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| Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | Views: 186 |
| Oct 10, 2009 5:48 pm | | Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Janice Kauffman | | Don't get me wrong, I love network marketing but it is a challenge for me. I love the company I am with and the product and have no problem promoting it but I do have a problem talking to people I don't know. I am new to the very small town I live in and do not know many people and don't want to talk to them about my business unless they ask. That is why I go out of town to do home shows etc.
For my product, Christmas is a great time to promote it and I am thinking about doing flyers...has anyone had any success with flyers. I will probably also put an ad in the newspaper but the newspaper is about 3 pages so I'm not sure how that will go. Very few classifieds in it...but maybe that's a good thing.
How do you promote your business in your community?
Janice Kauffman
Private Reply to Janice Kauffman |
| Oct 10, 2009 6:23 pm | | re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
carol weaver | | Hi Janice...
I'm lucky as i'm also a graphic designer and so am able to create most of my own materials for promoting my MLM business and of course, my graphic design business too...
What i find works best is using a simple business card and adding your colour photo is effective...
Also standard 4x6 colour postcards are good too because they can look really professional and are smaller than flyers or posters and stand out from the usual usual - where they also fit well on crammed bulletin boards and also can be mailed... also try different sized flyers that stand out from the usual letter size 8.5 x 11.....
i don't find that posting on telephone poles ever work - they just annoy people and kids like tearing them down.. not worth the energy putting up... also, placing f lyers on car windshields seem to only annoy as well... i've never received any enquires to this kind of promoting.. just a waste of time...
and sometimes i'll use postcards or brochures by dropping in my neighbour's mailboxes while i'm out for a walk... one week i'll pick one street to deliver to and another week a different street... i get two benefits: a real good walk and ongoing promotion of my business at the same time...
i also find that including my photo and my name and how to contact me by phone is really effective too! Folk really like that personable touch and are more apt to call knowing there's a real person on the other end, not just another company selling something....
Wishing you the best... and...
Hope these ideas help....
Sincerely, carol :o)
carol weaver creative
thoughtful visual communication....
http://www.carolweavercreative.com
Healthy Hearts Club Organic Liquid Herbal Extracts
http://www.organicheartdrops.com
Healthy Hearts Club Home Business...
http://www.hhcbusiness.com/organic
Private Reply to carol weaver |
| Oct 10, 2009 7:35 pm | | re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Diane Stephenson | | Janice:
Some people have some success with car magnets. I actually had someone wait at the mall for me to come back to my car to ask about getting a catalogue. At that time my company actually offered them for purchase as a promotional tool. But you can have them made at graphic art companies that do signs. That way you could gain attention from anyone in your small town without having to walk up to them and tell them about your business.
Diane
http://www.dianestephenson.com
http://bit.ly/VD6UE
Private Reply to Diane Stephenson |
| Oct 10, 2009 10:20 pm | | re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Heidi Caswell | | Janice,
One thing I did was join a local BNI group. SendOutCards has a partnership with BNI. My way of kicking myself away from the computer and network face-to-face locally. Wasn't in my comfort zone at first, and I wondered what I'd be offering the group. Few months later one of the members mentioned that I was the glue that held the group together.
Check out your chamber of commerce. I need to visit chamber events more often, that is still out of my comfort zone.
Join toastmasters.
Look for local volunteer positions, where you can make a difference. It must be something you believe in, sincere service. Great way to meet people. Check around and choose wisely.
Offer to do a SocBox party for an organization, donating profits.
I have business cards in a carry caddie on my car.
Wear something while out and about, stores, etc that prompts others to ask questions.
When shopping in town I see how many smiles I can collect.
Enlist the help of local business owners. Tell them you are new in the area and looking for ways to network with other business owners and get the word out to the local community. I've gotten calls from people who pick up my business card from local businesses. If they allow, leave a Success at Home Magazine in their waiting area with your business cards inside.
Lots of choices, pick a few, brainstorm.
Have some fun.
Heidi Caswell
http://www.connectsimply.com/blog/social-media-job-search/
Private Reply to Heidi Caswell |
| Oct 11, 2009 12:05 am | | re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Clark Bailey | | I, too, have found network marketing to be challenging. A lot of people have pre-conceived ideas about "sales" people and MLM and, like a lot of folks, I don't like rejection. I just have to keep telling myself that it's not me they are rejecting - it's just they are not yet ready for the opportunity. I find sharing what my product has done for me is the best "sales pitch" of all.
I also use the method of passing out flyers in neighborhoods but be careful about putting things inside mailboxes - it is actually against federal law. I put my flyers on the outside of the mailbox (I think that is technically not allowed as well but haven't been notified by the US Post Office, yet).
Like Heidi, I also joined a local BNI chapter and it has proven to be one of the best decisions I've made. It is not only a great place for good referrals, it is also a place to help with personal as well as professional growth (i.e., helping break the ice talking with people about your business). One of the great things about BNI is that there is a strong emphasis on "giver's gain." Great concept.
Happy Marketing!
Private Reply to Clark Bailey |
| Oct 11, 2009 2:18 am | | re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Janice Kauffman | | Thanks so much for all of the suggestions. I did check out the BNI in the town that is an hour away from me and they already had a Send Out Cards person...we do not have a BNI in my town. I have approached a few business owners but they were not interested. I also put a bunch of business cards in a little coffee shop in town where a lot of local people hang out but have not received any calls from those. My town only has about 3,800 year round people. It is a summer vacation destination for a lot of people and that is when most of the businesses make their money. It is very busy in the summer and very quiet in the winter. Our downtown consists of one block of struggling business owners...I do plan on approaching a few more though. I will try some of the other suggestions also and continue to travel over the mountains to the big city...it's just a little tricky in the winter.
Thanks again,
Janice Kauffman
Private Reply to Janice Kauffman |
| Oct 11, 2009 9:41 am | | re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Deborah DeGrande | | I also use the method of passing out flyers in neighborhoods but be careful about putting things inside mailboxes - it is actually against federal law.CLARK
Against Federal Law?
Just to put a FLYER in a mailbox?
Not here in Canada it isnt.
Its done all the time here
Deb
Private Reply to Deborah DeGrande |
| Oct 11, 2009 10:23 am | | re: re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Christel Agnes | | You're a lucky one
Here in the US,NOTHING allowed in mail boxes
without a stamp!
Car Magnets, Drop cards, Postcards with your 1-800
are excellent for marketing.
That way people are calling you and YOU sort.
Chris
Private Reply to Christel Agnes |
| Oct 11, 2009 10:30 am | | re: re: re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Deborah DeGrande | | Wow!
Private Reply to Deborah DeGrande |
| Oct 11, 2009 12:49 pm | | re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
carol weaver | | Wow... a very useful and insightful thread! - Thank you all for your insight and knowledge... I have also just started using a car magnet too... Vistaprint offers a good deal to have a couple made up... and they look really nice too...
I appreciated learning about US mail laws and am now prompted to check more in our own rules here in Canada... as I don't believe that's an issue here as it's done all the time... but I'd like to know more if there's more to know...
Happy Thanksgiving to Canada Ryzers...... :o)
Sincerely, carol :o)
carol weaver creative
thoughtful visual communication....
http://www.carolweavercreative.com
Healthy Hearts Club Organic Liquid Herbal Extracts
http://www.organicheartdrops.com
Healthy Hearts Club Home Business...
http://www.hhcbusiness.com/organic
Private Reply to carol weaver |
| Oct 11, 2009 1:24 pm | | re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Deborah DeGrande | | Its fine in Canada Carol.
You can pay a paper boy to go out and deliver flyers for you or do it yourself.
Its done every day.
Some distributors have even hung plastic bags on doorknobs with a catalog and sample. (like Avon)
No anti-flyer rules here.
You dont need to send by stamp.
Deb
Private Reply to Deborah DeGrande |
| Oct 11, 2009 2:35 pm | | re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Janice Kauffman | | I can do postcard mailing through my Send Out Cards system. Just wondering how effective that is to just do random mailings??
I have been getting a good response to the SOC BOX from the home show I did, so I need to find a way to promote that. Maybe I will try some random postcard mailings and flyers and see what works best.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Janice Kauffman
Private Reply to Janice Kauffman |
| Oct 11, 2009 3:39 pm | | re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
carol weaver | | Thanks Deborah... that's what I thought too... as I also see it done all the time here in Vancouver and I've never had a problem doing it ever... We constantlly get stuff on our doorknobs and samples of stuff too...
Sincerely, carol :o)
carol weaver creative
thoughtful visual communication....
http://www.carolweavercreative.com
Healthy Hearts Club Organic Liquid Herbal Extracts
http://www.organicheartdrops.com
Healthy Hearts Club Home Business...
http://www.hhcbusiness.com/organic
Private Reply to carol weaver |
| Oct 11, 2009 3:48 pm | | re: re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
carol weaver | | hi again... that's great you already have a system in place within your business... very smart...
I also suggested doing some "unique" posting in your neighbourhood - printed postcards or posters that look different from the rest and stand out from the norm...
try different size formats - ie: do a long vertical poster or postcard - where you'd get 2 posters up on a reg 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper, cut in half vertically, that kind of thing.. plus that size fits nice on bulletin boards and tight spaces, etc... so as, to catch attention and interest...
or cut the same size page into 3 horiztally - very much like the size of bank statement stuffer.. fits into envelopes nicely too - i often send those size stuffers along with my bill payments - because the person usually opening that mail could be someone looking for a new opportunity other than a boring desk job or looking for a way to earn some extra income!
Just some ideas that have worked for me...
I've enjoyed this thread - thank you everyone!
and again, Happy Thanksgiving to fellow Canadian Ryzers...
Sincerely, carol :o)
carol weaver creative
thoughtful visual communication....
http://www.carolweavercreative.com
Healthy Hearts Club Organic Liquid Herbal Extracts
http://www.organicheartdrops.com
Healthy Hearts Club Home Business...
http://www.hhcbusiness.com/organic
Private Reply to carol weaver |
| Oct 12, 2009 1:55 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Janice Kauffman | | Thanks Carol...I will try your flyer suggestions! Have you actually had any calls from the cards you put in when paying your bills. I used to do that but never got a response so quit. Maybe people are more open to looking at other options now??
Our town it so small that someone put together a website and that is where most people go to see what is going on in town. They do a little advertising so I am going to see what the cost is and if it is resonable I will try that also.
We do not have a BNI, Toastmasters, LeTip or anything like that. We have no chain stores allowed here and no mall. Very limited resources when you are trying to build a network marketing business. But I am determined to figure it out.
Thanks for the help everyone!
Janice Kauffman
Private Reply to Janice Kauffman |
| Oct 12, 2009 7:06 pm | | re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Vincent Glover | | Leaving 8x5 flyers taped to gas pumps got me alot call backs!!Local universities or community colleges. Leave some flyers or tack them up where ever their boards are. Also at the grocery store. Where ever their advertising boards are. Usually in the front where people come in.
Private Reply to Vincent Glover |
| Oct 12, 2009 8:39 pm | | re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Earline Roberson | | All this is great.
What do you do when you run out of warm market...that is what happened to me...so I had to create a warm market and then learn how to perfect the 3' rule.
In the 3' Rule, I have found that a lot of people are just not aware of our products and opportunity so you just have to share, sooner or later, one will find you as a solution to their need.
I use a variety of POSTCARD advertisment; the more unique the better. You have to address the need of people quickly.
I also use Sizzle Cards aka Drop Cards with a very hot infomercial on a 800 number.
Flyers work in some arenas...what you need to do is find out what method works best where.
I too have tagged the gas pumps with sizzle cards...great reponses.
Private Reply to Earline Roberson |
| Oct 13, 2009 10:45 am | | re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Tim Flowers | | A few thoughts on this:
1. Yes, it's illegal to put anything without a stamp into a mailbox, even though mailboxes are owned by the mail recipients! The US has become a nation of ever-expanding laws. I actually think we are imprisoning ourselves slowly but surely...but that's getting into political territory, so moving on....
2. Drop cards work but be selective where you place them. Is your business garbage? If not, don't represent it as such by dropping your cards on the floor or leaving them in a restroom. Also, respect property owners. It's one thing to tuck one into a corner on a gas pump; it's another thing to tape it there! That gas pump belongs to someone who is trying to maintain an image, perhaps to meet franchise standards. Your tape and adhesive residue is not appreciated no matter how powerful your business opportunity is.
3. Bulletin boards inside stores are good places to post flyers but make sure you have permission. I once posted flyers all over town without incident, but in a particular chain of stores (now out of business) the community bulletin boards were owned by someone else who apparently wanted to be paid a fee for the right to post a flyer. I didn't know that and the guy called me up and gave me a rude lecture when I put up one single flyer on his board.
4. Leaving brochures and samples door to door is very effective but I suggest using cards with a door knob cut-out or using plastic bag door hangers.
5. One of the best ways to promote is to give your products as gifts! That can be expensive if you only have a few things to offer and they all sell for $50, but for those of us in companies such as Forever Living, Shaklee, and NuSkin, we have dozens if not hundreds of low cost products that can be given as gifts or grouped together into gift baskets.
In general, I find off-line marketing to be more effective than online marketing, but that's a topic for another thread!
Tim Flowers
Join. Share. Profit. Enjoy!
www.ForeverBusiness.info
Private Reply to Tim Flowers |
| Oct 13, 2009 12:23 pm | | re: re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Janice Kauffman | | Great post Tim! I agree with everything you said. I have also been told not to do things that someone interested in your business would not be willing to do. Before I do anything to promote my business I always ask myself if it is duplicatable. I have done so many things in the past to promote my business like personally handing out flyers at the mall, in a ferry line, putting them on parked cars in lots, hanging them everywhere I could and numerous other things that I thought was a good idea at the time...I did not get one call with any of those efforts.
This time around I want to do things in a more professional manner so I can attract the right kind of people into my business. Yes, it will take getting out of my comfort zone a little because I tend to be shy unless I know the person. The home shows are a great way to meet people and forces you to get out of your comfort zone. Yes, they are sometimes spendy but if you can split the cost with a couple of people that helps. I am so energized when I am doing them and we get lots of leads so it is worth the work...it is pretty exhausting to stand on your feet for three days and always have to be outgoing and pleasant, but I love meeting the people. It is also a great way to network with other business owners who are all there stuck in one spot and most are very willing to talk to you.
Thanks Tim...good luck with your car!
Janice Kauffman
Private Reply to Janice Kauffman |
| Oct 13, 2009 1:07 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Heidi Caswell | | I can vouch for mail boxes in the US, when I worked for the census as a trainer in 2000 they had us teach not to ever leave anything on a mailbox. Stressed over and over. One lady didn't get it, maybe she thought no one would notice, and hung material on the rural mailboxes (quicker than driving down to each house, less dog issues). We got a call right away and had to send someone out immediately to move them. So not even the US government can leave printed material in or on a mailbox unless they are the post office.
Fliers and cards on cars in parking lots. Our local mall says that is littering and will fine. They've got your number on the card. Handing them out in person is another thing. I've not tried it, but I've heard of people who passed out bunches at football games.
Apartment complexes often have bulletin boards where you can post with permission. Some schools if you donate to the school in some form or fashion will promote you in their newsletters to teacher, allow flier on bulletin board, etc.
That said, my favorite is referrals from others, people who know, like and trust me. Years back in a class I took from Steven Covey he talked about emotional bank account. How the things we do each day either build or take away from that account. It also works that way in business.
Ever have anyone call that when you saw their caller ID you are in no hurry to pick it up? Others that seeing their number makes your day? It is that emotional bank account they have built with you. Guess which one can build a business quickly? Think of it as the know like and trust credit score.
One person told me that the only time he heard from his brother is when he joined a new business. If only his brother would call him up just to talk.
Try this, call 3 people a day, doesn't have to be long, just to say hi and stay in touch. Ask about them not try to sell. If you can't reach them, send them a card. Heck send them a card anyway, glad we could catch up. Find something they could use, a person they should connect with, make introductions, etc. Over time see how things change.
Heidi Caswell
http://HeyClickHere.net
Private Reply to Heidi Caswell |
| Oct 13, 2009 1:42 pm | | : re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Chuck & Shirley Bartok | |
Hooray for Heidi sharing this outstanding Idea
"Try this, call 3 people a day, doesn't have to be long, just to say hi and stay in touch."
We issued a challenge last year to our community
to use the number 5, people from our Past, and recent....
Just say Hello Shut up and Listen to them...
when they ask "how are You", just answer
"couldn't be better" and shut up or say
"More importantly How are YOU!
Then immediately follow up with a nice Bread
and Butter card..
reminiscing on some great past
experiences or such...
Amazing what it did Overall for those who
followed through..
Seemed their lives just naturally Increases.
The more you breathe Increase into others,
the More you Increase
Private Reply to Chuck & Shirley Bartok |
| Oct 15, 2009 10:38 am | | re: : re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Veronica Tan BK | |
Great posts & definitely learned something new especially with regards to the mailboxes...
Over here, we get lots of flyers stuffed into the mailboxes.
Hmmm... Interesting!
With offline marketing, there are just some people who are not comfortable with approaching strangers and striking up a conversation.
However, when they are approached by others, they can do a darn good job and excel.
If you are one of them, a good bet is to opt for online marketing. Find a good system which allows you to personalize your own capture page and which also has a funded proposal.
To your massive success
Veronica Tan
http://VeronRecommends.com/blog
Private Reply to Veronica Tan BK |
| Oct 15, 2009 12:17 pm | | re: re: : re: re: re: Is Network Marketing a challenge for you? | # |
Earline Roberson | | Mailbox garbage is usually something some one has sent via mail.
But I do experience a lot of advertisements dropped all over the porch.
Tim made a great point when talking about Drop Cards - "Drop cards work but be selective where you place them. Is your business garbage? If not, don't represent it as such by dropping your cards on the floor or leaving them in a restroom."
So we need to be mindful of how we handle displaying and leaving our ads.
I live in the heart of Los Angeles and networking in this city is hard. So I pretty much have to do my prospecting in outter areas and cities next door, sometimes even downtown. I have to go where I believe people appreciate a better life.
Private Reply to Earline Roberson |
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