I don't want to "sell" to my family.

If you've been around the industry of Network Marketing, Multi-level, or direct sales for any length of time, you know the drill. Make a list of your friends and family, and start calling them.

Many people simply don't want to do that. I know what that feels like. I remember starting fresh in my new business, and being afraid to talk to my loved ones. They knew that yesterday, I didn't know anything at all about cosmetics, and now all of a sudden I wanted to "teach them".

Reason's why not to speak to friends/family

• They might feel "obligated" to buy.
• They might laugh or discourage me.
• They might feel like I am harrassing them.
• They might say no.
• They might say yes. :-)
• They might think........... (your objection here)

Well, I certainly thought all of those things, and as a new distributor I was on shaky ground in the confidence department. I didn't know much about the products, or the compensation, and I didn't know how to handle objections. I certainly didn't have the successes behind me to prove I could succeed.

Here is what I have come to believe.

I believe that if I have something that could help my Mom's diabetes, I am obligated to share that with her. There are many "wellness" products out there that have real-life testamonials of efficacy. If they have helped "someone" they could help a "loved one. Doesn't Mom have a right to the information?

If my sister is fed up with her job, and I believe that I have a way that she could make a change for the better, I am obligated to share that with her. Network marketing has allowed me to walk away from my job and provide for my family at the same time. Doesn't my sister have a right to that information?

These are adults. They have a right to evaluate the information and accept or reject it, just like you did. You don't have to attack them at every turn. But surely they deserve a chance.

Let me ask you this.... If you knew that your friend, the nurse, was unhappy with her job, and you heard that the doctor's office on your street was hiring, would you call and tell her? Of course you would. And if she said that wasn't what she was looking for, would you be devastated? ......... I didn't think so.

The problem lies with in ourselves. Network marketing success is tied to others. In order for us to succeed, we need people to say yes. So we emotionalize that need and make it about us. All of a sudden there is importance attached to the answer, because if they say yes good things could happen for us.

Stop..... think very carefully about what I am about to say.

The success of your business does not depend on any one person. If this one person says "no" then nothing changes for you, or them for that matter.

Take yourself out of the picture for a minute.

Try this approach..... "Mom, I care about you very much, and I am concerned about your diabetes. I know of a product that has helped a lot of people, and I would like to give you some information to read, so you can see if it is something for you" All of a sudden, it's not about you"selling" your family, it's about providing information so she can make an informed choice. If she reads the information and decides against it, then at least it was her choice.

Or how about this....."Sis, I can hear how frustrated you are with your job, and having to leave your children with a babysitter. I might have a way that you could spend a bit more time with your children, and still bring in the income you need. I think it wouldn't hurt to look at the information. Would you come and meet my business partner and just hear what he has to say? It might not be for you, bit I think it is worth a look." Now you aren't "earning commission from your sister", you are showing her that there might be a better way.

I didn't approach my friends and family because I wanted something from them, I approached them because I care about them, and I respect the fact that they are adults who have the right to evaluate what is or isn't right for them. Some of them joined me, some became customers, and some were very happy right where they were. all of them have remained my friends and family members.

Work your business in service of others, and just watch what happens to your business !

Shelley Penney is a network marketing and internet marketing specialist with 8 years in the field. She is currently mentoring a small group of people to achieve financial freedom from home.