Updated 10/14/2023
Introduction
Welcome to a transformative guide that’s going to change the way you approach MLM. If you’re tired of the endless chase, you’re in the right place.
I’ve been where you are—struggling to find prospects for MLM.
But guess what? I’ve figured out the puzzle.
I’ve distilled the wisdom from my mentor and my years in various sales roles to bring you a foolproof, 7-step strategy that works for any MLM business. Used correctly and consistently, these steps are your ticket to building a volunteer army of passionate team members. So, let’s dive in and find out how you can start finding prospects who genuinely want to be a part of your journey.
My Story
A few years ago, I was stuck in a job that just wasn’t a fit anymore. The monotony was killing me, and the lack of freedom was suffocating. I knew I had to make a change, but I didn’t know where to start.
That’s when I stumbled upon MLM. At first, I was skeptical. I’d heard all the negative talk about pyramid schemes and scammy tactics. But I decided to give it a shot, and boy, am I glad I did. I started off slow, making a few extra bucks here and there. But as I delved deeper, I realized the potential was enormous.
I took courses, attended seminars, and most importantly, found a mentor who showed me the ropes. Fast forward to today, and I’m living an entirely different life. I have the freedom to set my own hours, travel when I want, and provide for my family without worrying about the next paycheck.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I faced rejection, hit roadblocks, and even thought about quitting. It wasn’t until I unlocked the 7-step process to find prospects in MLM and put them to work that things started turning around. All of these steps, except for Step 7, can be done manually or automated, depending on your budget.
The 7 Foolproof Steps to Find Prospects for MLM
Step 1: Contact
Contacting is just reaching out to someone. Whether it’s your warm market or someone you don’t really know very well, contacting is just reaching out to see if someone is willing to communicate with you.
You’re not trying to persuade. You’re not trying to convince. You’re not trying to do anything other than make contact with this person. Now that can be through a phone call, email, text or a DM on social media, but you are you are reaching out to initiate contact with a person.
Because if you don’t contact them you can’t get into communication with them. They don’t know that you exist or at least aren’t thinking about you. So you have to first contact them in some fashion to get their attention and see if they’re willing to engage.
Step 2: Communicate
Step 2 to find prospects for MLM is to open communication with the person. The goal is to determine whether the individual is interested in engaging in a conversation with you or not.
Either is OK.
We’re not at the point of determining if we found a prospect yet. But if they reply to your message, it’s a positive step. They’re at least open to communicating. However, if they don’t respond, it’s clear they’re not interested in communicating.
At this stage, you’re still in the initial phase of reaching out to establish a line of communication. You can’t progress to the next step unless there’s a two-way interaction. This isn’t about you speaking at them through whatever platform you’re using; it’s about creating a dialogue. Once you’ve built some rapport and had a little back-and-forth, you’ve successfully established a flow of communication.
Step 3: Qualify
Once you’ve established a line of communication and built some rapport, the next crucial step to find prospects for MLM is to qualify the person you’re communicating with. This involves assessing whether they are genuinely interested in the products or the business opportunity you offer. Start by asking open-ended questions that gauge their openness to alternative income streams. For example, you might ask, “Are you open to exploring different ways to earn income?”
To dig deeper, you can present a hypothetical scenario that aligns with your offering. You could say, “If I could show you a strategy that has the potential to earn you an extra couple of thousand dollars a month, would that pique your interest?” Questions like these are designed not only to gauge interest but also to identify whether the prospect meets the criteria to be a good fit for your offering.
Qualifying prospects for MLM is more than just finding out if they’re interested; it’s about determining if they’re a suitable match for what you’re selling.
Not everyone is a genuine prospect.
This could involve assessing their financial capability, their level of need for your product, or even their readiness to make a decision. By asking targeted questions, you can filter out those who are merely curious in order to find prospects for MLM who are serious. This lets you focus your efforts on leads that are more likely to convert.
Step 4: Invite
The “Invite” step is a pivotal phase where you find prospects for MLM or find that this person isn’t there yet. The goal is to pique the prospect’s interest enough to get them to take the next step which is listening to a complete presentation.
The Invite is the next logical step once you’ve determined that this person qualifies as a real prospect.
In this step we’re going to ask the person if they’re willing to “just take a look” at some information. We’re not asking for a commitment to anything other than looking at some information. That information will be your presentation, whether it’s a video, a webinar, or an ATM group.
It’s crucial to be clear, concise, and respectful during this stage. The Invite should be easy-going and low-pressure, aimed at moving them forward in the process and gauging their interest level. This step is about creating a comfortable space for the prospect to learn more about your program without feeling overwhelmed.
Step 5: Present
After successfully navigating the “Invite” phase, the next crucial step is “Present.” This is where you provide your prospects with the information they need to fully understand the MLM opportunity you’re offering. The goal here is to make the presentation as compelling and informative as possible, setting the stage for the prospect to take the next step in the journey.
In today’s digital age, there are multiple avenues for presenting this information:
- Video Presentations: Pre-recorded videos are a convenient and efficient way to get your message across. They allow the prospect to absorb the information at their own pace and can be easily shared across social media platforms.
- Webinars: These are live, interactive sessions that not only present the opportunity but also allow for real-time Q&A. This adds a personal touch and can address any immediate concerns or questions the prospect might have.
- Phone Calls: Sometimes, a simple phone call can be incredibly effective, especially if the prospect prefers a more personal connection. During the call, you can walk them through the opportunity and answer any questions they may have.
- Zoom Meetings: Virtual meetings offer the best of both worlds—personal interaction and visual aids. You can share slides or other visual elements to enhance your presentation while maintaining that all-important eye contact.
- Live Events: Though less common in the age of COVID-19, in-person presentations at a neutral venue can be very effective, especially for those who value face-to-face interactions.
Remember, the method you choose should align with the prospect’s preferences and needs. The key is to deliver a presentation that is not just informative but also engaging, setting the stage for what comes next in the MLM process.
Step 6: Follow Up
Once the “Present” step is complete, it’s time to move into the “Follow-Up” phase. This is a pivotal moment where you re-engage with the prospect to gauge their thoughts and feelings after reviewing the MLM opportunity. The objective here is not to close the deal immediately but to nurture the relationship and understand where the prospect stands.
Key Questions to Ask:
- Did you get a chance to watch the presentation?: This establishes whether they’ve taken the time to review the information you’ve provided.
- What did you think?: This open-ended question allows the prospect to share their initial impressions, positive or negative.
- What did you like best?: This question helps you understand what aspects of the opportunity resonated with them, giving you insights into their priorities and interests.
- Are You ready to join our winning team?
Strategies for Effective Follow-Up:
- Personalized Communication: Tailor your follow-up messages to reflect what you’ve learned about the prospect’s interests and concerns.
- Consistent Engagement: If they’re not ready to sign up, that’s okay. Keep the lines of communication open through regular emails, phone calls, or even social media interactions.
- Multi-Channel Touch Points: Don’t limit yourself to just one form of communication. Utilize emails, texts, and even direct mail to keep your opportunity at the forefront of their minds.
- Long-Term Perspective: Understand that not every prospect will be ready to jump in immediately. Some may need more time to consider the opportunity, and that’s perfectly fine. Your goal is to be there when they are ready.
- Know When to Step Back: If a prospect asks to be removed from consideration, respect their decision. Similarly, if there’s no engagement after multiple attempts, it might be time to focus your efforts elsewhere.
The “Follow-Up” step is all about patience and persistence. You’re building a relationship, not just making a quick sale. By consistently engaging with the prospect, you’re not only keeping the door open for future opportunities but also establishing yourself as a resource they can trust.
Step 7: Handle Questions
The seventh step in the MLM process is “Handle Questions,” and it’s crucial to understand that this is not about overcoming objections to persuade someone to join. Rather, it’s about providing clarity and information. If a prospect is genuinely interested, they will naturally have questions that need answering before they can make an informed decision.
Types of Questions You Might Encounter:
- How much does it cost to get started?: A straightforward question that you should be prepared to answer clearly and honestly.
- Do I have to talk to my friends and family?: This is often a concern for people who are wary of the “network” aspect of network marketing.
- What is the time commitment?: Prospects may want to know how much of their time will be required to make the opportunity worthwhile.
- What kind of support and training are available?: This can be a selling point if your MLM offers strong support and educational resources.
How to Handle These Questions:
- Be Transparent: Honesty is key. Don’t try to hide costs or commitments.
- Be Specific: Vague answers can be a red flag for prospects. Provide as much detail as you can.
- Be Respectful: Remember, these questions are a sign of interest, not skepticism. Treat them as such.
- Be Prepared: The more prepared you are to answer these questions, the more competent and trustworthy you will appear.
Here’s a Handy Infographic of the Process:
The Next Steps:
Once you’ve answered their questions, you can guide them into your enrollment process if they’re ready to take the plunge. However, it’s essential to recognize that not everyone will want to proceed, and that’s perfectly okay. Your role is to provide the information they need to make an informed decision, whether that leads to enrollment or not.
The “Handle Questions” step is simple but pivotal. It’s your opportunity to build trust, provide value, and potentially pave the way for a new member to join your MLM venture.
Conclusion: Honor the Prospect for a Rewarding MLM Journey
In wrapping up this comprehensive guide on mastering the MLM process, it’s crucial to emphasize a core principle that often gets overlooked: “Honor the Prospect.” This isn’t just a tagline; it’s a philosophy that can fundamentally transform your approach to MLM and make the journey not just successful, but also fulfilling.
What Does It Mean to “Honor the Prospect”?
Honoring the prospect means acknowledging that they are fully capable adults who can make their own decisions. It’s about respecting their intelligence and autonomy. You’re not there to manipulate or strong-arm them into joining your MLM; you’re there to provide them with the information they need to make an informed decision. This approach is not only ethical but also deeply respectful.
The Benefits of Honoring the Prospect
- Faster Growth: When you treat prospects with respect, word gets around. This can lead to more referrals and a quicker expansion of your network.
- Simpler Process: You’ll find that you don’t have to resort to complicated sales tactics. Transparency and honesty will often do the job more effectively.
- More Fun: Believe it or not, respecting others’ autonomy makes the whole process more enjoyable. You’ll have better conversations, form stronger relationships, and experience the joy of seeing people make choices that genuinely benefit them.
By honoring your prospect, you’re not just building a business; you’re also building a community grounded in respect and mutual benefit. And that’s a model that is not only more sustainable but also more rewarding for everyone involved.
So as you work to find prospects for MLM, carry this principle with you. You’ll find that it not only enriches your business but also adds a layer of integrity and joy that you might not have thought possible.