It is amazing to me how many MLM marketers take this approach to their businesses. Now, they don’t mean to wander around aimlessly hoping something good happens, they just do. The lack of written plans in this industry is shocking to me! How can you expect to get from Point A to B without a map?
Developing a marketing plan for your MLM business should be one of the first things you do before making the first website or putting out the first piece of content. There should be 3 basic things in everyone’s marketing plans.
First, you should clearly identify your niche and USP (unique selling proposition). Not having these 2 things clearly defined is like deer hunting in the middle of New York City. You have better odds of winning the lottery than succeeding in your MLM opportunity if you haven’t clearly defined your target market and what you offer them that no one else does.
Next, identify 1 to 3 avenues that you want to specialize in and focus on mastering them. I don’t know how many times a day I get some spam about the next greatest brand of sliced bread, but I know it’s a ton. With so much stuff going online, it is very easy to get off course and want to get to many different things go that will make your main focus suffer. I know, because I am as guilty as the next person of looking through courses I think will help take my business to the next level, whether I have the time to devote to them or not.
Finally, come up with a written plan or daily method of operation (DMO). My DMO conists of exactly how many hours a day I am committing to my business. Then, it is broken down to exactly how much time I will devote to the different parts of ME, Inc. I break down how much time I will spend writing articles, shooting videos, reading and commenting on forums, and am also sure to include my daily exercise and personal development. It is critical to write out your DMO and keep in several places you frequent so you can check yourself on your schedule.
I know everyone has heard this phrase a million times in this industry, but it bears repeating, “If you treat this like a hobby it will pay you like one, if you treat it like a business, it will pay you like a business.” Let me try one more so I can be as cliche as possible: “People don’t plan to fail, they just fail to plan!” In all seriousness, if you don’t have the three things discusses above written down or identified, you are wasting your time and resources! Stop worrying about your marketing your MLM for a couple hours and take the time to identify and generate a game plan and you will be able to get yourself on the right track before it is to late.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great Post Eric,
Too many people jump into internet marketing without doing any real research. Often times because they simply don’t know how yet. Finding your niche and USP need to be done now, if it didn’t happen before you got started in business.
I would archive this page in the “do this now” category.
Hey Eric,
Great stuff! Reading this keeps me steer on what I have to continue focusing on with my steering wheel.
You touch on something very important…that is focusing on one thing before jumping on to the next. Get really good at it and then start the next project.
Chat with you later…
Josh
Love this post Eric,
This should be required reading for beginners!
Creating a unique selling proposition can be as easy as figuring out your strengths, getting better at them, and catering them to sit in front of market demand.
See you later,
Derek
Hey Eric,
Good point about “DOM”, we all need that daily list – mine keeps growing and whipping me like a bad mule! (ha)… But we all need to have it or our business is simply, out of control.
Great post!