Sunday, March 21, 2010

Is there a right way to ask for referrals in Network Marketing? Part 2

In the first part of “Is there a way to ask for referrals in Network Marketing?” I told you a little bit about my recent experience when I was asked for referrals. I got a call from a Survey company that offered me magazines in exchange for one or two names and phone numbers.

I am blessed with friends but I don’t have family in the area. My whole family is back in Peru. The only aunt I have close by doesn’t speak nor read English very well.

This lady insisted, very nicely, that most people refer to a mom or dad, or siblings. I said a couple of times that really, I don’t have anyone. For some reason she didn’t trust me and kept asking.

I told her that if that was the condition to get the magazines, it was okay for me not to have them. She accepted and the conversation was politely ended.

I realized how hard it is to give away your friends or relatives’ names when you are not confident about the value of a given product or service. I also realized how hard it is for someone to believe that you don’t have any family to refer to!

When I read a good article like Warren Little’s The Right Way To Ask For And Get Referrals In Network Marketing, I don’t have any problem referring it to my network. I know people will benefit from it. It can benefit him too and that would be great.

The right way to ask for referrals in Network Marketing is simple: politely and humbly.

I know: it’s not rocket science.

You can learn a good script and practice it to ask for referrals offline. You can ask your online visitors to share your content. You can use the magic words “please” and “thank you”.

But in any situation the mindset is very important. If we come from a place where we look for referrals to make money, no script will hide that. Asking for referrals has to be from our desire to help more people, not from our desire for their money.

Asking politely and humbly also means giving the chance to help. Our prospects (or visitors online) get something good and they can share it with more people, therefore helping them.

Finally, being polite and humble means respecting when someone doesn’t have anyone to refer. We can even offer solutions and work together in creating a network. After all, Network Marketing is about helping, isn’t it?

Is there a right way to ask for referrals in Network Marketing, whether online or offline? Leave a comment about it!

We are successful Network Marketing Moms!
Angelica
PS: If you liked this post, please refer it by sharing it (I think I just created a new tongue twister). Thanks!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Is there a right way to ask for referrals in Network Marketing? Part 1

Have you ever asked for referrals in Network Marketing? How did it go? What did you say?

Referrals are very important when building a Network Marketing business offline or online. In the article, The Right Way To Ask For And Get Referrals In Network Marketing (LINK), Warren Little explains in few words how to ask for referrals offline.

I personally like how easy can be to ask for referrals in Network Marketing online. If you like what you read you can share it within your Network with Twitter, Facebook or any other Social Media service. It’s almost effortless.

Whether you build your Network Marketing business online or offline, it’s important to ask for referrals after your costumer is satisfied with the product or service.

In the article by Warren Little it is clear how asking up front for a referral can result in disappointment for yourself. Been there, done that. I have to say: asking for referrals was one of the hardest things when I was using traditional methods in Network Marketing.

But even with a good script we can encounter someone who really and honestly doesn’t know anyone. I was there a couple of days ago.

A got a call from a Survey service and I agreed to take it. This nice lady on the phone was listening to me and building rapport. She offered me magazines to try as a thank you for participating in the survey.

I was getting excited for my magazines. Then she said that the only thing she needed from me was a name and phone number. You know, someone who could benefit from these magazines too.

In the second part I will tell you the rest of the story and why I think there is a right way to ask for referrals in Network Marketing.

We are Successful Network Marketing Moms!
Angelica


PS: If you liked this first part, please share it and don’t forget to subscribe or bookmark it to make sure to get the second part. Thanks!!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

"My computer crashed": How can a Home Online Business survive without the Internet?

Can I make money online without an Internet conection?

Well... How would it be "online" then?

Yes, you could go to the local Library, go to your mom's house or borrow your best friend's laptop.

But let's face it: without an Internet Conection, there is no much "online" about your home business.

And what about a computer? We are so dependent on technology now that I haven't heard of many Home Based Businesses succeding nowadays without it.

Yes, we still have telephone, fax, home presentations, etc. But our personal conection with the computer comes alive when this trusted companion crashes.

At least that happened to me when my computer crashed few days ago.

I have confessed before that I'm not working as much during these months. But I still keep in touch with my audience and come back to my blog. I have documents in the work and a new training series.

Even with the desire to work I couldn't do much until the computer was fixed. I lost ALL of my documents. There wasn't a big chance to save them from the hard drive so I decided to let them go.

Why? Because I made a back up CD a little over a month ago and I wasn't going to lose much work. I've lost my Playlist from iTunes (and I miss it) along with few home videos that didn't make it to a CD or the Online Storage. I've lost many more files.

But the documents associated with my Home Online Business are safe. As I type, they are being dowloaded into my computer again.

As I mourn the loss of other files I reflect on how difficult it is to work without an Internet Conection or even a computer. How many people have a real limitation to get started in a Home Based Business because of this? I don't think many, but there must be some.

Even if you have the best computer, never over estimate it. Back up your files in a CD or online. I've seen some Online Backup services but I don't use any. If you do please leave a comment about it so we can all benefitiate!

Is it possible for a Home Online Business to survive without an Internet Conection? What do you think? Leave a comment about it.

We are successul Network Marketing Moms!
Angelica