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Direct Sales Sponsoring
If you are in direct sales then sponsoring other people is part of the plan. The question is “what is the purpose of sponsoring others?”
I’ve seen two very different philosophies on sponsoring. One philosophy is to sponsor many; some will stick, some won’t. The other philosophy is to sponsor just a few and then nurture them.
I believe the purpose in sponsoring others is to build a team. There is more than one way to build team. You can build a team sponsoring twenty people per month or you can build a team sponsoring just two people per month.
I’d like to share my thoughts on the two philosophies. I’ll start with sponsoring many. When you sponsor twenty people per month you are absolutely playing the numbers. Of these twenty people, you’ll find a few who just want product discounts. You’ll find a few who want to sell to family and friends and earn a little bit of supplemental income each month and you’ll find maybe one who asks questions and truly wants to build a business. The rest will never turn in a first order and will fade away. Again, this is not good or bad, right or wrong, these are just the statistics.
I often compare joining a network marketing company to either joining a gym or buying a magazine subscription. Your goal is to get the most for your money, to work out daily or weekly or to read each issue cover to cover. But the reality is many people set never set foot in the gym after the first week, or only skim issues of the magazine every other month. We think we want something today but by tomorrow it just is not as important as it was yesterday.
I say if you’re able to sponsor twenty people each month and have the time to truly help the one or two who want the help then go for it.
The other philosophy is to sponsor just one or two per month and invest your time nurturing them and working with them.
There are definite pluses to having just one person you’re working with. You have the time to really offer help and assistance. You’re able to walk them through each step of owning their own business. You’re able to spend a lot of one on one time with them. You’re also able to help them build a team by helping them meet others and offer the opportunity to others.
When you sponsor just two per month, you’ll still find those who just want a discount and those who want supplemental income, however I believe you’ll have fewer who drop off.
I’ve sponsored two people in a month and I’ve sponsored twenty people in a month. Either way, my goal is to continue to build my team and help those on my team achieve their own personal goals.
About the author: Audrey Okaneko has been in direct sales since 1983. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or you can Become a Tupperware Consultant. Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com
Bribing People to Join Your Team
“Join my team and get a free xyz!”
Lately many desperate direct sellers are attempting to bribe recruits into joining their team. “Psst – over here. I’ll give you this if you join my team. Hey! Hey! Over here, I’m offering this, my offer is better than her offer.”
I don’t understand why some would lower themselves to increase team members. Whenever I see “Psst, over here honey, join my team” all I can think of is a line of prostitutes standing on the street corner, with Johns passing by, ogling at the goods, looking for the best offer.”
Too callous for you? So try this one on. Little Suzy is throwing a temper tantrum in the store and mommy says, “If you stop screaming, I’ll give you a new dolly.” Little Suzy stops screaming and gets her dolly. Mommy may be out $30 but so what, she manipulated the result she wanted. Who really won here? Right – Suzy did.
Consultants who feel they need to give away the milk for free rarely receive a return on their investment. Sure they get recruits. Sure they have the numbers to meet their qualification – short term. But are they truly recruiting team members who are joining because they believe in the product and want to work the business? Or are they getting people who mostly just want to see how much stuff they can get for little money?
Since my daughters were old enough to have money, I’ve taught them the importance of understanding they do not need to buy their friends and to be weary of friends who use them for their money and their generosity. Yet these consultants who offer to give xyz for those who join their team don’t seem to see that they’re being used.
Who the heck wants friends (or team members) who are only in it for the extra freebies? Personally, I’d be embarrassed to be advertising, “Join my team and receive a free xyz.” Many people read that as “Join my team because I’m desperate and have to bribe people to join and I like to be used for my free stuff and don’t really worry about having quality team members who want to be here.”
If you are currently doing this to recruit new team members, then perhaps you should take a hard look at your opportunity. If you don’t honestly believe that your business opportunity or your starter kit is a good value, then it may be time to retire.
About the Author: Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan and a Superstar Director with Scentsy Wickless Candles. She enjoys helping others start and maintain a candle business. You can find Laurie at http://la.Scentsy.us or http://www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com
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