The Mentorship Digest

Greetings   If you tried to build your MLM business that means you have experienced some situations that may have brought you close to depression.  

A top MLM leader in my company once said:   

1. “If you’re not frustrated” 2. “ . . . not crying on occasion” 3. “ . . . getting upset” or 4. “feel like quitting . . .”   

. . . then you aren’t building this business”   

If you have experienced one of those emotions that I mentioned, I want to congratulate you on taking your business seriously.   

Because of this, one of the most common reasons I see MLM representatives struggle is because of their mindset.   

Let me ask you this. If you are frustrated while building your business, is it because:   

Someone told you “No”? . . . or maybe more than 5 or 10 people turned down your product or opportunity?   

My Unprofessional Mindset

Around 2002 when I was building my first network marketing business there was an elderly woman named Ms. Una at my job that I used to give a ride to and from work every single day.   

We shared the same background being from Jamaica. We’d have conversations about life, family and have grown to respect each other. I have been giving her a ride for more than a year. One day I decided to show her my opportunity. I wasn't sure if she was going to be a representative but I thought for sure she's going to at least try my product.   

Before I finished showing her what I have to offer she interrupted me with a sarcastic laugh. She went on to say that she’ll never try anything like that. She went on to say that if she was going to try something she will try the name brand products instead of what I was offering.   

Furthermore, she said all these companies do is take people's hard-earned money. She continued laughing for about 15 more seconds. Keep in mind this is while she was in my car. I was highly upset and disappointed. In my mind, I thought that she owed me for giving her a ride home for close to a year.   

The next day she was waiting downstairs for me to give her a ride as usual. My unprofessionalism wanted to tell her to take the bus from now on. But I didn't. I gave her a ride anyway, but my attitude was different toward her. When she asked questions, my answers were short and I stopped initiating conversation.   

Eventually, I realize that she continues to initiate conversations with me. To her, nothing has changed. As I matured in this profession and I looked back I realized that she was still able to be friendly with me because she still viewed me as an honorable and respectable individual. She was not rejecting me, she was rejecting the product.   

. . . Shoe on the other foot

If a representative with a very successful company like Mary Kay (who has a household name) tries to sell me lipstick or mascara, most likely I won’t try the product. No matter how many awards the company has won, how great the C.E.O. is, or how many years it’s been in business, I still would object the product. The reason is that I don't wear lipstick or mascara. However, that does not mean I don't respect the individual showing me the product or opportunity.   

The fact that people give you the time of day to show any opportunity means that they either like you or respect you.   

. . . What's your ratio?

One of the most valuable lessons I learn in this profession is to take your emotions out of the results of sharing your opportunity. This is a numbers game. It doesn't matter how many people tell you, “No”, it matters how many people you show. Find your ratio number.   

For some people, for every 10 prospects, they show become customers. For others for every 10 people, they show, four or five become customers. Your ratio depends on your skillset in this profession.   

The more people you show the better you will get at showing. As a result, your ratio will increase. There's never a situation where every single person says, “Yes” to a network marketing professional. However, everybody does have a ratio. Once you find your ratio number you'll be able to gauge the success more strategically.  

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