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"Holy Haberdashery, Batman!"
Those of us in network marketing stumbled across the same internet marketers, social media gurus, and MLM-powerhouses when we jumped online to search for ways to build our businesses online.
I know I’m not the only one that purchased the infamous guide to attraction marketing.
And I certainly wasn’t the only one to become mesmerized by that striking redhead.
(And what’s the deal with her mentor, are they, like, an item or something?)
These experts have certainly put quality content online for the masses, and I have learned a tremendous amount from them since the beginning of the year when I ventured online.
While many throw around the catch-phrases “coach,” “expert,” “guru,” and my favorite self-congratulatory term “rockstar“, I hereby attest that when it comes to internet marketing I am a “novice“, a self-proclaimed “newbie“, and oftentimes “e-tarded“.
And I’m totally okay with that. What I know is network marketing, not internet marketing.
So while I slowly hone my blogging skill set and understand how to monetize Facebook (like those fancy marketers who post pay-per-click ads like “Who Is So-And-So? 25-Year-Old Marketing Princess! Click Here!” as they entice me into “Like”-ing them), I’m completely content with my lack of knowledge in this space.
Why? Because I have a successful Herbalife business.
So while I have not had the opportunity to be personally mentored by the social media elite (yet!), I am incredibly grateful for what I have absorbed from their articles and posts, videos, free webinars, reasonably priced information products, and also exorbitantly priced products.
And at the end of the day if I didn’t get my techie questions answered, there’s always some 15-year-old that put a video related to my query up on YouTube to save the day!
But I have a burning question that has resulted in many different responses from my tribe, and I sincerely would love to hear what you think.
When it comes to one’s primary business opportunity, why is it so hush-hush-bottom-shelf with these leaders?
We all know the value of residual income, but online it seems to be very stealth what is actually being promoted on the back-end!
Is it because they lack confidence in their opportunities? Do they hop around and take their team with them each time they jump ship?
I am the first to admit that I have a lot to learn, so I’m asking for your help on this one gang…
Why our primary biz-ops top secret online?
Thanks for commenting below…
10. August 2010 at 8:52 pm
Hey Melissa,
I love your honesty! Interestingly, MLM circle/and some top people are actually quite small in the world of online marketing. I used to think it was huge until I networked with internet marketers and realized how some of these supposed experts learned from other big time internet marketers like Don Crowley and Jeff Walker who is the master of teaching how to launch products. Don & Jeff are some of the best internet teachers.
As for the “secrecy” with guarding one’s business opportunity- the theory is that you want prospects to connect with you first rather than the company because you are the selling point and not the company. For me, it’s not the only thing I do so I omit it on my blog.
Janette
11. August 2010 at 9:33 am
ah thanks janette, i did not realize that about the other masters. thanks for your input, i appreciate it!
10. August 2010 at 11:37 pm
Aloha Melissa,
I just love your courage and your honesty! You are truly an inspiration to all of us in Network Marketing! I am “married” to Herbalife International and have been for over 15 years. I am also very new to all of this internet marketing as I build my business “over the phone” as there was no internet back then.
I love the new internet marketing and social media because it’s the “new way of talking” and we can talk to the world!
Thank you for being You! I love it!
With love & gratitude,
Kellie
Kellie Hosaka´s last [type] ..How To Use The Pareto Principle 80-20 Rule To Increase Your Success
11. August 2010 at 9:32 am
lol you were involved with herbalife way before my time… but i don’t mind being the 2nd wife!
i know we both have similar goals kellie: to connect the world! can’t wait!
11. August 2010 at 5:09 am
From the first day I read and watch your video when you called your dog you office assistant, I knew you were a winner. You are so cool! But while being a cool chick, you are so right on with this article. Great stuff and what a great sense of humor you “e-tarded” you.
Nelson´s last [type] ..Promptings
11. August 2010 at 9:30 am
thanks Nelson… and you’re a cool dude!
11. August 2010 at 1:20 pm
Hi Melissa,
You are raising some interesting questions in your article.
Yes, why are the primary businesses not mentioned. Well in my case I am not supposed to, because the combany wants to make sure that we don’t make claims that could cause problems.
I personally also like to provide information first and establish a relationship, since I learned that the upfront “this is the business’ doesn’t seem to work, or even can be in your face.
To your success
Yorinda
Yorinda´s last [type] ..Active Listening
17. August 2010 at 7:47 pm
thanks for sharing yorinda, i’ve learned so much from all these comments! very helpful, thanks!
11. August 2010 at 4:51 pm
I agree with Janette.
The general thought process is that people buy into People, not necessarily a business or product. So if you connect with them first, then if they’re in the market for a home biz or whatever product you sell, they’ll buy from you because they know, like and trust you.
However, it’s also a safeguard for those who have more than one mlm or for when the mlm they’re with goes out of business!
Bliss-ings,
Jacqui
Jacqueline Gates´s last [type] ..My 7 “I’d Really Rather you Didn’ts” – Facebook edition
11. August 2010 at 5:50 pm
Hey Melissa,
I also agree with Janette and Jacqui about having your business op as a secondary or almost silent partner. The blogging community is set to give value to others through the information they share. This results in people trusting you and your word. Everything flows from there,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last [type] ..The Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living
11. August 2010 at 6:14 pm
Ha! Ha! Melissa this was so PERFECT!
I can just hear your voice! Well you know from all the other comments as to why we should NEVER EVER OMGoodness NEVER talk about our companies!
I always thought it strange as well. I was also told a blog should always be a give and never a take. Does this mean it’s wrong to have affiliate banners?
It depends on who you listen to, the redhead and company or someone like http://www.johnchow.com/ who is a millionaire blogger.
Debby db
17. August 2010 at 7:47 pm
ooh thanks, i’m checking him out right now debby!
11. August 2010 at 6:50 pm
Gewillikers Batman! You make some good points here but the main reason why I think many of the gurus online keep the primary business a secret is because they want you to ASK THEM! It gives them the perfect opportunity to pitch you on it.
Matthew Neer´s last [type] ..Google-Verizon Deal Threatens Net Neutrality
17. August 2010 at 7:48 pm
aha best answer yet, thanks matthew… much appreciate your comments and teachings
11. August 2010 at 8:40 pm
Melissa,
Don’t know much about mlm’s, though I’ve joined a few over the decades for a few weeks at a time, so not sure the answer to your question. The other commenters seem to make sense about it. I would think that knowing/liking/trusting me without knowing what I represent would be kind of a waste of time, but I’m a little more direct and certainly not as uber-successful as these gurus.
Hope you find your answer,
Adam
Dr. Adam Sheck´s last [type] ..Relationship Recipe
17. August 2010 at 7:49 pm
thanks dr adam, i appreciate your feedback!
12. August 2010 at 6:56 am
Great question Melissa. I’ve been around network marketing for over 15 years, although relatively new to the social media side of it, I can only speak from my opportunity that I have been exclusively with for over 9 years. In our business I don’t want to work with just anyone. They have to show me they have the desire, openness, and coachability I’m looking for. I don’t want to waste my time or theirs if I don’t believe they have what it takes to be successful in our business.
Bottom line is. I interview everyone to see if we might have a match before I present our opportunity to them. To be truly successful in this business you have to learn to be selective or you’ll find yourself working with a lot of people and wasting your time.
Hope that helps,
Michael
17. August 2010 at 7:49 pm
this is good thanks for saying that michael. i like how you have put yourself in the drivers’ seat with your prospects. thanks!
18. August 2010 at 4:21 pm
I appreciate that Melissa.
Michael
12. August 2010 at 8:59 am
A heavy question in my eyes. Yes why don’t they let you know? I get the it’s about You, Inc. And all the other comments that people have stated here, would be what crosses my mind. I wonder if the gurus have an special answer they use? Hmmmmm.
Holly´s last [type] ..Exercise is Easy! Not!
17. August 2010 at 7:50 pm
i tell you holly, these post comments are so telling… i’m enlightened!
12. August 2010 at 9:55 am
Melissa, I just read a great post at Darlene Davis’ blog about branding yourself. One important trait of top branders is to create their own vocabulary. And you have done just that. I have certainly felt “e-tarded” many times but did not create such a visual word.
You are so right about the amount of good information out there to help us grown our businesses and I don’t have an answer for those who are hush-hush about their back end.
Dr. Erica Goodstone´s last [type] ..Love Yourself Now
17. August 2010 at 7:50 pm
we all learn together! i’m going to darlene’s blog to check it out now! thanks…
13. August 2010 at 7:25 am
Melissa,
This is a fair question. And I think it is a moving target. Or to put it another way I think this will settle out over time. no one quantitatively knows the answer, Not even the “rock stars” But I do think it all comes down to running everything you do past the :is what I am doing attractive. Does it attract or repel?
Gary
Gary Young´s last [type] ..Sourcing my Breakfast in China
17. August 2010 at 7:51 pm
good rule of thumb “am what i’m doing attractive” thanks for sharing that gary
15. August 2010 at 9:57 pm
Melissa~
I love your blog! It’s fun to hear you question the very thing that all my friends online and off ask me! I have great friends in my primary business who are ‘old school’ network marketers and don’t understand why I don’t post a link on my blog. As we brand ourselves, we’ll learn and succeed in whatever primary business we choose!
To our success,
Linda
Linda G. Cox´s last [type] ..Generation X
17. August 2010 at 7:53 pm
i’m just making the connection between my online efforts and “branding myself” thanks for the message!
16. August 2010 at 5:18 am
I have the same questions, Melissa. When somebody keeps talking to me about all the benefits and what’s in it for me, and I start asking them, ok, so what do I have to do? And they answer me by giving me more “benefits”, I run away. Coz I’ve been burned by those in the past. I get so into what they’re “promising” and then I couldn’t say no when they start talking about the cost. And usually, those promises would end up just promises.
Fitness Family´s last [type] ..Mom Tips On Repelling Mosquitoes Using Essential Oils
17. August 2010 at 7:55 pm
thanks for sharing cherrie! i know, ugh… so many sob stories in our industry
22. August 2010 at 6:01 am
Melissa,
I had to laugh when I read your post. Not at you but at the Goo Roos.
You asked the question about why is it so hush-hush about these Goo Roos primary business?
Well my opinion is going to be a little controversial, you see I don’t share the same adoration that you may concerning these knuckleheads.
Here is the reason why it is so hush-hush. These people prey on others to sell their courses and training, they aren’t building MLM businesses, they are internet marketers who have targetted MLMers to sell their courses and training to. That is their business not their MLM. Yeah a few of them are actually in an MLM, but that is just a ploy so that they have a ground to be famous on and sell more of their half truth filled courses to unsuspecting newbies.
BTW, nice blog. I found you through the TSA.
Scott
Scott Manesis´s last [type] ..Why Traffic Gyser Rocks!
26. August 2010 at 5:58 pm
thanks scott, i have to say your comment was the most enlightening for me. it took me until now to realize that they are not network marketers; they are internet marketers whose market is MLM-ers. i feel so duped! lol…
29. August 2010 at 7:56 am
Melissa and Scott,
While I do believe some of them fall into the “know/like/trust me first” and “attraction marketing – getting you to ask me”… I really think Scott hit it on the head… He said what I was going to say!!
29. August 2010 at 5:07 pm
jinx, you owe scott a coke! i can’t tell you how much i learned from this post. seriously, it was so valuable. i totally “get it” now!
19. October 2010 at 10:53 am
Hi Melissa,
Ah the secrecy! Yes, sometimes they jump ship – or, as it has been explained to me “things move fast”, “times change”, ‘we want to go in a different direction” Sometimes I read that as – “our downlines are full so we don’t care anymore so we’re switching now!”
Part of it is,as some have said, – you are the brand, not whatever the product/service is, so whatever the primary opp is – is “irrelevant”. However, it doesn’t always feel irrelevant if you’ve sunk money/time/effort into it and then it suddenly changes before you’ve received your payout or built your own downline with it. The support and training etc all then vanish.
Or sometimes there is a disagreement, sometimes legitimate, sometimes not that causes the split. Or sometimes the company they are backing goes under for some reason and they have no choice but to go somewhere else.
That was the motivation behind sticking behind one of the few biz opps I am still with (not mentioning cause not trying to spam your blog!) because I felt they were actually sustainable and offered good support and starting my own with some partners. – Rob
Rob Wilson´s last [type] ..Really Bad Customer Service or Time to Celebrate
21. October 2010 at 6:52 pm
Thanks, I always love a good read.