Traditional Prospecting vs. Influence Marketing
If you’re tired of chasing friends, family, and even strangers for your network marketing business, you’re not alone.
Many people find these traditional prospecting methods not only exhausting but also largely ineffective in today’s world.
The good news?
There’s a better way to attract the right prospects to you without the soul-crushing tactics of the past.
Traditional Prospecting:
This method involves making a list of everyone you know, reaching out to them, and often trying to convince them to join your business or buy your product.
It might include cold calling, sending copy-paste messages to strangers, or following the “three-foot rule” where you pitch to anyone within three feet of you.
While these strategies can work, they often feel inauthentic and can be discouraging, especially for introverts.
Most people dread the idea of approaching strangers in public places or pressuring their social circle, leading to burnout and a lack of genuine connections.
Influence Marketing:
On the flip side, influence marketing leverages social media to build a presence and attract prospects naturally.
Instead of chasing people, you create valuable content that resonates with your target audience.
This approach is about being authentic, sharing your journey, and offering real value, which naturally draws people to you.
With influence marketing, you’re not just building a business; you’re creating a community of like-minded individuals who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.
Influence marketing allows you to scale your efforts without the repetitive and often uncomfortable tactics of traditional prospecting.
It feels more genuine, sustainable, and in line with modern social behaviors.
By focusing on building relationships and providing value, you can attract a steady stream of prospects who are excited to work with you, thus preserving your energy and enthusiasm for the long haul.
The Reality of Prospecting
Traditional prospecting has been a staple in network marketing for years.
It involves reaching out to anyone and everyone, sharing information, and hoping for a positive response.
But let’s be honest, it’s a tough road, especially if you don’t already have a large audience or influence.
Let us share a little story to illustrate this.
We had a gentleman join our team who was a big name in network marketing.
He rose to the top quickly, spoke from stages, and had a powerful story.
At his first meeting, 30 people showed up, 10 signed up, and the rest is history.
His success was largely due to the influence he had already built with his audience.
For him, prospecting worked because people trusted and followed him.
But if you’re just starting out, like Brandy who was a mom of six, time and energy are in short supply.
She didn’t have the bandwidth to build an audience or network with people; she was too busy keeping her kids fed and alive.
Prospecting can work if you already have a big audience, but if you don’t, you’re likely to face a lot of rejection and frustration, which might lead you to quit.
We experienced this firsthand.
We remember driving two and a half hours one way to prospect in malls, accosting waitresses, and attending networking events.
It was exhausting, and everyone now is glued to their cell phones.
If you’re not connecting with them through their phones, you’re not building a relationship.
There’s a study that suggests we touch our phones more than we touch our spouses.
This may be a bit sad, but it highlights where people are focusing their attention and building relationships.
Traditional prospecting, where you share your information with everyone without pre-judging, isn’t easily duplicatable.
It might have worked for some, but not for everyone.
This is where influence marketing comes into play.
Unlike traditional prospecting, influence marketing involves building genuine connections and relationships through social media and other digital platforms.
It’s about creating an endless flow of leads and prospects in a more sustainable and duplicatable way.
This approach not only fits better into the busy lives of many network marketers but also aligns with how people are currently engaging and building relationships – through their phones.
Step 0 – Finding Your Perfect Prospects
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of growing your audience and building relationships, there’s a foundational step that cannot be overlooked: finding your perfect prospects.
This step is so crucial, we call it Step 0.
It’s all about identifying the people who are already looking for what you offer, rather than trying to chase everyone and anyone.
First, understand that not everyone is your ideal customer.
If you’re offering health and wellness products, your perfect prospects are those who are conscious about their health and actively seeking to improve it.
They are willing to invest in quality products and are open to trying new things.
These individuals are not just looking for a $5 quick fix; they’re serious about their wellness journey.
A common mistake in network marketing is believing that everyone needs what you’re selling.
This mindset leads to unnecessary rejection and frustration.
Instead, focus on those who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.
These perfect prospects exist; you just need to find them.
So, how do you find these perfect prospects?
Start by identifying where they hang out on social media.
Join communities and groups where health-conscious individuals gather.
Engage in conversations, offer value, and establish your presence in these spaces.
You are one of these people, so you know they are out there!
Remember, your perfect prospects are looking for solutions, and they want to invest in their health.
By focusing on them, you will attract a community of like-minded individuals who appreciate and seek out your offerings.
Step 1 – Growing Your Audience
Growing your audience is essential for a never-ending flow of prospects.
It’s not just about numbers but about attracting the right people who resonate with your message and are genuinely interested in what you offer.
Let’s dive into some effective strategies to grow your audience authentically and sustainably.
Content and Calls to Action
Creating valuable content is the cornerstone of audience growth.
Make sure your content speaks directly to your ideal prospects’ needs and desires.
When your audience feels like you’re in their head, they’re more likely to engage.
Always include a clear call to action (CTA) in your content.
Whether it’s asking them to comment, share, or check out your link, a CTA guides your audience on what to do next and keeps the engagement flowing.
Utilize Automation and Ads
One of our favorite methods for growing an audience is through automation and running ads.
Platforms like Facebook allow you to target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors, bringing your content to people who are most likely to be interested.
Automation can sift and sort through potential leads, ensuring your content reaches those who are a perfect fit for your message.
However, be cautious with ads.
If you’re not familiar with running them, it’s easy to waste money or get your account shut down.
Proper training is essential before diving into paid advertising.
It’s not about boosting posts randomly but about creating well-targeted ads that convert.
Engagement and Community Building
Engagement is crucial.
Respond to comments, engage in conversations, and show genuine interest in your audience.
Building a community around your content makes your audience feel valued and heard.
This not only increases loyalty but also encourages word-of-mouth referrals, which are incredibly powerful.
Consistency is Key
Consistency in posting and engaging with your audience builds trust and keeps you top of mind.
Create a content calendar to ensure you’re regularly providing value and interacting with your audience.
Over time, this consistency will pay off in audience growth and engagement.
By focusing on these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to growing an audience that not only follows you but is excited to engage and eventually become your loyal customers.
Step 2 – Building Authentic Relationships
Building authentic relationships is the heart of successful network marketing.
Authenticity is incredibly powerful—four times more powerful than love!
Yet, many network marketers struggle with this because they are too focused on immediate sales, often seeing potential customers with dollar signs in their eyes.
They hope for instant results, but that’s not how real connections work.
Building genuine relationships takes time.
It’s not about rushing the process but nurturing it over the long term.
For example, Kat followed Brandy for a long time before she finally decided to reach out and say, “Hey, I want to work with you.”
This shows that the seeds you plant today might not bear fruit until months or even years down the line.
So, don’t rush it—focus on truly connecting with people.
Remember, step number one is constantly growing the right audience.
Many network marketers make the mistake of only promoting to friends, family, and acquaintances on social media.
This often leads to people getting annoyed and disengaging from your content.
To avoid this, continuously expand your audience with the right people—those genuinely interested in what you offer.
Think of it this way: having the right audience is like bringing fresh energy into your community.
It’s new blood, new opportunities, and a chance to launch something exciting.
Once you have the right audience, the next crucial step is building those authentic relationships.
Don’t skip this step!
When you have a community of people who love, trust, and engage with you, you create a solid foundation for long-term success.
Imagine having a community where your audience shows up daily, asks questions, and thinks you’re amazing.
This level of engagement is possible when you focus on authenticity and truly caring about your relationships.
Authentic connections are irreplaceable in network marketing and the key to a never-ending flow of prospects.
Step 3 – Promoting Your Products and Services
Promotion is a crucial part of your journey in network marketing, but many beginners mistakenly believe that they shouldn’t mention their products at all.
This misconception can lead to frustration and a lack of sales.
Promoting your products is essential, but it must be done correctly—after you’ve found your audience and built genuine relationships.
First, let’s debunk the myth: You absolutely can and should promote your products, but it should come naturally and feel authentic.
If you’ve completed Step 0 by identifying your perfect prospects, and you’ve grown your audience and nurtured real connections, promoting your products will be a seamless and appreciated part of your interactions.
Imagine having a conversation with a friend who needs a solution to a problem.
You’ve already established trust and rapport, so when you introduce your product as a solution, it doesn’t feel pushy or salesy.
It feels helpful and genuine.
This is the beauty of promoting after building a relationship—it’s effective and feels good for both parties.
Many network marketers skip straight to promotion without laying the groundwork.
This often leads to what we call “repelling marketing,” where prospects feel pressured and overwhelmed.
By following the steps methodically, your promotions will be welcomed and even anticipated.
Here’s the golden rule: Grow, engage, and then promote.
When done right, promoting your products to the right audience feels effortless.
It’s about offering solutions to problems, not pushing sales.
This approach has helped us build an eight-figure business by focusing on growing the right audience, engaging authentically, and promoting products as solutions.
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