What Do MLM and Dating Have in Common? More Than You Think!
What Do MLM and Dating Have in Common? More Than You Think!
As network marketers and entrepreneurs our focus should never be to ‘close a sale’ or recruit a new prospect, it should always be about building relationships.
Based on this then, it makes sense to put time and effort into pursuing and maintaining valuable relationships that grow your business. Consider your prospecting model as you would a new courtship that you’re hoping will evolve into a long term romantic relationship. Treat it carefully, put your best foot forward, and follow some of these basic rules of dating as you network and interact with potential prospects. As with romance, if the connection is there and the sparks fly, you will create a solid foundation for a long and healthy business relationship.
Here are some of my recommended rules of MLM ‘Dating’:
1. First Impressions Count, So Put Your Best Foot Forward
You have no doubt heard that when you meet someone new, they subconsciously ‘sum you up’ within the first 3 seconds (and you them). In that 3 seconds this potential prospect is screening your body language, clothing and accessories, facial expressions, demeanor, tone of voice, and anything else you give them to decide if you’re the sort of person they will like or not. Once this first impression has been made, it is almost entirely impossible to reverse, so make it a good one!
2. Be Yourself – Trying Too Hard to be Liked Will Scare Them Away
This may sound like a contradiction to the first rule, but putting your best foot forward is not about changing who you are. It is your foot after all, not someone else’s! Be polite and appropriate, but allow your natural personality to shine, as this is how a true connection can be made. If you’re trying too hard, or wearing too many emotional ‘layers’, no-one will be able to reach the real you to connect at all.
3. Get to Know the Other Person
While it may be tempting to tell this new prospect how wonderful you are and all about your exciting business, why not take this opportunity to ask questions? People love to talk about themselves, so they will love you for the opportunity to share, and you will learn important information about them that can help you build a relationship.
4. Find a Connection
If you’ve followed rule no 3 properly, you should have discovered some interesting facts about this person that you didn’t know before. If there’s something you share in common, now is the time to focus on that common bond as a center point that you can both relate to. If you haven’t discovered something you’re particularly into, you can still create a connection based on something they are into. For instance, if they have a rabbit collection, perhaps you can ask them to tell you all about it. If they’re collecting so many of them, there’s a good chance they are quite passionate about rabbits and would love to share!
5. Develop a Childlike Curiosity in You – Be a Man / Woman of Mystery
Consider how many movies or romance novels have depicted the ‘dark, mysterious stranger’ as being the hero of the story. Maintaining some mystery around who you are and what you do is a great way to get your potential prospect intrigued about your business. Drop in a thought provoking comment or question here and there and then move on, leaving your listener aching to find out more.
6. Develop Trust and Rapport – Integrity is the Key
Most people have an in-built radar designed to set off alarms when they feel someone is being dishonest. Integrity is vital to the strength of your relationships, and therefore the success of your business. Do yourself and your prospect a favor and always conduct business with complete honesty. People will feel your integrity and you will always be well respected for it.
7. Not Everyone is a Potential Partner – Don’t Force It
Nobody likes that guy in the bar who hits on every girl who walks past… you know the one! The same goes with network marketing – you wouldn’t hit on every person that enters your social circle (well, I hope not!), so why would you ambush everyone you meet, with your business opportunity? Not everyone is the right ‘fit’ for MLM, so you’re best to choose your potential partners wisely. Your time is far better spent with one person who is genuinely interested and right for the job, than 10 people who sign up half hearted.
8. Be Cautious of Online ‘Dating’
It can be tempting to try and cut corners with your business and jump on the first website that offers you what looks like an easy list of paid leads. Like online dating however, sometimes all is not what it seems, and good old fashioned face to face courting will still win out in the end.
Developing a relationship with prospects is a little like entering into a marriage. You need to warm up slowly, build trust, share ideas and then have both parties commit to a long term, mutually beneficial partnership. Your prospect wants to make sure that the opportunity is right for them and you are making sure that they are suitable to become a partner in your business.
Katrina Harris is a passionate home based entrepreneur who made a commitment to learn the successful traits of the super wealthy. After tapping into the minds of the Superstars of MLM she has made these learnings available for anyone else keen to crack the code of the super successful. If you would you like to learn more of the MLM training techniques that these superstars have shared with me, go to http://www.SuperstarsofMLM.com.