Is MLM like telemarketing? I hope not!

What Leaders Do

I am reading the book "Winning" by Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric and he has some amazing insights into Leadership, and specifically, What Leaders Do.

Here are his 8 "rules" of Leadership. See where you fit in –

1. Leaders relentlessly upgrade their team, using every encounter as an opportunity to evaluate, coach, and build self-confidence.

2. Leaders make sure people not only see the vision, they live and breathe it.

3. Leaders get into everyone's skin, exuding positive energy and optimism.

4. Leaders establish trust with candor, transparency, and credit.

5. Leaders have the courage to make unpopular decisions and gut calls.

6. Leaders probe and push with a curiosity that borders on skepticism, making sure their questions are answered with action.

7. Leaders inspire risk taking and learning by setting this example.

8. Leaders celebrate!

I highly encourage reading this book if you haven't as it has great insights into being successful, whatever your business is.

Leaders are more often DEVELOPED than born. Take steps daily to define and develop your leadership.

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

I was just asked by a new team member how to build a business on little to no budget. Here are ten ideas I offered.

Many people who start a home based business have a limited advertising budget However for the life of your business it is important that you get the word out as quickly as possible. These tips will help you do just that without breaking the bank.

1. Word of Mouth is one of the best forms of advertising. It is absolutely free and if done correctly, you will get a great response. Talk to everyone you know about your business, Ask your family and friends for referrals.  Make an effort to meet new people while you are out and about. If the internet is a tool that you use to grow your business visit message boards, you can meet a lot of people who will be interested in what you have to offer.

2. Go to trade shows and expos. Start conversations and pass out and collect cards as appropriate. Be respectful of others who have paid to be there and be subtle. Save prospecting conversations for a phone call later. Plant lots of seeds.

3. Join a networking group. There are many great sites on the internet that you can join that are absolutely Free.  You can meet people that can possibly be interested in your business. If you prefer networking offline, contact your local chamber of commerce. Most hold monthly mixers that you can attend for a nominal fee. This will give you the opportunity to meet local business owners in your community.
  

4. Make use of your email. Be sure that every email that you send out includes your signature tag. Make it short and catchy so that it will arouse people's curiosity.

5. Hand out your business cards. Include one in every piece of mail that you send out, give one to everyone you exchange money with, leave them at restaurants with your tip., and any where else that you can think of.

6. Get a web decal. These are great advertising tools and there   very inexpensive.        Just come up with a catchy slogan and your url address.  Every time that you drive, you will be advertising your business.

7. Wear your business. Get t-shirt, hats or pins that promote your business. This will promote interest and curiosity.

8. Write articles. Articles are a great form of advertising.  Your articles do not have to be business related. Write about topics that you are very familiar with and passionate about.  Attach a resource box to every article that you write.  A resource box tells the reader a little about you and your business. Many websites and e zines are looking for quality articles to reprint.

9. Start your own online newsletter. Newsletters are a great tool to help you build your business.  You are able to stay in touch with people who have opted in to receive information from you. Make your newsletter informative and enjoyable to read.  There are a lot of newsletters out there so you must distinguish yourself from the crowd. Have Fun and be creative when creating your newsletter.

10. Use postcards to market your business. Postcards are inexpensive to mail and most importantly they get read.  With postcard you only have a small amount of space to write, so you want to make sure that you have a catchy headline and an ad that propels people to act. Offer a FREE gift or a discount. 

Just do it and you'll succeed!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

There are certainly MANY industry groups who are suffering from what is going on in the US economy. This is a great time to present your MLM business to those who are looking for some income relief.

It's actually 2 questions in one, but it will most times reveal the seriousness of your prospect and his/her reasons "why" for pursuing a business.

"How long have you been looking for a business form home?"

"What happened XX time ago that started you searching?"

Question one tells you if they just hopped on last night and are tire kicking; or if they have been on the serious hunt for awhile.

Question two will tell you the reason why. Sometimes it's a new mother who just went back to work and cried all day after leaving her child at daycare. Sometimes it's the tenth time the prospect was passed over for a promotion. Maybe an aging parent who needs assistance.

Lots of reasons "why" out there.

Listen closely and then you can present your opportunity in such a way that shows him/her how your business is a fit for the reason "Why!"

Happy Prospecting!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

Have you ever wondered this? Been asked this? Wondered why some have that perception?

It's not the industry itself that has created the negative stigma. And, it's not the companies in MLM who will remove that stigma.

It's us - you and me. Those of us involved in the industry.

Those of us who are passionate enough about what it can and has provided for us, and our ability to pass that on to others must take a stand and educate.

For me, M.L.M. stands for My Life's Mission!

How about you?

Do you understand MLM? Let's start there -

http://www.squidoo.com/whatismlm

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

I was recently asked this question by a man who had contacted me through my website and asked me to call him. My first thought was – "Why are you wasting my dime and my time?"

Then, I realized that it was really a great opportunity to learn something about perspective through the eyes of another, so I began to ask some probing questions.

What type of product interests you?

How do you see yourself working a business with the type of product you want?

Do you know how to evaluate a business and a product to see if it is truly viable and something you can succeed with?

How will you know when you have the perfect mix of business opportunity and product?

How much do you have budgeted to spend each month on this business venture?

I encourage you to ask these questions of yourself regarding your own business or any business you might be evaluating. The answers may surprise you. Here is what I have found in my research this past month with these questions –

The answers to these questions very often end up all over the map. The product line one may be interested in may not fit into the person's vision of how they want to work the business; the budget they have available, etc. Sometimes the product does not offer a good business opportunity.


And, most people have no idea how to evaluate a business and determine if it is going to be a good business and product fit.

My prospect's problem is that he did not know how to evaluate the business potential of a product. He was getting bogged down in his own stereotype of that product and did not factor in the business viability of a product already used in 80% of households; in the top ten list of gifts; and with a strong consumable and re-order rate.

Once I was able to guide him in his own research and problem solving, it became much easier to open his eyes up to business potential and viability and not so much on personal product interest.

What are your answers to the above questions and how does this weigh in with your business decisions for the future?

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

http://www.ExploreMyBusiness.com

One challenge in a home based business can be that of making calls to leads lists or people who respond to an advertisement. Even calling those we know can create fear.

And, at the same time, we know deep inside that in order to move forward, we have to pick up that ten ton gorilla called "the telephone."

Here are some ideas for getting over your phone phobias –

1. Forget about yourself. Easier said than done, I know, but think about it. It's really not about you so if you will let go of your obsession with the person you are calling joining or not joining your business; laughing at you; slamming down the phone; or any of the other scenarios you have conjured up, you'll do much better.  You are asking questions; seeking information to see if there is a need and then offering information to fulfill that need. That's it. Let go of everything
else.

2. Build a big list. The more people you have on the list to call, the easier it is to let go of the attachment to one particular person saying yes. You know hundreds of people. There are thousands (millions, even) of people you can connect with on the internet. You don't need all of them. Just a few. Build relationships through your list; take care of the relationships you already have and make the call. Respect whatever decision is made.

3. Be prepared. Know what you will say. Use bullet points so you sound natural and relaxed instead of canned. Know what the next step will be if the person is interested in learning more.  Will you send information by mail or email; invite on a 3 way with your upline; invite to a conference call; sit down in person? Ask your prospect what method is best for him/her. Be prepared and be a professional.

4. Have a goal for making calls. If your goal is 10 calls a day, commit to it and follow through, regardless of what the person on phone call number one said or did. The more calls you make, the more your confidence will grow and you'll settle into the process. Your posture develops and once that happens, your sponsoring ratio will go way up!

Success in life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you handle it. You have the ability to create an amazing life. Handle the phone call challenge by meeting it head on and soaring right past those fears. You'll look back and be so glad you did.

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

http://www.streetsmartwealth.com