The all dreaded telephone is a major part of your business building in network marketing. For many of us, the thoughts of calling a stranger literally make us sick.



If you would rather walk your dog in a blizzard rather than pick up the phone and call someone, please read on.

Here are 5 tips to help you overcome "Phone Phobia"

1. Write a script - You may want to write this in your own words or use a prewritten script. Lots of companies have prewritten scripts to use. You don't want to sound like you are reading a script when you are talking to a potential customer or partner. They can see right through that. You want to practice the script enough so you are not reading it straight from the paper. Take out some of their words and add a few of yours. This will make it more comfortable to you. Practice! Practice! Practice!

2. Role play- Call a friend. Pretend they are a potential business partner. Let them critique you. This is probably one of the most effective ways to learn how to speak to someone professionally on the phone. A friend will be honest with you. So, don't get defensive when they start critiquing you. This is what you want. This is how you are going to learn. What better way to make mistakes than when you are talking with a friend. If it's a friend, you will welcome the criticism. Practice! Practice! Practice!

3. Know your stuff- If you are a newbie to network marketing, you may have a fear of the unknown. It's ok. You won't know everything, especially in the beginning. Study the company and learn your products. You want to feel confident when you are talking with someone about your business or products. Write down questions that come up in the beginning that you're not sure of. Call your sponsor or someone who has been with the business for a while. Chances are they have run into the same questions. The next time someone asks you, you'll be prepared. When you gain that confidence, you will look forward to making that call.

4. Don't take NO personally- You will hear this many times in your network-marketing career. Many people have failed with their new businesses early on because they heard the work no. They are not saying no to you. They are really saying, " not right now". This is hard to swallow in the beginning, especially if you have never been in any kind of network marketing business before. Be confident in yourself and your products. If you are, this will shine through. Your prospects will see that you truly believe in what you are doing and they will most likely be open to speaking with you more. If you learn early on, not to take the word NO personally, you will be ahead of the game. Move on. There are lots of fish in the sea. The next person may just say yes!

5. Call when you're feeling your best- You may be a morning person. If you find yourself more productive in the early hours, this is the best time to make those calls. Don't wait until you have lost your pep and are ready for a nap. We all get sick from time to time. You're better off to wait until you are feeling better to call you next prospect. If this happens, be sure to email or call them, letting him or her know that you are under the weather, and ask if you can reschedule your call. Apologize and let them know you will call them as soon as you are feeling better. They have been there, and they will understand. Make sure you call at your rescheduled date. If you are at your best, you will feel better about making that call.

The telephone can be a scary thing, but I hope by sharing some of my tips with you, it has helped you overcome some of your phone reluctancy. Practice and you will do great! Good luck with your networking!