9 “Non-Icky” MLM Recruiting Tips

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

MLM Recruiting is confusing for so many people. Well, if we’re honest, it’s much more than confusing. MLM recruiting, or prospecting as some call it, scares the heck out of most people. Done poorly,  it leaves people feeling “icky”. Nobody wants that.

The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way. It can actually be a really great experience for you and the person you are recruiting.

Keep these 9 things in your MLM recruiting toolbox and you’ll be great.

1. Be cool

Don’t launch right in to the presentation after saying hello. Ask some questions to break the ice. “What do you do for a living?”, “How long have you been doing that?”, “How do you like it?” “What would you really like to do?”, “What is it that brought you by my site?”. Things like that. Be cool and talk to them like a friend, because you never know, they might just be that one day.

2. Put yourself in your prospects’ shoes and understand their needs and desires

Asking all of the questions above will help you connect with your prospects and see the opportunity from their point of view. For you to understand how prospects view your offer, you need to know how they view themselves first. This is critical. MLM recruiting is about building relationships so, keep that as your ultimate goal.

Ask lots of questions, but don’t over do it. You don’t want them to feel sorry for themselves. Remember: you’re there to help your prospects, not to add burden.

3. Be IN the presentation, not AT the presentation

You want to gain their approval? Then make a presentation that will have your prospects at the edge of their seats. Get their attention and make them hang on to your every word. You don’t want to bore them with an “automatic pilot” presentation. There is nothing worse than sitting through an opportunity meeting and not feeling the presenter’s presence. Presentation skills are essential in mlm recruiting so, practice and get good at it.

Stop a few times and ask if it makes sense. Ask if they have questions. Throw in a few personal stories. Again, ride the line between professional presenter and friend.

4. If your prospect is not interested, don’t push it

The last thing you want to do is to chase your prospects away. If you sense outright rejection from your presentation, don’t push it. You can’t make everyone join your business. When they say NO, they mean it. This is not the time to give them a bunch of arguments. Remember the “recruit” in mlm recruiting. You want people that are ready and excited about your opportunity.

Also, keep in mind that, if they say no, it rarely has anything to do with you or your company. More likely, it has to do with their fear of failure or belief that it is something they can do.

5. Mention your prospect’s name throughout the conversation

This one works great, but in moderation. If you say their name every sentence, it’s going to get annoying and they will think something is wrong with you. Spread it around, people like to hear it.

6. Create a distraction-free environment

Before you go on with your presentation, you can ask your prospects to turn off their phones. If you’re conducting a home meeting, make sure that the television and the radio are turned off, and keep the children away. Interruptions will only distract your audience, and it can affect your momentum. Think ahead and do your best to eliminate any potential distractions.

When done correctly, MLM recruiting can be enjoyable for both parties.

7. It’s not about hype, it’s about hope.

Don’t hype people into joining your business. Instead, create hope in them. Make them hope for the things they told you they wanted back in tip number one. Hype won’t do any good for either of you. It will only turn your prospects off. If you want to be successful in MLM recruiting, avoid marketing hype. Focus on promoting hope. It will serve as a magnet that will pull your prospects towards you.

8. Be patient And follow up

Not all prospects will answer your offer immediately. Some of them need time to think it over. Don’t rush them. Instead of saying “Can I get your answer now?” try telling them “Would you like to think about this opportunity first? Would 24 hours be enough time for you?” Just give them enough time to think about it, but not so long that they push the idea to the back of their minds. They may have completely forgotten about it once you followed up if you wait too long.

9. Build a relationship with your recruits

Once you’ve successfully recruited your prospects, do you stop there? Not hardly. You want them to stick around and become your partners in the business. Build a meaningful relationship with them. Provide them with all the support that they need. Make them feel that they are in good hands. Remember, they are the people who can help you reach your dreams. So make sure that you give back and help them do the same to others.

See? MLM recruiting doesn’t have to be stressful or icky. It’s only icky if YOU are icky. Don’t be icky, take these mlm recruiting tips to heart and start using them today.