Should you approach your MLM warm market when building your Network Marketing business?
There seem to be two schools of thought on this.
Bugging your friends and family.
On one side are the people who advertise and sell programs teaching you how to build your Network Marketing business “without bugging your friends and family”.
They teach that you can build a successful business without ever approaching your friends and family.
The reason a market for these products exists is that many Network Marketing reps have not only approached the people in their warm market, but hounded them to join or buy.
There is even a joke around the industry about being a member of the NFL, which stands for No Friends Left.
This has given warm market MLM prospecting a bad reputation.
Your Warm Market is Your Best Market.
On the other side of the argument are the people who believe you should only build through your warm market.
Since the members of your warm market are people who know, like and trust you, they will naturally be receptive to at least giving you a hearing.
And, the thinking goes, if you really believe that what you have will serve and benefit them, you have an obligation to share it with those closest to you.
So who is right?
As with so many things, the truth is somewhere in between.
The Problem With Warm Market.
Many people new to Network Marketing feel awkward about approaching their friends and family.
As a result, they don’t approach them at all. This is a mistake.
The fact is that your friends and family, your MLM warm market, could well benefit from joining your business or using your products.
And yet neither you nor they will know until they have been exposed to your business and/or your products.
I believe that this feeling of awkwardness is caused by a perception problem. What I mean is, the new rep knows that their friends and family think of them a certain way.
Because of this, they don’t think of you as Jane Doe, the Nutrition Consultant, but as Jane Doe, Realtor. Or Jane Doe, housewife. Or John Doe, fraternity brother.
And you feel awkward for the same reason.
So the name of the game is to acknowledge that feeling, but still be able to reach out to the people you know.
How do you reach out to your warm market?
Step 1. Start by making a list. Think of everyone you know. Go through your phone’s contact list and your email contacts. Use church directories or club membership lists. Christmas card lists, neighbors, doctors, cleaners, plumbers, Realtors, and so on. At this stage we don’t want to make any judgements about who may or may not be interested.
Just get them all recorded.
To help with this process, I’ve created a great tool, my Super Memory Jogger. It will provide clues and cues to remind you of people to add to your list and keep anyone from falling through the cracks.
You can download a free copy by clicking on the purple banner below.
Step 2. Begin reaching out. Gently.
You are only looking for people who are a fit for your product or opportunity. You aren’t trying to convince anyone that they are.
You can reach out by phone, text, Messenger or whatever method you feel comfortable with.
Say something to the effect of,
“Fred,
I’m working on a side project with some pretty cool people. I’m curious if you’d be open to taking a look at what I’m doing, if it didn’t interfere with what you’re doing now. If not, no big deal.”
If they don’t answer, leave them be.
If they say yes, move them to a presentation however your team and company does it.
If they say no, say,
“No problem. We’re marketing a product that helps people lose the spare tire without going on any crazy diet plans. Do you know anyone who might be interested in that?”
If they don’t answer, leave them be.
If they say yes, get them information about the product.
If they say no, say,
“No problem. I appreciate your time. Would it be OK if I checked back in a few months to let you know how things are going?”
When they say yes to that, and most will, just stay in touch from time to time, provide information relevent to your product and follow up when you agreed to.
Over time, many will come around.
And if they never do, that’s cool, too.
Conclusion.
Your MLM warm market is a great source of potential partners and customers. By approaching them with tact and giving them an out if they aren’t interested, you will maintain your relationships.
At the same time, you’ll discover new business partners and customers.
Win Win.
Now download the Super Memory Jogger, make your list and get started reaching out!
I’m rooting for you.
