Today's Thought

OLIVER'S TWIST ON...Complete The Question!

Whenever you ask someone a question, there are 2 things to consider.
Make sure there is a reason for asking it
Make sure you complete the question by following up with more questions, if necessary, until you find an answer

Consider these great starter questions during a live lead call that I was able to listen in on…
Distributor: Do you work for a living?
Potential Partner: No, I'm a student!
Distributor: Oh! And what are you studying?
Potential Partner: Business administration

Unfortunately, the Distributor then switched to some other questions that were unrelated and never "completed" the flow of these original ones. It appeared as if the questions were being asked just for the sake of asking them.

There was no follow up and no meaningful conversation. It indicated a neglect in understanding and developing the replies, possibly leaving the other person thinking "Why are you asking?"

Follow Through and Qualify
A reason for asking questions is to qualify the other person and help them qualify themselves.
When you get the type of answers as in the above, at the back of your mind you must be thinking things like…
Will he have the time to do this?
Will he have the commitment to stick to it?
Will he have the means to pay for the start up costs?

So with this in mind, there are a string of questions you could ask in order to follow through and find out.

How long have you been a student?
How long do you have left?
What is the reason you want to start your own business?
Is it something you intend to continue after you leave school?
Will you have the time to do your business and study at the same time?
How much time would you be able to put into it each week?
How important is it to you to do this?

I think you can appreciate it that there will be some initial costs involved to start…
can I ask if you have the means to do this?

It takes all of I minute to ask and receive replies the above. The answers will also reveal more for you than randomly taking off with other questions in other directions.

Basing your follow up questions on the answers to previous questions will also help you get better results because…
You'll demonstrate you've been listening.
They'll feel acknowledged and become more involved with you in the dialogue.
You'll avoid the problem that sometimes comes up where the other person feels like they're being "interrogated". This is likely to happen when you simply ask questions for no apparent reason.

Chapter 10 ("The Art Of Asking Questions") of my book "How To Sell Network Marketing Without Fear, Anxiety Or Losing Your Friends!" talks more about how to use questions effectively.

My "Power Up Your Dialogue" series of audio programs will be useful, if you want to see and hear for yourself how to use questions in a "real life" setting. There's five individual titles, covering different situations. "Calling Leads" will be helpful if you use lead programs as a business building tool. Titles such as "Introducing Your Business And Products" are more relevant when you're talking with people "face to face".

Whatever the situation, make sure there's a reason behind the question you ask and then "complete" the question by following through to develop the answer.

Have a peaceful and prosperous…

Michael Oliver

Best Selling Author of "How to Sell Network Marketing Without Fear, Anxiety or Losing Your Friends!" - Selling from the Soul. Ancient Wisdoms. Modern Practice. Want to get rid of all the techniques, systems and gimmicks simply by changing the way you think and the way you act on what you think? Choose one of the many convenient options on the right hand side of this newsletter. Or click here www.NaturalSelling.com

Today's Thought

How to Create an Immediate $200 monthly Advertising Budget for Your Network Marketing Business
By Dale Calvert

"Early to Bed, early to rise, work like heck and advertise" ---Ted Turner

What is your annual advertising budget for your network marketing business? It is sad but true, that most network marketers can't answer that question. They have no game plan, no routine, no real system or plan for advertising their products and business.

Most network marketers decide to advertise only after getting fired up at a corporate training, or when the home office introduces a new product or service. If there is one thing I have learned over the past twenty years about this business, it is that network marketing professionals recruit WEEKLY! Amateurs share their opportunity by chance; professionals share their opportunity by design.

Why do you think you see the same distributors advertising month after month in industry publications such as Cutting Edge, and Home Business Connection? These distributors are professionals who understand this concept.

To recruit on a weekly basis then you must implement a proven, weekly, advertising system. Why don't most network marketers recruit each week? From those I have surveyed, guess what the number one reason they tell me? I don't have the funds. The funds aren't in my budget.

One of the awesome aspects of network marketing is you don't have to have a lot of money to get started. However if you are skilled, you have mastered retailing and recruiting, you need an advertising budget for your business. You cannot build this business by throwing money at it, believe me I know many distributors who have tried!

However, it just makes sense that you must get in front of as many people on a weekly basis as your time allows. To grow your business quickly.....you MUST maximize your recruiting efforts each and every week.... especially if you are part-time.

You absolutely positively MUST recruit each week. You must "recruit by design". You must have a monthly advertising budget. But Dale, I simply don't have the funds, what do I do?

My first answer, focus on retailing more products. That is why I believe so strongly that you must have a sizzling hot product that everyone wants, and the masses of distributors can take to the market place and retail immediately.

My second answer, concentrate on saving the money you are already spending! There is no question that the average family of five can slash $200 to $400 off their monthly budget, by simply DECIDING to do so!

I know a single mother who only had $39.00 at the end of each month in extra, net disposable income. Using this technique of "saving the money you are already spending" she was able to create a $135 monthly advertising budget for her business. Quite simply her advertising budget made the difference in her success or failure. She went on to develop a powerful organization and a strong six-figure income.

How do you save money that you are already spending? Think about it, sit down with your family and make a list. Some ideas to consider:

MONEY SAVING METHODS FOR NETWORK MARKETERS

The number one way.....Grocery Coupons. Most families are throwing away hundreds of dollars each and every year but not taking advantage of the FREE MONEY every grocery in this country offers. I know they are a hassle, I know they are time consuming, and inconvenient. Not to worry, I am going to share with you an awesome secret in a few minutes that will eliminate all your excuses. IT'S FREE MONEY!

Shop at High End Consignment Clothing Stores... save up to 90% on your clothing and wear higher quality clothes. Check your yellow pages; disguise yourself if you have to, then go visit. You may be shocked at what you find. You can also sell your clothes, furniture, music CD's etc. through consignment shops.

Are you spending too much money on your long distance telephone bill? Why not take the time to shop and compare. This idea alone can save most network marketers $25.00 to $100 a month.

Need quick cash to attend a corporate convention? I know many distributors who have had yard sales and sold enough junk to have enough cash to cover all their expenses. With the evolution of Ebay and other online auction sites, this concept has become even more valid. (http://www.onlineauctionu.com/)

Buy everything you possibly can in bulk. Toilet paper, canned goods, and the list goes on and on. When you think groceries, first think coupons, second think buy in bulk. There are many discount clubs such as Sams Wholesale in every major city through out the United States.

Buy your business tools and supplies in bulk. Most companies offer discounts when you order larger quantities of cassettes, literature and other training materials. Co-op with a few of your downline, sideline, or upline distributors and always parlay your cash to receive the largest discounts.

Insurance. I would estimate that 90% of the American population could save a total of $500 - $1,500 a year by simply shopping and comparing on their Life, Auto, Home, and Health Insurance.

Never pay retail. If you need software, electronics, appliances, or anything else for your home or office comparison-shop online.

I have given you a few ideas to stimulate your thinking. "Saving Money that you are already spending", really just comes down to a decision. After making the decision it is just of matter of taking the time to comparison shop. Remember every dollar you save is a dollar that can be spent towards your business advertising budge.

In our business it is not how much you make, it is how much you keep! I guess Benjamin Franklin had it right. "A penny Saved is a Penny Earned". In our case, a penny saved is a penny you can allocate towards your advertising budget. It all starts with the decision.

Make the decision now, and benefit from it NOW and for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!

DALE CALVERT is a twenty-four MLM Veteran.