Dawn, for almost fifty years I was a salesman. But in this new market (MLM) the rules are different. I've struggled some with the old habits but have now seen what Duplication really is. My company goes out of its' way to give us the tools. Now I just say to the prospect: “This is what I do (CD) and this is how I do it (Pamphlet with CD)” So easy even a Cave Man (very old Man) do it. Well laid out post Thanks a bunch.

Solid stuff here Mr. and Mrs. Cook, it's really quite funny how being a good salesperson really does have a negative effect on you in the Network Marketing industry. Most people don't realize that if you just be yourself and tell people like it is with some good marketing skills you will do quite well, even VERY well if you decide to

Whew! That's a great relief. I like connecting and sharing but I am not comfortable “selling” to anybody. Thanks Dawn.

Dawn, it really is nice to know that you don't have to be good salesperson to succeed in network marketing. It truly is based on the degree of your training your sponsor and how you apply what you learn to grow your team. When you help build your people up they in turn build your business.

Lori

Thanks for the insight on the importance of focusing on a system that can be duplicated rather than sales skills. I would add to not be afraid of “selling”. Selling is good. Selling builds volume. Great sales people are a gift to the world.

Always balancing,

Rafael

Dawn (& Dave),
This is such an interesting perspective! And a very new one to me, as I'm not into network marketing. Yet, the principle does still apply, as I must market myself and eventually I will want to create an affiliate program for others to market my products and services. Great food for thought.
Thanks,
Adam

I always think of eMyth when I think about creating duplicatable systems. I feel great success really comes from creating simple steps that can be consistently followed. I still feel the greatest success comes from consistency.

Interesting topic Dawn. From the perspective of someone who has spent over decade in commission sales I would suggest that Selling is very much a mindset. I catch myself saying I'm not very good with mechanics, in the kitchen, with directions etc

Most of us are actually natural sales people – we've attracted life partners, got jobs, negotiated and imposed our will on our kids and are adept at interacting with most bureaucracies when we set our mind to it.

What we are often not good at is over coming irrational fear of rejection. A lot of people associate selling with an outdated association with hard sell dodgy second car salesmen when in fact the really good sales people are actually those people we like and trust and who have something we actually want. In other words people like you and I and people we know.

Thanks for sharing its good to have an occasional perspective shift!

Cheers Kiaran

This is great information and is spot on. In fact most salespeople have a hard time finding success in our industry. I struggled in beginning because I expected people to duplicate what I was doing. This just isn't possible for the masses.

I was told by my mentor a few years ago “If your 90 year old grandmother cannot duplicate the system you have no chance of having great success.”

It wasn't until I heard it explained in that way that I understood this premise. Since duplication is the key, if there is no duplication there is no success.

Thanks for another great post.

Rob

I'm just starting out in my Network Marketing Adventure! I have never considered myself a 'sales' kind of person and never thought I would end up in Network Marketing. Fortunately for me, I was introduced to a product that changed my life and inspired me to become involved. I spent a good 6 months studying Network Marketing before taking the leap and I whole heartedly agree with the points in your post.

Wendy

How right on you are, Dave! You have described all the best aspects of network marketing in a nutshell, with the possible exception of one — the building of incredible relationships and lifelong friendships, which, to me, is one of the greatest side benefits of being involved in this great industry.

You are also right on the mark with your comments about sales and sales people. If you come into this industry with the idea that you are going to bring all that great sales training along with you, you might as well just stop right there. Again, this industry is about relationship building and sharing valuable products and information and things we believe in. And if you don't believe in what you're promoting, well….again….might as well just stop and do some serious re-evaluation of where you are and what you're doing.

Thanks as always for a phenomenal post!

What an excellent article Dawn, thank you!!

I would tend to agree with you, that being an awesome salesperson is not the number 1 qualification for being successful in an MLM. My belief is that 1st and foremost you need to WANT to be there, and that you are willing to work at it. So many out there join up and think it's going to be a piece of cake and do nothing. Likely those are not going to get a huge downline any time soon.

Not that it isn't fun, but it is a lot of work!! But so worthwhile! I wouldn't change my MLM and online activities for anything!!

Thanks again for your excellent content here!

Dawn,

We truly believe that setting up and following a system is a must for any business… unless of course one wants to work extraordinarily hard. We've developed several systems in our online business and they save us a lot of time and effort.

Thanks for the info and the cool “pep talk”,
Thanks,
~ Pat and Lorna
http://TheCoolestCouple.com

HI Dawn

You are so right on!! Larry mentored me in the beginning of my transition from part time to full time back in 1999 and I can tell you I truly “got it” when I plugged into a system. I was on fire when I became coachable. He tells a funny story of being in sales and marketing since he was 8 years old, so you could say sales is in his blood!! Larry retired as a VP of Sales & Marketing of a Software company and got into Network Marketing years ago, and failed miserably his first 6 months. Most people would think he was cut out for it. He had to unlearn everything, and it was not until he stopped “SELLING” and started “SORTING” that he took off. That experience made him a great coach!
Thanks for the great article
Laura & Larry Morris

Hi Dave,
the 'I am no good at selling' seems to be a common 'excuse' for not wanting to do network marketing.
You described very well how we can use information tools and online media to do the work for us.
Much appreciated.
Have a great week.
Yorinda

Hey Dave and Dawn

Whatever I am doing I always ask myself, is it duplicable for my average recruit. If not then I am just fooling myself. In fact what I am really doing is not building recurring income but rather building a never ending recruiting system.

Let the tools do the selling.

Thanks, everyone on network marketing needs to be reminded of this.

This is a really great post guys. You made the statement “If fact, being a good salesperson is detrimental to building a large network.” I have found this to be true time and time again. Duplication, duplication, and duplication. This is absolutely the key. I say all the time I don’t do any selling I only answer your questions and then if you choose to get started with us great, if not, next.

Thanks again,

Michael

Hey Dave and Dawn,

really great post. I think there are many reasons why some people succeed and others don’t. I think the first is a need to find a company with a product that you are really passionate about. However good you are at selling. Really believing in a product backed up by the recommendation of someone you trust and look to for leadership really shouldn’t be a hardsell.

It’s not rocket science. I think sometimes people are so quick to quit, that they could be the best sales person in the business but if the commitment isn’t there from the start. Well they are not really going to go anywhere.

Thank you for your wise words once again.
Beth

Hi Dawn,

This is an interesting take on network marketing, yet it is so true. From my experience in network marketing I found that a lot of people that were under the impression that you were a pushy sales person when in reality it was pretty much the opposite.

Network marketing is what it says it is….network….marketing! It’s that simple, you have a network of people (like you and me) and you market. And market can mean so many different things with the power of social media and the internet, and techniques like Dillard’s Magnetic Sponsoring and other attraction marketing skills.

I’m so glad you put this out there Dawn, there are a lot of stereotypes surrounding this industry it’s time we stamped them out! It’s all about the strength of the network you build not the ‘salesman’ skills.

Cheers,

Lynn

Hello Dave and Dawn,

While I agree whole heartily that being a good sales person doesn’t qualify any one as being successful, network marketing still carries a cloud of uncertainties for me, which I am of course sure is just a useless confirmation that I know pretty much nothing about it.

Still, I remember a good 20 years ago when I joined my first and only network marketing company. I attended a meeting and came out of it with my ears buzzing. The following days, I lost a quarter of all my friends after I called them trying to recruit them!

But as you say, there is so much more to network marketing.

Stevie
Stevie Smith recently posted..Don’t forget to be a Dad! Your kids need you!

Hi Dawn and Dave,

You had me at the first line! I’m definitely not a good salesperson. In fact, I pretty much stink at it and that has kept me out of sales my whole life. However, after saying that, I also have to say that if you’re in business, any kind of business, you’re in sales. I have to “sell” my services after all. That’s why I can fully believe that you don’t have to be good at sales to succeed because I’m not good yet my business is booming!

Duplicatable businesses are best. That’s what will lead to true financial freedom. Best wishes for your success!
Deb Augur recently posted..Trading Time for Dollars

I think the first is a need to find a company with a product that you are really passionate about.well for now i have freelancer job and i enjoy with it.
Kween recently posted..My Beach Weekend