You can inspire your members to greater heights and achievements with good MLM training resources. These resources are vital components in making our members successful. When we encourage, inspire or develop our members’ full potential, we are creating a viable and vibrant future for them. Their lives will be improved on so many lives; their minds will be focused and ready to work. We must support them at every level, no matter if the question has been repeated 10 or 20 times. There may be concepts that they are having trouble understanding.

The MLM training resources should provide our members a unique learning experience, fun and engaging on the personal level. These courses could be expensive to create but are worth the time, money and energy to create. People will learn in a variety of ways and we need to see which environment works the best. Can we group them together under one roof? Yes but our main resources for the classroom may need to be increased to help answer questions; most trainers will use a conference or seminar to train new members. This type of environment works great for most members.

Our MLM training resources should be fun and engaging to our members. We could use videos, audio and articles to help our members learn the information. The delivery of the training materials is important, while some members are better at learning at home, they can benefit from the social interaction with other members. Interactive videos are becoming popular but may be a bit expensive to use, they allow the members to interact in a scenario. The scenarios offered are numerous and have become some standards across the industries for trainers to use. The video places the member into a certain predetermined scenario and allows them to interact with it to see the results. The video will offer tips and suggestions on how to improve a particular skill. These videos have great life span and are worth the investment.

Seminars are the next best tools in the MLM training resources kit to teach our members the information they need to be successful.  The seminars can incorporate PowerPoint presentations, videos, text and live speakers and tons of successful MLM business owners have received their training through this tool. This tool is very effective and is an affordable alternative to interactive videos. The members can meet new members, establish connections, learn and develop the right skills for the work environment. The live scenarios that the instructors use to train are awesome  MLM training resources, for the fact they are fun and engage your members on the proper levels. They help them get over being nervous about presenting their information to new prospects across the globe. This particular experience that is gained is worth more than buckets of gold in the long run.

The mistakes that are made around fellow members provide great insight to what can be improved upon. This helps the shy members overcome the fear of asking questions, we as trainers can help break the ice by sharing our experiences to these members. We as trainers need to stay fresh and up to date to the current trends in the MLM industry and redesign our training methods to be more effective on the human level and business owner level.

When we provide accurate and fresh information to our newest members, we are encouraging them to learn and to keep up their education. The experiences of a live seminar should not be passed by, the engagement and friendships built there often last a life time.  We can take the learning experiences home with us and refresh ourselves for another beautiful day in the MLM industry.

If you are in direct sales, it is extremely important that you grow a healthy downline. Not only are you building a relationship with your customers through sales, but you should build a healthy relationship with your sales team. Here are 7 tips to generating a strong downline and keeping your direct sales business growing every day.

TIP #1: GET PERSONAL Your downline wants to know who they are working so hard for. Send a monthly newsletter will sales tips, monthly numbers, top salesperson, etc. Offer a free forum or chat group to your team so everyone can share ideas and offer support to one another.

TIP #2: BE AVAILABLE Schedule time to speak with your sales team often. Constant contact will show them that you care. This gives your team a chance to share their concerns, thoughts and ideas with you. It also allows them the opportunity to ask questions.

TIP #3: HOLD A CONTEST Offer prizes or free services to new recruits. Offer special discounts or coupons to the team member who recruits the most new partners.

TIP #4: WRITE ARTICLES Article marketing provides an avenue for free web site traffic. Write five articles, linking to a web site where your products are sold, then submit them to various free article directories.

TIP #5: EDUCATE YOUR TEAM Provide your current sales team with powerful information about your business and products. By educating your sales team, you will create an aura of excitement. This excitement pushes your team to recruit their acquaintances into this wonderful opportunity for self-based employment.

TIP #6: LOSE YOUR MIND Sometimes the silliest ideas are the ones that often get noticed in sales. If you’ve been playing it safe, get crazy with promoting your business. Print fliers, bookmarks, calling cards, booklets, etc. Go door-to-door and promote your business and sales opportunity. Focus only on promoting awareness of your business instead of sales.

TIP #7: DON’T STOP It has been said many times that for every 9 “no’s” you get, you’ll get one “yes.” Don’t stop promoting recruits, regardless of how many “no’s” you’ve had this far. Eventually someone will say, “Yes!” Sometimes the squeakiest wheel is the one that gets oiled!

About The Author: Stefanie Fauquet is the owner of http://www.workathomemomonline.com — A Site Devoted to Helping Moms Make Money in Direct Sales. Need More Recruiting Tips? Check out http://www.workathomemomonline.com/building-a-downline.html

In a report to the FTC, the Direct Sales Association (DSA) reported that “there are 7.2 million direct sellers nationwide and the industry has a very high attrition rate due to the temporary and part-time nature of 90% of our sales force.”

In fact, the direct sales industry is recruiting, on the average, over 70,000 new people per week. Additionally, 6% of U.S. households currently, have an active direct seller living there. 14% of U.S. households have a person who has been a direct seller at one time living in that household.

Sadly, the average attrition rate for Direct Sales companies is approximately 40%, meaning just under half of the people you recruit will stay on for a year – at most.

Most network marketing business owners who have managed to make an effective go of their first year in business find that their second year – and subsequent years – are much more fulfilling, and less problematic. The reason? With a learning curve behind them, consultants are now better able to handle not only product questions, but recruiting, training and the typical sales cycle “ups and downs” as well.

So how do you navigate the rough waters of the start-up year in order to come out ahead in year two?

First, don’t panic. Realize that you’re in business to make money, and that building a business takes time. Most recruits that stick with a company for a year, find that success comes much more easily in subsequent years so keep that result in mind. Commit yourself to staying “active” for a year.

Second, commit to working your business like a business. Hobbies are an occasional activity – something you might participate in a few times per month. In order to be successful in direct sales, you should insist on doing something related to your business every day of the week. It might be customer calls, or hostess coaching, or labeling your catalogs, but every day SOMETHING should be done to improve your business position. Take the weekends and holidays off, but make sure that you’re “operational” during regular business days.

Third, mark your time. Touching your business every work day shouldn’t take the entire work day. On the contrary, you should expect to spend no more than an hour each day that you’re not making presentations. On presentation days, I strongly encourage you to focus on the presentation and not have a lot of other business activities to deal with. You’ll be working hard enough doing your demo, you don’t need your mind distracted with creating hostess packets, promotional, flyers or other items related to your business.

When trying to figure out where you want to take your business financially, it is important to look at your metrics – your average sales per customer, lifetime value of a customer, and average show sales are a good place to start. Start keeping track of this data so you can periodically review it to see what needs improvement.

Next, consider catering to your target market. Target marketing is the process of focusing on a select and specific group of people you are advertising to. And it has everything to do with the product you are selling. For example, if you are marketing infant products, it would be very unwise to market to the elderly. While it’s possible there may be a few clients in that group (like grandparents), your best bet is to focus on new moms – a group that is likely to need infant products! Get to know the people that need your products. They are your target market and that is where you need to focus your marketing energy.

Remember to read and educate yourself by investing time into study. Learn the tricks of the trade. Make friends and associates with reputable trainers and others in your industry. Mastermind with others who have already done what you want to accomplish. It may mean a monetary investment, but you are trading it for valuable experience to shorten your learning curve. Don’t go hog wild, and set a training budget – and stick with it. There’s nothing worse than a new recruit spending all their earnings on the latest training program only to quit because they ran out of money. There will always be training opportunities – and don’t let anyone fool you into thinking otherwise. There

are also plenty of good books at your local library that won’t cost you a dime to read. Don’t make excuses. Learn more to earn more.

Lastly, apply what you have learned. Knowing and doing are not the same. At the end of a year, you will see a dramatic difference in your life, your mindset and your business. Start now to overcome the hurdles of the first year start-up blues. You’ll be amazed at the results.

After nearly 10 years in Direct Sales, Lisa Young stopped listening to her up-line and started seeking professional sales and marketing wisdom from the far corners of big business. Today Lisa offers ready-to-use insights, tips and inspiration to others in the Home Party Plan community looking to run their business like a business and achieve success. Lisa’s free monthly newsletter “PartyOn!” features articles from a business perspective designed to help MLM reps reach their booking, sales and recruiting goals. You can sign up for the newsletter at http://www.HomePartySolution.com

Do you ever wonder about the lives of your customers? I remember how thrilled I was to get my very first customer. It was a delightful moment that I shall never forget – I’ve got a Sale! Wow! I’ve got Money!! I have to admit to you that I didn’t really go on thinking much about the life of that customer, nor do I even remember her name. But, over the years, since that day long ago, I’ve learned the real value of getting to know your own customers.

Why You Should Get to Know Your Customers:

1. It builds a lasting relationship and loyalty to your company. – Building relationships all start with getting to know someone first. Rarely does it happen overnight. It takes time. Did you get that? Yes, it takes time — sometimes a few weeks, some times even longer, and it’s a continual process establishing a good relationship. It also takes “your” time “personally”. We’re all busy with our business, but your customers are the foundation that makes your business thrive. Take time to ask questions, chat with them, offer help and make yourself available. Be sincere when you’re establishing relationships and you will reap the golden rewards of loyal customers.

2. It builds your business and brings in new customers – Let’s face it. People like to talk. We communicate about what makes us sad, mad, happy or overwhelmed, just about anything. Your customers will talk about you too, if they’ve established a good relationship with you and have received good service and products. They’ll happily refer you, their friend, to other friends they have. Reward your customers for their referrals by offering a small gift or discount as a “Thank You”. They’ll be even more eager to please you with some more referrals for your business.

3. It makes you approachable – When you take time to get to know your customers, they’ll feel a common bond with you as a real person on their level. Have you ever been anywhere to purchase something and you didn’t get what you really wanted because you felt intimidated by the sales person behind the counter or desk. Some businesses like to have that effect of “sophistication”, but you’re placing your customer’s needs to the side if you don’t get down with them on their level and make them feel “safe” with you. They need to feel that no question is too silly where you’re concerned. You really care about them and you’re there to help them. You are at their service, ready to please.

4. It will make your business better – Getting to really know your customer will help you see their needs better. It will help you focus on what they like and what they don’t. If you take time to ask for feedback you’ll get a better prospective on what your customers really want. Don’t assume you know what they want from your point of view. Many business owners have been extremely surprised to find out that their customers really preferred green instead of blue, or wished that they offered an easier way to order refills, etc. And you can be sure, that as soon as some other business comes by their way with the perfect product or solution that they’ve been looking for…they’ll be tempted to wander their way. You can keep you customers longer by keeping them satisfied and staying on top of what their real needs are. Many business owners glean ideas for expanding their business from their customers. Business owners do not become successful by guessing what people want. They find out themselves by asking their customers and acting upon it.

There are numerous reasons to get to know your customers, but you can’t place a price tag on the value of a real friendship and good relationship. You will be a “happy” business owner when you get to really know your customers…we all need friends and your customers are are only a phone call (or email) away.

Rhonda White Home Business Internet Marketing

I’m always amazed by how many ladies start a business with the ‘shiny object’ syndrome!

They either start because of

1. They are in dire need of money, and jump into the first home business that comes along
2. Are told by others ‘you would be great at this’ so they have an ego boost and join
3. or They want to get their fix at a discount, uh, not realizing they are joining a business!

Whatever the reason for joining a business….ladies will STAY in a business, thrive in a business and YES make a tonne of moolah in a business with one big criteria….PASSION!

Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you are indeed in your business because of passion…or just because you had ‘shiny object’ syndrome!

• Question number 1: Do you wake up each and every day, so happy to get started in the new possibilities of your business?
• Question number 2:  Are you excited to talk to your customers for customer service or does it scare the bullwacky out of you?
• Question number 3:  Where are you at in your business plan (if you even have one) to help keep you aligned with your passion?
• Question number 4: Are you able to say in one sentence what you Love to do, and how you Love to help others get what they want?
• Question number 5: Do random people say, ‘hey, I would love more information about what you do, let’s have a coffee’.

Lots of people do start a business because they are Passionate about it….but over time that passion can fizzle out!  Take a serious look at where you are right now…right HERE!

Think about the feelings that you had when you started your business, the Excitement, the Knowing that is was meant for YOU, the giddy feeling of who you wanted to SHARE it with!  That is where the Passion started and that is what you need to BE feeling to keep it going Strong!

Sometime though we lose a little of that passion, a few negative (but I’m sure well meaning) comments from friends, family or people we work with can put a damper on that passion.  Or how about when we had a pfffftttt home party with little or no sales?

When that happens you need to surround yourself with some Positive Perspective!

Some cheerleaders who will say, ‘you can do it!’….’you are worth it!’….and sometimes you just need a few ideas to help get you back on track!  Excited all to bits and pieces!

After all, it’s easy to keep with your passion when your business is rocking, it’s not so easy when you are too scared to even pick up the phone!

Jody Maley – owner and founder of Home Party Plan
www.homepartyplanningbusiness.com
“Where its not just about the Destination, it’s the journey to get There”

1. One of the first mistakes everyone makes in Recruiting was trying to find that one “perfect” Recruit, that you overlook the other nine who would also been “good” in this business.

2. Different people have different qualities. We constantly try to look or listen for those qualities which make a good designer. Don’t look for someone who is “Miss Perfect”. Nobody is perfect, but everyone can develop the qualities they need to succeed. Encourage the fine qualities the person does have.

3. Talk recruiting to everyone, but don’t try to recruit everyone. There is a difference. Try to look for women who are outgoing, ambitious, fun-loving, and who have a sense of creativity. Women who are like this are easier to Recruit and they are more likely to stay with it.

4. Never recruit with the idea of “what’s in it for me”. Always be willing to help people with the great opportunity. After all someone offered it to you.

5. Don’t wait for someone to approach you. Nine times out of ten, they won’t.

6. Don’t think of recruiting only on parties, Recruits are everywhere you go. Just Listen!

7. Listen to their needs and show how our company can fill them. For instance, if someone needs extra income and wants a job, don’t tell her about the cruises or other prizes. Chances are she won’t believe you simply because she can’t relate to it. Respond with the information she needs to know.

8. Anytime you find the qualities we look for in a recruit, tell her about them and how they would benefit her with your company. She may not even be aware of them.

9. Look for an attractive person but don’t let looks deceive you. Look for someone who smiles and can get along with people, one who loves the products and believed that your company is best for her.

10. Always let them se this JOB as the business it is, as the career they can develop. Whether they want to work full-time or part-time, it is still a job to be done to the best of their ability. If you see your business as a job, so will they.

11. Take her with you an your job, let her actually see how it all works and show her your profit. If you made it look hard, it is over but if it looks easy, she will want to be a part of it.

12. Listen to the woman who loves everything, can’t afford much, is looking for a job, bored, and/or wanting something to do because their children are grown or they want to stay home with their children. Please don’t bypass people who have careers now- for these are the people who want to work and make something of their lives.

Twelve Recruiting Tips for Direct Sales submitted by www.thewahmconnection.com