Why Won’t My Family and Friends Take My Business Seriously?

Direct Sellers and Network Marketers work their business when they want to, which ends up being a benefit as well as a liability.

You can get your business started, but then you can end up setting it completely aside, if some kind of unexpected challenge takes place in your life.

You can get started in one company only to decide that you would rather work for a different direct selling company.  Consider how many people you have tried to recruit, or have successfully recruited, who tried selling another Direct Selling or Network Marketing company’s products before yours.

Another scenario, just as common is that a good number of Direct Sellers and Network Marketers have stopped their business only to realize that they want to get it going again.

When you change your mind about something it can be embarrassing – not always but sometimes, and especially if you change your mind about something somewhat significant like a job or a business opportunity.

Consider some of the negative things your friends and family might think if you start selling an additional or another product line:

-There’s a sucker born every minute

-What a flake

-I guess he/she didn’t make any money with that last company

One reason Direct Sellers and Network Marketers have such difficulty getting on the phone and calling their friends and family as a means to get them started in their business is because they worry about people thinking those very things about them!

They wonder:  How can I possibly tell my friends and family that I have changed my mind?

Most of us can think of someone who announced that they were selling product line ABC, only to announce a year later that they were selling XYZ. Now, if that person I just described is you, no worries. It happens.

Who has never had a change of heart or mind about anything? My guess is that it has happened to everyone, and that means everyone has experienced the challenges that come with changing one’s mind.

My goal in this blog is two-fold -  I want to show you how you can contact your family and friends about any change of decision you have had, and simultaneously I will show you how to prevent them from refusing to take you and your business seriously.

The most effective way to dissolve your greatest fear is to face it head on and when it comes to an interaction with another individual, simply state what you worry that they are thinking. It really is that simple.

For booking a show:

“Hi Jane, it’s Tammy and I have to tell you I’ve been hesitant to make this call because I worried that you would just think I’m a flake and then dismiss me as a friend, which I really don’t want to happen.  But here is what’s going on: Last year I acted all excited about starting a business with ABC, and I even convinced you to host a home party for me. However, instead of being seriously committed to doing whatever it takes to get that business going, I gave up as soon as real effort was required. I now realize the mistakes I made and I truly want to give it another try. Is there any way that you would like to get some free ABC products this month by hosting a show for me and my newly resolved commitment to this business?”

For taking a look at the business opportunity:

“Hi James, it’s Tammy and I have to tell you I’ve been hesitant to make this call because I worried that you would just think I’m a flake and then dismiss me as a friend, which I really don’t want to happen.  But here is what’s going on: Last year I acted all excited about starting a business with ABC, and I even convinced you to come to an business opportunity meeting with me. However, instead of being seriously committed to doing whatever it takes to get that business going, I gave up as soon as real effort was required. I now realize the mistakes I made and I discovered another business that I am applying my newly resolved commitment to. Because I value your friendship and your opinion, would you consider taking a look at this business opportunity?”

The real problem is that you stall calling because you feel it is going to be embarrassing and you want to avoid humiliation at all costs. However, taking responsibility for one's life and one's actions is not disgraceful; it is heroic. When you are truly honest with other people, you set yourself apart from the average salesperson.

If you really want your friends and family to take you and your business seriously, be honest with them. Authenticity is what increases the chances of them helping you.

Just consider how would you feel if a friend called you and revealed what was stated above?

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