They're coming in DROVES: recruiting with Attraction Marketing

I signed my first recruit from Sarah Coventry last week. And I learned a valuable lesson with another potential recruit this week.

Don't make this about yourself.
Sara (not her real name) called me and we played phone tag for a few days until we could catch up with each other. She had called looking for more information about South Main Designs, and I wanted to answer any questions she had.

When we finally connected, she told me that she had already met with a consultant in her area, and decided against the company because it wasn't what she was looking for. In fact, she said she didn't like the jewelry.

In my 12 years of doing business, I have NEVER heard a prospect say they flat out didn't like the product.

So instead of throwing my arms up and saying goodbye, I probed a bit to see what was going on. Apparently the consultant she met with was new, only brought her 3 pieces to examine, and one of them was broken.

I wouldn't call this a great first impression.

We continued our conversation, and it became clear that she was looking for something more. And even she wasn't sure what she wanted.

She did relay to me the fact that the consultant that she talked with wanted to sign her because she only needed one mmore recruit to earn her kit free.

OUCH.

Folks, NEVER put your needs above your recruit. EVER. How would you feel if this happened to you?

Betrayed. Set-up. Cheap.

How should all your new recruits feel?

Welcomed. Like Family. Part of the Team.

See the diference?

So I encouraged her to put her pen away and think for a couple of months. By the time she got her kit and started learning about the products the best part of Holiday would be over anyway. But I did point her to resources that would HELP her, regardless of the company she chose - my free wekly ezine, "PartyOn!".

And you know what? At the end of the call, she was STILL considering joining SMD. I had exlained that while it might not have been to her tastes, the jewelry and accessories are geared toward a particular market. And if that's the market she's going to serve, then this was the kind of product she needed to sell. An if she wanted to serve a different market, she'd be better off looking at something else.

As she thought about it, she realized that her love of the product is only PART of the decision in choosing a direct sales company. Knowing your market, creating a presence, and making good business decisions all tie together.

But above all, put the needs of your clients (including potential recruits) first.

Your conscience (and they) will thank you for it!