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Monday
Aug182008

Why You're Just "Duping" Yourself If You Think You Can Build a Sustainable and Thriving MLM Business without First Developing an Audience

Whether you realize it or not, you may have duped yourself into MLM business failure.  Many have.

If so, it's costing much more than what you've spent on business opportunities, training, marketing, leads or sales aids. It's costing more than just lost time.

It's quite literally costing you the exhilarating experience of fulfilling your goals and dreams (and any dreams you have for your family). 

That's the greatest cost of all.

Here's the definition of the word 'Dupe' according to dictionary.com

dupe1  noun, verb, duped, dup·ing.

1. a person who is easily deceived or fooled; gull.
2. a person who unquestioningly or unwittingly serves a cause or another person: a dupe of the opponents.
3. to make a dupe of; deceive; delude; trick. (verb)

So 'to be duped' is to be fooled or deceived.

But why would people deceive themselves?

The answer explains why the MLM industry is famous for its 'Get Rich Quick' and 'We'll Do it For You' propaganda. 

It's because there's a large number of people who want to believe they can get something for nothing.

It's a fundamental (but primitive) desire. 

It's an underdeveloped person to want such things, and that's why you'll find a completely different message at the opposite end of the spectrum in MLM--skill development.

Things Like:

  • Leadership Development,
  • Personal Growth,
  • Communication &
  • Marketing Training

This is what makes MLM work.  It's where the leaders and high-income earners are born.

 

Did Someone Dupe You Into Believing You Can "Hit it Big" in Network Marketing Without Developing an Audience and Skillsets? 

Has anyone ever told you something like, "You gotta' get in now!" 

Or,

"We don't have time to build an audience or develop our marketing skills!  We have to grow our business NOW and get the word out any way we can!"

If someone has led you to believe that you can create wealth in MLM without skill development or attracting an audience than you've been duped (just as I once was).

But you've been duped by yourself.

The reality is you have to take personal responsibility for where you are and what you've done up until now.  If you've been duped, you're much better off blaming yourself for the dupe-job.  Personal responsibility is a key trait in winners, business leaders, and successful network marketers.

 

Note that there's nothing wrong with approaching friends, family and peers about a business opportunity or product line if you want to--but to believe that this alone will allow you to 'hit it big' without first establishing a leadership role within a particular audience is ridiculous.

 

"But Mike, I know some people who have made a gazillion dollars in 3 weeks in this MLM and they didn't build an audience." 

Have you ever really studied the lives of these people who have made tons of money overnight?

They either built an audience through home or hotel meetings (and referrals from others), or through conference calls or online presentations.  In rare situations they didn't have to lead a presentation and they used powerful sales aids, like a DVD (this is very rarely accomplished in reality although it's commonly tried).  Even in such cases they developed an audience and built a relationship with that audience--by leveraging some form of an event (usually many types of 'events').

So even if they did it the old-school way of contacting friends and family, cold-calling or striking up conversations initially in the grocery store line, they invited people to 'the next step' (which was a meeting or conference call, or eventually a company event) and they slowly built their audience that way.  They built relationships with that audience. 

And then they leveraged that audience to build a large organization through referrals.

There is no exception to this need to develop an audience in network marketing, even in the old-school model of MLM.  All successful people had to develop an audience to win.

Of course, you don't always hear this part of the story. 

You'll sometimes get just pieces of it... and those are naturally the juiciest parts that appeal to your emotions most... often leaving out the "how to" or the blood, sweat and tears that came before it. 

Often they do tell you how bad and rough it was before they hit it big in their MLM, but they tell it in a way that makes it sound as though they were lucky to find their MLM--that it was the MLM that made the success happen.

Now, there are some very good leaders and uplines out there that share the bigger picture because they know, long-term, they will attract more success by doing so. 

They share the fact that you do have to develop skills. 

The only challenge is that they usually teach methods that rely on outdated 1980's style sales skills, instead of developing modern (highly leveraged) methods of marketing. 

When you are marketing, you attract your audience, which gives far more leverage.

Here's the bottom line that you must accept if you plan to win in MLM...

Whether it's the old-school way or the new school 'attraction marketing' way, you have to build an audience to succeed in network marketing.

In the old-school way, it's going to initially happen by a cold-call or 'going through the numbers' with friends, family and strangers, which then leads to expanding that audience at meetings or events.  In the new-school way it can start and expand through your marketing online, where people come to know and trust you.

So if you have to develop an audience to be successful in MLM, what are your options?

 

Here are Some 'Old-School' MLM Methods Still Commonly Taught Today (I Do Not Personally Recommend for Most). 

These are Categorized as Very Low Leverage... Meaning They Require a Lot of Time Upfront to Produce a Low Result

- Make a names list and approach people with the numbers game (imagine how that appears... how do you like it when you're approached about an MLM or product from someone you know).  If you perceive that experience positively than this is probably a good option for you.  Most don't perceive this as a positive experience and, therefore, it's not effective for them.  If you do choose this approach, highly developed leadership traits would need to be acquired (if you do not already possess them).

- Cold-calling leads.  Again, if you enjoy getting cold-calls than you'll probably do well at this method.  Most do not enjoy receiving or doing cold-calls so this is often a failed method.  You still have a lot of skills to develop (listening and communication skills).  Your skill level will need to be very highly evolved to be successful with this method because these people do not know you and your first step is to establish trust.  Not surprisingly, it is a long road (like years if not decades) for most people to develop this level of communication and report-building skills.

- Approach strangers you run into at the store, mall, etc.  If you already love striking up conversations everywhere you go and do it naturally, why wouldn't you continue to connect with people this way?  If you love it then you'll keep doing it... It will be just a matter of developing additional skills to comfortably invite people to consider the benefits of your business.  Still, highly evolved leadership and communication are a must, and often need a lot of work before seeing success with this method.  If you are not already comfortable striking up conversations, this method will be a long-road. 

You can use the above old-school MLM methods as a starting point to invite people to watch a DVD (or review some resources), or invite them to conference calls, online presentations, home meetings, company events, etc--but it all leads to a very inefficient way of building an audience.

Your audience must still be built... people who either buy from you now, will buy from you later, have joined you in your opportunity, will join you later, or who will never join you but who know what you offer and may or may not send you referrals. 

In the old-school way, you do not have a lot of leverage until you see duplication on a large scale, which is rare.

It's almost as though it has to either happen all at once or never happen at all. 

 

The Absolute Most Effective Way to Build an Audience and Your MLM in the Modern Age...

So if you're going to be building an audience anyway, what's the best way to go about it?

As you've already been hearing (I'm sure more than a few times by now) the Internet gives the greatest leverage for building a business. 

It's the only tool within your grasp that puts you in reach of the entire world.  And most of your options for marketing on the web are either free or extremely low cost. 

The Internet has evolved in the last 18 months. 

Sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Digg, Squidoo, and other Web 2.0 Social Networking resources have made it possible for average people to interact, share and participate in the Internet economy.

It's become so simple to create content (like a website, blog, YouTube video and profile) that 'newbies' still learning to send their first email are learning to 'brand' themselves online at the same time... and doing so effectively.

How do you use the Internet to build your audience?

 

It's Called Attraction Marketing

You've seen 'attraction marketing' all around you, all your life

For example, when you see the magazines in the grocery store line your experiencing attraction marketing on the receiving end.  Do you feel pressured to buy anything from the magazine?  Of course not.  But you know the magazine was placed there to catch your interest. 

Compare this to a door-to-door salesmen or telemarketer who tries to sell you 'out of the blue' on buying the same magazine...

Does your guard go up?

Of course it does. 

And this shows you the powerful advantage you have if you learn to employ attraction marketing in your MLM business (as opposed to pitching or going through the numbers like the door-to-door salesman or telemarketer).

Let's go back to those magazines in the grocery store line. 

Does the magazine make any money when you pick it up and browse through it? 

Not from you... unless you buy it. 

But check this out!  They still make money!  And that's the other powerful aspect of attraction marketing, that you can also be enjoying while building your MLM business.

 

How does the magazine make money if you don't buy right there on the spot?


Well, they know that after a lot of exposure you may buy later.  They're still working the numbers game, but in a much more leveraging way.

They know you may subscribe to the magazine later because you enjoyed it so many times while waiting to buy groceries... so when the timing is right and you have a chance to subscribe by mail (or on the web) you pick it up then.  You were exposed to it so many times in the grocery store line that you came to trust it as a magazine you'd enjoy.

You may even buy it in the grocery store line but not subscribe to it right away... which is another income stream they count on as a 'front end' way of making money while bringing you closer into their audience. 

No one pitched you.  That's why it's so effective.

But attraction marketing goes further...

The magazine doesn't just make money if you buy the magazine (or later subscribe to it)... they also make money by 'monetizing' through advertisements they sell inside the magazine.  This money doesn't come from you but from companies. 

Those companies (and the magazine) know that millions of people will be exposed to their ads even if they don't buy or subscribe (just from browsing in the grocery store lines).  So the magazine is making money in more than one way while they're constantly attracting more customers to them.

That's just one example.

Have you ever asked to receive something free by email or by mail?  If you liked the information or whatever it was you received, then you probably paid closer attention when this same person or company emailed or mailed you the next time.

And these are often the people and companies we end up trusting and buying from. 

Radio and television operate the same way--they provide free value that attracts an audience.  Then they make money out of that situation.

Build an audience and you can't help but learn how to make money in MLM, or any way you choose.

 

How Does this Attraction Model Carry Over to the One-On-One Conversation You Have With Your Network Marketing Prospects?

There are quite a few ways you can attract your audience to you.  You can set it up so they call you first (by inviting them to do so).  Because you're attracting people interested in what you offer (whether that's a certain kind of product or a business opportunity) many of them will want to talk to you, particularly if you've given them something first (which is what we teach you how to do).

But one of the most successful ways of carrying the attraction model over to the actual conversation on the phone is to do what's called 'The Consultative Approach.'  This means you offer a free consultation on a particular topic related to the subject of your business.  This postures you in a leadership role and is far more attractive as a starting point than pitching your deal (obviously).


 

Attraction Marketing is All Around You...


The Internet is a powerful tool for employing 'attraction marketing' principles... because it's so inexpensive (in fact, it's ridiculous how inexpensively you can have everything you need to market yourself like a big company).

By learning how to give something away, or just by sharing tips... ideas, experiences... anything... you attract your audience to you.

 

With an audience of people coming to you on their own, feeling comfortable and appreciating you--it puts you in a far better position to offer a solution to their problems or needs (like a business opportunity or product, for example).

And just like the magazine who makes money selling ads to companies on one end, and the subscription to you on the other end, you can create multiple income streams through many passive 'monetizing' strategies of your choice, while you're building your audience at the same time. 

This way, you're generating revenue while you're building your own prospects list for your MLM.  In addition to funding the early stages of your MLM business development, this gives you much more security long-run.  And instead of it being a distraction as the old-school MLM model would naturally want us to believe, it actually empowers you to become a true business system owner--the utopian goal for the MLMer seeking 'true' financial freedom.

 

The Internet Attraction Model Can Be Used to Build Any Home-Based or Small Business


This is what we're teaching you how to do at Renegade University and with the Marketing Merge Professional program in Step 3 at the University.

Renegade University gives you thorough training to introduce you to all of this, and to show you real examples of how it works (in Step 3).

Then, when you're ready to begin actually doing it, we'll show you step-by-step how.

We won't just show how and where to go to set things up... we also teach you simple step by step methods to help you create the content (and value) that attracts your audience to you.

If you accept that, indeed, to be successful in MLM or network marketing you must develop your audience, then we'll show you the most effective way of going about it online.

Pitching your deal and playing the numbers game is short-sighted.  Building relationships with the right kind of prospects who came to you... who perceived you as helpful, or as a resource, gives you an advantage you just can't get when you're chasing people down.

To continue your training and to gain access to several revealing Webinars that visually show you how you can use Internet Attraction Marketing in your MLM or network marketing business, log into Renegade University at http://www.MarketingMerge.com

Then click on 'Renegade University' Login

If you forgot your login details you can have them emailed to you from there.

Partners in success,

     Mike Klingler


"Is the Internet Network Marketing Model Ever Going to Saturate?"

"A Waste of Time to Network with Other Student Marketers in Social Sites?"

Reader Comments (13)

hi i was wondering if i could work for you cuz i am having trouble with payings bills i need a way to get money fast please email me back asap or give me a call at 520-761-4583. thank you jose santa cruz

August 18, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterjose santa cruz

Hi Mike, I am signed on the Renegade Network Marketer, I have a website to sell various products, I have a landing page there, and several afilliates who have signed on. What I do not have is customers. Can you help me to optimize the website to attract customers? I have had several people contact me and offer to do this for big bucks, but I do not have big bucks to pay someone to do it. According to you, I should be able to do myself, but I am not sure how to go about doing it.. I have recently purchased the book,"SEO Optimization" but have not received it yet. You say that writing blogs is a good way to go, but I really need an example of what kind of blog to write and where to post it. Can you give me some help there? Does the university talk about this?

August 18, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJohn L. Shellabarger

Hi Mark, thanks for all the great infomation, right now Im going about the "Im here for you" routine, because I am I really want to help others who are just starting into this industry, and don't know where to get started. Its getting me a few results but maybe not the results I was expecting. Even though I just started doing this just this past weekend so I have to say that this is really working for me. I feel really good about going about network marketing this way. Thanks so much Mark for this article because I now know that Im going about my business not just the right way, but the way that works for me. Hope this makes sense to you and your readers. Again thanks.
Dawn

August 18, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterDawn

Hi Mike. I really enjoyed your class tonight. I am a RANK BEGINNER, and know very little about the internet, so I have a lot to learn and not much time. I am not really sure what a 'url" is, so you can see how GREEN I am at age 65 yrs. old. but believe it or not I learned a lot. Thanks a lot for your good examples. They really help.

August 18, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJewell Hunter

Great article. What's really exciting is I am a student of RU for about 2 months now and I find myself reading articles like this one and noticing things I never would have thought of before - key words, how you are utilizing SEO. It's really great and I appreciate everything you have taught me in Renegade U. I'm building a contact list and I haven't even finished up 30 articles yet. I think I am on about 25. Made several sales and got some signups.

Thanks for all you do. Attraction Marketing is the only way to market today in Network Marketing!

August 18, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAnita Kulik

Mike, great article I love the way you put things in a way that is easy to understand. I have never look at it that way.Now I just need to start taking action.

August 18, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterTyrone

Hi Mike,
You have a great way of telling it like it is. I was duped myself in the early days because I truly wanted to believe it was all that easy.

The bottom line is that we have a great message but with no one to hear it(your audience), you might as well be talking to yourself!

The audience and the messenger are the two most important things. The message comes in a close third!

I continue to learn from all of your articles and messages, so thanks.

Deborah Marsden

August 18, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterDeborah Marsden

Mike your knowledge and expertise is always right on time. I love Marketing Merge Professional and it is through this professional training that I have been able to network and meet with people. I have also had the opportunity to build a following as you have stated. I work full-time and I have an educational consulting business and everything that I am learning and have learned I am now ready to apply it to my offline business. Marketing Merge Professional Training by far is the best training that I have received and I am ready to climb the tallest mountain in the world so everyone can hear me and apply what you are teaching. Thank you for your trainings and thank you for being accessible to thousands of people.

August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterRhonda Hicks

Hi! Mike excellent stuff; I am still following through with my Marketing Merge Tutorials and enjoying every minuet of it.
Although I am on the other side of the world, with the aid of the net I am only seconds from your class room. Keep up the good work.

Ted.

September 29, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterTed Betez

Hands down! This is your best article I've read. Period. It really appeals to me. I could return to this blog (it is far and away my favorite of all your blogs) everyday and still discover something new.

Great usage of the word "duped." I'm a "word" man, so I digg how you crafted a killer title.

On a serious business building note, I'll preach to the choir for a moment: it's so true - you must be a prolific marketer who can consistently deliver quality, value and relevance. This just doesn't happen over night.

Furthermore, it takes a certain amount of flexibility and sometimes speed. One must have a certain agility and quickness if they "see" something that they can respond to with marketing in order to leverage the larger newsworthy item.

Anyway, great stuff. I'm excited what Renegade Professional has brought to my skillset.

November 13, 2008 | Registered CommenterEric Walker, Team Coach

Eric, you said it well with:

"Furthermore, it takes a certain amount of flexibility and sometimes speed. One must have a certain agility and quickness if they "see" something that they can respond to with marketing in order to leverage the larger newsworthy item."

I am so amazed at all the opportunities (AKA, chances) there are to give value on the net communities out there with relatively little training or experience. It doesn't happen overnight, but nothing does. It seems to happen a lot faster here in the online world than anywhere else I've seen, which makes sense with all the growth of the net, and the diversity of communities, topics and people in 'need.'

Be a go giver and everyone can find their niche.

November 14, 2008 | Registered CommenterMike Klingler

This is definitely attraction marketing gospel at its best,but what amazes me is the amount of people who have this information and continue to get duped over and over again.They go from one get rich scheme to another with out realizing that if they took the time to educate themselves on the aspects of building an audience all of that wasted time wouldn't be in vain.

But the most important advice that I've taken away from this great article is taking responsibility for your own actions,we all have been duped at some point in our life's and if you don't take the responsibility of recognizing that you have been duped you have know one to blame but yourself.

January 1, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKevin thomas

Mike, I really appreciate your directness. I have been involved in MLM for a number of years. I saw the numbers at training seminars dwindle. Big pin leaders were disappearing and yet they only taught the old method of contacting and inviting. I am not new to technology, but I must say that I am just a baby in social networking. Thanks for all your content that you offer without pitching your products.

January 19, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMark Keeler

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