Mlm Coach: Shopping For An Upline
By: Bob Alter
MLM MALL
I would like to take you on a shopping spree through our MLM mall. So sit back in your chair, grab a beverage, and let's go find a sponsor. OK? As we enter the store we notice many changes. Instead of isle's we encounter booths. At each booth is a different representative of the same company. Each distributor is having success making at least $5000 per month.
Booth A: we find a distributor talking to a prospect using a flip chart. They are drawing circles (no not Amway). This is the only method this distributor uses. After the presentation the distributor dials another phone number and is busy making another appointment.
Booth B: A large group of people are sitting in chairs watching a presentation on a white board. After the presentation the prospect is now invited to taste, touch, and feel the products. They also have the opportunity to listen to a tape or watch a video on the monitor. Again, this is the only method this distributor uses.
Booth C: The distributor in booth C has a phone and fax machine sitting on the table. Using the list of qualified prospects the person makes a phone call to qualify them. If they qualify, the prospect will either receive information via fax or by mail and nothing else. The next phone call this distributor makes is to a prospect who has received the information and now they are talking to an upline closer.
Booth D: This booth is packed with all the latest toys for network marketers. The desk is complete with a computer, phone, fax and a file system.
The first item of business for this distributor is calling newspapers and magazines to place advertising. After buying the ad's the distributor open the file drawer and takes out a file of prospects, begins calling from the list, and qualifies them. If qualified they move them to the hot file.
Next he/she calls prospects who have received the information. The prospect says "thanks but no thanks". They continue to make calls until a prospect desires more information. To help the prospect learn more about the company and product, the sponsor uses 3-way communication with an upline closer.
After the close, the distributor sends a welcome pack to help the new prospect get off to a quick start on the road to success. The new distributor also receives via phone, fax or email 50 leads.
Once the new distributor has been taken care of he/she takes a flyer and broadcasts flyers (100) via the fax. Each and every day 100 fax broadcasts are sent out. Now that the fax machine has been programmed they move over to the computer and log onto the internet. They check their email and answer all inquiries.
The distributor now sends a webmaster an article to be posted on a bulletin board or newsletter. They check the bulletin boards and make some comments. After this they place some ads in either the "free classifieds or ezines".
Soon the distributor is greeted by a prospect and moves over to the table. They pull out a note pad and begin to talk. After several minutes, many different types of material is presented to the prospect. They discuss what is the information and the prospect leaves.
Now the distributor moves to the phone again to do a conference call. This one is with his downline. Each downline member was asked to bring one prospect on the phone for a presentation. After the presentation they discuss training.
It is now 3 hours after you watched the distributor begin. A group of people come flying in and they are now watching a presentation on the white board, afterwards a video is shown and the group listens to a tape.
What booth will you be interested in?
Why are you interested in this group?
THE WRENCH
Now let me throw a wrench into this scene
Booth D: You have sent a prospect to the meeting that was taking place. Because you were unable to attend this meeting, you have asked your sponsor (the presenter) to take good care of your prospect. Both your prospect and sponsor hit it off and really like what the other person brings to the table. Your sponsor, the presenter, ends up sponsoring your friend into the business. The only problem is your friend is not placed into YOUR downline.
Now how do you feel?
Has this ever happened to you? It has happened to me and many others.
So what do you do about it? Well, first thing is to walk as far away from this person as possible. After the grieving process you have choices to make. For the committed type person they must learn from this experience and vow to never let it happen again. This newsletter will help you make better decisions when looking for another program to work.
In the last newsletter "Developing a Game Plan" we talked about getting to know your downline personally. Now we are asking you to get to know your upline personally. "A group without a solid leader is like a ship without a rudder." No Kidding!
ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE
Imagine being contacted by a person who works with the "ABD International Company". You have had the opportunity to chat with this recruiter, read the material and you have evaluated the company using your criteria.
Now it is time to begin evaluating your upline/sponsor. You really like the organization and how it operates. Don't hesitate to ask if you can go on some recruiting trips with them. Tag along during a recruiting call or a follow up call. All good organizations have some sort of movement all week long. They never dry up with leads to call. Spend some time lurking in the background while the upline/sponsor makes several recruiting or follow up calls.
It is extremely important for you to get to know how they recruit, what information is delivered and how it is presented. Look for consistency, content of presentation and how well they interact with prospects.
Product knowledge cannot be overlooked either. Does the sponsor/upline have the knowledge of the products and program? If they don't will they guide the prospect to the correct resources to get their questions answered?
You will never find a solid organization without a solid leader. Even in the beginning, the leaders step up to the plate and starts taking charge. With this in mind below we will list "10 Absolute's an Upline/Sponsor must have".
Before we get to the absolutes let's define "Heavy Hitter" and "MLM Pro."
HEAVY HITTER VS MLM PRO
HEAVY HITTER: an unbelievable recruiter. Can talk your pants off and often uses hype to attract their prey. They love $$$ and use people. Once sponsored they will vary rarely help you. Heavy Hitters will steal your recruits.
MLM PRO: Loves people and uses $$$. Is also a good recruiter and never uses hype or big money to attract people. Provide ongoing training and support as well as motivation to help their downline build a business. Never consciously steals your recruits and if a mistake is made will correct it immediately.
ABSOLUTES AN UPLINE/SPONSOR MUST HAVE
- 1. Must be an MLM PRO.
- 2. Must have keen knowledge of the program and recruiting.
- 3. Must have duplicatable systems that are time tested and proven.
- 4. Must have systems for any type of distributor you recruit.
- 5. Must be available to help downline close prospects.
- 6. Must be with no more than two companies and one must be a support program.
- 7. Must have quick start training manual to help new distributor get off to a good start.
- 8. Must be a good motivator with regular contact to encourage downline members.
- 9. Must have weekly training calls and be available to answer questions.
- 10. Must be proactive and lead the team by example.
Remember we are talking about long term programs. I would never do my due diligence on a company that has been around for less than 4 years. The odds are stacked against you and I will never want to have to build another downline again.
We have a comprehensive guide that can help you evaluate network programs. Just email me at riverfront@bentonrea.com and it's your for free.
THE FINAL TEST
Everything we have already talked about would be useless, if your sponsor or upline steals your prospects. This is the single biggest challenge we have to break down immediately, before entering a program.
This process is extremely fun. I love doing it for folks and I do get down and dirty. I have done this several times for friends who have requested it, but you can do this all by yourself.
You need to have a friend make the call to your potential sponsor/upline. Questions need to be geared to get answers to the above 10 absolutes an upline/sponsor must possess. This is the easy details. Don't get hung up on this. Just ask questions and shut up. Let the upline/sponsor answer them.
After you have your answers the fun begins. Ask the sponsor/upline if it would be possible to get sponsored by someone else?
Use this: Listen (upline/sponsor {name}) the person who told me about this program is a real dink. Never, in my wildest dreams would I ever get into a program with this person as my sponsor. How can we get around this obstacle?
The only acceptable answer is: well, "Mr. prospect, I understand your concern, but let me show you how we can work around this problem. Because you don't like (dink) you will not have to worry about working with them. We use a team concept and that includes working with the person you feel most comfortable with. If (dink) is not right for you we can definitely find someone that is. But in order to keep unity you will be sponsored by (dink) and that is final.
Try this on your existing upline members. See how they handle this situation. I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that our upline will pass this test with flying colors. Why? They have already proven this and they didn't even know it.
FINAL COMMENTS
Folks the greatest feeling in the world is working with a team of experts in many different areas. I have been extremely blessed to have (my opinion) the best upline the industry has ever seen.
Everything mentioned in this newsletter is my reflection of them. Can you say the same things about your upline? I hope so! The training that I am passing alone to you is exactly what I was taught. Are you receiving the same training from your upline? Now you can see why 95% of sponsors are worthless. They have never been taught (this is an ongoing process of years, not days) how to be good leaders because they have never been taught themselves. Who say's "old dogs can never be taught", I am the classic example.
I threw out 20 years of experience and started all over. I allowed myself the opportunity to learn from professionals, practice with professionals and now pass this information along to you. This is fun and I hope you are having fun as well. Auf Weidersehen!
Have a Great Month!
Click Here to Email Bob Smith
