No Really. It can.
It just takes finding your voice- well, not even your voice really. Particularly if you are online.
No, I take that back. You do need your voice. You just don’t need a loud one and you don’t have to give speeches.
Network Marketing
Why am I talking about network marketing? Because I am an Independent Consultant for a network marketing product (I say that as friends and family shudder at the thought). I actually fell in love with the product and then decided to become what is referred to in the network marketing field as a “business builder.” It just happens that these products that have made an amazing difference in my health are through a company that uses network marketing as its business model. Ok. I had to get over that and I did. And you will too.
What I have found most difficult is the incessant roar of direct sales, the cheer leading squad with ongoing encouragement, the pep rally direct sales peers that are relentlessly perky and the sales consultants who still, after all these years, continue to give multilevel marketing a bad name. I particularly feel bad for people who really do love the company products but have a difficult time learning to share because well, they just don’t fit into the cookie-cutter network marketing personality profile and instead of being mentored to use their gifts, they become discouraged because they can’t live up to the methods of the masses.
Exposed
So, other than the fact that there is NOWHERE to hide once you decide to drink the kool-aid, I LOVE it! Seriously! I have just had to find my own authenticity, my own balance, my “sea legs” if you will, amidst a sea of folks who just naturally seem to be able to shout the product name and get immediate sales results.
The first thing I did was apply my skill set to the task. I set about deconstructing what it is I do best and with ease and then I determined what my growing edge was (and continues to be) in the field of sales (err….I mean using by voice…).
I am successful. I coach, I mentor others, I was a psychotherapist for 20 years. I live holistically. I actually USE the products. No convincing there. But how do I turn this idea of hosting 55 gatherings in 10 days (ok I exaggerate) or the idea that if I build slowly and deliberately I will fail miserably or the concept of closing the deal with what feels like sales tactics (like uh, NO… I would be saying no thanks cuz they didn’t have me at hello)… how do I turn all that MLM white noise mutter into something I can do??
Authenticity
I stood still. I listened. I took what I wanted and left the rest. I remembered the wisdom of years in a career that required selling. Yes, even as a psychotherapist I had to sell. I had to sell ME- a genuine me others would be comfortable sharing hard stuff with…. I made a list of what I have accomplished and how I did it, and I applied all of that to THIS work. I am not without skill. And there is not a singular way to do this.
The bottom line is, I love the product. I want to tell people about the product, and I want to be gainfully employed. I don’t need another hobby. I have hobbies. I want work. And I want to do this work.
And now I am taking the very skills I use to teach, coach and mentor about other topics and applying it here. So I am your new Essential Oils Business Builder Guru. Hear my quiet, authentic roar! Mostly, hear that I am willing to work with you so that you can find your own quiet roar and be successful selling these amazing products you love!
