Is Network Marketing Dead? And If So, What Killed it?Could it be? Network Marketing Dead? Network Marketing is most often used as a synonym or parallel for 'word of mouth advertising' is as old as the the human race. But as a business, well, it technically died a long time ago and recruiting bonuses we all chase after killed it! Let me explain.... We all build networks of relationships based on common interests: nunneries, foot ball teams, quilting clubs, families etc. Well all have our friend or group of friends that we do stuff with. Our drinking friends, our work friends our neighbor friends. We naturally belong to different networks at the same time. We also talk about and recommend to each network different ideas, opinions and yes even products (movies, restaurants, cars etc.) I talk about different topics with my girl friends than I do with my professional associates. Network Marketing as a business model offered us a way to monetize those relationships by recommending goods and services, as we would do anyway, and as a bonus get paid for it.Great idea when the same lines of networking were followed when the "getting paid to recommend" part was thrown in there. But, they weren't... Suddenly our natural recommending was replaced with enticement tactics (anyone remember the last time they asked someone, "Do you wanna make some extra money"). Tactics that included scripts, edification and canned approaches which convoluted a rather simple process. Then It Got WorseWhen your networking or your marketing has an incentive other than giving honest value the same way you would to a friend people do some crazy things! God knows I have. Is this why you can declare network marketing dead? It became more "Buy this so I could make money" instead of "hey, you remember that ____ we were talking about? I found some cool ones I think you may like". If you are being honest with yourself you'll know what I'm talking about. You, know they 'lean on the relationship' mantra (as in pressure them with guilt)... If it was an honest recommendation you wouldn't have to //lean//. You could just be straight up! but no, no, we bought into the 'quick start bonuses' and the recruiting fast, wide and deep theories... dragging our poor, unsuspecting family members, friends, even strangers through the mud along the way. Some of us have even had tear-filled conversations with prospects about why they won't support your seeming cycle of insanity. We've even tried to bribe my friends to come look at my business. Even insisting that it is for their own good. Ever had that conversation? But People Have Had Enough!Our potential prospects and past victims have been sick of it for a while. They want to know you have their best interest at heart before they even click on your links, view your sales page or even leave you their email address. Our prospects want to know we are in their network naturally, meaning we know their pain... and that we have some authority on the subject matter related to your products and services we are recommending. They don't care that you need the money to take little Sarah to Disney world (unless, of course, that's your theme of your marketing campaign which is another topic entirely ;-) ). They would take sound advice from someone who has proven to know enough about who they are, what there problems are and of course how to solve it. They don't care If you throw the money in your fire place or wipe your... [windshield] with it. Many of your clients will have no idea that you make any money from them buying the products and services you recommend. The ones who do will be eager to buy through your links so you get the credit. Especially if you treat them right. It works for me :-) (thanks guys!) A Few Savvy Networkers Are Finally ListeningSo, is Network Marketing dead? No, it's just getting back to the basics: Business built on long term mutually beneficial relationships... naturally! To keeping it alive and thriving,
Malika Duke What Would You Like To Do Next?
|
