Network Marketing is a Marathon
I just ran a half marathon yesterday and that is the reason for today’s title. Most network marketers (me included) get involved with the idea of making a six figure income from home in a short amount of time. However, that rarely happens if it ever does. It certainly didn’t happen for me. I realized that I was trying to race to the finish line without having the right equipment or having done a training program.
Getting ready to run a marathon is a lot like growing a network marketing business. Before you start a running program, you have to have a good pair of shoes. They don’t have to be the top of the line or the best looking. In fact, I have to buy men’s shoes because it is often difficult for me to buy women’s running shoes in the size that I need. It’s not that I have super gigantic feet (although they are on the large size) but when you run long distances, your feet swell so you have to have shoes that are at least one size larger than you normally wear.
Basic network marketing equipment – If you are going to be a network marketer, you have to have some basic equipment. It doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy or anything like that but at the minimum you will need a telephone with a good phone plan, I recommend having a good headset as well or your neck will start to complain. You will also want access to a computer and the Internet. If you don’t already have a computer, check out your local library to see if they have systems that you can access at no charge.
You have to have a good workable plan. If you are going to be running a marathon, you can’t expect to come out of the gate being able to run that kind of distance without first having trained for it.
The same goes for network marketing. You have to have been trained to make MLM sales if you want to be successful at it. Without training, it’s a lot like panhandling on the street corner hoping that someone stops and makes a contribution. There are different ways to get your MLM training and they range from no cost to very expensive. You have to find the right program for YOU. No matter what training program you choose, make sure that it comes with some sort of guarantee. I have spent thousands on various training programs that promised to kick start my business but didn’t deliver that promise.
Making adjustments is also an essential part of anything that you do. I had done a half marathon training program before and was comfortable with the distance requirements working up to 13.1 miles on race day but I was having some pretty serious knee pain after the longer runs. In an effort to reduce my pain and my recovery times, I went looking for an answer. I found ChiRunning. I knew that I had to change the way that I was running and with the help of a trainer, I was taught to run in such a way as to eliminate pain.
In network marketing, you may be able to use a certain MLM sales technique with success but realize that there may be a better, more profitable, way to reach your goal. If you even THINK that there is a better way, go looking for the answer. While you are looking for that answer, don’t dismiss the unusual. For my knee pain, I could have just wore a knee brace and took Tylenol but I chose ChiRunning (not something that most people would think about) and that worked beautifully. So while you are searching for your answers to increasing your MLM sales, don’t forget to check outside the box. I read somewhere that the successful don’t do what everyone else does.
Remember that growing a network marketing business is a marathon not a sprint. If you try to reach the finish line too quickly without the proper training and equipment, you may find yourself gasping for air and unable to complete the race.
