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Network Marketing Prospecting: Cockamamie Fridays

Guest post by: Andy Acciaioli

Article Overview: In the past network marketers used a subtle, back door approach to pitch you on their product or service. Today it is a wham-bam in your face approach: come and get it. Now.

Network Marketing Prospecting: Cockamamie Fridays

I have always looked at network marketing in a non-traditional way. Maybe it is because I managed to not have been knowingly prospected to join a network marketing company until I was into my 40's. (For you 20-somethings, your 40's is not called "way, way old".) My entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well in me since my 20's. That is when I started a tour/travel/bus business called Hartley Tours. I built it from a staff of one (me) to a staff of 130+ to make the show go on every day.

Friday afternoons was when payroll was distributed. I would also refer to Friday afternoons as the seemingly endless parade of cockamamie ideas since I had an open door policy. Our bus drivers, tour conductors plus branch office managers knew that they could drop by and discuss anything that was on their mind...or sometimes give me a piece of it.

Most of the money-making ideas were from our drivers and escorts who would attempt to get me involved in a business venture (that's what they were called in the day) they picked up while they were out on tour. "Andy, we're going to make a ton of money with these re-usable soap balls. People will buy one and it'll last for months." Ew. A re-usable slimy, icky soap ball used repeatedly... the future looks dismal for repeat sales if it lasts so long. "Andy, do you realize how many dogs there are in Rhode Island? Imagine if everyone bought their dog food only from us which we would then get sales reps in other states and pay them a commission and then they would get other reps in other states. We could build a dog food dynasty." Woof. Woof.

Little did I know at the time that they - and loads of other staffers - were approaching me to get involved with a network marketing opportunity.

At least today, when you are prospected , YOU KNOW IT. Finesse? Forgetaboutit. "Kissey, kissey, you just became my Facebook friend. Now you can join my mlm, sign here...What do you mean, no? Well you're not my friend anymore, I'm defriending you right now."

My parade of cockamamie business opportunities were limited to Friday afternoons. Now they find me 24/7/365 in all of my email accounts. And after looking at a few of these ventures, those slimy, icky soap balls are starting to look like a pretty good opportunity.

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Article Tags: afternoons, bus business, bus drivers, business venture, conductors, dog food, endless parade, entrepreneurial spirit, money making ideas, network marketing company, network marketing opportunity, office managers, open door policy, repeat sales, sales reps, soap ball, soap balls, tour andy, tour travel, travel bus



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