One of the biggest hurdles for new MLM recruits to overcome is dream stealers, so-called well-meaning friends or relatives who will try to convince recruits to quit or not even start in the first place. Let’s call this band of people “Larry & the Dream Stealers”.
There are many reasons why Larry & the Dream Stealers will try to dissuade people from joining or leaving MLM, but I think the main reason is simply ignorance. You will see that Larry does not understand what MLM, or Network Marketing as it is also known, is all about. Like most people, Larry only understands the concept of going to work and getting paid for hours spent working for an employer, so anything that doesn’t fit this method is considered, at best, cases, suspicious and, at worst, simply a Scam.
When an MLM recruit tries to explain the new business he is thinking of getting involved in, or is already involved in, Larry immediately dismisses the idea and will be happy to inform the recruit that he is involved in some sort of scam or pyramid scheme. As a new recruit, he must be aware that this will happen and be prepared for it. A simple answer would be to ask Larry what is a pyramid scheme? He most likely has no idea, but he’s sure that’s what you’re up to.
It is a fact of life that people are afraid or suspicious of anything they don’t understand and will go to great lengths to avoid what they don’t understand. When as a new recruit you start to approach your warm market, your friends and family, some of them will not understand the concept of network marketing and therefore will try to undermine your confidence in your new business to try to protect you by doing to resign . It is vitally important that you have enough posture and self-confidence to reassure “Larry” that you are involved with a legitimate business model and determined to succeed whether they join you or not.
Let’s look at some facts and figures about network marketing; The industry is responsible for more than $167 billion in worldwide sales each year, this is more than the gaming industry ($67 billion) and the movie industry ($80 billion) combined. Warren Buffet, Richard Branson, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Tony Blair are all supporters of Network Marketing. In fact, when Donald Trump was recently asked what he would do if he had to do it all over again, his practical, one-liner answer was, “I’d go into network marketing.” There is plenty of evidence to support the industry’s choice of MLM recruits, so you should have no problem dismissing or dispelling Larry’s suspicions or negativity.
Another way Larry & the Dream Stealers operate is to make promises that they have no intention of keeping. As an MLM recruit, he will invite people to meetings so they can see his opportunity. Meetings are usually held at local hotels, where some experienced company representatives will present a “Career Opportunity” to the assembled guests. Larry & the Dream Stealers have promised that they will be there to meet you and take a look at your opportunity, however, there will be times when no one you invited will show up. This can be very daunting at first, however, just remember one thing, it’s not you they reject, it’s your company or opportunity, don’t take it personally and move on.
In short, as long as you’re aware of Larry and the dream thieves, they can’t take your dream away.