Are you supporting the Network Marketing Profession?

Hey Gang~~

I was sitting here at my desk thinking about a very interesting experience I had yesterday.  You see, I had a new Teammate over at my house and we were going through some training ideas when he had to use the restroom.  When he was finished he walked out and commented on how many products in my house were from different network marketing companies that were NOT from the company I work with.  It warmed the cockles of my heart to have him notice.  You see I have had a philosophy that I have been training my own team forever and it is really simple.  Here we go.  I will not buy a product from a store or website if there is some network marketing company that sells something similar!! 

I love the profession of Entrepreneurialism so much that I will even pay a tiny bit more and even spend a little more time to support someone else’s business in every way I can.  I have met some of my closest friends this way!!  Let me give you a tiny example.  There are candles burning in my office everyday, when I need a new candle I will usually (I now have a couple of close friends selling candles so I don’t do this every time) go on facebook or twitter and ask if anyone sells candles.  Instead of buying 5 candles from one distributor, I will buy 1 from 5 different reps.  The reason is simple, I want everyone in our AWESOME profession to be able to say they made some money. 

Here are just a few examples of the types of products you can buy from someone in our profession.  All toiletries, candles, gas mileage enhancer, energy drinks, silver coins, vitamins, minerals, coffee, birthday cards, direct t.v., phone service…..you get my drift. 

O.K. you say you are NOT in network marketing?? You’re crazy but there is is hope. You see, if you are in business you will need some people talking about what it is that you do.  A good professional networker usually has a much larger network than your regular Chamber of Commerce Member.  If you want instant access, buy something from one!  You will not get sucked into a meeting but you will be supporting a profession that in my opinion is one of our last hopes for flying out of the current economic “situation” and who knows who you might meet!

If you sell something through network marekting or direct sales, leave a comment with your link!

Give someone (and I mean a Networker) an AWESOME day!!

*6 is one of the easiest tools to use!

Hey Gang~~

I just wanted to write a super quick post on a little piece of conference call phone etiquette.  You see I not only host conference calls but I regularly listen in on other people’s calls to learn as much as I can.  Someday I will do a post on conference calls and all that goes along with them.  If you are not listening to at least 3 or 4 calls a week, then we should talk but I digress. 

You see, for the last couple of days I have been on “open” calls which means all of the callers are on a live feed and not muted out by the Host.  This usually happens during a question period or if the Host is having an interactive session.  If you have ever been on a call where someone is rudely talking, screaming at the kids, doing a presentation or just carrying on a conversation with complete disregard for others, you know how obnoxious it can be.  Here is a great little tip that you can use to never be “that rude tool” talking in the background.  On every call service that I’m aware of if you simply hit *6 it will mute you out.  This may seem like a tip not really worthy of a whole post but I promise if you don’t use it and are heard on the call you will not be liked!  Here is my little seed plant, take out a little piece of paper and just write *6 on it and post it next to your computer. 

Don’t be a tool, use the *6 tool!

Give someone an AWESOME day!

This is where all the networking magic happens……..

Avoid the F.I.N.E. trap if you want to build relationships!

Howdy Gang~~ How ya doing?

STOP.

If you blurted out “fine” on autopilot, then reach up and give yourself a good smack. Avoid the F.I.N.E trap! (F.I.N.E. = Feelings I’m Not Expressing) Snoozer questions like “how are you doing?”, “how’s it going?”, “how are you feeling?” are bad enough, but to add a snoozer answer to the mix is just adding insult to injury. Think about it, if you meet someone at a networking event and they say, “Hi, how are you?” do they really want to know? No, of course not. It’s one of those silly little courtesy games we play with each other. Hihowareyoufinethankshowareyou. So here’s your opportunity to turn it around. Instead of “Fine,” try “Awesome!” or “Any better and I’d be twins!” or “Everything is beautiful!” or “If I was any better, vitamins would be taking me!” or my personal favorite, “So awesome it ought to be a sin!”. NOW you have their attention. Nobody expects that kind of answer, so you’ve peaked their curiosity and it’ll prompt them to find out what made you say it. Plus, you’ve set the tone with your positive outlook and then who wouldn’t want to meet you? Or connect with you? Or do business with you?

Try it and let me know how it worked out, and feel free to share your best lines. Now get out there and have a F.I.N.E.-free, AWESOME day!

And hey, if you are up to giving me an AWESOME day, leave a comment, Retweet this or hit up my website!!  😉

Want to build your network? Meet everyone.

Hey Gang~~ 

I had such an AWESOME weekend.  I was a speaker at Jeffery Comb’s More Heart Than Talent seminar in Los Angeles.  I shred the stage with Jeff Combs and Cedrick Harris. It was an event filled with some of the hottest talent in Network Marketing profession with so much energy it was unbelievable!!  There were many Golden Nuggets, so much content and amazing energy. 

I was coming up with the top 7 lessons I took from that event and my number 1 lesson was to meet everyone.  Now, this seems a bit silly but I met almost every single Entrepreneur in attendance and it was so wonderful to meet great people and add them to my network.  So often people forget that just walking up to everyone in the room and introducing yourself will build your sphere very quickly.  People will think you are friendly, outgoing, energetic, and a leader if you are the one introducing yourself.  I know for some this is an overwhelming feeling but maybe, just maybe this will be the first step towards calling someone! 

All seriousness aside, in the game of networking the people with the most relationships will win ever single time.  Things become much easier when you have masses of people to draw from.  For example, who would you rather do business with, the person who has access to a huge data base of ideal clients or the hermit?  I’m just sayin. 

Here is your action step. Introduce yourself to 5 people you never met.  It can even be strangers, your Mailman, or your bank teller.  Make this a habit….. 5 people per day. 5 people per day. 5 people per day.  You will never know how this will impact you until you try.  Have a wonderful day and give someone else an AWESOME day!

It is really important that you know this!

Nothing really fancy and maybe not even networking related but it is really important that you know how much I value you and that I think you are AWESOME!!  I was just sitting here at my desk thinking about all of the people who I know and many that I don’t know have taken some time out of their day to read my blog, connect with me on facebook or even have dialed into one of my weekly calls.  Thank you!  I think you are AWESOME!!

Give someone an AWESOME day!!  Case

Stop STINKING up the joint!!

Howdy Gang!!

Casey here with another important networking tip. Everyone knows the Jean Nate Lady or the Old Spice Guy in the office, right? You know, the ones who bathe in so much cologne that they can’t possibly have enough left for the next day, yet they do, day after day after day? The ones you’ll think of any excuse to avoid when they come within a 50-yard radius of your desk? Now picture this scenario while networking and here’s your very important tip: Do not wear scented products to a networking event! Just say no.

Now granted, most of us have mastered the art of “less is more” where cologne is concerned, but you never know when Burberry to you might be Windex to someone else. Not to mention some companies are implementing scent-free-zones at work now. City employees in Detroit can’t wear perfume, cologne, or after-shave as a result of a $100,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed by a city employee who has chemical sensitivities. Just think of trying to network with this person. Do you think you’d get a chance to make any kind of positive impression? No way. Chemical sensitivities to perfume can trigger migraines, rashes, or asthma attacks and you DO NOT want to be responsible for this kind of drama. You’re trying to make a good impression, remember?

Of course the other obvious partner to “perfume overload” is Aroma de Ashtray. I shouldn’t even have to remind you not to smell like cigarettes when networking. And if you think you can cover up the smell of smoke with perfume, wellll…..you may have missed the point altogether.

So to recap…..while scented goodness might be an added bonus for date night, it’s a definite no-no for networking events. No scents = good sense.

Give someone an AWESOME day!!

For crying out loud, shell out the $3.49!

Is it only $3.49!

Hey Gang~~  Casey here with another super easy simple little thing you can do to increase your effectiveness in developing a long relationship with someone whom you just met.  This is so easy to do but also easy not to do.  I will also give you a real life example of how not doing this can make someone feel like they are of no value to your network.

O.K. Here is the deal.  The most valuable thing I have in my business is both time and knowledge.  As is the case with most professionals and especially Entrepreneurs.  I would like to tell you a little story of something that just happened to me this past week.  I had met this guy at a networking event and it was very clear TO HIM that I was a good candidate for his services AND I had the knowledge to help him improve his business on a massive scale.  He was pretty good about following up with me so I thought “hey, maybe he is someone good to know”.   He called and asked if I would meet him for a cup of coffee so he could “pick my brain”.  I tried to schedule the meeting outside of my own production hours but his calendar for whatever lame set of reasons would not permit it.  It is worth repeating at this point that I was the prospect AND the one whose pea brain was about to be “picked”.  So I reluctantly gave up a two hour block of top production time to meet this guy and listen to his pitch.

I show up at the coffee house on time and he is already there, sitting down and had already prepped the table for what I am sure he thought would be a lay down sale.  It was covered with a brochure, flip chart, samples and by far the most telling an application for his services.  Interestingly enough, he also had a coffee of some sort. (a fancy latte I believe).  When I walked up to he table and shook his hand, he did say how nice it was to see me and that he appreciated the time I took t come listen to his deal and have him “pick my brain”. Then he said the DEAL KILLER, “I’ll wait here if you want to go get yourself a coffee”. Really? No, I mean….Really?

Now, let me tell you what went through my head. I was about to give up valuable time AND be pitched AND be asked about how to improve his business and he was making me buy my own coffee?  Please understand, I can buy my own coffee but this guy was not thinking.  He came across as cheap and unthoughtful.  I went up and bought my iced soy latte (hint if we ever meet for coffee) and while I was at the counter I was telling the Barista about the situation. Even she chuckled.  Now, please understand something, it was NOT about the coffee.  It was about character!  He lost me before he started and in fact I told him this during our “picking” session.  I did tell him that he could have had a way higher chance of closing me if he had taken just $3.49 and offered to buy my iced soy latte!

I know this seems like a rant but there is a very valuable lesson here.  If you are prospecting and or selling something and even better meeting with someone who can help you build your business, you might want to think about the time, energy and resources you are sucking away from them and provide them some sort of value as well.  I would never expect someone to buy my coffee but I assure you by offering it does show you are a bit mindful.   This is a really long story with a short moral…….

For crying out loud, shell out the $3.49!!

Give someone an AWESOME day!

Pick up the phone and tell someone you care!

Howdy Gang~~  Casey here again with another super cool little trick to build and maintain your client base.  I have been in the habit for many many years (O.K. only a few) of at least once a day picking up the phone or finding someone in my mobile to call and just check in or better yet tell them how much they mean to me.  One of the things I try to do always is put myself in the other persons shoes and see how I would feel.  Think about how you would feel if your insurance agent or your Realtor calld with no other agenda other than to tell you they value your freindship or business. 

There are many things you could do for another human being but I think picking up the phone to to say you care is one of the easiest and least expensive things you can do for someone else.  I know listening to your car radio on your way to work is super important but if you just take a name and number home with you and leave it in your car over night, you will not even have to think about who to call.    So as I write this I just thought of three people I can call right now to tell them Thank You for being a part of my life.  Funny thing, my friend Lance just called and I told him how much I value him.  I love making people feel good.  Sure beats the opposite!  Now after you leave a comment of who you value, give them a call!  Thank you for making someone else’s day!!!!!! 

The 4 words that can change your life!

Hey Gang~~ Casey here and I just wanted to share a tip with you that has changed my life forever and I wanted to share it with you out of the kindness of my own heart.  My money is made by networking and connecting people  so I would consider myself a dang good “connector”.  I am always looking to connect people with others who can help them with what they are looking for.  I learn from others and here is what I have learned.  Over my computer there is a piece of paper that has a simple four word phrase.  When I am not at my computer I never remember to ask it but when I am at my computer I ALWAYS ask the question “Who Do You Know?”  This is a question tat if you get into the habit of asking I PROMISE you will build your network. 

Just today, I was talking with a prospect who was clearly NOT interested in what I was wanting to share with him.  After he was done giving me all the reasons why my product was not a perfect match for him, I asked him who he knew ran a big nonprofit.  Turns out his best friend is a Founder of a MASSIVE nonprofit who would be without a doubt one of the best referrals EVER!  I have been trying to get into this nonprofit for literally years! Years people YEARS!  Always ask and you may just get exactly what you are looking for! 

Now, Who Do You Know??