Solving MLM Problems, Not Creating Them

Internet marketing is a great way to build a MLM business. There really is no comparison of Internet Marketing and what one might call Ambush Marketing. Ambush Marketing is simply finding a warm body and then ambushing them with your “opportunity.” Although Ambush Marketing rarely works, at least for the average guy on the street, Internet Marketing works for a great variety of people. But it has its problems and some people fail at it.

I Would Rather Maintain a Low Profile

Many people, attracted to network marketing, seek ambiguity. They want to stay hidden behind the Internet. Some are not very sociable. They just aren’t “people oriented.” They like to hide behind company names, web pages and email addresses.

Now there is a problem here, Internet consumers have an instinctive fear of Internet ambiguity. They don’t know who is behind the ads and, as a result, they simply do not trust them. People seek some kind of relationship with Internet companies. This relationship relieves their fear of getting ripped off. If they have a problem with a suite they bought at a local men’s store, that store will be there next week to deal with that problem. But will this mysterious web company be there? Will they even respond to the email you send them?

So, if you persist in maintaining this Internet ambiguity you will find it hard to build an Internet business. In fact, you will probably fail.

What is the solution? There is really only one solution; you must make yourself transparent to your audience. You must become visible; people need to become comfortable with you. How would you do this?

First, I would put my picture on all my ads. Make sure you are smiling in this picture. Look like you are a warm and friendly guy (or gal).

Second, I would put my phone number and, very importantly, my street address on my ads. And remember, PO boxes look very suspicious and suggests a transient company—the very opposite image you are trying to generate. Become assessable to people. If you do, they may just become assessable to you. And on your phone number, answer the phone if you can, if possible, don’t have a “machine” do it for you. But if you do receive a message, return the call quickly.

Third, add information and pictures on your family on your web sites. This humanizes you; you look like a normal guy with a wife, kids, grandchildren, etc.

Fourth, add pictures of your office, pets, hobbies, etc on your web site. In doing so, you become increasingly real and trustworthy.

Fifth, don’t hide behind a company name if you can avoid it. Use your name as the company name. Car dealers have done this for years with great success. And if you must use a company name, make it clear who you, the owner, are.

In short, be as transparent as you possibly can.

I Hate the Telephone

Along with ambiguity comes an aversion to the telephone. Why call when you can send an email? But the call sets you apart; you put a voice behind the picture. You become increasingly human, likable and trustworthy.

But, just why do you hate the telephone? Isn’t the main reason because you are calling people you don’t’ know and who probably have zero interest in starting a new business. You find yourself trying to beat life into a dead horse with this “prospect.” They don’t like it and tell you so. Well, who wouldn’t hate this kind of phone work?

But what if the person first contacted you and asked about your business? How hard would it be to call a person like this and simply answer their questions? The bottom line is this, phone work to people who first come to you asking for information is not anywhere near the odious “cold calls” so many tell us we must make. In fact, they are a waste of time. Don’t do them. But do call people who want to be called!

And here is another step that will humanize you and set you apart from your competition, send them a note in the US Mail. You say that’s not done any more? But it is done by many successful Internet marketers who know the value of this personal touch. A note or a card will often send you to the head of the line in a prospects mind as he/she considers who to work with.

I Don’t Like to Sell

And who does like “to sell.” Maybe some do, but I don’t. And I bet you don’t either. But when you do attraction marketing on the Internet, people contact you and ask for information about what you are doing and how well it works. Simply answer their questions and in time invite them to partner with you in your MLM Internet business. If they want to “think about it” or simply say no, don’t’ let it bother you, you have a dozen other people behind them interested in learning more about what you are doing!

Now compare that to the few people you corner with your Ambush Marketing methods. How desperate do you feel with these rare few leads, knowing that you simply “must” sign them up? Don’t you think they sense that desperation as well? They do and it sends them running.

Now compare that to the guy responding to dozens of contacts about his business, each asking for more information on how it works. When people pursue you and what you are doing, where is the sense of desperation? There is none. Not everyone will be interested in partnering with you, but then again, you don’t need everyone. You only have so much time in a day anyhow, so spend it with people who appear to be serious about their future and let the others “think about it.”

There are many mistakes the Network Marketing distributor makes. There is a right way and wrong way to do Network Marketing on the Internet. Do it the right way.