....Is Network Marketing Easy??....
I personally believe we do a dis-service to the industry and
ourselves if we openly state...or even allude...that NWM is
easy. It's not. Nor is any business....WAH or brick & mortar.
Anyone who does say different is not being wholly truthful. I
find that to be a shame.
NWM requires 3 main ingredients....time, effort, and yes -
money. Time is just a matter of redirecting your habits. Not
easy but doable. Time directly impacts your efficiency. Effort
is entirely controllable by the individual....and directly
impacts your effectiveness. Money is self limiting and directly
affects both efficiency and effectiveness. An individual must
find the best combination of the three that works for them.
Someone else can't tell you what that combination is....but can
help you find it (for example a good sponsor).
The new mlmer faces a daunting task...and competition...when it
comes to "advertising". Finding that "best combination" of time,
effort, and money is a growth experience. Rarely will it just
appear....education (self and provided) plus mentoring (if
available) are important factors and hopefully a fact of life.
However, "advertising" is not impossible.
In my mind advertising is just whatever method you choose to
"reach" people. It might be the traditional newspaper or ezine
ad or the simple greeting and sharing with a friend. How you
"advertise" or "share" can take many forms.
There are free and inexpensive methods that do work. It's a
matter of finding those that work for you.
For example:
1. Writing and submitting ezine articles is an excellent method.
It requires time & effort...but no money. The benefits include
increased link popularity for the url used in your sig box
(important for search engine ranking), branding, and reach (you
can "reach" more with an article than an ezine ad). Plus it's
viral. Often your article is archived by publishers and
directories.....available well after it was originally offered.
Plus publishers and web masters will often "pick up" your
article...again well after you originally submitted it.
2. Business cards are always a good method...and more
inexpensive than one realizes. You can even make your own. Just
pass them out like candy....stores, church, ball games, local
events, restaurants (leave 1 with your bill), businesses you
frequent, networking meetings, local Chamber Of Commerce. The
possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
3. Flyers, posters, post cards, brochures, etc. can also be done
very inexpensively. You can make your own on your PC or purchase
custom or ready made templates from numerous online providers.
You could even strike up a joint venture with a local community
provider. They print it for you and include their "advert"
somewhere...you distribute. You both win, you pay less, and
maybe influence that partner to be involved in your business.
4. Web decals on your vehicle(s) is another inexpensive method.
I have one on each of our family cars (back window) with a short
"catch line" and my url. Cost was ~ $40 each but the visiblity
is priceless.
5. Newspaper/magazine ads can be found that aren't going to cost
an arm and a leg. Local publications are a good place to start.
nationwidenewspapers.com is an excellent source. For some of my
services I've found College student newspapers and alumni
magazines to be good performers.
These are just a few examples.
Of course there are the traditional ezine ads, leads programs,
Forum participation (sig line - branding reputation), search
engines, "3 foot rule", etc. Most of these will cost you
money...all will cost you time & effort.
The key I believe is in being creative and sticking to what best
fits your time, effort, money combination. It is and should be a
personal choice. If the dollar "cost" doesn't give you the
dollar "value" you hope for....keep looking. But don't EVER give
up.
Plus...diversify. Use multiple methods. Why limit yourself to
just "one path"?
Should we just sponsor those willing to waste $1,000's
advertising? Heck no!! We should sponsor anyone interested and
teach them how to advertise in a manner best suited for them.
Don't mislead them with false expectations or pressure them into
uncomfortable actions. Lead them to solutions which best fit
their expectations & abilities (time, effort, money).
John Milton Fogg's answer to the question is priceless......"It
is simple, but it isn't easy."
Captures it pretty well I'd say. That's the message. It's not
hard to understand...should/is fun.....but does take some effort.
Sending any message to prospects that denies effort is involved
or necessary....misleads folks into becoming part of the "failed
or quit" statistics.
It leads to false expectations.
They start to think they can sit on the couch with beer &
potatoe chips watching Oprah on TV all day....and the money will
roll in by itself.
Lays, Coronas, and Dr. Phil aren't going to build your business.
YOU are.
In my mind (OK...my opinion)....that's the core of any message
they should receive.
If you really care...that's what you'll tell them.
Be honest....
What do YOU think????