Are New MLM Distributors Ready for Their Warm Market?

The classic approach to getting started in MLM and network marketing advises you to hit your "warm market" in the beginning. You're supposed to make a list of everyone you can think of, without prejudging and leaving anyone out just because you think they won't be interested.

While this approach is not taught as much as it used to be, is it wise to begin your network marketing business in this way?

I don't think this is the best way to start your new business. Some people can create this list and actually do well in sponsoring. However, most new MLM distributors aren't prepared to handle the pain of rejection that will come their way.

Many will say that you need to learn how to handle rejection if you want to be successful in MLM and network marketing. I agree that learning to handle rejection is a necessary skill for ultimate success in business. However, I don't believe that a new MLM business builder should hit their warm market right away, if they aren't prepared for that.

Simply jumping in and prospecting all your friends and relatives encourages rejection right up front. Many people on the list are not interested or not ready for a home business.

Your family and friends will often be harder on you than anyone else. Since they already know you, they have an idea in their head of who you are and whether you should be working an MLM business at all. They will often be your harshest and most critical judges.

Many sales professions teach their new salespeople to start out prospecting in their warm market. Remember the time one of your friends started selling insurance or cars, and called you for business or referrals? Good salespeople are usually able to make this approach work out okay. Most new network marketers are not salespeople, nor do they need to be. There are simply too many other ways to find good prospects for your business these days.

The best approach for new MLM distributors, I believe, is to learn how to have your prospects coming to you when they are ready to start their own business. It's a fact - at any given time there are a LOT of people out there who are looking for a way to make more money. Some may just need a little extra money to help pay bills, others may be dreaming of quitting a job they hate.

Whatever the motivation, they are out there looking and don't need to be convinced. They have decided they want a home based income and are looking for it. Advertise and spread the word about your MLM business, and give the people searching for an opportunity the chance to find you.

If you are building your MLM business online, you can find and attract prospects in many ways. Join discussions on message boards, forums, and other places where people gather to talk about specific topics. Put up a simple web site that tells who you are, why you are in business, what is special about your opportunity, things like that. Create some pages related to your business and products on Squidoo. Comment on blogs related to home business and working from home. You can do these things to help get your business started.

If you do choose to go for your warm market right away, that's okay. For a strong and profitable business, you'll eventually need to prospect outside your warm market as well. Whether you approach your warm market now or later is your choice.