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Creating Your Success Stories in Network Marketing
Today, we are going to cover the power in developing stories and becoming a good story teller. You’ve heard it before –
Facts tell, stories sell. And, yet think how many times we are tempted to blurt out nothing but the facts and features of what we are offering.
Think of good story tellers you’ve known in your life; maybe someone in your family, a favorite teacher and so on.
As you are building rapport with people and building on those relationships, the stories you share about your life and how they relate to your business.
Every time I share a story from my day or my life in a blog post or to my email list, I sponsor several people. I don’t always know what it is about that story that brings them in closer, but there is always something in every story that strikes a chord.
You will learn how to create a solid story to share so you can handle that question – How is it working for you? Once you can handle this question, you are well on your way to what you want. You’ll learn the importance in what you say and how you say it, so you don’t come off as salesy or like a telemarketer, which can be our worst fear, right?
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QUESTION on the Blog This Week
Eileen asks – I am an XYZ independent consultant and have been researching to bring my business online. I am super skeptical as I have been burned many times. Can this really work?
Good question, and here was my answer. When you say – Can this really work – what do you mean exactly?
Online? Well, I’ve sponsored over 1700 people personally, all who came to me, so I would have to say – yes, it works – IF you work.
And, I work it DAILY with a consistent plan of action.
Like Network Marketing, many ask this question – right? And, we know that it works for those who WORK it. Same with the online piece.
It’s not overnight; it’s not get rich quick; it takes hard work and action; being willing to try, fail and so on, but it is SO worth it!
Hope that helps!
Okay, on to stories!
As I mentioned, The stories about life that I correlate to my business and share to my email list and own my blog generated a ton of feedback! And new sign ups for my business!
Benefits, woven into stories you share, will build you a booming business. Think about people you remember from your past – teachers and college professors. Chances are you remember them from the stories they shared, maybe not what they taught or even their names. My sociology professor in college comes to mind for me. I never had any interest in going into sociology as a profession, but the study of humans is a great past time – think people watching. He shared vivid, colorful stories a year long sabbatical he took on a grant where he lived on the streets as a homeless person in Phoenix and LA, just to mix, mingle and learn why for many people. I can’t for the life of me remember his name, but I remember those stories constantly.
WE have an emotional attachment to stories; we connect with them; and this goes a lot further to bringing someone on board than patents pending; celebrity endorsements or things don’t really answer the question – What’s in it for me. Stories are what people take away from events; encounters; training and such.
You must become a master communicator to be successful in your business and it all starts with telling stories.
Take yourself through the exercise of creating a story and then teach your team to do this –
Here is a guideline you can use –
Tell us about yourself – just a small snippet of who you are; what you do?
Why were you looking? What was missing?
How did you find your opportunity?
Your reason why – how is it making a difference, or will it make a difference.
So, here is MY story, just to give you an example…
I’m Jackie Ulmer and I live in Ventura, CA. Prior to joining the profession of network marking, I had a great job in Airline Marketing. It was truly the dream job as I got paid to party for a living. I traveled the world in first class and amazing hotels and resorts. And, I had an expense account. When it was time to start a family, though, there was a small challenge. I’m married to an airline pilot who is also gone some during the week.
So, I started looking. Network Marketing had been introduced to me a year or so earlier, but I was not interested. Once my son was born, though, I was determined to be home with him. My friend who had originally contacted me came to Christmas dinner, driving a BMW. I made him sit right next to me and asked him questions all through dinner.
Now, thanks to this profession, I was able to be home with my children every day, they never went to day care, and I’ve built a business that spans the globe and allows me to travel, still, but on my own terms.
The best part now is that I get to share this with others and teach them how to create what they want.
End with the best part – your reason why. Develop yours first, and then work with your team on this. You’ll share your story at events; in coffee shops at presentations; on calls and so on.
Role play this with each new team member and build them up. Don’t worry about being new. Focus on those key questions and then build that business and your story WILL grow.
Keep your story very authentic. Don’t try to be someone you are not.
The more people you tell a story to, the more people will join
Why? Stories are engaging and people listen. It’s a unique way of sharing that is not selling. Brief, compelling, effective. Make a point and get people to move toward something. Is it simple, does it work, can I do it. It’s all about duplication. People don’t remember facts and figures but they do remember stories. They associate themselves into stories they hear. How can they relate?
Pay attention to the news and what is going on and relate it to a story. 9/11 was a big catalyst for people looking for at home alternatives.
Metaphors are also a good tool for engaging and selling people. Keep it real, keep it authentic. This is both in real life as well as in emails and on social media.
Use stories to illustrate an example, and relate it to your business. It makes the example and the story more powerful, and they remember the story. Stories = a reference experience.
Something bad happen – turn it into a story for your business. Create references that people can relate to, and then they can see things in their own life for what it CAN be vs what they have dwelled on about it in the past.
We get paid to share the story!!! The more you share the story, the more you get paid!
When you have a story, you create credibility and confidence. You become a walking billboard. People want to know – HOW HAS THIS WORKED FOR YOU?
IS this simple? Does this work? Can I do it?
Incorporate all of that into your story for simple duplication. Your goal is to clone as many people as you possibly can.
Stories create a buzz; enthusiasm; and excitement. People want to have fun; show them the fun through your stories. You want people to say – I want to be a part of that.
So, with your team – Let’s create a story right away!
A. Product/Service
Yours – why did you try the product, and what happened? Don’t ever feel like you have to force a product story BEFORE you get started. Not everyone tries the product or service first, and if you didn’t, that’s okay!
What’s your favorite product and why? What has been your experience? Ask this of others at events. Collect all types of stories.
Develop your story as quickly as possible. You must be a product of the product so your authenticity shines through.
Keep it within Fed regs. meaning no medical claims; have integrity. More energy, lost weight, better sleep. These are not medical claims. Cured high blood pressure – this is. You can say “after XX use, my blood pressure lowered by XX.” Share only your own story in this case.
B. Business
P/T – this is someone who is working part time, and has created income to share. Could be $300-500 monthly. And share what they have done with the money.
Replacing – Working part time to start, they replaced income and are now full time in the business. A lot of people will relate to and be interested in this story. No overnight riches but steady and consistent. Real Estate Pros in PHX, replaced income before the housing drop in 2008;
Getting Wealthy – this is the story of gangster wealth and is important for sharing with those who already earn big incomes, but want lifestyle and time freedom. You need to give them something to relate to. $300-500 a month won’t get it.
KNOW your prospect and “where” they are so you share the right story. Asking questions is what creates this.
C. Testimonial – How to give one – 30-60 seconds – Name, From, Career/background, what has happened since XYZ company involvement – pick one thing you are dis-satisfied with and how the company is a solution.
I’m Jackie Ulmer, from Ventura, CA. I had a great career in airline marketing but when it was time to start a family, I needed options to be able to be home, so I went looking. A friend had shared this business with me a year earlier but the time wasn’t right. Now, I have a full time income and career, with part time hours working from home. I’ve traveled to exotic locations, as a benefit, so travel is still part of it!
Practice and even record yourself so you get it down pat and not so scripted!
Create your powerful 30 day story and then you always have something to share when people ask – so how is it going for you?
What’s more powerful – well, I’m working on it…or
Why? Well, one question that often comes up in the beginning as you start sharing your business is –So how is it going for you?
What this really means is – did you get your money back or have you wasted $XXX? You want to be able to say –
“Let me tell you about my first 30 days in the business. I signed up and went through a simple, basic training on the company system. Using that system, I started working my simple business plan and I had success. I signed up a few customers; and I showed several others what I am doing, along with my sponsor’s help, and signed them up as team members. My team is growing. I made my money back and now I am earning over and over again each month on the efforts I put in when I started. Pretty cool, huh?”
Now, doesn’t that set the stage to dramatically lessen objections and create some interest?
What if you’ve been in the business longer than 30 days? So what? Hit the Redo button!!! Start your 30 days whenever…just start!
Then, move on to creating that 30 day story for someone new on your team. Who’s story can we create this month?
Now it’s time to write out YOUR story.
What’s your story? Your goal is to develop some powerful stories of your own that you can share with others. After all, facts just “tell” but stories “SELL!” Your story ultimately will become one of your strongest “tools” in your business.
Begin to develop these stories – product experience; 30 day success story (this can be any 30 days, and is geared toward the person who says – so how is this going for you?); solid part time income story; creating wealth story (if this is your goal!)
Stories are powerful because they engage people. Which story do you want to tell – success in 30 days (and we aren’t talking massive success; just getting the investment back and laying the foundation); or one of “30 days of not a lot?” Which story do you think will make you more money?
Your goal is always to get people off of the fence, so you need to be off of the fence, too. Paint the vision of what is possible for your prospect through your own story. Then, share the stories of other’s too. This begins to break down the barriers that your prospect may see for him or her.
You can go fast or slow in this business; I assure you, fast is better! So, set a goal to play – “Beat the Box!”
Beat the box is creating enough activity and success in your business in your first week so that you actually earn your business investment back before your company kit, or starter package arrives, assuming you get one. Most companies do ship out some type of starter kit or product package.
So, what should your first 30 days look like? It starts with laying out a business action plan that you will commit to daily, weekly and monthly. And, then, take action!
Spend your first 72 hours creating some type of success in your business. Introduce your products and sign up a few customers; show the business to ten people on your list. Whatever is a fit, make sure that first 72 hours is about income producing activities and not just studying your company manual, videos, websites and such.
I set a goal with each new person who I sponsor to get their investment back; sponsor a few people into their business and create a powerful 30 Day success story. I show them exactly what to do and how to do it. And, I am there to assist if they need or want my help!
Focusing on the 2 contacts a day principle, you’ll want to call and invite 60-100 people in your first 30 days to look at what you are doing. Use third party tools and your sponsor for 3 way calls to lend credibility. This is a business where we work together.
Remember to block pockets of time in your calendar. Don’t be too focused on long 1 or 2 hour blocks if that doesn’t fit what you have available. A quick call here and there can build a successful foundation for your business.
Don’t make excuses; just make the call.
As your team begins to grow, you’ll block time slots for training and support of your team. As your check grows, I promise – you’ll miraculously find more time!
The key is to just get it started. Make the calls; continue making the calls and be diligent at following up.
Getting your business in front of 60-100 people in your first 30 days will ensure a powerful 30 day success story. You aren’t going to beg, bug or harass anyone – just share, make the invitation and complete 2-3 home business launch events. Especially if you work full time. This will accelerate your growth and leverage your time. And, it teaches those in attendance who join you exactly what they will do.
Upline/Yours/Teams Stories
Here are some other thoughts on contacting those who you know and using the credibility of others and their stories –
How to open the conversation with your warm market – start with something you know about them and starting with what they do for a living can be a good way, especially if you haven’t talked to them at all.
Get to know some of the other people who are successful in your biz and then share a story of someone else successful who is in the same line of work as your prospect.
“Hey Mary. It’s Jackie Ulmer calling. I was at a leadership training with my company last week and I met a lady who is also an accountant (or insert whatever profession it is) and she is doing quite well with our company. It made me think of you. This may or may not be for you, but would you be open to looking at a side project to make some money, if it didn’t interfere with what you are currently doing?”
If they say yes, or sure, what you say next is important – ask – ”WHY? Just curious, why would you be open to a side project or want to make some extra money?”
What they say next will sell them on taking a look and being open because it is THEIR idea now, and not yours.
Learn more good success language tips at –
Stories are awesome online as well as offline –
Gain trust with other readers and visitors by being authentic, honest and transparent. Build a presence and through that presence, you will build a following. Be consistent; be a contributor. Set yourself apart from many of the others who show up.
The relationship starts or picks up on a social site, and from there, you get them back to your site where you can add them to your newsletter or information list and begin to develop rapport.
You’ll communicate your story through your about me page, your profile on social sites, blog posts, videos, emails and so on.
And, you can find many of my blog posts contain stories of my day to day life and how they relate to business.
Here is an example of an email I sent recently. I received this question from one of my listeners, readers and friends, and I turned it into a relationship building email that I sent to my online list of business possibility thinkers –
The email said –
“I have always fizzled when trying to start up my
business activity. Any tips, encouragement is much
appreciated Jackie.”
I actually get this question a LOT, or something like
it.
“Any advice for me……”
Boy, where do I start?
Here is what I answered back, without taking a
lot of time to think about it, because there’s not
much I can SAY or DO for another…..
They have to be ready. I had to be ready when it
was my time, so I said –
‘The only tips/encouragement I can give would be –
“Well, how’s that fizzling working for ya?”
At some point, YOU have to make the choice to
change your commitment.
Right now, clearly, your commitment is not strong to
build a business.
Your WISH/HOPE/DESIRE may be strong, but
those are different than commitment.
You’ll know when you are truly committed. You’ll
be back up for an hour at 2am, working on something
that was keeping you awake, like I was today.
And, you’ll still feel rested in the morning. Ideas will burn
in your mind of what to do to grow and go.
That’s when you’ll know you are ready!”
It really is all about commitment!
And, my closing then contained a link to join me in business. This went to people who had requested to know more.
I have spent a lot of time learning to improve my writing and communication skills. These things CAN be learned. Through the studies I have done, I have learned how to take things I experience in life and business and weave these stories into something that relates to my business and draw people into the story and into a stronger relationship with me.
My first recommendation to get started learning good copywriting, subject lines, and ideas that work in blog posts, emails and so on is CrackerJack Selling. Learn more at –
https://JackieUlmer.com/crackerjack
Use this resource as you begin to write your reports; emails, develop your blog and even status updates on Facebook and such. There is almost nothing in your life you can’t convert into a powerful selling tool when you learn how to do it effectively. And, it’s a process. It takes time and trial and error. I’ve sent out plenty of dog emails that have bombed, but I didn’t let that discourage me. I just studied each one and learned from it.
That’s the best thing you can do – most everyone who has ever had success will tell you they had no idea really, of what they were doing when they started. They just didn’t let that stop them because they remembered the phrase – figure-outable. Everything can be figured out when you want it badly enough.
The final story I want to talk to you about creating is the story you tell yourself about yourself.,
Shad Helmstetter – What to say when you talk to yourself – this book changed my thoughts and life!
Your self talk is powerful and it will make or break you.
Write out affirmations and your own story of success. Tell yourself constantly how great it is and how much better it is getting.
Write it out. Record it to an mp3. Put it on your smart phone or on your computer – somewhere you can listen to it at least once a day. I update mine about every 6 months. Guess what? Each 6 months, things get better and better.
We all tell ourselves lies all the time. Choose between the good lies and the bad lies.
Bad – you aren’t good enough; you can’t do it; you’ll never be successful
Good – you are a leader of leaders; you have a team of thousands; you are a million dollar earner and so on….
The story in your mind becomes the story of your life. Make it GREAT.
RESOURCES:
StreetSmartScripts.com – Success Language so you know what to say and when to say it!
Crackerjack Selling Secrets – Want to master the art of good copywriting; in emails, blog posts and more?
What to Say When You Talk to Yourself – Shad Helmstetter
ANMPConvention.com – Dallas, Tx, March 27-30, 2014 – See you THERE!
Also, if you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review.
And, on Stitcher!
That would help immensely in getting the word out! Thanks.
<—— Did this podcast help you? If so, it would mean a lot to me if you would share it with others!!! And, share your comments below!
Let’s have some conversation!
EXPECT Success!
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