Network Marketing Prospecting Success: Laying The Foundation

Ever wondered why some people seem to breeze through network marketing prospecting while others struggle? One of my mentors taught me a simple network marketing recruiting system. I learned that MLM prospecting and recruiting uses 7 steps to recruit or sell while avoiding rejection. The process is simpler than you might think. And it begins with two key steps: Contact and Communicate. Let's look at these a little closer and see how they can lay the groundwork for your success.

Here's what Contact looks like:

The goal here isn't to construct the whole house in one go. You're just looking at different lots to see which ones might be a fit for your house. It's like marking out where your house will stand. You're not trying to move in yet - you're just looking for a spot.

Now, if Contact is site selection, Communicate is where you start pouring a foundation. This is where your house starts being built. In a network marketing prospecting system that works, Communicating is all about building upon that initial contact. It's where you start to have a real conversation and lay the first footings of your relationship.

The thing to remember at this point is, unless the person you contacted indicates they are willing to communicate, you’re done at Contact. By responding to your initial contact, they are showing you they are willing to Communicate. This tells you it’s OK to move forward.

If they don’t respond to your initial contact, leave them in peace and try reaching out again in 90 days. But don’t force your agenda on someone who isn’t open to communicating with you. That’s a losing game.

Here's what the Communicate foundation involves:

The key here is to focus on creating a solid foundation, not on installing the kitchen sink just yet. You're trying to build a relationship, not sell them a finished house on day one.

You might be thinking, "Aren’t Contacting and Communicating the same thing?”

Not quite. Here's why:

1. Contact is one-sided, Communicate is collaborative: When you contact someone, you're just marking out your plot. When you communicate, you're working together to build something.

2. Contact is quick, Communicate takes time: You can look at a lot of properties in a day. But building a house? That takes more time and effort.

3. Contact is about quantity, Communicate is about quality: The more sites you explore, the more potential houses you could build. But when it comes to foundations, it's all about creating a solid structure.

2. Focus on volume for contacts. The more properties you look at, the more opportunities you have to build.

3. When someone responds, shift into communicate mode. But not before. Now's the time to start building that relationship.

4. Don't try to sell in the contact phase. You wouldn't try to decorate a house before the walls are up, would you?

5. Be genuine in your communication. A sturdy house can't be built with flimsy materials.

Building a big network marketing business isn't just about having a great product or a perfect sales pitch. 

You need the great product. 

You need a good presentation. 

But the key to network marketing prospecting and recruiting is building solid relationships. And that starts with understanding the difference between simply doing site surveys (contacting) and pouring a foundation (communicating).

So next time you're reaching out to potential customers or team members, ask yourself: "Am I looking at raw land or am I ready to start building this relationship?" Master both, and you'll be well on your way to constructing a thriving network marketing business.