Are you liable for following bad marketing advice?
What happens when bad advice from a so-called expert lands you in trouble?
Information is easy to come by in the Internet age. That’s both good and bad news for business owners and network marketers.
Around every corner, in every Google search, there’s the promise of another solution to any question we may pose. Some of the information is good, a lot of it isn’t. As a business owner, knowing the difference is your responsibility.
Another version of the truth…
Ever wonder who you can really trust in network marketing?
On Ann Sieg’s “7 Great Lies” website she features a prominent testimonial by Barry Burns – of Life Force fame, stating…
“Finally, after 20 years in the MLM industry, you are the first person I’ve found who isn’t afraid to contradict all of the old, worn-out marketing methods. Of course the truth is those traditional methods never worked for most people anyway”
Now most people are familiar with Leaders Club extensive mentoring of Ann. Even according to Ann, straight talk about what does and does not work in network marketing, is what makes Leaders Club so attractive…
“That is the beauty of Leaders Club. What we teach are market tested strategies that work. It’s not the idea of the week club but rather proven field tested strategies that allows you to, “Build Your Business by Design Rather Than Chance!"” - Ann Sieg (1/17/2007)
By itself, the testimonial loop is amusing. Maybe Barry Burns didn’t know and even if he did, perhaps it was his first encounter with someone teaching non-traditional methods of marketing.
Until you learn that…
From the years 2002 to 2007 Barry Burns had not 1, not 2 but 6 Leaders Club accounts – 4 of them ALL AT THE SAME TIME! Maybe Barry didn’t get what he was looking for in Leaders Club, but then why 4 accounts at the same time? Some of these accounts earned over $500 a month! So he was telling others – though in fairness I don’t remember Barry’s activities.
Look, I love testimonials. I love using them in marketing. Used correctly they can make a huge difference. But in a Web 2.0 world, do we need to think twice about the credibility or genuineness of testimonials?
In many ways, when a leader endorses something – anything (network marketing or not) you should fire up a little BS checking program. If someone is making money on a product or service you would expect them to give a glowing review. But the reviews that matter most are from those who are not earning money – where what they say about the product or service is untainted by financial motive.
A little something to think about in the new Web 2.0 world!
Relationships Are Important
“To be capable of steady friendship or lasting love, are the two greatest proofs, not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind.”
- William Hazlitt (1778-1830) English Essayist
Life doesn’t always work the way we’d like it to. If we had our way life our be fair, easy and a lot more fun. But it doesn’t usually work out like that. Life is a journey and it’s continuously changing. Our options seem to be to get good at changing (growing) or get good at complaining.
This quote made reminded me of how important our relationships are. I know people who have few lasting relationships. Few friends that have lasted through time. It’s a clear sign that something is wrong.
When you look at your lasting relationships you realize that to have them you have to swallow a bit of your pride and ego. You have to be able to compromise, care about the other persons thoughts, situation and feelings. And you have to be do this in the face of the possibility that it may backfire of you - with the other person using your kindness as leverage against you. (We cross that bridge when we come to it.)
The same personality and communication traits that allow for lasting personal relationship are the same ones that allow our leadership ability. Good prospectors, marketers and leaders are able to empathize with others and communicate that with them.
Simple Math Exposes MLM Frauds
Are you impressed with people showing you checks, account snapshots or telling you how many people would pay them big bucks for advice?
If so, you’re in for a lot of network marketing disappointments.
Here’s why…
Gurus and the 'get-rich-quick' crowd love to use those things to distract their readers from something – usually something big and important. Like a hunter distracts his prey with a lure, they hope you don't notice obvious holes in logic and contradictions.
Here’s a prime example I recently stumbled on…
Attraction Marketing Trainers - What you don't know...
Ever see a video like this?
Sitting in his rocking chair, swaying back and forth, the camera held loosely in his lap, a gruff middle age man, with a full wooly beard, a ball cap and tinted glasses begins to talk about the role of attraction marketing in network marketing. "You have to attract people to yourself..." he paused, momentarily losing his train of thought, the camera rocking with the motion of the chair, "...then people will want to join your downline."
Video’s like this are becoming more and more common. It’s a good try, but largely ineffective in generating interested prospects or even more importantly, in building credibility.
They are a symptom of what may be the biggest misunderstanding (or con job) to ever hit the network marketing industry.
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