One thing I've noticed with network marketers over the years and even within my own direct sales businesses in the past; when I see people floundering, feeling at a dead end or unable to get into real momentum..it is usually when they are using just one and only one strategy for prospecting.

The times when my business was clearly in strong momentum, my prospecting going well with many joining my organization, it was always when I employed at least two different prospecting strategies. I can say the same for others I've known to be successful in prospecting, they were always "getting it done..one way or another".

In his book, The Zen Of MLM, John David Mann puts it perfectly, " If you want to reach high velocity in your business and achieve that magical quality of momentum, which separates "hope it'll happen" network marketing businesses from "It's HAPPENING!" networking businesses, design for yourself a plan that employs at least two prospecting strategies, and preferably three or more."

Create a menu of different prospecting methodologies, and then choose from your menu. Put together a program that fits you, your resources (time, money, sphere of acquaintances) and your temperament.

Doing a mass mailing of catalogs and brochures to 5,000 cold names from a mailing list or placing a national ad with a 800 number for the interested to call will take some serious cash; it can also serve to filter through a field of prospects so that you are only hearing from people that have already "sorted" themselves and are somewhat pre-qualified with serious interest. 

Setting up a social network online and creating a blog is a great way to create a "list" for yourself and meet lots of new online friends, it may serve as a great way to develop a wonderful pool of qualified leads. It will also require you to maintain your social network by interacting regularly and your blog will certainly require you to write and update often. The number of people you can potentially meet online and add to your contact list is awesome with this method.

Going to your local Chamber of Commerce meetings and other local networking opportunities, making new acquaintances and simply sharing your story and your enthusiasm with people doesn't take much cash, but you need to be comfortable with stepping out and meeting new people. The benefit is you will be meeting new people to add to your "circle of acquaintance", this is always a must for successful prospecting.

John David Mann goes on to share how classified ads, web pages, handwritten letters to your holiday list, etc....prospecting methods come in too many shapes and sizes to count. Some will fit you like a glove, others will be a stretch. The key is this: do more than one.

Of course, this doesn't guarantee success. No matter which approaches you use or what combination, how effective you are ultimately will come down to your own attitude and beliefs...your posture. The quality of your follow-up also matters greatly. Still, adopting a portfolio of at least two or three different prospecting methods will always create a dramatic increase in results. WHY? It's simply because you are doing more. Trying a few different approaches "ups the odds" that you will find at least one that works. Perhaps that is part of it, but I think the real reason it works is because you are creating a completely different mindset for yourself. You are in a major proactive and entrepreneurial mindset. Your actions are saying, " I am going to make this business a success...One Way or Another!!".

Using just one method of prospecting says, " Well, I hope this works." Using several methods says, " I've got a  goal and I'm gonna reach it. If these two methods don't get me the results I want, hey, I'll just move on to the next few methods. Because one way or the other, I'm getting there!"

Please share what methods of prospecting your have going on right now. Which have been the most successful for you? We would love to hear your honest views and learn from you!

To your success,

British