MLM Woman Newsletter Issue 116

Welcome to the 116th issue of the MLM Woman Newsletter! This month we feature 5 more articles from successful businesswomen who generously share their knowledge and expertise with you.

If you enjoy this month's issue, please be sure to let your friends know about it too and invite them to come and visit us.

Also, if you have comments, questions or something to share after reading this month's issue, please visit our MLMTalk Discussion Forum and join in the lively conversation!

And also be sure to check out our new MLM Marketing Blog for lots of additional tips and resources which are added throughout the month.

Oh, how exciting. You’ve signed the contract. You paid for the kit. Now, once that kit arrives you’ll be set to go. You have such big plans. You have such wonderful ideas.

The kit comes at the end of the next week. Gosh, what took so long? You’ve now committed to a volunteer project once a week. You’ve also committed to a new carpool for your child. You actually did talk to two people in the last week and both of them said no. Maybe you can get your money back for the kit. This isn’t really what you want to do anyway.

1. Read and learn about the company. How old is the company? How was the company started? Where are corporate headquarters located? How many distributors does the company have? Who owns the company? What can you learn about that person, or family?

2. Read and learn about the product line. What products are offered? How often are new products introduced? Are there catalogs? How does a distributor order? And how does a customer order? Is there a money back guarantee?

3. Join any online communities you can with other distributors from your company. Sometimes you’ll find team boards, or team groups. Sometimes you’ll find company boards, or company groups. There are tons of work at home message boards out on the internet. Find those that have boards with other distributors from your company. Join them and read what other distributors are saying. Start developing a support network within the distributor circle of your company.

4. Go to either the local book store or a used book store and find a couple of books about business and/or leadership. I really like John Maxwell. He’s written several books on leadership. Another favorite of mine is “Love Is The Killer App” by Tim Sanders. The entire book is about networking,

5. Create a simple business plan. Or at the very least write down both your short term and long term goals. A business plan and goals are your roadmap. Almost no one leaves their home for a cross country trip without some sort of map. If you’ve never been in business before, it’s like going cross country. Without a map, you’re bound to get lost.

6. Sign up for a couple of newsletters or ezines. These can either be about business in general, about network marketing or about your specific industry. If you plan to market online, join one or two newsletters that will help you learn about marketing online. If you plan to host home parties, join one or two newsletters about party plan. Regardless of company affiliation, you need to find hostesses, give presentations, introduce products, etc.

7. Put together your first product order. Even before your kit arrives, you can put together your first product order. Order those sales aids you’ll need also, whether it be catalogs, or information sheets, or samples. Order the supplies you’ll need to sell the product and to talk to others about joining the company.

With these 7 steps completed before your kit ever arrives, the kit will only be a formality, not the starting point. You will have already immersed yourself into your new business and will already be working towards those first goals you’ve set. As you begin sponsoring others, share these 7 steps with your new team members. You’ll develop a team that begins working the day they say yes.

Do you want to feel great about yourself? Would you like to see all that you wish for come to fruition? Do you want to find the right balance? There's a secret weapon that will make it all happen-and it's You. The way you think about yourself will be your true ally in living an inspired and balanced life. Your ability to think positively and believe in yourself will form the cornerstone of your success. Here are five strategies to help you become your own champion.

1. Appreciate you
One way to develop a strong sense of self-contentment is to give yourself the gift of self-appreciation. Offer yourself the same respect and kindness you give to those you care deeply about. Treat yourself to favorite pastimes - great music, happy people, laughter.

2. Watch for negative self-talk
I've noticed that women, in particular, have a tendency to pick out, and pick on, the parts of themselves they like least. I can't tell you how many times I've heard women speak disparagingly about themselves: At the gym, a woman complains that she has a "jiggle butt." At a fundraiser for my son's school one woman tells
another, "I am such a bad mom. I bought a cake for the cake walk (a fundraising initiative) instead of making it myself."

Whether said as a joke or not, these self-deprecating words can be damaging when the negativity stems from a deeper sense of dissatisfaction with oneself. Oftentimes negative comments tossed off in jest can come from a much more disapproving inner dialogue than might be revealed at the gym or the school.

You may immediately relate to these examples and recognize this kind of behavior as your own, or you might not even know that you have negative conversations with yourself. Take the mirror test to find out: The next time you see your reflection in a mirror, notice whether or not your first thought is a complimentary or a critical one. If it's critical (and for many of us it will be), it's time to stop running yourself down. Focus, instead, on what you like about yourself.

3. Focus on your attributes
Being happy in your own skin means getting comfortable with who you are, the way you look and what you want out of life. Instead of focusing on what you don't like about yourself, do your best to honor and appreciate what makes you unique. Your smile. Your sense of humor. Do you have wonderful hair or fabulous cheekbones? Now go further. What qualities define you as a person? What do you absolutely love about yourself? Is it your attitude? Resist the temptation to criticize yourself. This is a learned behavior and it can be unlearned with intentional action.

4. Don't apologize for your achievements
We have all achieved things in our lives, both big and small, personally and professionally. Often, though, negative self-talk will stop us from basking in the glow of our successes. You might find yourself saying, "Hey, that wasn't so great" or "I could have done it better" or "I didn't really deserve that." You have the power to shut down this negative self-talk by honoring and celebrating your achievements. When you give yourself permission to feel positive about your accomplishments and refuse to listen to that negative inner dialogue, you will feel pleased. Proudly share your wins, rather than apologize for them. You might even amaze yourself when triumphal words such as "I'm great at my job," "I am the best mother ever" or "I rock" roll off your tongue with hardly a thought. Watch how your confidence builds as you praise your wins.

5. Do the best you can
Your best is going to be different from situation to situation. It will change depending on how rested you feel, who is involved and where you might be. No matter what the circumstances, the most you can ask from yourself is to do your best... and then remember to acknowledge that what you've done is just that. Through this self-acknowledgment that you can be released from angst and regret, and possibly see the humorous side of things. This one action will contribute greatly to your sense of well-being.

About the Author
Lisa Martin is a certified coach who inspires working mothers to achieve success that’s balanced. Author of Briefcase Moms: 10 Proven Practices to Balance Working Mothers’ Lives, Lisa is a sought-after expert and speaker on work-life balance issues. Known for her very personal and practical approach, Lisa coaches working mothers to know what they want and get what they want. A mother herself, Lisa’s powerful presentations and programs have helped thousands of women define success and balance on their own terms. www.briefcasemoms.com

If you are in direct sales, it is extremely important that you grow a healthy downline. Not only are you building a relationship with your customers through sales, but you should build a healthy relationship with your sales team. Here are 7 tips to generating a strong downline and keep your direct sales business growing every day.

TIP #1: GET PERSONAL
Your downline wants to know who they are working so hard for. Send a monthly newsletter will sales tips, monthly numbers, top salesperson, etc. Offer a free forum or chat group to your team so everyone can share ideas and offer support to one another.

TIP #2: BE AVAILABLE
Schedule time to speak with your sales team often. Constant contact will show them that you care. This gives your team a chance to share their concerns, thoughts and ideas with you. It also allows them the opportunity to ask questions.

TIP #3: HOLD A CONTEST
Offer prizes or free services to new recruits. Offer special discounts or coupons to the team member who recruits the most new partners.

TIP #4: WRITE ARTICLES
Article marketing provides an avenue for free web site traffic. Write five articles, linking to a web site where your products are sold, then submit them to various free article directories.

TIP #5: EDUCATE YOUR TEAM
Provide your current sales team with powerful information about your business and products. By educating your sales team, you will create an aura of excitement. This excitement pushes your team to recruit their acquaintances into this wonderful opportunity for self-based employment.

TIP #6: LOSE YOUR MIND
Sometimes the silliest ideas are the ones that often get noticed in sales. If you’ve been playing it safe, get crazy with promoting your business. Print fliers, bookmarks, calling cards, booklets, etc. Go door-to-door and promote your business and sales opportunity. Focus only on promoting awareness of your business instead of sales.

TIP #7: DON’T STOP
It has been said many times that for every 9 “no’s” you get, you’ll get one “yes.” Don’t stop promoting recruits, regardless of how many “no’s” you’ve had this far. Eventually someone will say, “Yes!” Sometimes the squeakiest wheel is the one that gets oiled!

About the Author
Stefanie Fauquet is the owner of www.WorkAtHomeMomOnline.com – A Site Devoted to Helping Moms Make Money in Direct Sales. Need More Recruiting Tips? Check out Building a Downline.

How important are making connections to your success? It's extremely important and here's why as well as some of the ways we can all strive to be a better connectors!

First of all we know this is a people business right? It's all about people and what they want! It's not just about you and what you want. If you don't find out what other people want by connecting with them you'll most likely flounder in your business!

Connecting with people and finding out what their desires are, their why, their problems and their purpose and then helping them with solutions to those problems and helping them accomplish their purpose is your real mission!

There's a way to become a better connector and that is to network with lot's of people including people in your own industry that are in other companies. Yes! You read that right! This is very important! Why? Because you never never know when your paths will cross and you end up doing business together! So try not to burn any bridges! If you don't connect then you could lose out on a great potential business partner relationship! This is so crucial! Not to mention the valuable friendships you create.

Now how do we make these connections and how do we connect with people? I've been doing this for almost ten years with people I've connected and built relationships with through the Internet and phone. I've met many of these people personally and have spent time with them and their families. These relationships mean the world to me and I respectfully appreciate each and every one of them!

First of all it's important to always keep an open mind. You're a business person so make connections with all sorts of people where ever you go. If you stay closed minded and only connect with people in your own company or industry you could be losing out on some really valuable resources to help you grow yourself and your business!

Connect with people by asking questions. It's really that simple! When you ask you get answers! When all you do is tell you don't get any answers because you're not connecting with THEM.

Where do these connections take place? Everywhere you go! When you're out doing your errands, your shopping, volunteering at your children's school, at your jobs, on airplanes, in airports, on vacation, with your realtors when you're looking at property, at social functions,
at family gatherings, etc.

Does this mean you are shoving your business and products down their throats! NO! You are connecting with THEM! That means asking about them and genuinely taking an interest in what they are saying and what they are not saying!

Your job is to be the messenger. It's not to push, shove, manipulate or force people. Your job is to lead, guide, prompt and suggest. It is the responsibility of each person to give willingly for their own purpose. Sometimes it takes longer with one person than another but it's up to them to decide!

Some of the ways we connect is through using technology. The Internet is an excellent way to connect with lot's of different people by using email, online marketing systems, and message forums and communities.

Some of the communities and organizations where I have networked and connected with people are ryze.com, mlm.com, powerfulintentions.com, mlmwoman.com, greatestnetworker.com, mydswa.com, ivwcc.com, and there are so many others. Just do a google search! These are not places for advertising, they are places to connect with people!

Some of them have special areas for advertising. Make sure you check first so you are in the right place! Some have paid and some you are allowed to advertise in special areas for no charge. Connecting with people though is really the better way!

When you do use technology though remember to turn the high tech into high touch and that means connecting by being interested in people and finding out what they do, where they live, do they love what they do, what are their hobbies, are they married, do they have children, granchildren, are they happy with how their life is going, are they looking for a change? Here's something else to consider. Do they want to connect with you and do you want to connect with them?

Make connections, build rapport that turns into long term relationships and someday (many times even sooner) those relationships will turn out to be an exceptional business connection!

The phone of course is another personal way to connect! Use it often and use it properly by asking those connecting questions above!

Making connections with people could end up being the most important thing you not only do for yourself but when you teach others to do this too think of the possibilities!

Everyone connecting and actually helping each other find positive solutions!!! What a concept huh? It's a gain for everyone lives you help to change for the better!

Now that creates a true people connecting mission that will flourish everyone's business! If you continue to keep making connections and you NEVER GIVE UP you will achieve your dreams and help many others dreams come true too!

About the Author
Sue has been earning an income from home online since 1996 and teaches others to do the same. She is coauthor of the book 'Build It Big: 101 Insider Secrets From Top Direct Selling Experts'. Internet Marketing training information and other home business resources can be found on her website at http://www.eCommerceHomeBiz.com

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