Giving an invitation to join a network marketing business can seem daunting for many people. However, it doesn’t have to be scary or awkward if you follow some simple guidelines. In this article, we will explore the best practices for warmly and professionally inviting people to learn more about your business opportunity.
Why Give Invitations?
Inviting people to take a look at your business is the only way to grow your team. Network marketing relies on developing a team of marketers in order to leverage efforts and increase reach. Sitting back and waiting for people to approach you won’t result in growth. You have to be proactive in sharing the opportunity with others.
Here are some key reasons you’ll want to master the art of giving invitations:
- Builds your business
- Allows you to help more people
- Develops confidence
- Broadens your network
While it can seem intimidating at first, avoid rejecting yourself by assuming others aren’t interested. You never know who might become your next team member if you just extend the invitation!
Who Should You Invite?
Invitations to your network marketing opportunity should be given to people you have existing relationships with. Avoid inviting total strangers. The best people to start with are:
- Family members
- Close friends
- Casual acquaintances
- People who have expressed interest
- Former colleagues
- People you meet at events
Focus first on those who are most likely to be receptive to knowing more. As you become more confident, you can broaden your invitations to mild acquaintances and other networks.
How to Warmly Invite
Giving invitations is about warmly sharing something you are excited about, not pressuring others to join. Keep these tips in mind:
- Come from a place of service – focus on how you can help them reach their goals.
- Make a genuine connection – don’t just launch into your sales pitch.
- Ask permission – “Would you be open to learning more about a business I’m working on?”
- Allow them to opt out – don’t take “no thanks” personally.
- Follow up – not everyone will be ready right away. Follow up in a few weeks.
The invitation process should focus on relationships over sales. Avoid giving the impression that you just want to recruit them. Make it about starting a conversation versus signing them up.
What to Say
Here are some casual scripts for inviting someone to learn more:
- “I just started a new business and I’m really excited about it. Since you’re open-minded to new opportunities, I thought I’d run it by you and see if it’s something you’d be interested in taking a look at.”
- “I wanted to get your opinion on something I’m working on related to [person’s interests, passions]. Are you open to taking a look and letting me know your thoughts?”
- “A mentor of mine introduced me to a business that’s really exploding. I can’t get it out of my head because I really think it could help you based on your goals. Would you be open to letting me send you a video to check out?”
Keep it casual and conversational. Ask for their opinion and feedback versus immediately asking them to join. This takes off the pressure.
Following Up
Not everyone will be ready to learn more right away when you invite them. Follow up in a few weeks by saying:
- “Have you given any more thought to what we discussed about taking a look at my business?”
- “I know you were busy when we last spoke. If the timing is better, I’d still love for you to see the information about the opportunity I’m working on.”
Following up shows you care about their goals and demonstrates your professionalism. Just move on if someone continues to express disinterest after a follow up.
How to Present the Opportunity
Once someone expresses openness to learning more, it’s time to present the opportunity. Avoid information overload by keeping the introduction simple with these steps:
Schedule a Time
Set up a specific time to connect, whether virtually or in person. This allows the person to prepare to give you their full focus and attention. Treat it as an introductory meeting versus an impromptu pitch session.
Share Resources
Send videos,articles, or other materials ahead of the meeting so they can begin getting acquainted with the general idea and purpose. This will spark curiosity. Just don’t overwhelm with too much info.
Give Overview
At the meeting, briefly explain the purpose of your network marketing company, why you got involved, and share key facts like:
- Company mission
- Founders’ story
- Products/services
- Business model
- Training system
Keep it high-level at this stage – not a deep dive into compensation plans and commission structures. Leave them wanting to learn more.
Discuss Benefits
Share the specific benefits and transformations people experience by getting involved with your company. Tie it back to their goals and interests and how the opportunity could be a fit.
Next Steps
If interest is expressed, provide clear action steps:
- Schedule a follow up call with your team
- Attend online opportunity event
- Review marketing materials
Avoid asking for a commitment to join right away. Let the process naturally unfold.
Address Concerns
They may bring up objections or concerns. Address these professionally but also listen to understand their perspective. Don’t argue or pressure.
The initial presentation should be a high-level introduction. Once interest and intrigue is sparked, they will engage in further learning at their own pace.
How to Promote at Events
Network marketing success requires consistently meeting new prospects. Attending events like conferences, trade shows and seminars provides access to large crowds of potential recruits in your target audience.
Here are tips for effectively promoting your business at events:
Research Attendees
Review the event agenda and speaker list to have an idea of who will be present. Look for aligned interests related to your products, mission and target customer avatar.
Have a Strong Booth Presence
Invest in solid signage, banners, visuals, samples and takeaways that quickly communicate your brand and offerings. Staff your booth with positive team members.
Use Giveaways
Draw people in by offering free samples, discounts or giveaways like ebooks and resource guides with your branding and contact info.
Leverage Speaking Slots
If possible, apply to get on the speaker schedule. Deliver value while weaving in mentions of what you do. Have a call to action for people to learn more by visiting your booth.
Work the Room
Network with as many attendees as possible, collecting business cards to follow up with later. Have a simple invite process to direct them to a landing page.
Promote on Social Media
Post stories and photos on your social channels during the event. Use relevant hashtags so you appear in the event’s social media feed. Offer promotions for checking out your booth.
Attending promotional events allows you to cast a wide net and engage prospects face-to-face. Have a system to capture leads and Circle back for follow up after the event.
How to Leverage Social Media
Your network marketing business should have a strong presence on social media platforms. Used strategically, social media provides a way to promote to large numbers of targeted prospects.
Here are some tips for leveraging major social platforms:
Create a Facebook business page to promote your opportunity to your existing friends network and extend reach through paid ads. Share stories, videos, events, and industry news. Go live to engage followers.
Build an Instagram following around your niche, showcasing products and team members. Use Stories to increase engagement. Partner with relevant influencers. Run promotions and lead capture campaigns.
YouTube
Upload videos sharing your story, product tutorials, training materials, and conference footage. Optimize with keywords. Collaborate with leaders in your team.
Publish long-form posts to establish expertise. Join relevant Groups to connect with prospects. Advertise open team positions. Aim for professional versus aggressive promotion.
Draft short-form content that resonates with your audience. Use trending hashtags and current news hooks. Retweet leaders in your space.
If your products/brand have strong visual appeal, create eye-catching Pins showcasing them. Link to your online store. Collaborate on content with other Pinners in your niche.
A strategic and consistent social media presence allows you to attract prospects when they are actively scrolling various platforms. Meet them where they already spend time online.
Mistakes to Avoid
While giving invitations is critical to network marketing success, there are some common mistakes to avoid:
Blasting generic messages
Mass messaging everyone you know on social media comes across as spammy. Take a personalized approach.
Talking too much
Presenting should be an engaging dialogue, not a one-sided lecture. Actively listen to prospects.
Exaggerating income potential
Focus on the value of the products/mission versus making false income claims in an effort to recruit.
Pressuring friends and family
Never make loved ones feel guilty for not joining or push too hard if they aren’t interested.
Handling rejection poorly
Not everyone will join and that’s ok. Maintain composure and graciously accept no as an answer.
Presenting before building rapport
Get to know prospects as people first. Earn the right to present your opportunity.
Avoid anything that comes across as salesy, pushy or inauthentic. Prospects want to connect with you as a person first.
Conclusion
Extending warm invitations provides the pipeline for growth in network marketing. Approach it from a helpful mindset of sharing something that improved your life. Avoid high pressure sales tactics. Leverage personal connections and events to meet prospects, then systematically follow up. With a genuine desire to serve others, network marketing can expand your vision of what’s possible.