Do You Offer Incentives to Join Your MLM?
Recently, an email landed in my box from a prospect that I have interacted with for the last 6 months or so. I sent out my New Year’s blast to my leads and invited them to take a second look and contact me.
She did.
Seems two months ago she signed up with someone else and now she wants moved under me because she “never can get her sponsor to return her calls or emails.”
I wrote her back and explained company policy to re-sign or be moved and then asked the much anticipated question – “If you don’t mind sharing, we had a lot of previous correspondence. Why did you sign up with someone else?’
Here was her answer –
“She is in the same time zone as me, but a lot of good that is doing me. She was running specials at the time. She was willing to give me XYZ for free if I joined her team. And so I joined with her. Now, I hear nothing and get no support. I still hear from you all of the time.”
My point in sharing this with you is two-fold. The first is to let you know that you do not NEED to “incentivize” or “buy people in” by giving away free stuff for signing up.
It “dumbs down” our profession and makes the sponsor look desperate, and the company, as well. Think about the impression it gives.
This is the 3rd email of this type I have received over the last few months from prospects who wanted a “deal” to get in, joined with someone else and now have buyer’s remorse.
The “deal” to get in should be in the value of the partnership, coaching and training. Not in a free box of product, a website, or some other gimmick to get people in. While you may sign people up, very often these people don’t do much as their incentive was in the freebie and they are often unable to duplicate this same offer with others.
It’s a flawed system.
When people ask me if I “give away” anything when they sign up, I boldly tell them – YES. I give away my coaching, training and support, and having spent 13 years designing it, it’s working pretty well. And, I explain why I believe that it is not in anyone’s best interest to use this type of incentive. I am very nice about it and am not being cocky or arrogant in the least. We ARE the fastest growing team in the company and there is a REASON for that. That is definitely an incentive!!
Sell the value in the TEAM.
I don’t need a new sign up that badly and neither do you!
The second point in sharing this is to remind us all how important it is to keep in touch with your partners and to return those phone calls and emails. I know, real life gets in the way sometimes but do make it a priority, even if you return then later rather than sooner.
Being a good sponsor helps set a high standard for our industry! Be that high standard!
I would love to hear your feedback and comments. Let’s exchange ideas below. Just leave your thoughts/questions.
<—— Like this idea? Share it with others!!! And, share your comments below! I would love to start a conversation!
EXPECT Success!
You're absolutely right but if I'm new in the bussines I have no experience like you. I think giving something additional to your support isn't a bad practice. Of course the first thing is to be supportive and helpful to your downline.
Thanks for your post!
htttp://www.martazych.pl
The question becomes – can this be duplicated? Can those you bring in do the same thing you are, right off the bat?
We all start with no experience, so we all start with the same opportunity! You’ll have to figure out what best fits you!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
I agree, and if someone is only signing to get something free, they are not as invested in this business! I’ve been researching two companies to join recently and that is one of my top requirements, how much training and support is available from each.
Good question to ask, for sure! Thanks for sharing!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
i never offered anything to anyone if they signed up. But what I did do was duplicate what my Sponsor did. After they signed up she would send them product as a gift to use themselves or give as samples to people. At first I thought what a nice gesture but what I later realized was that they expected me to send them products to sell all the time. I refused to do that since it undermind the concept of earning a residual income. Not just for me but for my upline including my sponsor. Eventually since I wouldn’t send them anything they would go to her, my sponsor. When I found out I confronted her and eventually those people dropped out and so did my Sponsor.
I like the expression you used “It Dumbs Down our profession” because somehow I knew this was not the right way. But she was successful in recruiting and I was following her lead in the beginning. She didn’t seem desperate to me and I thought thats what all or most of our reps did.
It’s been awhile now that I’ve been trying to make a transition without her. I’ve been trying to unlearn some of what I was taught.I’ve been in this company since 2005 and I feel like I have so much to learn and It shouldn’t be that way. I hope all that read this really know how important it is to educate yourself on being a “SPONSOR” . I believe that your success depends on how you educate yourself and then your team. Thankyou Jackie for letting me vent 🙂
The value is TRULY in the partnership and your/our willingness to be a good coach and mentor. Sell those benefits and you’ll sponsor strong players are in for the long haul!
Thanks Patty!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
Jackie,
I agree 100% and often come across people in the exact same situation. Like your video mentioned today, are opportunity seekers looking for a ‘hand up’ or a ‘hand out’!
Thank you for being such an amazing leader Jackie!
~Alethea Anderson
It’s terrible when company “big wigs” participate in these product giveaways! I guess I would join someone’s Team too if I got a whole bunch of freebies! It hurts when YOU are the one who loses the sign-up to another Consultant. That has happened to me several times! As it turns out the newbies don’t do anything with the business anyway since they’ve been “bought and paid for”. It DOES look like you’re desperate for Team Members and it’s unethical!
I’ve had this scenario happen to me to. Time spent with a prospect only to find out they’ve signed up with someone else for either a ‘freebie’ or bonus. Then they regret their decision.
I’ll admit, in my early days of joining this industry, I considered offering bonuses, too, then refrained and I never have.
It dilutes the process what I’ve found is that those people looking for some time of freebie or bonus usually don’t have the same ‘roll up your sleeves’ attitude that it takes to be successful.
.-= Patty Gale´s last blog ..Do You Like Brownies? =-.