Is Using "Old School" Recruiting Methods on Social Media May be Hurting Your Business and the Network Marketing Industry?
I think you might be shocked once we dive deep into this.
Have you noticed how everyone is pitching something these days?
So much so that every time you open Facebook you see another opportunity or product that "you just have to try".
Seems like every network marketer is using their personal Facebook accounts to attempt to build their network marketing business?
=> Discover How To Use Social Media To Grow Your Business <=
Most uplines are still teaching their newbies to get their business off the ground by using social media.
Great idea! But the types of posts they are recommending and the way they are teaching their downline to connect is not working.
Facebook, Instagram, and even LinkedIn are saturated with network marketers desperately seeking people who are open to taking a look at what they are selling.
You probably got the same advice when you started out.
Maybe you're still getting it!
Let's face it, a few years ago, it was easy to create curiosity from a simple before and after photo, or a screen shot of a text message from a happy customer, or even pics of you holding your products.
These days, Facebook has gotten smarter and they recognize that this is a big turn off to the user and they aren't giving these posts edge rank like they used to.
Now people are unfollowing or even blocking you for being so annoying.
That's right, Facebook has caught on!
And so have your friends.
Facebook has changed their algorithm so these posts are no longer getting any love on the newsfeed. You can see for yourself, count the likes, comments and shares of your last Power Post.
Sadly, the industry is full of struggling network marketers with a vision of financial freedom and a marketing strategy that is failing them, and making the whole industry look like a bunch of pushy amateurs. Yuck!
In this blog post, I'm going to share with you the 5 most common 'strategies' you might be using that are repelling prospects. And, I will offer you an effective way to prospect and recruit online without annoying friends, family and most importantly- potential customers.
Is Your Social Media Marketing Really Just Annoying Spam?
Maybe your network marketing company or upline has told you:
- make your list of 100 people,
- copy and paste this before and after pic,
- add people to this product group (without asking them)!
- share your links.
And probably that worked for them, six years ago.
Only a few years ago network marketers created 6 or 7 figures using social media this way.
You know - a few years ago when people were still trying to figure out how to even use social media.
They were looking up old high school friends without ulterior motives.
And way before the Russians interfered with elections people trusted what they saw and read.
Now, these posts aren't just annoy to your friends and family, they're really bringing down the whole industry.
Because these types of posts are bombarding newsfeeds, offering quick and easy results, and the result is, people are becoming more skeptical.
How often have you been asked "is this a pyramid scheme?", or "Is this one of those things?"
Or maybe people just start avoiding you- in person and online.
No more "likes", "comments", and "shares" on your posts.
(Except posts of your dog, people still like your dog.)
Maybe you are new to marketing, so it makes sense to do what those who have come before you did to create the same success.
The problem is, what worked in 2014 is not working today.
Your upline isn't exactly to blame either. Why wouldn't they share with you their strategies to success since it worked for them?
Here's the thing, because it did work for them, they have created a following, an audience, and have influence over that audience. People who watched them and waited- now see them walking across stage and are finally ready to join them and do the same- except...
...marketing has changed, social media has changed.
It's probably not even obvious to them that the system they used back in 2014 isn't going to work for you now. Their team is established and they continue to make the residual that you are desperate for!
So, let's get into this:
How Not to Prospect Online:
Check out this screen shot.
This person joined a Facebook group and immediately posted his product offer. No introduction, no "Hello, Thanks for the add..."
Just: "Here's my Product, Join Me, Get Paid!"
It happens all day...every day. You've seen it, and maybe someone has even tagged you in a post like this (another No-No).
((Update: the product in this photo was not as advertised and now this company is facing a class action suit.))
That screenshot, and dozens of examples like them, are weak attempts from people recruiting with social media…people who haven’t yet figured out that building a business is not about finding the right meme or the perfect before and after pic to spam all over Facebook groups.
It’s about actually caring about people, becoming a person of value and being someone uniquely positioned to help someone with their problems. Influence.
With so many network marketing companies with Ah-Mazing opportunities- why would someone choose to join yours?
What do you have to offer that those newbie copy/ paste spammers don't yet understand?
Now, are you still a little fuzzy on whether you are a spammer or not?
Top 5 Warning Signs That Your Prospecting Efforts on Facebook are Actually SPAM:
1) You first private message to a stranger includes a link to join your opportunity.
2) You get angry replies via private messaging and/or you have been reported as a spammer.
3) You post links to your opportunity or website in the comments section of other people’s social media posts.
4) Your first message to your high school friend who you haven't seen in 20 years starts out with - "I just started this amazing new opportunity and I thought of you!"
Finally… and this one is the most important one…
5) You engage in interactions online, with a hidden agenda, hoping to transition the topic to something that would get people interested in your opportunity, without caring to get to know the other person.
This last one is somewhat controversial. After all, #5 is the very definition of prospecting (online or offline), which even when done right…...
...can still feel awkward...
...result in people getting angry with you...
...and is very un-leveraged...
...which is why I eventually stopped prospecting this way all together!
But here’s the interesting thing…
When You Stop Annoying People Online and Get Real, You'll Start Growing Your Business
What if you could stop approaching every conversation with a hidden agenda, and become relaxed in social situations again?
Attend family parties and dance recitals without trying to prospect anyone and watch your business grow!
That's exactly what can happen when you learn to strategically target certain Facebook users who are seeking what you have to offer and find you.
Does this seem hard to imagine?
At this point, you may be asking, “then how does this work?”
Well, before I answer that, I have to say that these strategies may be seen as a bit controversial in the network marketing industry.
Very skilled prospectors and successful recruiters might actually disregard the issues I mentioned above.
Because they knowingly and without shame, approach every interaction as a prospecting opportunity.
For them, getting yelled at or ignored by prospects is no big deal to them, as long as some people say ‘yes.’
And just like doing it right offline, there’s a way to successfully do it online as well.
>>>FREE Social Media Recruiting Course <<<<
After a year of awkward conversations, stomach turning cold calls, and no fun, I decided that I didn’t want to build my business that way.
The problem with prospecting in general, as it’s normally taught, is your mindset going in, and attempting to manipulate people into doing what you want them to do.
In other words, it’s about YOU, not them, even if 100% the product you sold could be their solution.
I didn’t like that, but I still did it for a little while… until I found a better way.
Check it out in the next section.
How to Post On Social Media Without Feeling Like a Shady Salesperson.
Nearly 90% of all downlines quit just for this reason...they don't want to feel like a shady salesperson.
Maybe they get a couple of "no's" and their vision board is no longer motivation enough to push through the awful feeling of rejection over and over again.
Maybe the pain of rejection is way worse than the pain of their 9-5 and their debt. After all, most people are going through life status quo. No big deal.
Let's admit it- these spammy "sales tactics" network marketing trainers instruct are not for the thin skinned.
- "Go for NO",
- "Send out 20 messages a day",
- "Post about the huge bonus you just got!"
These are all time consuming and usually earn minimal results.
And worse than that- it just felt wrong.
The reason I was able to quit prospecting this way was because, with the help of some extraordinary mentors, I eventually discovered an online recruiting strategy, which helped me to recruit more people in 1 day, than I had previously recruited in the past 6 months.
Let me give you some examples of posts that deliver value, create curiosity and are not offensive to the facebook user who is scrolling the newsfeed looking for a good laugh.
- your favorite gluten -free - vegan recipe that you can make with ingredients you already have in your cabinet
- top ten list of ingredients to stay away from in skin care products
- how excited you are for a friend who just paid off her car a year early because she joined you in a part time opportunity
Whenever you are posting- always remember to brand yourself!
No one wants to see pics of your product labels. They do want authentic pictures of you living life- the good and the bad.
Don't be afraid to be authentic and expose your wall kicking moments- and also the little wins you have along the way.
Be Real...
...be vulnerable...
...and be engaging! Let people get to know YOU!
When you change up your posts - people will start calling with their credit card in their hand saying, I don't know what you are doing- but I want some.
The first time it happened to me I just about fell off my chair.
And guess what- it's always the person that has been watching and watching and never once commented or liked.
But, that's the whole idea right?
- create curiosity
- entertain
- educate
- attract
- close the sale
Finally, once I learned this new method, I was able to passively generate leads, enroll new customers and recruit business reps – even while I was out having fun with friends and family.
Rather than spending hours a day spamming people on social media, I learned how to legitimately use Facebook to attract the people who are most interested in what I have to offer in as little as an hour a day!
And here's another great tip: since people typically open Facebook and go straight for their notifications- you're actually better off spending most of your time commenting on their posts than you are posting your own.
People are looking for love and attention- give it to them in a genuine way!
Not by commenting with the link to your opportunity- but actually by offering them value- whether it's a kind word, a funny GIF, or letting them know you can relate to their post.
That's right, once I implemented this strategy, I literally had leads in-boxing me daily!
And- here is the best part- I learned how to make a commission even when my prospect said "NO" to my business!
I had no idea that was even possible!
So, let me ask, are you ready to stop straining friendships and having awkward moments by letting go of the "old school" social media prospecting you may have been taught?
Are You Ready to Build Your Network Marketing Empire Using
Social Media Effectively?
Let's back up for a second.
Are you sick and tired of starting your day off rushing out the door in the morning, pushing pop-tarts into your kids' hands while simultaneously stuffing homework into their bags, and checking to see if your shoes match...
...all the time thinking about what you are going to write for your 8AM Facebook post!
You know, the post about what a perfect life you have and how you are living stress-free since starting your network marketing product and business.
Next you are making sure you have your 'list' in hand so you can send out your private messages on your lunch break, praying just one friend responds with a little more than a "no thank you".
Insanity, right?
If this is your life, you are probably not using social media to your advantage.
Imagine this:
- waking up to an inbox full of emails from people asking for more information about what you are doing,
- a couple retail sales, or even someone who figured out how to enroll themselves,
- you get your kids up and off to school in a timely manner and it doesn't matter if your shoes match because you are working from home sending Thank You emails to people who came to you,
- Your 8AM post is already scheduled
- Oh yeah, and no more weirdness between you and your friends! (that's the best part).
How would that change your life?
Do you want to permanently end rejection and discover a system to attracting an endless stream of qualified prospects...and get paid whether they join your business or not!
Now if what you are doing is working well enough and you want to stick to that, by all means, go for it.
I know for me and my team, we want to run successful businesses and spend stress-free time with our friends and family, without thinking about where my next lead is coming from.
It's way more fun to make money in business first and then have friends and family ask more about it, than it is to chase them around begging them to join you- and feeling rejected and discouraged when they don't.
Which would you prefer?
Exactly!
You can get started today with this 10-Day Attraction Marketing Boot Camp and build the audience you are looking for and watch the leads flow in!
To your Online Success,
Dawn Sullivan
Online Marketing Strategist
