About leads

"Net" nuggets- Marketing in the new Millenium.:

"There has been much discussion recently on the MLM and Home-Based business forums about 'leads'. Of course it is a topic that comes up over and over.

'Leads' are the lifeblood of our business. A 'lead' is a loose term to describe someone who may be interested in your product or service.

Of course you can generate your own leads both in the physical world via classified ads, radio ads, flyers, face to face networking, or you can generate leads in the virtual world via google ad-words, search engine optimization or internet marketing via splash pages or 'lead capture' pages."

Passport - Gifts That Keep On Giving

It may well serve as an example of how "doing the right thing" truly makes a difference and impacts one's environment. Consider the impact that Passport had on the industry in just five years.

Passport introduced a radical departure from the "business as usual" approach in nearly all MLMs. One that embraced a "product first" business model with truly affordable products as the centerpiece for effective marketing for it's associates. Since then, a growing number of companies are re-tooling their business model with a similar mindshift.

Passport eliminated the profit centers generated with the standard "books, tapes, and seminars" by being among the first to offer non-disruptive training and presentation models via teleconferences and online chat environments. Look around the industry and you'll notice that all but the dinosaurs of the industry have integrated similar practices in their associate support programs.

Passport, it has been suggested, was instrumental in influencing some companies to adopt new policies to either become more effective marketers or maintain exclusive IBO (Independent Business Owner) relationships.

Passport, it was also rumored, to be the power behind the various "anti-Quixtar" weblogs and websites. So much so that it was being reported that a few prominent site owners were compensated to do so. This belief eventually lead otherwise semi-rational people to take a "scorched earth" approach by funding the "anti-Quixtar Critic - anti-Christ" laughingly referred to as Qrunch, Qrack or some such nonsense. (Some believe that this character was actually created by Passport to use negative press for brand awareness.)

Passport apparently possesses a power greater than even I believed as there has been suggested a causal link leading to the upcoming name change of Oasis LifeSciences to Univera LifeSciences.

There's really no telling what else may be looming on the horizon. The extent of Passport's reach appears far indeed. More to come.


Dance monkey, dance.

Values and Goals

MLM Residual Income:

"Are your core values in alignment with your goals? If they are not, it is much more difficult to have mlm residual income success.

What are your core values? They are things that are important to you, such as freedom, nature, peace, service to others, beauty, simplicity, honesty, loyalty, etc. There are many core values that people have. Often it is difficult to identify them.
"

It was to be expected

I screwed up again and, as has been my history, I deleted sections of code that apparently caused problems with some of the blogger functions and may have affected how the page was being indexed.
I went back to a stock template again and re-stripped the sidebar.
The jury is out as to whether this old dog will learn any new tricks.

Quixtar Becoming Retail Friendly

QuixtarBlog -

Over the past month or so I've been hearing rumblings through the Quixtar grapevine that the corporation was preparing to change its long-standing retail rules. The proposed change will allow Quixtar IBOs who also own a service oriented business to sell Quixtar products within that business. I received a copy of an email, allegedly from Quixtar Diamond Terry Taylor, that seems to confirm this change.

From: Terry Taylor
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006
Subject: March 1?

Big News!

Proposed for March 1 is a new rule from Quixtar that any SERVICE ORIENTED business such as Hair salon, sports facility, etc... (not retail oriented) will be able to offer Quixtar products related to their business for sale.

For example: Hair salon can offer hair care products and skin care products that relate to their service that they offer. The owner of the business must be an IBO. So.... any service oriented business with regard to health, beauty, nutrition, and sports should be contacted to offer our products. More.

Imagine that. Selling hair and skin care products through service establishments like hair and nail salons! Sounds like another company I know. :)

News about Oasis LifeSciences

MLM Blog -

This news from Rich Razgaitis, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Oasis LifeSciences:

Oasis LifeSciences will undergo a name change to Univera LifeSciences. In addition Oasis LifeSciences will be merging with sister company Namyang Aloe.

This name change and merger appear to be in preperation for global expansion to include Australia, Asia and Europe.

The merger will result in Univera LifeSciences' global volume in the $250 million range.

Back to basics

A few adjustments, both in terms of this page and my personal business, are underway currently. It may keep me tied up the next couple of days as I reconnect.

MLM Today - Acronym Of the Week

This week offers an acronym that has multiple related interpretation.

B. S.

Looks familiar doesn't it? You have probably used it 3 or 4 times today alone, more than likely in the common application. To the average person, it stands for BULL S#@T. But, to the seasoned professional it can mean much more, though admittedly not as easily to work into casual conversation.

B. S. can also stand for Belief System. This refers fundamentally to a person's comfort zone. Our business activity typically extends only to the range of those things we believe about our company, our product, our comp plans, and ourselves.

B. S. can also mean Buy Something. This is most commonly uttered by marketers who are frustrated in selling over-priced goods and usually concludes with an emphatic PLEASE.

Lastly, B. S. is applied for those actively sharing their program as a Business Solution for people seeking results. These results may be obtained by use of the goods or services and/or through the income potential of the business model.

Barnes & Noble® - Quixtar® IBOs Not Wanted

Apparently, a recent communication from Quixtar® Managing Director, Jim Payne, is instructing Independent Business Owners (IBO) to cease the long accepted (and expected) practice of prospecting within the Barnes & Noble® stores. The memo outlines that the Partner Store relationship with Quixtar® is seriously threatened by this activity.

It has been brought to our attention that some Quixtar Independent Business Owners are actively soliciting prospective IBOs at Barnes & Noble stores, despite clearly stated store policies prohibiting solicitation by store visitors. This practice must be discontinued as it represents a serious threat to the relationships between Quixtar and Barnes&Noble.com as well as to the reputation of the company and the business opportunity.

Further in the memo:

A poll conducted by Barnes & Noble of the managers of its more than 700 stores identified Quixtar IBOs as the most frequent violator of this store policy, with no other company-related group in second. This does not reflect well on the company nor on IBOs in general, and colors people's attitudes and receptivity to the opportunity we offer.

You can read a copy of the memo HERE.

The thundering sound of echoing footsteps as disenfranchised IBOs race to the nearest Borders® can be heard across the land.

Is it working for you?

EZine Articles -

I will Never Quit my MLM-Maybe you Should
"First let me say that an “I will never quit” attitude is absolutely positively mandatory if you ever expect to make it in the Network Marketing industry. So don’t just look at the title of this article and say Dale Calvert is telling people to quit MLM!

What I am going to attempt to communicate in this article is a very subtle reality, but a reality you must deal with.

For years we taught people to “Get in, Stay in, and Plug in” and success would eventually come your way. All MLM Gurus are constantly reminding their team to “Never Quit”. The question is; are they saying “Never Quit” to preserve their residual check or to insure your success?"

Sports brought to you by Quixtar®?

Gaining position on the various search engines is certainly the desire of anyone with a blog or website. Establishing name recognition, particularly, in marketing your business interests is probably the single main objective.

Street cred on the information super highway.

Columbo DiSalvatore appears to be the chosen one of the Quixtar® prestigious IBOA. Apparently, DiSalvatore has a nose for news....especially sports news. What better way to parlay one's love for sports into a struggling successful business enterprise? Of course, produce a copywritten sports news link page sourced from USA Today and incorporating your own name into the post title.... genius, pure and simple genius. Web strategies always gives me tingles.

Columbo has been dropping his name on a couple of other sites as well recently. One where he reviews favorite quotes from John Maxwell and Robert Kyosaki. I think there was one about his favorite campfire sing-a-long songs.

One size does not fit all

Network Marketing Tips -

"MLM secrets I discovered from the MLM university

I joined MLM University because I was not having success in my Network Marketing business. I believed with the right training I too can become successful. One secret taught by MLM University is the importance of using the right verbiage when introducing folks into your business. Other secrets taught include closing techniques and how to overcome objections.

Sounds great, right?"

I had a similar experience with different training programs. It is important that any program you select encourages and teaches you how to put your thumbprint, your personality, into the process.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss (almost)

After more than a year of self-imposed exile, the minister of dis-information has, with the aid of modern medical technology, grown a new head.

As conspiracy theories go, this will likely draw less attention than the well concealed passing of gas in a crowded church. Nevertheless, as there was much speculation regarding the true identity of the hired gun (some blogger in the Seattle area?), I opted to make this the subject of the most recent MLM Today Reader Poll.

I suspect however that this is an even cheaper imitation. Don't think so? Read some of the archive material from past entries and compare to the recent...er...contributions. Vanilla ice cream all looks the same but there's only one Haagen-Dazs and he (she) ain't it.

The Success Spot - Helping all approach their full potential - that's success

"Successful Motivation

Success is next to impossible without some form of motivation to thrust you forward. Without motivation you would have no reason to succeed, less the sheer idea of success itself. There are those who succeed only to succeed, they are driven by nothing except the wild goose chase of a success they will never find.

There are different types of motivation: Recognition, money, the things money can by, self-betterment, social status, and even revenge may contain the seeds of motivation. While these things, among many others, are forms of motivation, we can classify motivation into to main types – internal and external."

The Success Spot - Helping all approach their full potential - that's success:

MLM Talk Online » Power Language for Appointment-Setting

"Power Language for Appointment-Setting
By Wendy Weiss

1. Use power language: “The solution is…” rather than, “I believe the solution is…”

2. Never use the word “appointment” when trying to set one. Instead, use the word “meeting.” “Meeting” sounds more professional and more important. “I would like to meet with you…”

3. Use directed words to reach your prospect. When you ask to speak with your prospect, say, “Jane Jones, please,” and not, “May I speak with Jane Jones?” The first sentence conveys authority; the second asks permission."

MLM Talk Online » Power Language for Appointment-Setting

Flow: How action and awareness get things done | 43 Folders

43 folders

"Flow: How action and awareness get things done

A few good links and snippets on Flow — a topic that’s come a couple times before here and on the group, but which seems more germane than ever given a lot of what [the royal] we have been talking about lately. More deets on buying the book at the end, although there seem to be plenty of chewy resources on the web if you just want an introduction."

Through various training modules, I have heard Jeffery Combs talk about being "in flow". This is much different than the phrase, "go with the flow" which denotes compliance.

MLM Business Opportunities Blog | Increase Your MLM Leads

MLM Business Opportunities Blog | Increase Your MLM Leads:

"Why not increase your personal contacts now? Here are some quick ideas:

1. Host your class reunion. You don’t have to wait
for a 10-year or 20-year anniversary. You can do
it anytime.

2. Take your best three or four headlines and first
sentences and test them. Mail out 100 postcards
and test the response for each.

3. Start your own breakfast club.

4. Offer to be a guest on a local radio talk show."

MLM Today Reader Poll # 4 Results

It's Friday and it's time to close out the current MLM Today Reader Poll. Here are the voting results from MTRP #4 (no, that's not the acronym of the week) listed below.





What primary means do you use to keep current with news, information, training, and trends in Network Marketing?

Company provided literature (0) 0%
Industry-related print publications (0) 0%
Blog sites (1) 20%
Company sponsored seminars (1) 20%
Generic training websites (0) 0%
Generic training seminars (0) 0%
Other (1) 20%
All of the above (2) 40%

Here are the comments offered from this poll -
"I wish you could have clicked on multiple buttons 01/28/06 11:46:08 AM MST"

I check with freepolls.com whether that can be achieved for future polls. Thanks for the suggestion and for playing along.

The Realgoalgetter Blog: Getting What You Want In Life

The Realgoalgetter Blog: Getting What You Want In Life:

"Getting What You Want In Life
By Lesley Spencer

Do you know what you want in life? When is the last time you took a few minutes to think about where you are in life and more importantly, where you want to be? What types of aspirations do you have? What's stopping you from writing a few of them down and making them a reality? The answer is YOU! You can do it.

Are you ready to make those goals a reality? Do you really want it? Then you must make the decision. No one is going to do it for you."

A true measure of success

There are many ways to measure success; not the least of which is the way your child describes you when talking to a friend.
- Unknown

Poll to close soon

Mercifully, the recent MLM Today Reader Poll # 4 will be ending on Friday. I will post final results then. A new poll question will be offered next week. I promise it will be better. Double your money back - guaranteed!

MLM Today - Acronym Of the Week

Kicking off this new feature, here is the first "MLM Today A.O.W."

Throwing caution to the wind, I understand there are several trainers that use acronym very extensively, almost exclusively, in their trademarked materials. In the marketplace today, the practice of taking even commonly used phrases have become the subject of ongoing litigation. (Remember the "three-peat" dispute involving the Chicago Bulls and Pat Riley?)

Often, the business building process (not just MLM) is compared to engagement on a battlefield. Tactical guidelines are often employed and there are several books available discussing the secret strategies of Gen. George Patton, Sun Tzu, Gengis Khan, Alexander The Great, and so on.

It is in this vein that I offer my acronym, W.A.R., which I dub
Work on Achieving Results.

Ok. I admit it may not be my best and may seem to be painfully apparent that we all work on achieving results.

I think many of us get caught up in the busy work associated with building our businesses, the minutiae, and fail to focus enough on the work that will provide us the meaningful results needed to advance. Results should be tracked whenever possible, meaningful and measureable, this is essential to make any necessary "course corrections" to keep you on-target toward your goals.

MLM Today - Guaranteed Low Prices (Most Days)

Looking at my post summary on Blogger, I am closing in on 500 entries. I have begun reading about hosting this page recently. After reading about how easy and fun-filled this process can be, I figure it can't hurt too much.

In the meantime, I am adding a couple of new elements here that may be fun.

• I have added "Favorite Posts From The MLM Today Archives" section in the sidebar.
• Starting today, I am adding a new weekly series, "MLM Today A.O.W. (Acronym Of the Week)".
• The MLM Today Reader Poll will continue but will likely become a monthly item. I have added links to past poll results.

"What's the catch?", you may ask. "How much is this gonna cost?", would be a good follow-up question. Let me assure you that these value-added features will not add one red cent to your current budget. That's right. Free!

From MLM Bloggers

Best MLM Resources

....The MLM Blog Network....

My friend Ty Tribble has been beta testing his MLM Blog Network with a handful of writers and is now ready to bring on additional bloggers.

The MLM Blog Network hosts free blogs for Network Marketers. Ty asks you to write about the company and products you represent. You get leads and customers because of Ty's web site ranking and the content you produce. Ty gets revenue from the advertising on the site. If you would like to author a blog, email: mlmblog@mlmblog.net

MLM Network Marketing Training Blog - BlogFire from Doug Firebaugh and PassionFire

MLM Training- The Success Secrets of Powerful Three Way Calling
By Doug Firebaugh

Three way calling! Three way calling! You gotta do three way calling in MLM!

You may be wondering what all the talk is about concerning three way calling in MLM and Network marketing.. Good point! You need to have an understanding of what it is, and basics of doing it. It is an effective way to do this business and very cost effective as well.

Net Nuggets

Goal Setting
What better discussion in January that that of goal setting.
The following artice is tremendous.
I couldn't have said it better myself !

You Gotta Have Goals....
by: Robert A Crutchfield
Kingdom Relationship Ministries

I've always found it interesting that a ship cannot be steered unless it is moving at a certain minimum speed. Those who navigate everything from small to massive ships call this "steerage." Steerage is the exact point at which choosing a ship's direction becomes possible. Of course a ships' pilot also has charts, other publications, and a variety of tools to help him know in great detail where the ship should go. As people goals are what give momentum and motion to our movements, goals are how we know where to go, how far we have been, and how far we have yet to travel. Goals are the human equivalent of the navigators charts,and tools.

Kim Klaver Blog

How to talk to a woman
Episode One. "The closers are coming! The closers are coming!"

How many of you have been urged to bring your prospects to events so the top bananas can "close" them for you?

Does your company have a national tour coming up where they've pleaded with you to bring your best people, so the CEO or other electrifying top banana can explain everything once and for all, show them the vision, and then CLOSE all those skeptical prospects for you once and for all?

Close. Close. Close.

MLM Blog

The Value of Samples - Part I

What the (Network Marketing) world needs now...is a little simplification. This article is an introduction to series of posts on the value of samples. The idea for the series was conceived after reading a post about free samples at On The Road With Dave.

Hopefully by now you know that money can be made in Network Marketing by selling products and sponsoring people. I know you were told by your upline that there are 9 steps to success, but they lied. There are only two steps and they center around the product.

On The Road With Dave

What Have I Done?

Employment provides people with more than just a paycheck. It sometimes identifies their purpose in life and their passion. Sometimes it molds their personality through success or disappointments. And still other times it provides them with experiences that shape their lives.

In my life, I have had many jobs that paid well in money, and other times paid well(or poorly) in experiences. If anything, they have provided me with "a story to tell" for almost any topic of conversation.

Network Marketing Inspiration

Lack Of Product Knowledge

In my opinion, one of the quickest ways to lose a potential customer is to fumble around information if they ask you a product-related question.

Get to know your products - they're the reason you're getting paid. If you're chatting with someone who has questions that you can't answer, simply say "That's a good question. I'll have to get back to you on that". Not only are you honest, but it's also a good reason to keep the lines of communication open with them.

Tune Up Your Bandwagon

a-gend-a v. : a list or program of things to be done.

Everyone has at least one agenda they pursue, most of us have many. I find it interesting that the word "agenda" is used in the pejorative to convey some sinister or objectionable motive. I have doubts that one can, in Seinfeld-speak, have an agenda of having no agenda. There are no causeless actions. Behind each action, there lies a purpose.

As a Network Marketer, one of my agenda items is to expand my business interests through the cooperative, ethical sale of my products. This allows me to earn commissions from the effort I expend on finding customers that benefit from my goods and services while assisting others to develop their own distribution business.

Why does it seem that so many MLMer's shrink with apologetic resignation in the face of possible criticism? Why do we, the networkers, allow the critics to paint us with the broad brush? Why do we accept that as some secret guilt for which we should feel shame?

The hell with that! I am not responsible for the conduct of others or the policy of any particular company. I reject that I should atone for the unethical practices of others in my profession.

I am not an altruist. I am in networking to make money and to help others do the same through sales of goods and services that are marketable. I earn an income in MLM to tend to the needs of my family and to improve the quality of their lives. I conduct my business honestly, ethically, and with integrity. I require no victims and refuse to offer myself as fodder to possible detractors. If one finds that objectionable, then I can expect they will not join my enterprise.

How many other professions are labeled with the same sort of sweeping generalizations as network marketing? Lawyers? Politicians? Journalists? IRS Auditors? You bet and it's not fair to those individuals either.

We are neither all good nor all bad. We are and stand on the merits of our personal conduct and values we express through our actions.