Presentation day is generally exciting but can cause anxiety for some.  There are rules of thumb, however, for hosting a presentation.  Many of those tips can be found all over the internet, in network marketing books, and they are also taught by upline leaders.  However, I’d like to share a few things that are not commonly discussed.  These tips may help to ease any anxiety and help to make a successful presentation day.

Edification is commonly taught by upline leaders.  Usually, a host will give a brief introduction and then introduce their successful upline leader- the speaker for the evening.    As a leader, it is very important to edify your downline teammate because that person’s story should be used as the challenge point for the audience members.  In other words, there will be people viewing the presentation who will feel that they could at least accomplish what that person has accomplished.  To add to this, people don’t want to be left behind.  They see their friend making financial moves, and it’s their chance to potentially do the same.  People love to be recognized for their accomplishments, and don’t often receive it at their nine-to-fives.  Seeing their family member or friend receive this edification from a “leader” has a tremendous effect.  It’s the intimate stories that sell….not the actual presentation itself.

Crossline support is what I consider to be an X-factor in network marketing.  For those who don’t know, a crossline member is not a member of your team, but, the both of you are part of your upline’s team.  If we were talking about your biological family, for instance, your sister or brother would be “your crossline”.  That sibling is not necessarily, in YOUR family per se, but you are related because you are both a part of your parents’ family.  But getting back to the point, crossline support is essential because it adds additional support to your meetings.  That crossline member may have a really nice testimonial to add as well; and your gatherings are larger and appear to be even more successful.

My final point that I would like to share today is, consistency.  Whatever you do….continue to do it; especially if its working!!!  If you are having a presentation at a neutral location and you have a great turnout, you should definitely continue to use that location, at the same time, on the same night of the week.  Remember, your new business….is a business!  Businesses generally have a consistent time and location.  If these things constantly change, the business can crash.  So be sure to duplicate your success.

Next topic:  Plan B

In the mid-90s, I remember attending an MLM (telecommucations) opportunity meeting, and at the end of the presentation, I asked the presenter a simple question:  “How much better is your cell phone and service, versus what I am currently using?”  The guy looked at me, and then he looked around the room (kinda like a secret agent).  Next, he leaned in really close to my ear and whispered, “Listen, it’s not about the product.  It’s about the sign-ups.”

Now, I’d like to think that I’m not crazy, so I thought to myself…”How can you have a solid business without a solid product or service?”  I also wondered why anyone would sign up if the product sucked.  The answer was simple, if he could get you to believe that what he had was a great opportunity, then you would sign-up.  Well, actually, that person did move on to become a very successful MLM rep.  But, like I said in a previous post, my heart bleeds for the average person trying to find a way out of the rat race.  That guy who said that it’s not about the product, is really just a con artist who could care less if you have success or not.  Once you “sign up”, he gets his bonuses, and he’s done with you.  He knows that the commissions are terrible.  Your commissions would be terrible; and his company’s retention rate is low.  The odds of you even sticking around, as a customer for just 3 months, are slim.

Most people will not be successful swindlers, like the guy that I’m referring to.  So you’ll need to seek a solid company, with solid products/services, with decent commissions.  The money you make will be residual income and it’s the best and most reliable money that a person can ever make.  At the end of the day…It’s All About The Product.

Next topic:  Show Time

If you’ve been in networking marketing for a while, and you’ve been given tips on giving presentations, you’ve probably run across the acronym:  K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid).  Networkers are taught to keep things as simple as possible, and to not give away more information than what’s necessary for the moment.  But oftentimes, over-zealous presenters give way too much information for a business-minded person.  Many of us get burned out on presentations because of the same roller-coaster ride that we go through while sitting through a presentation.

You know how it goes:

1.  The welcome/introduction
2.  Financial times are horrible
3.  Wouldn’t you rather sit on a beach and sleep while making money
4.  Be excited & feel fortunate because you’re here listening to this presentation
5.  We are the greatest and richest company ever
6.  Act now or you’re going to miss out and be broke forever

Everyone will make claims that their company has the greatest product/service; so I have to take that as a grain of salt until I experience the product/service for myself.  With this in mind, and since I’m generally approached from a business perspective, I basically cut through the hype and focus on the numbers.  This is what I’m looking for:

1.  “Can the products/services be sold at a reasonable or at least a competitive price as retail?”

Network marketing companies are known for selling specialty products that you can’t normally find in a regular retail store.  So, I expect their costs to probably be a little more than the store brand.  However, if the cost is riduculously high….it’s a “no-go” for me.  Ask for a price list or catalog.

2.  “How much commission is made from the average amount being spent?”

Since I’m going to be the middle man of these products/services, I expect a respectable commission.  Entertainment agents generally make between 15%-20% commission, and in network marketing, I expect the same.  MLM distributors should expect decent distributor prices and expect to make between a 60%-100% profit on your sales.  If you can’t expect that as a profit margin, then you should take a look at another company or stay brainwashed until you’ve lost everything, trying to meet your monthly quota.

And finally,
3.  “What do I get for my money, when I join this company?”

If someone answers this question by saying:  “You get the opportunity to say you’re in business!” (or something similar to that)…..Run!  You should get your money’s worth, pretty much.  If for whatever reason, you decide that this business is not for you, you should not have to feel like you’ve lost.  You should be able to get something tangible for your money spent.

From a business perspective, all three of those questions should have favorable answers.  If you’ve been approached by someone interested in having you as a business partner, don’t be afraid to ask those questions before you even attend the presentation.  These are questions that K.I.S.S.

Next topic:  It’s Not About The Product

Imagine this (if you’ve never experienced it):  You’re at the presentation, and here comes the pressure to either remain seated and sign up, or get out of your chair and leave.  So, you and others decide, this is not for me and you get out of your seats and head towards the door.  The presenter blurts out “Look at ‘em…there they go…back to their miserable lives!  They’re all losers.”  He continues, “Look people, you don’t want to be like them.  They don’t know a great opportunity when they see one.”

Nothing pains me more, than to attend a presentation and have an obnoxious presenter use such tactics.  It’s what I call, “The Guilt Trip”.  It’s nothing more than a pressure and scare tactic to keep you and others seated to spend hundreds and even thousands of your hard earned money on your start-up kit.  He wants you to feel guilty if you’re thinking about leaving.

My heart bleeds for the average person who is searching for an opportunity and a way out of the rat-race.  I think that not only is it a terrible thing that a presenter feels that he has to use such a tactic to build his business, but more importantly, it’s really bad that the audience who’s preparing to sign up, doesn’t realize, that obnoxious presenter on that stage is about to be his or her new business partner.  This person will do the same thing to your potential prospects (i.e. your family and friends).

With this in mind:  Are you prepared for your potential prospects to be called losers if they opt out?  And, are you prepared to be that “loser” if the business doesn’t work out for you, and you walk away?  You should really run, and run fast, when you hear a presenter speak like this.  A good opportunity and a truly good team leader doesn’t have to slam others to be successful.

Next topic:  Kiss

Network marketing can be exciting; especially in the beginning!  You’ve just stumbled upon, what appears to be, “the greatest thing since sliced bread”.  Naturally, you want to share your excitement with others; particularly your family and close friends.  They are the ones who will be nice enough to sit down and look at the presentation.

Your excitement means everything.  It can dictate a fast-paced beginning, or a rough start in your new venture.  However, you should actually know “why” you are excited in the first place.  Are you excited because the presenter is successful and making millions?  Do you figure that you can duplicate that same success?  Are you excited because the presenter told you that the company that he represents and the system that he uses, makes sense?  Or, are you excited because the presentation that you just saw and heard, truly made sense to you and will make sense to your prospects?

Just about every network marketing presentation features an excited presenter, a host, and enthusiastic members of that program.  Having these people in place, is part of a formula for a successful presentation.  Your excitement should be genuine because you will need a team of people who will either trust your judgment, or even better, trust their own judgment.  Like every business, you (and your team) will experience obstacles to overcome.  It will take excitement, planning, & experience to get through those times.

Having false excitement can be very similar to the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”; meaning that you thought you had a great opportunity that would be easy to duplicate and that was not the case.  However, when you felt that you really had a great venture “this time”, no one would listen because of your previous claims.  Because you “cried wolf” in the past, and you now have “the answer”, it simply means that you’re going to have to work harder to get people to take a look at what you now have.  The good news is that many of us have “cried wolf” and you may have to use that as your pitch….but you’d better have solid facts, this time.

Next topic:  The Guilt Trip

This blog is dedicated to network marketers who could use good, honest words to build on in their endeavors.  Fortunately, I have experienced the highest of highs, and also the lowest of lows in network marketing.  I have had a burning desire to share my thoughts, which in turn, could help you in your networking endeavors.

Whether you represent products, services, or even if you’re involved in gifting, it is my hope that I can help you to find success.  It can be done, because I’ve done it.  Now, it’s time for me to share my thoughts with you.

I invite you to introduce yourself and to share your thoughts in the comments section underneath each article.  Please be respectful of others, and do not advertise anything.  Thanks for stopping by.