Reprise: What's The Straight Scoop On Leads

Here's a few more thoughts on the subject of MLM leads...and what is the real foundation of how to be successful with them.

** This is from my friend John T. S. Murphy of Network Marketing Answers:

"Here is the straight scoop on leads it requires knowledge, skill, consistent action, tracking, and accountability to be successful.

When people ask me, "How are you leads?" I typically respond with a question, "How fast can a car go?"

Honestly, how fast can a car go? Well....it depends on who is driving, the engine in the car, the body of the car, the tires, the wheels, the track, the time of day, etc.

The same thing is true for working leads. Many people I work with can't sponsor anyone from leads, while I sponsor people every month from them. What is the difference? It is the marketer.

Leads work, for those who know how to work them. Leads are just one more method in our marketing mix.

Make sure we are mixing them the right way."

** Tony Rush of Liberty League keeps it simple with this tidbit:

"A lead is a real person. Just like the people you see in the mall. Or stand in line behind in the video store. Or see in the church parking lot. The only difference is that -- unlike THOSE people -- a "lead" is someone who has raised their hand and expressed their interest in earning money from home."

** Kerry Hein of Send Out Cards adds this contribution:

"Leads are all just PEOPLE. (Leads are Leads, as long as they are from a reliable source, IMHO.) ALL People have needs. How good we are at uncovering those needs and aligning them with us, our products and services is up to US as INDIVIDUALS, as marketers."

** And here's an "Ahh Ha" moment from MLM author Michael Oliver:

"If you're nervous about calling leads, or it's taking a lot of effort, there is a reason for this. You're probably using conventional selling techniques, or a process that requires you to present, tell your story, persuade people to join you, handle objections, etc.

Most of the time this works against you. It's like trying to paddle upstream with your hands! It takes a lot of effort and the level of internal anxiety increases because the process focuses on your need to have an outcome. This is easily explained by an ancient saying,

"When I focus on me I increase my anxiety. When I focus on you, I decrease my anxiety."

Your need for an outcome is also felt by the people you call. Result: Resistance from them.

It's a classic case of the "Law of Giving" working against you. (What you give is what you get). If you give the gift of telling, people will give you a gift by telling you! How? Rejection and Objection. They are simply reminding you they don't like to be told. People are not out to give you a hard time; they just reflect where you are coming from.

If this happens to you and you want to change your results then it's a matter of being aware of what you're doing, and choosing to make a conscious decision to change your approach."

So the moral of the story is this. If you're not having much success working with leads (purchased or self-generated) look beyond where you got them. Although the quality and source of the leads is important in the overall scheme of things for sure...it's not "The Foundation". YOU are.