Update To My Blog

As you may notice all my post are from the past 2 days.  I couldn’t back up and save the posts or comments when I changed hosting.

Now that I have everything back to normal I will be adding posts on a regular basis again.

Thanks for understanding, Ann

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MLM Attitude Challenge

OK, there’s a bunch of people that just don’t get it!

Only YOU have the ability to decide what your attitude is each and every day.  We all deal with life’s little problems.  But you need to know that the way you handle them is totally up to you.

I hate talking to people that are constantly negative.  They tend to bring me down if I’m around them for very long.

I like being around people that are positive and inspiring.  People who see the good even in the worst of situations.

So, my challenge to you actually has two parts.

  1. Decide every day to have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!!
  2. Influence those around you in a positive way!!

Wake up every morning knowing that today is going to be GREAT.  Then every person you come in contact with be sure to leave them with a positive feeling about you and your attitude.

To Your POSITIVE Attitude Of Success, Ann

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Warm Market Prospecting-Why We Do It

For a while now there has been a big “thing” about network marketers prospecting their warm list (friends & family).  A lot of people are saying it’s one of the reasons why so many fail in our industry.

I have to admit that I bought into this idea.  Until I stopped and really considered why we are told to make our list.  Then I took a look at our own organization.

The first 6 months in the business my husband and I sponsored over 30 people.  Every single one was a close friend or family member.  Granted most signed up to use the products or just help us out, but of those 30 people 2 do over 75% of our volume.

When you are told to make a list of all the people you know it serves several purposes.  The first is it shows you exactly what the possibilities are.  One of the most common excuses we hear is “I just don’t know that many people.”  By making a list it helps us to see we really do know a lot of people.

Next it enables us to get the experience we need to go out and sponsor.  The idea is for you to pick a couple people from your list that you can set an appointment with and take your sponsor/upline.  They do most of the talking while you set back, listen and learn.  From there you gain the knowledge you need in order to talk to prospects on your own as well as train your new recruits to do the same.

To Your Attitude Of Success, Ann

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Are You Reaching Out to Find Prospects?

If you’re a network marketer, you have heard how important it is to get out there and talk to people.  But it totally amazes me how many people set at home or go about their normal routine and wonder why they aren’t making any money.

I realize that it’s not easy to talk to people after you’ve been shot down a few times.  The temptation to just give up has come to us all.  I have been involved with network marketing for over 16 years and believe me I have had more than my fair share of rejection.  The thing to remember is not to take it personally, just go on to the next person.  I know, easier said than done.

The key is to not put all your eggs in one basket.

Have at least 3-5 Reaching Out Methods (ROMs) that you use consistantly.  Let me give you an example.

We all need to be using the “Bump Into” method.  This is where in your day-to-day life you meet someone, strike up a conversation then do a mini 30 to 60 second presentation to see if what you have is for them.  But, at the same time you are running classified ads in your local paper, asking friends and family for referrals, using online forums and making contacts on Twitter & Facebook.

This is just an example of a few ROMs you can be using at one time.  There are 100s of them for you to get in front of prospects.  It really depends on your personality and what you feel comfortable doing.  Just remember that everything seems awkward at first, with practice it becomes easier and feels more natural.

Some Reaching Out Methods you can try:

  • Classified Ads
  • Mall Cruising
  • Direct Mail
  • Card Decks
  • Forums
  • Social Networking Sites
  • Email Marketing
  • Article Marketing
  • Networking Groups
  • Clubs & Organizations
  • Referrals
  • Bump Into

So, don’t set idly by and wait for prospects to come to you.  Be proactive and start using 3-5 ROMs every day.

To Your Attitude Of Success, Ann

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Holiday Prospecting Ideas

The holiday season is in full swing!  Unfortunately, many network marketers take the month of December off instead of utilizing all the prospecting opportunities presented.

It’s easy to look around and see that everyone is busy preparing for the holidays and decide it just isn’t a good time to bother people.  But what you need to do is position yourself to take advantage of all the hustle and bustle of the holidays.  Use this time to make new contacts while you’re out shopping.  It isn’t the best time to give a presentation but make the contact and stay in touch until you both have the extra time.

Everyone gets invitations to holiday parties.  Use them to find new prospects.  At each party or event you attend make a point to find 3-5 people you have something in common with and exchange business cards or contact information with them.  Then give ‘em a call to let them know you enjoyed visiting  and would like to get together. (Be sure these are people you truly like and feel have a need for your products or opportunity.)

If you have kids, school programs are a great place to find prospects.  You know you already have one thing in common and this time of year most parents are looking for a way to pay for Christmas.

We live in a very small town and each year there is a big event put on by the Chamber of Commerce at the town hall.  Santa Claus is there and most of the stores run sales so it’s a perfect time to get out and meet new members of the community and visit with the ones you already know.  You can find similar events at malls and shopping centers.

Look for craft fairs or bazaars.  These can be great places to have a booth for retail sales.  You can also go to “browse”.  Just remember to take plenty of business cards and give one to every person you talk to.

During the holidays your prospecting options are unlimited.  But if you’re having a hard time finding people, consider hosting an open house of your own.  Invite your neighbors, friends and family but be sure to have them bring along a guest.  Keep it simple by offering cookies and hot chocolate or cider.  You want to have time to mingle with your guests and not worry about refreshments.  If you want, set up a display for retail sales or just use the time to meet new prospects.

To Your Attitude Of Holiday Success, Ann

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What Environment Are You Comfortable In?

A few months back I attended a Network Marketing training with Pat Mesiti.  One of the subjects he discussed was being comfortable in your environment.  I had always thought in terms of the prospect’s comfort zone.  I figured that I could, or should be the one that took that step.  But what I realized is that I need to be relaxed and at ease in order for the people around me to be comfortable also.

We all tend to perform better when we are comfortable in our surroundings.  We look forward to the task at hand if it’s going to be a pleasant experience.  But, if we are uncomfortable, we procrastinate.  We dread our job and chances are we don’t do it at all.  For network marketers it’s extremely important we like what we do.  Our income depends on us getting out there and talking to people.

Don’t get me wrong.  There will be times you have to get out of your comfort zone and do things that you don’t like.  But if you know that those times are few it makes it a little easier.

Take a few minutes and really consider where you are the most at ease.

  • At Home
  • In Someone Else’s Home
  • At a Hotel or Restaurant
  • Doing Conference Calls or Webinars

Now, what type of presentation are you most comfortable with?

  • One-On-One
  • Large Groups Of 10 or More
  • Small Groups Of 5-10

While on a webinar with on of my mentors, Doug Firebaugh, he said that the best presentaion method is the one you’re the most comfortable doing.

If you’re relaxed and having fun it will come through.  Your abilities will be evident as you show your prospects the amazing products and opportunity you have.  Your team members will also see you as a confident leader.

On the other hand, if you are nervous prospects will see it and be very reluctant to join you.  When you do have people join you, it will be hard to get them to follow you.  Who wants a leader that’s uncomfortable and nervous?

You may not know what environment is the most comfortable for you.  That’s ok.  Just pay attention to how you feel in your surroundings.  Where are you the most relaxed?  Who are you with when you feel the most at ease?

Find the environment you’re the most comfortable in and I’m sure your business will grow.  You’ll also start having more fun and success beyond your dreams will be just around the corner.

To Your Attitude Of Success, Ann

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An Attitude To Help Others

I realize most network marketers wanting to help others is second nature.  But I know a few who just DO NOT get it.  It’s all about them and what they will get.  For true and lasting success you have to be willing to put your own wants aside and focus on others.

If you’re talking to a prospect and are thinking what you’ll get out of it, they will see right through it.  You need to be sure what you’re offering (whether products or opportunity) is right for them.  Do they have a need for your products?  Do THEY feel they need your products?  Is the business opportunity in their best interest?  Ask yourself these questions as you’re talking to prospects.  If the answer is “NO”, then maybe YOU want it for them or for yourself.  You can’t fore your wants on to someone else, it will never work.

While working with your organization, make sure they want to go to the next management level.  Believe it or not, not everyone wants a 6 or 7 figure income.  I know a lot of network marketers that are in it just for the social aspect (it’s a good excuse to meet with the group once a month).  And for others it’s a way to make a little extra spending money.

Maybe you are one of those people?  That’s perfectl fine, just remember when you’re sponsoring you may get someone who has big dreams.  Help them every way you can, connect them with the right people and training.  Then let them reach the top.

What ever you do be sure to keep the other person’s wants and needs first and foremost in your mind.  We are all different.  A good leader will always find out if and where their followers want to go.

To Your Attitude Of Success, Ann

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Decide Your Own Attitude

Your Attitude is what determines the results you have in life every day.  A great attitude will yield great results and success.  A bad attitude will bring poor results and possibly failure.

I want you to stop right here!

What’s your attitude?

Is it what you want it to be?  Or, has something put you in a bad mood and now you have a bad attitude?

Do you realize YOU DECIDE what your attitude is every single minute of every day? By allowing something or someone to dictate your attitude you give up your power.  Your attitude is what determines the way you handle a situation and what the outcome will be.

As long as you have a good attitude it will not matter what the world throws at you.  You’ll handle it well and not burn bridges.  Let me give you an example.

After spending 4 weeks building a relationship with a new prospect and sending them information, they tell you that this just isn’t for them.

  1. You hang up the phone after saying “Thanks”.  You then stew about everything you lost and never call the prospect again.
  2. You politely thank them for all their time and the consideration they gave you.  Then you ask if you could still get together and that they may be able to help you in another way.  Ask them if they know of anyone who would be able to use the opportunity or products.  You remain friends and build the relationship even more.

It’s the exact same situation but by maintaining a positive attitude you get totally different results.

This works in every aspect of your life. (Try it with your kids, it will work wonders.  If you stay calm, so will they.)

Understand that when you decide to have a positive attitude you will also be deciding how your day will go.  Do not give the power to someone else and let them decide how your life will turn out. You need to control your own life.  You will also be affecting everyone around you in a positive way.  They will leave you feeling good about themselves and about you.  And the next time they see you it will be a good experience for both of you.

To Your Attitude Of Success, Ann

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5 Tips For Providing Excellent Customer Service

It seems more and more often I hear people complain about poor customer service.  It’s like employees are only on the job to collect a pay check and they know they get it whether they provide the customer with helpful service or not.  But for network marketers the service you provide is what determines your success.

Most network marketing businesses depend on selling products.  That’s where your “volume” comes from, which determines your commission check and helps determine your management level.  I think you would agree that it’s much easier to do repeat business rather than find new cumtomers constantly.  And this is where excellent customer service comes in.  If you give your customers the service they deserve they are more likely to come to you when they need more of your products.  Plus, a happy customer will refer others to you.  This process gives you the opportunity to build a relationship with them and they will be more likely to join you in your business.

I have made a simple list of things you need to be sure to do in order to provide your customers with a great service.

  1. Provide Answers to Their Questions. If you don’t know the answer, let them know you will find it.  Don’t give them some line just so you look good.  Most people will respect that you care enough about them to get the correct information.  Be sure they fully understand your answer and that it didn’t leave them with more questions.
  2. Do What You Say. If you make a promise, fulfill it.  If you needed to find the answer to their question and told them you would be in touch tomorrow, then be in touch tomorrow.
  3. Deliver Their Products In A Timely Manner. When taking their order let them know when to expect it.  Make arrangements on when and where you can deliver it.
  4. Go Over Their Order With Them. When you deliver their products, go over everything with them.  If they need to follow usage directions, make sure they understand them (this is extremely important for any dietary supplements).  If there were any back ordered items let them know they are on their way.
  5. Follow Up After The Sale. Give your customer a call 3-4 days after they received their order to make sure they are satisfied.  They may have a concern or question.  Let them know that if they need anything they can call you.  If your products are consumable, give them a call 10-14 days before they need to reorder.  DO NOT assume they will call you.  Ask them the results they had.  If they were not what they expected, go over how they used the products.  If they were satisfied, this is an excellent time to recommend other products.

These easy steps will ensure your customers are happy and become repeat customers.  And you never know, the service you provide could be the deciding factor on if they join your business.

To Your Attitude Of Success, Ann

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A Personal Mission

I want to share an observation with you.

About a year ago I decided to try a little experiment.  I wanted to see how people (complete strangers) reacted when I smiled and said “Hello”.

The results really did surprise me.  Most people smiled and would reply with a cheerful “Hello” .  A few actually acted as if I were doing some off-the-wall thing and would look the other way.  But, then there were those that looked at me like I had just interrupted their perfectly BAD day.

I always wonder what could be so terrible that these folks can not even return a simple smile.  They often glare at you like they don’t understand how anyone can be happy or friendly.  I can’t help but be thankful that they’re not in my organization because I just know that it would be a total drain to be around someone like that all the time.

I think that as network marketers we need to always be positive when we are out in public.  We need to smile and be friendly to EVERYONE, you never know how it could impact your business.

I know for me when I smile at someone and they don’t return the courtesy, it serves as a pre-qualifier.  I look for positive and upbeat people to join my team, and people like that are not going to be an asset.

The most surprising result of my experiment was how it affected ME.  I hate to shop but when I am smiling at everyone I can’t help but be happy.  Plus, the majority of people who smile back and even start conversations, just make my day.  I can honestly say that I am a better person and have a better attitude because of the people I smile at.  I have now made it a personal mission to smile at everyone I encounter.

I would like to challenge you to put your best smiling face forward and try this experiment for yourself.  It may surprise you how good it makes you feel when you receive all those friendly smiles in return.

Smile, It’s Contagious, Ann

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