To Hype or Not To Hype

by Michael Lemm

OK, before anybody get's their shorts in a bunch let me make it clear I'm not advocating hype. Quite the contrary... I hate it.

You know the type. "Make a million in your underwear"... "$100,000 with no
selling and no sponsoring"... "We build it for you"... "Our secret system guarantees you're success"....yada yada.

But why do we see so much of it? I don't think you can just shrug it off to "they don't know any better," or "their values are lower." It's too prevalent. In fact, some so called "gurus" teach it! You know, the "headlines that sell" type of info products, ezine articles, conference calls, seminars and such.

Why?

Well, I set out awhile back to do a simple little experiment testing "hype" vs "no hype". I found a few message boards that are really nothing more
than a free for all, anything goes advertising stage (not hard to find, unfortunately). I posted a few ads with catchy (if I do say so myself) hype headlines and content (otherwise known as emotional drivel).

I also continued my normal "tell it like it is," "this is the real truth" marketing habits in my usual locals.

What happened?

To my dismay, the hype ads received lots of "hits" and a decent amount of sign-ups. The honest approach received the usual steady but not "massive" performance.

The results? (Pay attention, kiddies...here's the moral of the story)

The folks who became customers and sub-agents from the honest upfront approach were much fewer in number, BUT more solid! The customers were
loyal users and offered referals. The sub-agents actually grasped the concept
that you have to sell product to earn income (hey Junior, it's called Network Marketing, not Network Recruiting, for a reason. Duh!) Plus those they recruited were brought in under the "honesty" label, too, and were taught to
sell also.

Hmmmm....doing things the right way? May be slower (by appearance) but definitely the kind of structure to build.

The others -- those emotional "I'll jump" looking for a good time crowd?

How did they fare?

Briefly... they didn't do diddly.

Customers dropped after a short time or never fully activated and paid.
The sub-agents sat on their hands waiting for something to happen. They all
had the attention span of my teenage son on a Friday night... in a theater
full of equally hormonally challenged teenage girls.

No focus... no effort... all looks with no substance.

Now, see the difference?

You may get numbers and "massive growth" from hype, but it's all smoke
and mirrors. Doesn't mean squat.

While the less flashy professional and honest approach gets results. Real results. It may not make the headlines. But it will sneak up on ya. Before you know it, you've got a heck of business the others won't have.

It pays to be a tortoise. Plod along to the finish line.

Let the hare run around like a fool. You can send him/her a post card from your yacht!

Hope ya learned something....

Be honest... be helpful... be yourself... and have fun.

Take your pants off in public. Wear your heart on your sleeve.

Or maybe you're more sedate, more low keyed. It doesn't matter.

What matters is that people leave you thinking, "I just met a real person, a genuine human being, a positive honest spirit not trying to trick me to do anything."

All the Hype Masters are missing the boat when they try to take you where they want you to go. Whatever they build won't last.

Get real. Be honest. Tell your story and listen. Care.

You'll build a business....a real one that lasts.

Article Source: http://netmlmarticles.com

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications including Real Time Leads....and the Administrator for HomeBasedBusinessForums.com. Michael also authors Best MLM Resources where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest MLM tips, ideas, tools, leads, news, and insights.