In the years that I’ve been involved with Network
Marketing, I’ve known plenty of “master recruiters”.
You know…those men and women who seem to be able to
persuade practically ANYONE they come in contact with
to join their organization.
They’re the ones who are able to REALLY CONNECT with
people, plus they seem to have a reassuring way about
them that can establish trust in just minutes.
But just because someone is able to recruit well doesn’t
mean they’re good sponsors.
There have been (sadly) many recruiting whizzes I’ve
seen over the years whose main concern was the size…
not the quality…of their team.
These “all stars” amass large numbers, even make lots
of money, but don’t take the time to teach and train
their new distributors.
They make promises, sure, but they rarely follow through,
leaving behind them a host of “ex-network marketers”
and giving the industry a bad name to boot!
Of course, when people get discouraged and fall away
(as they will), their stock answer always seems to be
“90% quit in the first three months.”
Statistically, that may be true, but how many of them
might still be on board IF their recruiter was also an
effective sponsor?
Because…please hear me…
There’s a DIFFERENCE between recruiting and sponsoring!
Recruiting Is An Action Word
According to Miriam-Webster, RECRUIT (verb) means “to
seek to enroll; to fill up the number with new members”
The way I read it, that means recruiting is an action.
It’s what we DO to interest someone in our opportunity
enough to cause them to join our team. And because it’s
an activity folks with different personalities engage in,
there are likely THOUSANDS of methods to choose from.
Some people like using the telephone and just chatting,
while others MUST have their favorite script as a guide.
Still others prefer email campaigns.
Then there are direct mailings, sizzle lines, hotel meetings
and home parties…the list goes on.
Your preferred recruiting activity may be something that
would cause me to break out in hives, and vice-versa.
But whatever you DO to get new members on board, once
they join…you’re a SPONSOR.
A Sponsor Is Who You ARE
So let’s take a quick look at the dictionary again.
SPONSOR (noun) means “one who assumes responsibility
for some other person or thing” (emphasis mine)
Hmmm…does that mean that we’re responsible for a person’s
success or failure?
Sort of…but not totally.
Let me explain.
It IS up to us to get our new team member off on the
right foot by pointing them to the company trainings,
introducing them to our upline, etc.
It’s our responsibility to provide or point to the
answers to all those questions new people have.
Basically, we show them the ropes. (In some companies,
this may mean demonstrating how to do a presentation at
their Aunt Tillie’s house some Sunday afternoon)
We regard them as a new student, so to speak, and teach
them what they need to know to stand on their own.
Those Are Important Words – ON THEIR OWN
HOWEVER…..
There are those folks who, for whatever reason, have more
excuses than determination.
Perhaps they started with enthusiasm, but now all you
seem to get from them is opposition, complaints and
“reasons” for their lack of action.
They tell you why they can’t plug into company trainings,
don’t have time to read their distributor manual, won’t
get on the phone, can’t ask Aunt Tillie for help…
This is the point where you, as their sponsor, MUST realize
that all YOU can do is provide them with the tools and
information they need to succeed, but their success is
up to THEM!
Do you continue to point them to training calls, webinars,
manuals, etc?
Of course!
But that’s where you (for your own sake) need to draw the line.
Don’t fall unto the trap of sitting with them for HOURS
on the phone, explaining the same things over and over or
trying to encourage/motivate them.
If you do, they will suck you dry emotionally and you’ll
have nothing left to give anyone else, and/or you’ll have
no time (or energy) left to recruit others
So what’s the answer?
Lead By Example
The very BEST thing you can do for your team is to remain
in action yourself!
You’ll serve as an inspiration of what CAN be, and your
team will just naturally start doing what you’re doing.
To be an effective sponsor, there are four things you’ll
want to keep in mind
- Set a personal standard of excellence your team can aspire to.
- Stay plugged in with your company trainings and your own upline.
- Keep actively recruiting!
- TEACH your new team members, don’t manage them
At the end of the day, you must remember…not everyone on
your team (and quite likely very few) will actually roll
up their sleeves and get to work, but that’s not something
you can control.
But inherent in the word sponsor is reSPONSibility.
So after you recruit that new team member, take responsibility
to provide the information, direction and leadership they
need, and a thriving organization will be your reward.
And If By Chance You’re Looking…
Maybe you’re reading this and you’ve been looking for a
company or a sponsor.
Maybe you’ve been discouraged in the past, but SOMETHING
keeps pulling you back to this industry cause you just KNOW
if someone would take the time to show you the ropes,
you’d succeed.
If that sounds like you, I’d like to ask…
What can I do to help YOU?
I’m a living example that absolutely ANYTHING is possible.
I am, after all, “The Little Grandma That DID!”
So if you are serious about building the home business you’ve
always wanted
Let me know.
I’m here to teach you how YOU can do it, too.
P.S. And BTW…If You’re Building A Team But Don’t Have a
Step-By-Step Blueprint For Success, Check This Out (Unless
You Already Have More Money And Leads Than You Can Handle)
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