          
          
          
          
          Building Blocks
          
          
               Let's assume you have reached the point where you
          have decided on an MLM company.  The company you have
          picked out has an excellent record, fine managers, and
          superior products.  Is that all there is?  Not at all. 
          You'll succeed only if you actively recruit
          distributors, who'll recruit more distributors, and so
          on.
               Distributors who get the best results emphasize
          the "multi" in MLM.  For example, you recruit four
          distributors who, in turn, recruit a total of 16
          distributors.  If those 16 recruit another 64
          distributors, that's a total of 84 distributors in your
          "downline."  You can share in all product sales made by
          everyone in that downline.
               Moreover, your downline will keep growing as those
          84 people keep recruiting other distributors.  And so
          on.
               How can you get to this point, where you
          effectively have 84 people selling products for you,
          generating commission income?  Here's how to build a
          profitable MLM downline:
               * Start right away.  The faster you begin to line
          up distributors, the sooner you'll get your downline up
          and running.
               * Play the numbers game.  The more people you try
          to recruit, the more recruits you'll get.  Don't be
          shy.  Professional salespeople advise making a certain
          number of calls each day or each week.
               Suppose, for example, you call one new prospect
          each day.  that comes to 365 prospects per year.  Even
          if you close only one out of 10, you have 36
          distributors a year.  One out of 20 is 18 distributors
          a year.
               * Don't be afraid to approach friends or
          relatives.  You've done a lot of homework; you've
          satisfied yourself that the MLM company is bona fide. 
          So why shouldn't you offer this attractive opportunity
          to people you know and like?
               * If they sign on, you'll have that much more
          incentive to succeed, because you won't want to
          disappoint friends or relatives.  If they say no, you
          haven't lost anything.  Anyone who cuts off your
          friendship because you offered him a moneymaking
          opportunity wasn't much of a friend to being with.
               * Always ask for referrals.  If a prospect turns
          you down but the refusal is fairly civil, ask "Can you
          help me?"  Very few people turn down a plea for help.
               Then ask, "Can I have the names of three friends
          who might be interested in a moneymaking opportunity?" 
          Don't ask for "some friends."  That's too open-ended a
          question.  Asking for three friends gives the prospect
          a target he can meet.  Then, call the people whose
          names you receive.  Prospecting is a lot more effective
          if you say, "Hi, I'm Joe Jones, I got your name from
          Mary Mason," rather than "Hi, I'm Joe Jones, I got your
          name from the telephone book."
               * Fish where the fish are.  Whenever you meet
          someone, you can prospect.  However, some people are
          more likely prospects than others.  People who have
          been laid off from regular jobs, for example.  Retirees
          looking for extra income.  Mothers who would like to
          provide a second income even though they have child-
          care responsibilities.  When you have an opportunity to
          meet someone in one of those circumstances, put that
          prospect on top of your list.
               * Keep your priorities straight.  As your MLM
          business expands, you'll find yourself with many
          chores, some of which will seem terribly important. 
          Don't be distracted.  Keep up your prospecting.  Other
          items can wait for a day or two, but you can't afford
          to let up on your prospecting.
               * Don't overpromise.  When you went looking for an
          MLM organization, you were careful to avoid those that
          tried to lure you with tales of big money for little
          work.  So don't make that mistake when you're
          recruiting.  Tell prospects that they can make big
          money, but only if they put in ample time and effort.
          
          
          
