For those in network marketing who are programmed to “lead with the product” or “lead with the opportunity”, it might be the most difficult thing to do to convince yourself how or why this is not necessarily correct.

When you do this without the focus first being on the people, and the personal relationship, you may end up having to talk to many more people to get to one to sponsor into your business.

It really is one of the toughest nuts to crack in this business, unlearning those old adages!

Truly amazing once you think about it.

Simply put, business IS about relationships, plain and simple.

Think of sewing seeds in unprepared soil and then doing the same in a well cultivated garden. What are your odds of germination and a healthy crop in either case?

And do you think a five minute conversation with someone constitutes a relationship worthy of dumping your product or plan into their lap, unsolicited?

Ask yourself, did you have permission to present your opportunity to them? Do you realize how offensive this can be, how unprofessional this appears?

The focus on product and opportunity is so ingrained in the old school MLM psyche that it seems logical and natural to lead with the product, and to coin the phrase, “the product sells itself“.

Well, the word to notice in that statement is”sells“.

If you want leaders to join your business and become part of a growing team, then “sell“ is the last thing you should be doing. If you want to just retail the product then of course selling makes more sense.

Not to displace the importance of a good product when it comes to success in a network marketing business however, but you are your most important asset. And everyone knows that most people love to buy, but no one likes to be sold.

The same with an opportunity. Even if you think you have the best one, your praises will fall upon deaf ears with someone you barely know and have not built a trusting relationship.

The last thing you should be leading your prospect to is a company replicated website. Save that for when the relationship has led you to that point.

Its a Relationship Business

The truth is, albeit not completely overlooked in most MLM companies, is that it is a people business.

But they never tell you to lead with yourself. When in truth, you are who your prospect is judging first. Not your product. Not your opportunity. People join you.

They call it relationship marketing for a reason.

Yet many people only pay lip service to the the fact that it is a people business, and hype it up, but give you no training on how to first capture their interest, determine whether they are a valid prospect and right for your business, or build that relationship.

Product brochures and opportunity presentations are not people skill training. If you instead lead with yourself, and help people without an agenda, people will begin to know, like and trust you.

People join people!

Now, I don’t mean to completely dismiss the value of a great opportunity or product (it must be a product that stands out from the crowd to drive a successful network marketing business).

And that goes for the warm market methods of network marketing, that building relationships and KLT (know-like-and-trust) is essential, before bringing up your product or opportunity.

But online in the land of spam, it is even more important to be authentic, and have integrity! If everyone is spouting off about their great product and opportunity no one will pay attention.

Just because there are instant connections and friendships to be made does not mean that the KLT is instant. In fact, it will most likely take longer!

Therefore the lead in the case of online marketing must be you.

Think about your warm market. You are already leading with yourself. People still join you because of who you are.

And from giving without want, expecting nothing more, you are building relationships which you will have for a lifetime.

Once this product -> to -> people epiphany finally occurs, you are on your way. Until then, you may continue chasing your friends, family and co-workers. But when you begin to get your own qualified, targeted leads online, leading with yourself, and coaching others to do the same, you will be amazed at how quickly things can change.

Wishing You Brilliant Success!