Why do so many women feel uncomfortable approaching others about their network marketing or direct sales business? They believe in their product, they believe in themselves, they know their business opportunity can literally change lives, yet they hesitate. Can you relate? If so, it’s likely that you’ve been taught a way to recruit others that feels a bit “unnatural.” You may have been instructed to use a cheesy script or “old school” technique that can leave you feeling like a bad used car salesperson.

Does It Have to Be This Way? – Absolutely not! Fortunately, there is a different approach to sponsoring that will make this experience so much easier for you (and believe it or not – you’ll even come to enjoy it!) Women who use this approach feel so much more comfortable and confident when talking about their opportunity (and therefore take more action and get much better results than ever before).

By following this simple five-step process you’ll engage people in meaningful conversations. They’ll trust you, be a lot more open-minded, and seriously consider whether your business opportunity can help them achieve their goals. The best part? You don’t have to leave your integrity at the door.

Five Steps to Elegantly Recruit New Business Builders

Step 1: Serve, Don’t Sell – “Recruiting with integrity” is about service, not about selling. You’re not out to convince people to join your business, but to see if you can make a positive difference in their lives.

Before approaching anyone about your business, decide to come from a place of curiosity and non-attachment. Check your agenda at the door and put other people’s needs and desires first. Your prospects will pick up on your sincerity, and be more open to your questions and suggestions.

Step 2: Listen More, Talk Less – Many women (blame it on our enthusiasm) talk too much when sharing about the business. We can go into (overwhelming) detail about the compensation plan, the history of the company, or the science behind our products. We can unintentionally hijack the conversation (and leave our poor prospects staring blankly at us with that “deer in the headlights” look)!

When you are recruiting someone, spend the majority of your time listening. Ask questions to find out what is meaningful to them. Ask about their job, income, family life and kids. What are their goals? What is their ideal lifestyle? Aim to spend 80 percent of your time listening and only 20 percent talking.

By listening and asking questions you’ll learn key information about your prospect’s main problems, concerns or dreams, and how your business could possibly help them in these areas. Without uncovering and connecting to their most important problems or desires, any information you share about your business won’t carry much weight.

Step 3: Have Nothing to Hide – Many of us have been taught ways to snag prospects into discussing the business (without being completely upfront about our intentions). Ultimately, this approach just doesn’t work. People can smell your insincerity a mile away. You may get them to agree to a meeting, but they won’t be truly interested in what you have to say (and chances are, will make a last minute excuse and now even show up).

It’s better to be direct and sincere. Tell people you have a business opportunity that could possibly be very helpful to them. Point out the benefits that are relevant to them (and you know what’s important to them because you’ve listened, asked questions, and uncovered their motivation). Share how you think your business can help them reach their goals, then ask if they’d be willing to sit down over lunch or coffee to learn more.

Step 4: Take the Pressure Off – When you meet over coffee, start by taking off the pressure. People will fear that you’re going to try to sell them something they don’t want. Tell them upfront: you’re not there to convince them of anything-you just want to educate them about your business so they can make an informed decision. Let them know you only want them to join the business if it’s an absolute fit (and mean this!) and there are no hard feelings if they say “no.”

By being completely honest and up front, people will trust you more. They’ll feel more comfortable answering your questions, and you’ll be more “attractive,” especially to the more polished professionals or business people in your warm market.

Step 5: Be Willing to Not Sponsor People – So you’ve come from a place of integrity, listened, asked questions and removed any pressure. You’ve finished your coffee, but your prospect seems only mildly interested-what now?

You’re far better off sponsoring a few people who are serious about your business than many people who are not. Trust your gut (as hard as that may be!). Don’t waste time and energy trying to recruit someone who’s just not a fit – it won’t be a workable situation for either one of you.

Knowing when to let go of a prospect (and move on to someone more qualified) will give you the confidence to act with integrity. There are plenty of people who want what you have. Be brave enough (and picky enough) to find them-then everyone wins.

Sonia Stringer is a professional speaker, coach and popular mentor to women in the network marketing/direct selling profession. Known as “The Women’s Business Coach,” she is fast becoming the “go to expert” for women who want to build a 6-7 figure business from home. Sonia’s unique approach can help you earn a great income AND set up your business so you have more time (to spend with your family or doing what you love). Visit her website and to grab a free copy of her audio CD, “Six Figure Success Secrets for Network Marketing Women”. http://www.SavvyNetworkMarketingWomen.com

Is someone a leader because they have a title in a company? Maybe, but it takes more than a title.

It’s not  just about having a team or being in charge of a group of people. Nor is it just about being a department head and in charge of budgets, giving reviews, and going to meetings. Sure that and more is important but we’re talking about being a leader.

What is it that defines a leader? There are tens of thousands upon thousands of managers, supervisors, directors, and more in the workforce. If the employees were asked if their manager, director, supervisor is a leader, what would be the response? It is my belief that a leader would ask that question to the employees. What better feedback can someone get, than the people that are affected by that person?

There are many things that define a leader and below are listed a few of them.

1. A leader is involved.  – Some would say they are involved because they are at work every day. That’s not what I mean. It is knowing what is going on with the employees and the work being performed. Leadership is being proactive rather than reactive. Leadership involves identifying potential problems and solving them, allowing employees to make decisions, and finding new and innovative ways. It is about getting the team to think and solve.

2. A leader has a vision. – Vision. Where are we going? It’s a wonderful thing. If it becomes the same day after day and the employees do not know what they are working towards, if anything, it will affect attitudes and productivity. Boredom makes the mind wander with it becoming the chore of sameness. No thinking is required. Challenge them. Get ideas. How can it be done smoother or better?

3. A leader believes in the team. – We see it in sports a lot, or dramatic plays, or school concerts, projects, etc. where having someone believe you will make a difference gets the adrenaline flowing. There is a feeling of winning and certainly not wanting to disappoint. There are great feelings about being able to complete the task and get recognized for the effort. Even daily when the leader believes in the team it makes a huge difference.

4. A leader serves the team – Yes you implement planning and it is you that sees it is carried out. Yes the employees need and should do their jobs at all times. Yes it is you making correction along the way. And yes it is you making some very hard decisions along the way. Yes it is your responsibility as the leader, to have the best team possible perform daily. But it is also part of being a leader to not blame but instead get the obstacles out of the way that may include further training, adjustments, different or better equipment, or finding new ways.

5. A leader mentors. – Who inspires you as a leader? Why? It’s probably someone who gets awards. Someone who get things done and is on time. Probably someone who is talked about well by the team members. It is a person who cares about the job, the employees, and the company. It is also someone who holds the lines, expects a lot, but is extremely fair to people. And it is someone who listens to the team to name a few. A leader will find the strengths in each member of the team.

Leaders are always becoming. By that I mean they are bettering themselves, are not afraid to learn more, can listen, try new things, and care about the team. Leaders can see where things need to go and plan to get them there. They are involved with seeing what is and is not working. Leaders are about doing what it takes to serve the customer.

When you are with a Direct Sales company, part of the income that you earn from the business is generated from the sales that your downline team makes. With that said, You need to spend quality time training and working with your team, so that you are earning that additional income stream.

As the leader or manager of your team, it is important that you educate, motivate, coach and train your members to run a proficient profitable business. If your team is making money, than you will make money.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to do in a little more detail.

1. Educate: It is your job to educate your members on the company’s policy, business system, products, home party booking system and the company’s business opportunity. When your members are properly educated on all of these policies and topics, they will have a more successful business.
2. Motivate: A good leader will work really hard to motivate their members to get out there and work the business. This motivation can come in the form of pep talks, regular meetings and by offering incentives to your members when they reach certain business goals.
3. Coach: I look at coaching as being a little different than training. For me, I like to ask all my members to list out what their goals are for each aspect of the business. Once I receive their lists, I tailor my coaching to each person’s individual needs. Coaching to me is offering my advice, education, training and expertise to help guide them on the path to reach their own individual success.
4. Train: All team leaders are responsible for training their members and this training is not offered as a one time deal or just at the beginning when someone joins your business opportunity. Training members is taking the Education to an entirely different level. Leaders are responsible to train their members on a ongoing basis.

That means training them on new policy changes, updates on sales specials, new ways on demonstrating products and new methods for recruiting. Training is something that is done continually and regularly with the members of your team.
When you spend quality time doing all of the above with the members you are responsible for, they in turn will be better business owners. This will pay off for you because the more successful your members are in their business, the more successful you will be in yours.

Shelly Hill has been successfully working from home in Direct Sales since 1989. Shelly owns the popular Work At Home Business Options resource site at www.workathomebusinessoptions.com where you can find free direct sales articles, home business tips and free business resources. You can visit Shelly’s Two Classy Ghostwriting Chic’s at www.twoclassyghostwritingchics.com to learn more about how a ghostwriter can help you in your Direct Sales business.

Most people I talk to in Direct Sales tell me that the most difficult part of their business is recruiting quality team members. I respectfully disagree! The most difficult part of the job is finding a qualified customer prospect. It is from that customer prospect, who becomes a great customer, that you will find the quality team members you want and need to grow and succeed in your business.

The key to your recruiting is in selling your customers on the features and benefits of your products. That is step number one, pure and simple. Please embrace this concept. So, you say… how do I pursue this concept?

1. Find your target customer/prospect –
This key is so important. When you figure out who you your ideal client is and pursue that market with intention, magic will happen. You need to put energy into this activity. Stop whatever you are doing and take a day to determine who your ideal client is, now. How old is she/he. What kind of business is she/he in? Where does she/he shop? What do they read, where do they hang out? What kinds of networking opportunities are available where where you might meet them? Make a commitment that you will be study this population and show up where these ideal clients will be.

2. Be a giver – Always have plenty of samples with you.
Share gifts with everyone. Track everything. Never give a sample (gift), without getting name and telephone number to follow up and get the individual’s opinion. Always ask for opinions. An opinion is a person’s very valuable possession; allow them to share it with you. It’s most important that you listen without reacting to the person’s opinion. Sincerely thank them for trying your product then ask about the next step.

3. Make sure you follow- up
I don’t know why this step is so difficult for so many people. It is key and critical. If a person is important enough to seek out and to gift with your samples (that cost you money!); how can you insult them by not following up. Refer to number 2 and remember to ask for that opinion.

People are expecting you to follow up. It’s your job and it’s the polite thing to do. Think of it as a part of your good manners. If someone gives you a gift, you follow up with a thank you. If you gift a gift and ask for an opinion; you must honor that individual by a contact asking for hat opinion.

You can do it!

Lindel James is a Professional Management Coach, Consultant and Trainer who is passionate about you, the Mary Kay Director or Leader growing your business on a strong and solid financial platform. Let her experience in Sales and Marketing help you be at the Top of the Charts!!

http://www.hotpinksuccess.com

Marketing is not what it used to be. Today you have to reach for more than a home party to make money at network marketing. So here are some things you should question before you start building your business with any company.

Is the compensation plan worth your time? That means an income stream that will support a steady flow of income. The training, product and an earning potential is powerful. You want to draw interest to your prospects. Those of us that work with a powerful earning team know how important it is to get what a person needs in their hands as soon as possible so that they can start making other money right away. A powerful plan that they can duplicate is important when adding a company to their business plan. How do you make money with this? By earning residual income, customers and recruiting.

Today entrepreneur are tomorrow’s teachers. Building a company that supports a team of business investors that count on the opportunities in place to recruit is much different from the news juice or supplement they offer. You can work yourself to death for a couple of dollars if the compensation plan is not worth the paper it’s on. See it doesn’t matter how great the product is unless you are the one who developed it. You need to distribute it. The hype about how much money we are going to make, means nothing unless you put it into the hands of the people driven to succeed. The entrepreneur will know whether they can work with your opportunity and will do what it takes to succeed. You are developing business relationship with people just like you who want to profit from the time and money they invest. These people are there to teach so that we all will profit.

Investing time and money on an opportunity is emotionally hard when you start. We work closely with you based on what our needs are. This is what is important to our company and the team of people I work with. The opportunity is not to work hard, it is to work smarter. The companies that want you to distribute their products through direct sales will do the research, testing the products, produce and ship the product and pay you to do it. If the compensation plan that is worth your time and when everything is in place you are hungry to start, like bees to a meadow of flowers. We know that your plan will make it easy for us to present the opportunity to an entrepreneur and they will eat it up like nectar. The fact is, time is our most valuable asset and we don’t want to waste it. Your opportunity is the tool we use to help people realize that they can succeed at owning their own business. You supply what we need and in turn we deliver your product and opportunity to the next generation of entrepreneur. So the things I look for in a compensation plan are can you build a business around it, Is it teachable to others, will it produce residual income.

Study the complain plan, asks questions and take part in a recruiting webinar and meeting to see if the person presenting the offer is giving you what you need to succeed. The compensation plain is more than the opportunity it is the person behind it. Do they have what it takes to train you to do what they do and show you how to earn that residual income? We are entrepreneurs and we hold ourselves at a higher standard when it comes to our business and when you put an offer on the table you have to back it up with action or we will go find someone who will.

Debra De Hoff marketing blog is where I share my marketing tip and education. I want you to succeed in your business. Resources directing you the products and business opportunities that I have found with companies that have experts in place to education you and the support of great people who are actively working in the marketing business.

Hope you find value in the articles on my blog at http://debradehoff.com.

Direct sales party or events can serve as excellent platforms to get forward reservations! If you are undecided about using them to your best advantage, you are not alone! Lots of people find it hard to balance selling, signing up and onward bookings in a party, so how does one do it right?

To start with be sure you arrive at your host’s house well before your attendees arrive and that you are set up when they get there. As the attendees begin coming in, make sure you network with them and make an effort to develop a superb connection with each one individually.

Throughout the chat drop in a number of recommendations about hosting their own party, in subtle and direct methods. As an example, when someone shows a desire for your product or service, you may tell them a little account about how one of your prospects got this brilliant price reduction bargain by hosting a party! Or, simply let them know directly, the things they can gain by hosting social gatherings for you.

As the party begins make sure to give exclusive attention to the host of the bash, by saying thanks to her, offering her a special present, making her look highly valued and sought after, other people will see this, and would want to have what the host is getting. Through your social gathering enlighten people about the host only liberties. The more exciting you make these privileges seem the better it will be for you. So, be sure that your tone is zealous and obtain your hosts positive inputs wherever you are able to.

At the end of the direct sales party make time for every guest as they are finishing the requests and recommend they leave a few things off their list for their own social gathering. This is when you ask them about their needs and requirements.

An additional point to consider will be to follow- up with your host when all the guests have gone. Debriefing him/her and demonstrating just how much profit they’d make if they signed up with your network, is practical as well! If the get together turned out to be to be successful it would be even simpler for you to persuade your prospective client about the main advantages of becoming a member of your opportunity.

Don’t forget that the secret’s establishing relationship and utilizing 5- step NLP sales procedure that incorporates:

• Rapport Developing
• Asking Them Questions
• Determining a need
• Connecting need to the merchandise
• Concluding deal

Direct sales party specialists consequently should keep these tips under consideration and good results will not be far behind!

Stephen is a business and life coach and has recently launched e-books and e-courses to teach Party Plan rookies Direct Sales Party Techniques that can help the achieve multilevel marketing success.