First Sign-Up to Director in Nine Days Brande Bradford brande@brandebradford.com Copyright 2003, Brande BradfordI should really begin this article by explaining my state of mind and
state of mind of my husband, prior to joining (COMPANY).
We were like most network marketers. Extremely frustrated. We had tried several network marketing companies with limited success. In about half cases we made a bad decision in choosing company. With other companies, problems within company or particular organization we had joined prompted us to leave company. Nothing seemed to be working! Nothing.
We toyed with idea of getting out of network marketing altogether. We had all disappointments we could stand. We pretty well backed out of industry for several months, although we did roll dice a couple of times on newly launched companies.
Then phone rang. It was an acquaintance from New York I had worked with in a company several years ago. He had just joined (COMPANY) under an organization he felt could give me a great advantage in building a business. He explained that leaders of organization were already top producers and wanted to build a new power leg. He felt I would be perfect for it. I was flattered, but skeptical. My husband, even more-so. But, I set up an appointment for both my husband and I to speak with our acquaintance and one of these leaders on phone for next night.
We listened to what they had to say. When leader got off call, my husband had some pretty strong words for our acquaintance. I quote: "New York is only a 14 hour drive. If you do Brande wrong, I will be there." (I later found out our acquaintance could not understand my husband's strong southern accent. So, he did not know what my husband had told him.)
I faxed in my application that night.
It was a few days before I received my value pack and business kit. In mean time, I was taking care of some other projects to free up my time a little.
It was now about 20th of January. I needed to get busy. My first call was to a very good friend who had worked with me with several companies in past. Sure, she would sign up, but she said she could not until after fifth of following month. I appreciate a sign-up whenever I can get one.. but I was in a hurry to build. So I thanked her, told her that was great, and moved on. I would get back with her after first of month.
I started calling leads I had accumulated over years. My upline was wonderful with three-way calls. They worked with me constantly. I was getting bites, but wasn't landing any fish! All I knew I could do was keep on trying.
My husband has his own business, and did not have time to be of any real help during day. But at night, he was up with me until 3AM most mornings helping put together our web sites, writing promotional materials, and doing whatever he could. But all of this was for future business, I needed sign-ups now!
I dug through my files and found names and telephone numbers of a few people I had worked with, or at least was in same company with, several years ago.
My first call was a success! He said he would sign up, but wanted to wait until end of month. Again, this was wonderful.. but I wanted sign-ups now! I put him on my list to get with after first of month.
I kept making calls and I kept building relationships on-line. I told those I met each day of opportunity I am involved with. I did everything I felt I could do to build a business in a hurry. When I was tired of prospecting, I would do other things to help my business. I set up a toll free number and a 5 minute prospecting message with a local answering service, and I started planning rest of my strategy for off-line building.
Finally, on 22th of month, I had my first actual sign-up! I was dead tired.. not having slept more than three or four hours a night. My husband was tired from working on his end of bargain, and we both were extremely grouchy. But now I was on fire! I decided I wanted to make director by end of month, nine days away!
When I told my husband my goal, he simply rolled his eyes. Don't get me wrong, he has always supported my efforts. But he might of felt my goals were a little lofty. You see, he likes to sleep at night and he hates to sleep alone.
Over next several days I worked extremely hard. I would get what I thought was a great prospect, only to be disappointed that they just would not make a decision. Old teammates were either frustrated at network marketing or were otherwise involved. New introductions to company were slow to make decisions. I was getting frustrated, but not discouraged. So, I kept working.
I made notes of people who were interested, but not yet ready. I scheduled appointments to get back with them. I added their e-mail addresses to my newsletter subscriber list. Essentially, I created a prospect database.
On morning of 29th, I made a list of those who I felt would sign-up and those who I felt I had a chance of getting before first. It was close, REAL close. I started following up with them to make sure they got their paperwork to me. My friend who wanted to wait until 5th decided to go ahead and join that day. But a couple of my other good prospects ran in to problems, and others decided to put off joining until after first of month.
On morning of 30th, I was coming up short! I needed more people and I was feeling a little lost. I had to do something! But all I could do was stick with it. I made calls to new prospects and followed up with old prospects.
On morning of 31st my list was still short by two people, and that is if, and that is a big if, those I felt would sign up actually did. For last several days I am sure I had been driving my upline crazy with phone calls. But today, I called them countless times. They were rooting for me and helping me with problems, but it was up to me to prove I could produce. And, I had to have everyone submitted to (COMPANY) by 2:00 AM that night.
