MLM and the Internet

MLM and the Internet
Kevin WilkeIt seems the HOT topic right now is "How can I use the internet to build my MLM business?"
I have been using the internet for 2 years now and have several people in my downline who use it almost exclusively, so let me share some of my opinions. (Stick with me on this one... ALL of the juicy details are provided.)

First, the internet should be viewed as another lead generation source, NOT your only business building technique. We are in the LEADER BUILDING business. No matter how you look at it, you can't create a leader out of somebody who is in his underwear, in the spare bedroom, sitting behind their computer for 8 hours a day hitting the "check email" button every 2 minutes hoping that "the email" will come in from the person who will build them a huge business.
Unfortunately too many people get caught up in the internet and this becomes their daily method of operation (I was there once too!) The problem is, this type of activity does not encourage PERSONAL GROWTH, it actually hinders or even reverses personal growth... pretty soon hours turn into days, turn into weeks, into months and next thing you know it is the year 2002 and the last book you read was TV Guide from 2 months ago. AHHHH!!!!
On the contrary, leaders are the ones going out and meeting new people, giving presentations on a regular basis, working with their people and focusing on a strong local group that they will use to leverage into a national and international downline. They also spend time DAILY on their own PERSONAL GROWTH by reading books, going to seminars and listening to tapes.
Am I saying toss the computer out the window? No, not at all. The internet can be a good, inexpensive way to generate new prospects, educate your current prospects on your company and follow up with your older list of prospects. However, do not get soooo caught up in the net that it becomes the ONLY thing you do.
At all times you should have 3 to 5 methods of generating new, interested people to talk to; make the internet ONE of those FIVE techniques. I spend about 1 to 2 hours a day promoting my website, following up, and answering emails. I spend 4 to 8 hours a day doing things "offline" and locally to build my business.
It has been my experience that it is MUCH easier to build a business and work with your people when they are "in your own backyard" then when they are scattered all across the country with no local support group.
However, I would have wasted my time and yours if I stopped here and did not share some practical, how-to advice and juicy tips on what works with the internet and MLM.
Here are SIX powerful concepts you NEED to know to successfully use the internet to help you build your MLM business.
FIRST, (as I mentioned earlier, but it NEEDS to be repeated) the internet should be viewed as another lead generation source, NOT your only business building technique. We are in the LEADER BUILDING business. No matter how you look at it, you can't create a leader out of somebody who is in his underwear, in the spare bedroom, sitting behind their computer for 8 hours a day hitting the "check email" button every 2 minutes hoping that "the email" will come in from the person who will build them a huge business.
Unfortunately too many people get caught up in the internet and this becomes their daily method of operation (I was there once too!) The problem is, this type of activity does not encourage PERSONAL GROWTH, it actually hinders or even reverses personal growth... pretty soon hours turn into days, turn into weeks, into months and next thing you know it is the year 2002 and the last book you read was TV Guide from 2 months ago. AHHHH!!!!
You NEED personal contact with your upline, downline and prospects.
SECOND, the internet is JUST another way to generate LEADS... NOT build your entire business.
How do you generate leads? What we do is create a generic website. We offer visitors a reason to enter their email address requesting information that says "Yeah I am looking for a home-business, tell me what you got for me." This is usually accomplished by offering a FREE Report about starting a home business and having a catchy headline to get your website visitor's attention.
(Oh, by the way, I forgot to say this... I ONLY use the net to generate Business Builders NOT product users. That is because that is what I know how to do, I am not saying the other is not possible though.)
Then, I followup with these people via email FOREVER unless they 1) die, 2) change email addresses, 3) tell me they are not interested.
My followup is in this form...
First, they get a "presentation over email". Each day I send them an email. The first email covers the industry, then our company, then our products, then our comp plan, then why they should join me, then about getting started, then a followup to getting started, then tax advantages, then I go into another followup sequence.
I also send out 1 time messages about once a month to everybody on my follow up list.
I use automated software for the above. I have used and tested a lot of the software out there and have found the more you automate the better. Anymore I spend about 1 hour a day online, followup with at least 50 people a day automatically and my entire online marketing system is self operating. It is very independent of myself. It HAS to be that way, otherwise people fall through the cracks and I would spend most of my day on tedious, non-productive activities. Automate or die is my saying :-)
EVERYTHING I send these people is designed to educate them a little more, create a higher level of interest and MOST IMPORTANTLY get them to respond so we can start a conversation through email or eventually over the phone. That is how you sponsor people... you create a dialog (build a relationship and trust) between the 2 of you.
Figure it will take anywhere from 50 to 100 prospects to sign up 1 new person using traditional online marketing techniques. To get somebody from a "suspect" to a "prospect" to a new distributor will require anywhere from 8 to 15 emails from you with new, different and useful information.
THIRD, the internet is colder then cold market (people can be down right nasty through email) due to the secrecy the net provides. AND it takes a LOT LONGER then any other method out there. On average a person will be on your follow up list anywhere from 1 month to 1 year or more before they raise their hand and say something or join.
That is another reason why it is VERY important to NOT solely rely on the internet. New people will give up way too early because of lack of results. Don't get discouraged.
FOURTH, the internet is VERY unduplicatable. Yes, people with internet experience and marketing can do what I do, and probably better since I don't focus on it that much. But, for some newbie to join and think they can build a business completely online when they still have problems sending email or don't really know what a search engine is... You are talking about a 6 month long education process to just understand the internet... THEN they are at a point when they can consider really using the net to build a solid, long-term business.
FIFTH, people will be drawn to the way you sponsor them. I do not sponsor people over the internet if their intention is to sit behind a computer screen in hopes to never, (YIKES!!) talk to somebody. I sponsor people who are willing to go out and build a good sound business following my lead and training. The internet might be one part of that bigger picture.
However, that rarely works. They are drawn back to the way they saw you recruit them (over the net) and want to do that and nothing else. So, you better be clear up front what you expect and they should expect.
SIXTH, and this is the BIGGIE!!! The internet is the GREAT TRAINING EQUALIZER. Instead of having some 7th generation fuzzy photo copied way of training where after a few levels the system goes from building a business the right way to "getting drunk and standing up on a table at a bar and trying to give a presentation to everybody on a Friday night" way to building a business. (I have heard stories so don't laugh too hard.)
With a team training site where EVERYTHING is provided to build a business... everything you know, your upline knows, and their 565th Star Fleet 6th Generation Grand Puba Commander upline knows. This way, EVERYBODY has the same access to the information no matter if you sponsored them or their next door neighbor who still doesn't know how to order product sponsored them.
Here is the scenario I used when developing my training site and when I feel this requirement is met I will feel my training site is complete...
"A lady is really motivated and determined to make her brand new MLM business work for her. Just 2 days ago her brother signed her up and she is fired up and ready to get going. She goes back and meets with her brother and he barely knows how to order products let alone build a business. His upline is almost as bad. All of a sudden her big dreams seem almost impossible because she doesn't have a clue what to do. Then, the next day a letter arrives in the mail from somebody in her upline she never heard of before. It tells her to log onto the internet and check out their team's training site on how to build a business. She goes to the site and then....."
Realize, I just provided you with the 5 minute overview. However, I hope it helped you in some way.
Some other thoughts...
Use your site to generate LOCAL prospects. (Now that is a good idea!!!) In fact, this is my big cheese against the internet... EVERY thing that is taught generates prospects that are all over the country (even the world). People who can't even build a business locally (which is the easiest) are FORCED to prospect, sponsor, train, manage, support and motivate an INTERNATIONAL business from day one and they don't even know how to give a presentation to their co-worker who is interested in the biz. What a nightmare!!! No wonder online mlming has such a high turnover rate with distributors.
Why put yourself through that when you can sponsor people who live blocks away from you instead of states away? But, that is another story for another day.
Although it might appear I have a negative bias towards the internet, I believe there is enormous potential in using the internet properly. However, the vast majority of people are currently using and teaching about the internet completely backwards. It is being used (and taught) as a complete business building approach. The very essence of Network Marketing, the concept of simply recommending and promoting products and services through your network of acquaintances and relationships, is being removed.
I feel the people who can develop a system that incorporates the internet into their current business building system will reap huge rewards. A system where the internet *enhances* (NOT replaces) a distributor's ability to build a network and communicate information to their prospects and downline.
As a final prediction, one of the largest impacts the internet will have over the next few years I believe is in training. In the near future, through Real Audio, Real Video and training websites, everybody will have access to vital, important information in real time. The ability to pass information down infinite levels will become as simple as posting it on a website and sending out an email to your downline distribution list. New distributors will be able to log onto their computer and watch a weekly training video from their home computer and then go out and apply the information they gained.
Most importantly, you will be able to go to your team's training site and look up exactly what you need help on. Be it prospecting tips, presentation advice, personal development book recommendations or whatever you need help with. It will be like your upline leaders are personally working with you, sharing everything they have learned to reach the top.
These are exciting times as this new information age takes shape. For those out there who dream of being a pioneer, this is the time to Seize the Day, "Carpe Diem" my friend.