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Low Hanging Fruit in Network Marketing

It can be very tempting to go after what I call – Low Hanging Fruit – in Direct Sales and Network Marketing. It seems like it will be the easy route. On today’s show, I’m going to cover what that is, and why it is not the best strategy for your business.

Spoiler Alert – I’m gonna get real, raw and down in the trenches about a recent experience I had and why it shines such a negative light on our profession.

Welcome to the Street Smart Wealth Podcast, show #155. Click the icon, top left (right between to two title links) to open the player and listen in!

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Stop Picking From the Low Hanging Fruit in Direct Sales

What the heck is low hanging fruit? And particularly in Direct Sales?

Urban dictionary defines it as – Targets or goals which are easily achievable and which do not require a lot of effort.

I’m going to talk about two types of low hanging fruit in Network Marketing –

Those already involved in Direct Sales.

Those on our list who are easier to talk to because we see them in a slightly lesser light, of some kind.

Starting with those already in Direct Sales.

I got an interesting phone call last Sunday from a VERY excited distributor with another company who had just returned from her company convention.

She barely knows me. A few fleeting hellos at two networking/ lead events locally. I know nothing about her of a personal nature, nor does she of me. But she does know that I am already in a direct sales company.

Her phone message was her going on and on about how excited she was about the news coming from convention and why she needed to get this information in front of me.

We have never had a conversation about my experience in Direct Sales, if I’m open and looking or anything, and quite frankly, I found the message annoying and an intrusion.

That was followed up by a text message on Tuesday with an invitation to her home for a business overview of the company and updates. Closing message – Can I count on you to come? Leave your wallet at home, and bring a friend. Her website and name.

Ugh – bad news for our profession and no wonder some people think badly about us.

I waited 24 hours, so I didn’t fire back and wish I had been nicer, and said – you know I am with XYZ company, right?

And she said – Yes, I know, but I have some explosive info. I know that you would be interested.

Really? You KNOW that about me? We’ve said hello and shared a few cordial comments and yet YOU know me better than I know me?

And, what’s with the word explosive? If your home is exploding, I don’t want to be there.

Now, I know we teach people to contact EVERYONE we know.

And, if you’ve listened to me at all, you know that I am ALL about Success Language, respecting your prospect and respecting the profession.

She DOES not know me. She clearly does not know that I have already had a product experience with her company that was not positive. That doesn’t mean the product is bad, but it had a bad reaction for me. And, she clearly does not know my criteria list for choosing a company; or what 2014 involved for me and my own company change.

Had she taken the time to get to know me first, I could saved her time, and yet possibly been a referral partner for her.

Now, I just feel like she represents our profession badly.

Here’s the thing – I can’t really see the All State Insurance agent calling a happily employed State Farm Agent and saying – You’ve GOT to come over to us. We are better and I KNOW you will like it here better.

I don’t know, maybe that happens. It does in sports, and maybe I am just not being a smart business person.

BUT – there is a right way and a wrong way to network your opportunity and products with others in direct sales. I have LOTS of customers for my products who are building other businesses, and I don’t try to bring them on board.

Instead, I maintain a solid relationship with them; I appreciate their referrals and their business and who knows where that path may lead.

I have had several encounters lately with women in companies where they are struggling to determine if they are with the right company. Both of them have seen the success I am having and they know I’m here local and could be a great sponsor. I could take advantage of that, and use seductive language to try to move them over to me. But I won’t.

I’m here, they are working through it. The best thing for me to do is be a friend, a support system and leave them to work through the tough questions. If they decide a change is in order, I feel confident they will at least evaluate me and my company, since they are both customers of mine.

And, should they decide to partner with me, it will be a win win and I won’t feel sleazy and unethical. It will be totally their decision!

So, why is this low hanging fruit?

In terms of the person who called me, without knowing me, really, she called me because I am already involved in Network Marketing and she knew she would not have to overcome that objection. My guess is, she is stuck in a comfort zone and struggles a bit with talking to people. So, she reached out to the EASY list, and she did so by text. I will give her credit for first making the phone call…on a Sunday. Which annoyed me a bit too, and made me re-think calling people, especially those who you don’t have a close relationship with on a Sunday.

I would love your thoughts and feedback.

So, the deal on low hanging fruit of this type is that it is not a solid strategy for long term success.

It’s the easy route, and I think you can see why. No risk.

And, it doesn’t bode well for our profession. Or, your company because it can leave a very bad taste in the mouth of others for both you and your company.

Don’t build your strategy around cross recruiting. Yes, people change companies all of the time, and very often for their own reasons. Build a good relationship ahead of time and they may choose you!

Now, here is low hanging fruit scenario #2 – Those on our list who are easier to talk to because we see them in a slightly lesser light, of some kind.

I don’t mean they are lesser people. Please hear that loud and clear.

Maybe they struggle financially and so we think they NEED it. These people can be easier to talk to.

They company hop – not a good long term strategy either. They’ll hop right away from you, too, so don’t kid yourself.

Here’s the bottom line – we want more than people who can just fog a mirror. We want players, do-ers, dreamers, and not just talkers or people who will pull out their credit card. Although we don’t want people who can pull out their credit card.

Reach for the fruit at the top of the trees and elevate yourself to the top!

Learn more about building an effective Network Marketing business both online and offline in my Direct Sales Online Coaching Program!

Has this show helped you? Tweet me – @jackieulmer and if you have a question for the show, add the hashtag #JackieUlmer

Good luck in your business

Do you have a question? Ask it at JackieUlmer.com/questions

Until next time – remember this – Hesitation Never Cashed a Check!

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Let’s have some conversation!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

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