This subject is so profitable and so much fun that entire companies (e.g., BNI – Business Networkers International) focus on it. The ‘how’ of networking is the subject of a few good books, such as Ivan Misner’s, “The 29% Solution: 52 Weekly Networking Success Strategies.” This kind of knowledge is important for making networking events productive. Too many events are like the typical chamber of commerce meeting, where people exchange business cards and call that ‘networking’. According to good networking advice, the best thing you can do is collect business cards from a few key people whom you have spoken with. And the conversation is best when it centers around questions that you ask of another person, and the answers that you can use in later follow up as a reminder of your encounter. Indeed, it seems to be a law of the universe that you will come across as a great conversationalist by saying almost nothing!

Typical Network Marketing Is Ineffective

How does this compare with a typical ‘network marketing’ meeting? No wonder those things are such a glorious waste of time. One or two people do all the talking for the presentation, then you get to spend your time afterwards in selling, convincing, and pitching to your guest(s) about whatever the products and opportunity might be. I don’t know about you, I just think this is one of the least effective ways to build your MLM business.

By the way, the reason for the typical meeting structure has little to do with your success and a lot to do with the company’s success. I’ll have much more to say about this in one of my upcoming newsletters, so be sure to subscribe to it. I will also have a lot to say about what you can do that is much more effective than bringing guests to a company presentation. MUCH more effective.

Why to Network

Networking is the activity that builds better relationships with others. If you can get to know others and get to be known by them, you form a basis for trust. A good relationship is the key for any kind of success in network marketing. After all, just in case someone takes you up on your opportunity, you will have to have a level of trust that translates into your leadership of that new person. And any new person has to see how you do that so he or she can do the same.

Some of this perspective seems like a no-brainer. Nevertheless, your company and any other company that you join will most likely ‘teach’ you MLM building the old fashioned way: making gazillions of calls, using the 3-foot rule, browbeating your warm market, attending meetings and conferences, listening to teleconference calls or their  insidious tech version, the webinar, etc., etc. Just think, if you actually have just 10 hours per week to build your business, all of it can get chewed up in being ‘woo-busy’ with all this stuff, and you will never have time to actually sponsor and develop a leader into your organization.

Ah, this is fun, isn’t it? It is easy to take potshots at these kinds of things. It is harder to find good advice that works by doing something else. However, there is plenty of other stuff that you can do with your 10 hours per week that will actually lead to income. I’ve put together a little lead-in on this topic on my page, “Can MLM Work for You?” This is a start, so take a look at it and let me know what you think.

Dr. D