you do, the faster you’re going to achieve your goals and dreams. So, a third party tool can simplify and accelerate the process since it supports you in informing people. Plus, it’s more duplicatable.
9. Follow Up Immediately
The fortune is in the immediate follow-up. Have a sense of urgency. Strike while the iron is hot and while their emotions are still involved.
Listen to what prospects are telling you. Often they’ll share their goals and dreams. Things like:
- I would love more time with my family.
- My job is terrible, and I want to quit.
- It would be great to retire my spouse.
- We want to change zip codes.
- I’d like to give more to my church or charity.
After you listen, remind them of what they said to you. Ask them if they were serious when they said whatever goal they shared with you. If they’re serious, be on top of sharing the information with them.
Following up immediately is essential since the emotion, excitement, and urgency are fresh in their mind. Try to set a specific time to follow up, such as:
If I give you this magazine, would you look at it tonight and let’s grab coffee in the morning?
If I send you a text message with a short video, would you look at it and I’ll call you back in 10 minutes?
It takes five to eight exposures and interactions, so following up makes the difference. Even if they say no, it doesn’t mean no, it means not now. Very rarely does anyone look at information the first time and commit.
Like I said, network marketing recruiting is a process, not an event. Your goal is to take people from exposure to exposure to exposure until they recruit or sell themselves.
10. Work with the Willing
It’s easier to run with a thousand people than drag one dead body. It’s easier to give birth than to raise the dead. So, after you go through the numbers and follow up, lock arms with those who want to be on this path.
There are plenty of reasons to seek out the willing and bypass those people who aren’t interested or ready to commit. After all, network marketing requires effort, hard work, desire, and a strong commitment to a greater purpose or sense of “why.”
If you recruit people who aren’t dedicated, you will waste time and you could lose credibility, get a bad reputation, or risk them spreading negative feelings about you or your products and services.
Additionally, you want others to be successful! You don’t want to recruit people who join out of guilt or pressure because that won’t end well.
For those who aren’t really interested and committed, don’t waste your time. Find the people who want to be on this journey with you and invest in them. Don’t look back unless you want to go that way.
11. Don’t Prejudge
When I got into this industry, I made the mistake of making a list of who I thought may be interested. However, it didn’t work. People that I thought would be interested were not. On the flip side, people who I never thought would be interested were. The lesson is that your preconceptions can be misconceptions.
Also, a lot of times, it’s not the people that you introduce to the business, it’s who they lead you to. The duds can lead you to the studs or studettes.
It’s like if you opened up a sushi franchise and you think, “Well, I have a lot of friends, but maybe they don’t like sushi.” It doesn’t matter! You still want them to know you have the franchise because they’re going to know people that do like sushi.
So, make a list of people that you know, care about, trust, and respect, and then just share the information. Don’t think of it as selling or recruiting. All you’re going to do is share with them what you’re doing without prejudging them.
12. Think Like a Recruiter
When you’re recruiting for network marketing, it may help to think like a recruiter does. Basically, a recruiter looks for qualified candidates who would be a good fit for a job and the company with the goal that both the employer and the employee are happy. And, that’s similar to what you’re doing.
You’re looking for the right person for the role who will fit into the culture of your organization, add value to the team, and enjoy the process. The aim isn’t to coerce people into a business but to give them the information and let them decide if the fit is good.
Here are some tips from recruiters that may help:
- Define your ideal prospect so you know what to look for.
- Actively listen to what potential prospects say.
- Determine the person’s level of interest.
- Look for people who will fit into the organization but can also grow.
- Share what the role entails so the person understands it.
- Ask your prospect about their expectations to determine if they’re a good fit.
Recruiters don’t make hiring decisions. But they do match the right people with the right jobs. So, consider putting on a different hat and getting into a recruiter mindset to help your efforts. This technique could make you better at seeking more qualified prospects who are more likely to be open to the opportunity.
13. Master Your Storytelling Skills
As a network marketer leader, one of your most powerful skills is storytelling. Stories tap into your emotions, give you sensory experiences, and help you relate and connect to the world. In fact, your brain can make you feel as if you are a part of a story and experiencing it yourself!
According to Hubspot, stories cause you to develop thoughts, opinions, and ideas that align with the person telling the story. Think about what that means in the context of your business. You can boost your influence by sharing stories to convey important messages that change how your prospects think and behave.
For instance, if someone doubts their abilities and wants to give up, you could share a story about someone in your organization who overcame great difficulty to find success. Likewise, you can use storytelling to share a narrative that motivates and inspires prospects. When people identify with the characters in a story, they are more inclined to emotionally connect to the story and take action.
Storytelling takes practice and requires that you understand your audience. There are certain patterns and universal truths that make up the foundation of stories. So, it’s a skill that requires knowledge and practice.
However, you don’t need to make up fictional stories to get a point across or evoke emotion. You likely have plenty of your own or other people’s stories to share. Try to work these real-life stories into your conversations and communications for a more powerful impact.
14. Learn How to Handle Rejection
An inevitable part of the network marketing business is hearing people tell you “no.” Rejection will always exist. It’s how you deal with the rejection that makes the difference.
The trick is to not take rejection personally. A person’s decision has to do with them, not you. They are saying no to the product, service, or opportunity. Maybe it’s not the right time for them or they aren’t ready. But, the reason is personal to them and related to what’s going on in their lives and mindset. So, don’t be offended by those who don’t want to take you up on your offer.
Try not to dwell on the rejection. Instead, concentrate on moving forward. Remember that it’s a numbers game, so continue on your path to keep the momentum up. Focus on the people who are interested, not on those who aren’t.
You can also think of rejection as a learning opportunity. It’s a chance to review and assess your interactions and determine what to do differently.
When people say no, always handle yourself with grace, composure, and confidence. This is very important! A no right now doesn’t mean a no in the future.
Prospects and your team are always watching how you deal with challenges. Set a good example so that your team sees how to handle rejection. And, who knows? Maybe that prospect’s no will turn into yes in the future. If you handle yourself well, you’re more likely to keep the possibilities open. As they say, don’t cut your nose off to spite your face!
Rejection won’t have power over you if you surround yourself with positive people, have a good leadership mindset, and feel good about who you are. So, always be working on your personal growth and have a mentor who guides you.
15. Foster Interest in You and Your Business
How are you going to grow your team if people don’t know about you? It’s up to you to communicate, network, build relationships, and follow up to generate interest in you and what you do.
When you’re out and about online and in person, you represent and exemplify the lifestyle you live. You’re there as a constant reminder of what’s possible. So, be a good example, serve others, and offer value.
Be memorable and make it easy for others to reach out to you. Just because someone isn’t ready to join your team now doesn’t mean they won’t be interested in the future.
Here are ideas to help you stay top of mind and build relationships that lead to customers, recruits, and referrals:
- Networking
- Collaborations
- Social media
- Newsletters
- Emails
- Videos
- Presentations/speaking
- Free gifts
- Business cards
Check out the Business Accelerator Academy for more help.
Be a confident leader and learn what attracts qualified leads. You don’t have to be in people’s faces constantly and always promoting. Choose subtler ways to educate others about products, services, and your organization.
And, always include some personality and personal information in your marketing. Otherwise, you’ll come across as self-serving. People want to get to know you before they want to know about what you do.
Network Marketing Recruiting Grows Your Business So You Can Reach the Next Level
When you want to achieve more success in a network marketing, direct sales, or MLM business, you’ll need to improve your ability to recruit and prospect. Obviously, generating leads and following up are crucial components of a successful business. However, growing your team makes it possible to leverage your time so that you don’t have to work more hours to make more money—and that’s the freedom you’re searching for.
Also, recruiting isn’t just about finding people who want to buy from you or join your team. It helps to think about it as building relationships and networking to increase your reach and grow your influence.
Hopefully, this information will help guide your recruiting efforts. Please let me know which one is your favorite or what network marketing recruiting tip has provided you with the best results.
As always, if you need more help I’ve got you covered. Watch this free leadership training that will help you avoid some of the mistakes that leaders make when growing a team. I created this training just for you!
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 | ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED APRIL 17, 2017
