The Network Marketing "fakers": How To Spot People You Don't Want To Work With In Mlm

Some days, I feel like I'm bombarded by people who have no idea what they are doing. Do you ever have those days? I don't mean to say that they aren't smart, but rather that they haven't taken the time to really learn how to run this industry.

I mean, there are BASIC principles of network marketing that EVERY guru and expert teaches... but so many people still ignore them. How could someone forget a principle when it's in the NAME of the industry they're in? If you decided to be an electrical engineer, you're not going to be dancing on Broadway. You're going to be doing ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING!!

A lot of network marketers, inexplicably, think that they don't have to network in the network marketing industry... how does that make sense? This is THE basic principle of this industry... if you're not connecting with people and forming a "network", you're missing the whole point.

When I first started working the industry, I decided to do Facebook. At that point, I had learned already that the whole concept of this business is to get to know people and build a relationship and trust. But it was sooooo easy to see the "fakers".

You see, there are three groups of people when it comes to networking.

The first group are the people who don't even try. They think that their replicated business site is going to get them sign ups and that people will randomly find it out there in cyberspace. There's a reson why it's called cyberSPACE. I don't get this at all, if people don't see it, they're not going to buy it. Not to mention, people join people, not people join businesses.
The second group are the people who "get it". They chat with people, get to know them, and form relationships. This is the group of people who are actually making money.
Then the third group are the worst of all, they are the "fakers". They try to look like they are networking when they really aren't.
There is one little phrase that immediately identifies the "fakers". It's a phrase that people use when they try to make it obvious that they are networking.

They think that they can trick you into thinking they care and are forming a relationship with you. This never, ever works. Only real sincerity can form a connection that will turn into a business relationship.

They try to force it, so they can get to the part about shoving their business down your throat.

Whenever I hear this little phrase, I immediately call them on it and that usually gets their attention. However a lot of times, I'll turn the conversation more casual, but then they jump right back with "the phrase". I'll try and explain to them the whole connection concept, and most of them either stop talking to me or get very defensive. Uh . . . what happened to you trying to build a relationship with me? Oh wait, you just wanted my money! I usually try and ignore these people in the future.

Why?

They don't care about me, and they are focusing on themselves. This never works in our industry. If they want to learn about how to do it right, then I'll talk to them. I'm not going to waste my time with people who aren't willing to learn and help others and not be so selfish.

The little phrase that IMMEDIATELY identifies a "fake" networker is...

"What business are you in?"

AHHHH!! Just writing it brings back memories of these kinds of people.

There was a lady that kept trying to talk with me on Facebook. She opened the chat, and the first thing she said was "hello". Then, before I even had time to respond, she blurted, "What business are you in?" The next day, she opened the chat again, and the very first thing she said was, "What business are you in?" Then she wanted me to come to some presentation in Las Vegas . . . I live about 6 hours away from Vegas . . . which I had told her the day before. Obviously, she didn't know or care who I was... by the next day, she had already forgotten that she had chatted with me!

I real networker would have looked at my profile a little bit before chatting with me and try and remember who I was. She would have seen that I wasn't from Vegas. For people who have a hard time remembering people, I would suggest making a spreadsheet or something. When you remember minute details about someone, that is gold.

Once you've gotten to know somebody, you can ask them this question, "what business are you in?" But when it is one of the first things you say, you come across as a classic "faker". It seems like a harmless question, but when you say it right off the bat, it's like they are saying, "I don't want to or don't have enough time to network with you, but I've learned that I have to network, so let's get on with it and pretend like we are networking, so I can pitch you on my stuff."

I beg you to understand that in order to have ANY amount of success, you have to REALLY network.

Some people think that it takes too long, so they force the networking, and guess what? They hardly ever make a sale. When they do make a sale, it's either out of pity for the poor guy cause you know he's not having success, or he attacked a newbie who didn't know any better.

I guarantee that if you take a little bit of time each day to get to know some people without forcing your business, you will form more business relationships. This will lead to more sales and more success.

If you're nervous about doing this, or don't really know how to connect with a total stranger, then may I suggest that practice makes perfect! Get in the right mindset and do some training on connecting. I would suggest stuff from Jefferey Combs, or any of Mike Dillard's courses.

For more marketing tips and training, click the link in the resource box below!