As a young man I was a salesman for a while. I hated it.



I had topped my class in the art of salesmanship and needed to get away from accountancy. I had learned how to look for buying signals, overcome objections and make the best use of customer emotions.

Yet still I hated it. I hated calling on customers, new or old. I always felt that I was on the back foot, never in control.

Then one day I had to see some people who had a complaint about our service department. No way out of it - I had to go.

Long story short - I came away with a bunch of fresh orders. And learned a valuable lesson. Those days I called it 'giving the customers what they want'. Now days I call it 'providing solutions'.

If you can't provide a solution then say so and walk away. Your customers will appreciate your honesty.

You see, there was a huge difference in the POSITION that I found myself in. When cold calling on people I needed them and they knew it. But when I became the solution provider they needed me.

This is what happens when you follow the old methods of network marketing or direct selling. When you chase after your prospects you are not in a good POSITION.

No matter how good your talk, you'll always sound like another annoying salesman. This puts you in an inferior position which is extremely difficult to overcome.

Here's the thing. Respected and successful people don't need to go looking for business. People seek them out.

You need to position yourself as an expert. And before you cry out "I am not an expert", let me tell you that you don't need to be.

Yep. This is another of the mythbusters.

You need some knowledge, sure. But you just need to position yourself correctly.

And if you are just starting in network marketing you can guide your downline through the same process from being a few weeks ahead of them. They learn as you learn.

As a new network marketer it is tempting to do exactly what your upline says. After all, this is all new to you. They have the credibility and apparently they are making a success of it.

But if they are of the old school they'll want you to create a warm list of family, friends and colleagues etc. If you are not currently a successful business person you'll have no credibility. It will become a hard slog. Most often this will cause you to join the 97% who quit.

Now I don't know about you but 97% seems to be an extremely high drop out rate.

But this can be fixed.

It will take some time, patience and a little money. Not much but you'll need some.

You'll need internet access and some computer ability. If you can send and receive an email that'll be enough to get you started.

If you are part of the older generation, like me, I suggest you get your grandchildren to help you. Not absolutely necessary but you may 'get it' quicker.

Why would you want to do this?

Another of the mythbusters. A sluggish economy is a good time to be inernet network marketing.

Most countries are suffering economic downturn. Many people are facing lay offs while others are approaching retirement unsure of their financial future. Yet others have grasped the knowledge that trading hours for dollars will never give true financial freedom.

This a great time to do something about it.