Credibility
The Definition of credibility is; the quality of being trusted and believed in.
One of the biggest hurdles that stops most people from making money in the network marketing industry is credibility. People generally don’t buy from someone unless they believe that person knows what they’re talking about or if they’re promoting an opportunity, that they have already made money doing what they are recommending.
It makes sense doesn’t it? If someone is trying to interest you in a new product or service, it sure helps to believe that person is qualified and knows what they are talking about. Likewise, if someone is pitching you on the idea of making money, then you naturally want to know if they are making money doing what they are recommending.
So it all comes down to credibility. This causes a big problem for people who are just getting started because they don’t have any credibility or success to build off of. How many times have you started a conversation with someone about your business and the first thing they ask is; “so how much money are you making”?
We all want to know that they are a product of their product. If someone is pitching you on the idea of making money, then you naturally want to know if they are making money doing what they are recommending. This causes a big problem for people who are just getting started because they don’t have any success to build off of. How many times have you started a conversation with someone about your business and the first thing they ask is “ so how much money are you making”?
Nobody starts off in this industry with an amazing story to tell. They literally build their story piece-by-piece as they go along and learn new things. It’s ok to start small in the beginning… that is really the only way to start.
So what do you do if you haven’t had any success yet?
Third party validation is key to your success when you are first starting out.
Third party validation can be done by almost anyone who will help you as long as they are knowledgeable about the company that your represent. Obviously, if you can get a leader from your company on the phone with your prospect, that is best. As you grow your business be sure to take advantage of the network within your organization. Look to your upline for guidance and support in how best to present the opportunity. The people in your up line have a real incentive to help you succeed, and to help everyone you recruit succeed. The main thing, however, is that you let your prospect talk with someone else who is in your business – and who has had success. In other words, you want to have your prospect talk with someone who has credibility.
Find mentors within your organization that can teach you what works. Network marketing is about duplication. Identify what works best in your business and then replicate it with your team. Look at this like a franchise, the most successful ones build a template and replicate it over and over again.
Another idea that works is to partner with a handful of people who are also passionate about your business. Some are upline. Some are sideline. Some are downline. If you know you’re going to be speaking to a prospect, send one of your “validators” a quick text and say, “Are you available for a 3-way call in 20 minutes?” We will discuss 3-way calls in the next phase of training.
Ultimately, your closing rate will go up IF you use third party validation. What’s even more important is that third party validation teaches your prospects from the beginning that you use a duplicable system. This validation process shows your prospect that you are serious about your business.
One of the absolute most important ways to build credibility is to always, always hold yourself to the highest ethical standards. If someone asks you a question and you do not know the answer tell them you are not 100% sure of the correct answer but you will find out and get back to them. Write the question down, then get the answer and be sure to call them back. People will trust you if you are honest with them. If you guess or make something up that is not correct and that person finds out, then you have lost their trust. Once your trustworthiness is gone, it does not matter what you do, you have destroyed any chance of building a trusting relationship with that individual!
As you find the answers to more and more questions, the more knowledgable you will become about your business and your opportunity. And the more credibility you will gain.
You have the ability to share with millions of others the joys of working from home. A lifestyle that many aspire to. In the beginning you will want to use other people’s success to help you recruit or sell your product or service, but as soon as you achieve any success…you want to build off it. For example, if you sign up a few people or get a few sales as a result of using other people’s stories you can begin to form your own success story.
Any kind of success that you get will give you momentum.
Now that you have a better understanding of how to build credibility you may be asking yourself; what about those Prospects that have already turned me down, can I go back to them again? The answer is “yes” you can.
Maybe you were new and you messed up the presentation. Maybe you caught them on a bad day. Maybe they had a better job back then. Maybe they didn’t need money as bad as they do right now. Maybe something has changed in their life and your product or service is a better fit for them now.
So how do you go back with a fresh approach the second time?
You do so with a third party validation. Now you understand how important third party validation is to build your credibility. Go back to those people and this time have one of your “validators” on the call or at the meeting with you.
Every time you participate in a three way conversation with your mentor or validator as they present the opportunity, you learn more about the business from them and in the process you are building your confidence and credibility. As you gain knowledge and experience, you can become the presenter and mentor for those further down in your organization and help them build their business. That’s – Network – Marketing. Every time they win, you win too!