I found early on in my MLM career that not everybody you talk to is going to be interested in your opportunity. That's just life. The timing isn't right for them.

But, still there are others who try to rattle your cage by asking you tons of questions. They want a "sure thing" or they won't join.

Don't spend a lot of time with these types of prospects. Don't let them cloud the truth about your potential of making money in MLM and cause you to hesitate or evaluate what you're doing.

Instead, get the facts about your opportunity and whole heartily believe in what you say.

Here's a list of my top 14 objections to MLM and how you should handle them:

#1. I don't have any money

This is by far the most common of all the objections I get. Lack of money. My response to this is: That's the reason you need to be in MLM in the first place--to have more money!

If someone isn't willing to fork over at least $50 to $100 a month to build their MLM they won't be successful--and they 'l only drag you down with them. Unless the person is on welfare, or just lost their job, they have the money.

They just have to be convinced to spent it on their financial future instead of HBO! I know when I first started my MLM business I would delay paying my rent or phone bill in order to pay for my advertising expenses.

Did I have tons of money to invest when I got started? Absolutely not! And I was sharp enough to realize that's precisely why I needed a residual income--because my 90 hour a week job wasn't providing the windfall I had always dreamed of! And I was willing to make a few sacrifices around the house, shuffle my bills a bit, and go for it. That's the type of person you're looking for!

What I usually do when someone says they don't have the money to invest I just give them the facts. Calculate how much product or service your prospect needs to buy each month in order to get a commission. Then estimate what the minimum amount of money they'd have to spend in order to recruit 1 person each month.

If you're doing local recruiting that's easy--the only cost is their time. If you;re doing national recruiting you need to come up with the cost of ads, mailings, postage and phone calls. I've found that the average cost to recruit a new person is around $50 each. This means if I spend $100 a month in advertising I should recruit two people each month.

I usually respond by saying, Bill, the monthly commitment for product is only $30 a month. Plus, if you know of anyone locally who would be willing to make a few extra hundred bucks a month you could sign them up with no out-of-pocket costs just by making a local phone call.

But, if you want to advertise nationally you'll need to invest at least $100 a month, maybe more in order to start making money in a few months. You can insert your own facts and figures here. The point is unless your prospect knows how much they are required to spend each month in order to be successful how in the world can they tell you they don't have the money?

Aren't they making a decision about money without knowing how much is required in order to make your opportunity work? You'll find this objection really isn't a objection at all. It's just used to scare off the average networker. People use it all the time in place of the truth. Maybe they just dropped out of a program last month and their spouse won't let them invest again.

Or, maybe they haven't read your material and are blowing you off because they are having a bad day.

Or worse yet, they have read your materials and they don't understand your program. And remember what happens when people are confused? The do NOTHING!

#2. I don't have any time

I just love this objection. When someone gives me this excuse I know two things right off the bat. 1) They truly missed the concept of time compounding and delayed gratification. Or, 2) they're just throwing out an excuse to cover up the real reason of not joining.

What do you say to this objection? Clearly you ask if they understand how time compounding works and how, after a few short months, they'll have others in their downline duplicating their efforts. If they don't, go ahead and explain it carefully to them again. If they do understand this concept then time isn't their objection at all.

Ask them if there is any other reason they re not interested. They may go ahead and tell you at that time. But, remember, it's your job of informing your prospect properly. You do that by asking and probing.

Learn to listen to what they are saying. Always ask if they have any other questions or concerns. It's like peeling an onion. You may have to peel away the top few layers in order to get down to the "good stuff" . Not everyone of your prospects is going to say, sign me up! What you must do is become a master of asking and listening. Then you'll find out the true objection.

#3. My uncle LeRoy was in that once and he lost his shirt. Or, better yet, I tried MLM once and failed, it's not for me.

Patience is a learned virtue. Early in my MLM career this objection used to drive me crazy! First of all the only people who loose their shirt in MLM are those who start off wrong. They may buy a $1,000 ad or spend $2,000 on a direct mail campaign their first month, only to find out three months later that only 1 or 2 people joined!

These people did not consult with the proper upline to find the most affordable, yet effective recruiting method. Again, they were betting the ranch that "direct mail" would make them rich in MLM. Now that they failed with this method they've closed their mind to MLM altogether. Plus, their spouse threatened to divorce them if they tried that stupid MLM thing ever again!!!

If this is truly their objection get the facts from them. This is a touchy area. Nobody wants to share their failures with you. Many are reluctant to say, without investigating my options I thought spending $1,000 on a mailing list and cassettes tapes would work. Boy was I wrong!

Ask them what they think went wrong in their last MLM experience. Listen closely. Then share with them how you and your upline are avoiding that same problem and how you will help them become profitable. The key here, is that you do know what your doing. This is where you must become a student of not only MLM in general, but also in a particular, how your group is recruiting others.

#4. I don't want to pay more taxes by making more money and moving up to the next tax bracket.

I've yet to understand this one. I loved the day I was paying more taxes. That meant I was making more income! This comment is usually from little old ladies who work at a bank!

#5. I'm not very good on the phone.

Who is, at first? I know I wasn't. Again, phone skills are a learned habit. You get good on the phone only after making mistakes. If you aren't willing to get on the phone, work through and control your fear, you'll severely limit your ability to earn big money in MLM.

I always tell my prospects this. I know what you mean, I felt that way when I first got started. To be completely honest with you Joe, I was scared to death. But, what I found out was the people I was calling were equally as scared as I was. And with a little effort and training from my upline I learned how take control of a conversation and determine if the person on the other end was really a prospect for my opportunity.

In other words, I learned how to filter out those people with a phone call. What I'd be willing to do Joe, if you're really serious about making money in this program, is to do 3-way calling with you the first couple of weeks so you can hear first-hand how to call people .

This really works. Don't offer it though unless you are prepared to do 3-way calling with your prospects. If they still aren't interested even though you've offered to help them, then they're really not a prospect at this time.

Try to get them to sign-up and use the products and let them know about any other kind of recruiting device you may have, such as post-cards, co-op ads, etc.

#6. I'm not a salesperson.

We are all salespeople. If you're married, you sold your spouse on you, didn't you? Sure you did. You sold your employer on how good a job you'd do. You sold your banker or landlord that you had the ability to pay your mortgage or rent on time every month. And, if you stop a moment to think about it, you've sold all your friends on your favorite movie or restaurant.

How did you do these things? You just talked about what you believed in from your heart. All too often, people in my organizations try to develop slick presentations. The best presentation requires no outline or memorizing on your part. The best presentation comes from first-hand experience.

The only way you get this experience is to participate into the many products and recruiting devices that your upline and company provide. Many of these techniques or services have been provided to you so you won't have to sell anyone on your MLM.

If you've just started a program and feel that you don't have any creditability do this. First, use the product or service. You've automatically have something to talk about to your prospect. You can say, I've used product X, and it's great! . Then, tap into your uplines success.

Tell your prospect the truth at all times. Say, Joe, I just got involved this month. I've tried the products and they are great. But, more importantly, I'm working with Bill, my upline. In only 6 months time, Bill has built a monthly income of $500. And, best of all he's telling me exactly how he did it. Then describe Bill's success. Schedule a 3-way call with Bill if necessary.

The point is, if you haven't been in long enough to build a track record, use your uplines track record. It's free, isn't it? If Bill's system works like it should, then in 90 days or so you have
your own success story.

In order to become a good salesperson for your MLM you must become "SOLD" on your MLM, your sponsor, your recruiting methods and you must believe in YOURSELF! Then just talk from your heart and share your personal experiences! Boom! You've become what you thought was impossible, a SALESPERSON!

#7. I don't know very many people.

If modern technology has done anything for us in the last century it is the ability to get in touch with mass amounts of prospects with a touch of a button or with an ad in a magazine, newspaper or card-deck. You don ' have to know 1,000 people in order to be successful in MLM--but it does help!

Make a quick list of everyone you know. Make a list of people you know locally and those out of state and out of the country. From your hairdresser, to your kids grade school teacher put down every single living, breathing individual you know. Don't pre-judge their interest, just put their name down on a piece of paper and let your upline know how many names you have. Most everyone knows at least 100 people. Many know 300 or more. Ask your upline the best method you should use to contact your list.

Inform your prospect of all the different ways of generating leads nationally (if you have them). Whether the company provides leads, or your upline through co-op ads, let them know their options and the cost. Lead-generating and mailing list companies of high integrity are also a good source to use for your prospect.

#8. I need money NOW. This would take too long to work.

Unless your MLM offers some sort of quick-start bonus or a fairly substantial retail profit built into the price, you won't find your fortune in 30 days. Yes, it does take 6 months to a year to build a profitable monthly residual income. Don't lie to your prospect, or stretch the truth that they can make fast money in your MLM, unless you're ready to provide proof and a outline on how to achieve it!

Many prospects join a MLM without all the facts. They may believe that all the have to do is mail 100 post-cards a month and they can make a $1,000 by the end of the third month! And when that third month rolls around, guess what? They're mad! At YOU! They also immediately drop out and have a bad taste in their mouth about the MLM industry.

Do not let this happen to you. Do not be the reason for your downline to quit. If you're mis-informing your prospects of the profit potential of your MLM merely to get them to join you're headed for trouble. Your sponsoring will be like a revolving door. And in the not so near future the word will get out that you and your MLM are worthless.

To keep this from happening provide your prospect with the FACTS, not MYTHS about your opportunities profit potential. It helps tremendously if you can provide examples of how either you or someone in your upline generated their income. Give your prospect the FACTS. Then let them make the decision. You'll be surprised at how many people will join with you just because you didn't try to "snow" them about how much money they can make.

#9. My spouse is negative about these things.

If someone's spouse is negative about MLM it is either because of mis-information or for a relatively good reason--they blew a lot of money before in MLM! Nobody likes to make the same mistake twice. And unless you can convince your prospect--or their spouse--that you're different, they won't join. It's that simple.

Most everyone wants to believe that MLM works. What they are looking for is someone who has the expertise and experience to paddle them through the treacherous waters of gloom! Find out what went wrong last time and if it is possible, insure that it won't happen again. Do not, though, guarantee anyone's success in MLM. That's impossible. What I find to be true 9 times out of 10 when this objection comes up is that the person who joined a MLM and failed, did so on their own accord.

They failed to implement any kind of system and never did anything. They bought the start-up kit and some products, but never contacted anyone because they were afraid. And during this time, they were telling their spouse that they WERE indeed doing something.

Believe it or not, but the biggest reason for failure in MLM today is because people do NOTHING to recruit someone. And in the few cases where they do try, someone says NO and the immediately STOP!

They blame their failure on the industry, the company, their upline and the products or service! If you want to make really big money in MLM you must be aware of this FACT.

You must also be aware that when you begin this process of recruiting that you are one of a mere handful of distributors who even venture out in the recruiting zone! The road to success is lined with failure at the rest stop .

The key to making it big, is to not remain at the rest stop. You must re-start your engine and venture on down the road to your next prospect! Then and only then, will you truly begin to profit in MLM!

#10. What would my friends or co-workers think?.

Who cares? If they are truly your friends they will support you. Some friends, who think they are saving you from the frustration of failure, will encourage you to re-think your venture. They can tell you story after story of those who have failed in the past--and that just by associating with the MLM industry you, too will fail. They say only the people who get in early make any money.

It really doesn't matter what they say, it's the fact that they don't want you to succeed. They don't want to be left behind when you succeed.

Sticking your head above the crowd takes some guts. I know, I've done it. Not everyone I know supported me in my ventures. Some of my close friends won't even join with me! Even though they know the amount of money I'm making--and I've offered to help them! Incredible!

What I found is that I had to get some NEW FRIENDS! Don't get me wrong. I don't believe everyone who doesn't get into one of my opportunities is a loser and I never talk to them again. Many of the problems you'll have with your friends, family and co-workers is because you shot your mouth off way before you knew what you were doing--and guess what, you failed. They found out and ribbed you about it. You get mad and create a wedge between your relationship. Who can blame them? You put them down when you said you were going to get rich in MLM and if they didn't get in they were stupid!

It's okay to be excited about your opportunity. But, don't go overboard with those closest to you. Share the opportunity with them, tell them you'd like to work together and go on. Get the facts, though, before approaching them. Do your homework. Know what you are getting yourself and them into. Then, they will at least respect the fact that you're treating this like a business and will give you fair answer.

#11. I want to wait and see if you make any money before I get in.

Another popular response. Turn this "NO" into a customer. Say, while you're waiting on me to succeed, you wouldn't mind being a customer of mine, would you? Most will. Why? Because they feel a little guilty for saying no in the first place. Take advantage of this "guilt window" and ask for a sale. There's nothing wrong with turning a No into a Yes. This is the time to do it!

#12. Only the people who get in first really make any money.

More mis-information. Ask them, If I could show you how that really isn't true, would you reconsider? I also say, Our program is so unique, it rewards those who move the most volume with higher commissions. Let me show you how you can make more money then your sponsor. Show them the facts. Then let them choose.

#13. The Product or Service is too expensive.

Sometimes this is true. But, I didn't get into a MLM to SAVE MONEY . I got in MLM to MAKE MONEY !!! Most programs offer a relatively low break even point. Show your prospect how to break even quickly. Then show them, that after a few months they're actually getting the products for FREE, by making more money than the products are costing them.

Another good question is this, do you always pay the lowest price on everything you buy? Be able to accurately describe the quality of your product. Maybe you have a product that they can't get anywhere else. Tell them. Maybe your product is concentrated and is actually lower in price when compared over a long period of time. Tell them.

Or, maybe your product does cost a little bit more, but has superior quality. TELL THEM! Don't leave your prospect guessing why your price is higher. If your marketing documents don't help justify the price, and it comes as an common objection, tell your prospect WHY it is higher and eliminate that objection immediately.

#14. Isn't this one of those illegal pyramids?

Ask them what their definition is of a pyramid. You'll find that over half the people today aren't aware that all MLM's are LEGAL pyramids--just like your job or the government is.

Plus, most will be surprised to find out that the first in doesn't always make the most money. Many programs today allow you to make more money than your sponsor if you generate more volume than they do. Be sure YOU understand your pay plan and how it works. This will help erase this objection.

The key to handling objections is to anticipate and expect them to occur when talking to your prospects. This way, you won't be blown out of the water when they ask you one. A good way to know what the major objections to you particular MLM are is to ask your upline. They've been in longer than you have, and they can probably share with you what they are.

Still better yet, get on the phone with your upline and listen to them calling their prospects. This will help eliminate the fear you have of calling--at least it did for me. Once I figured out the worst thing that could happen to me was that they said NO , and that they couldn t hurt me in any way, then I overcame my fear. I also realized that I would probably get a lot more No s than Yes s when I called. I expected that when I called. Remember, calling people is a numbers game. Getting a lot of No's is all that is standing between you and your financial future! So go out and get some No's !!

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Robert Blackman is President of Diversified Enterprises Inc. A printing and Direct marketing company. He is also President of The Profit Network, a Voice Mail & Fax-On-Demand MLM company. Not only is Robert successfully making money in 7 different network marketing ventures, he also provides a discount printing, writing, designing and ad placement service!
Want to know how to make money in any MLM? Now you can! Robert Blackman's two cassettes & book entitled, "How To 100% Absolutely Guarantee That You Make Money In Network Marketing" is now available. For complete details on how to get them today; contact Robert Blackman via email at: robert1mlm@aol.com

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