20 Responses to “New Friends Through MLM Or No Friends Left ?”

1. Marcus Baker
   Twitter: marcus_baker
   says:

   January 19, 2012 at 12:35

   Hi Oliver,

   Unfortunately in the old days at least, many network marketing companies played a role in helping one to lose one’s friends by encouraging (even insisting) that one approach all one’s exiting friends. I know I got burnt this way a couple of times and then I learned my lesson!

   Learning to attract the right people so you have new friends who are like minded makes perfect sense.

   ~Marcus
   Marcus Baker recently posted..A Focus Tweak Guaranteed to Help You Achieve Your Goals

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   Oliver Reply:
   January 20th, 2012 at 09:52

   Hi Marcus,

   thanks for your comment and adding value. I just read in the contract of some company that personal websites of their partners are “absolutely forbidden” – both for promoting the company (which is understandable at least) but also for building the business in general. Absolutely forbidden, even a generic blog like this one to build relationships and generate leads ?

   Many companies are afraid of the internet, so it’s not astonishing that governments have an easy time censoring it, is it ?

   Probably a bit off topic here, but what choice do marketers have if they’re not supposed to use the internet ?

   Be blessed

   Oliver

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2. Viola Tam says:

   January 20, 2012 at 05:09

   Hi, Oliver,

   Great post! I like the way you express it too

   I agree with Marcus that many network marketing companies play a role in getting distributors into annoying their friends. I have been there too! Many leaders do not seem to understand that we are human beings with emotions. The feeling of being alienated by your friends and families can be very hurtful…

   Like Marcus, I have eventually found the right way to do the business. Oliver, you are right. We just have to become a leader with skills and knowledge to attract the people who would like to explore what we have to offer.

   Online, even if people do not join our business after exploring, we can still be friends and support each other’s goals and dreams. I have found that the environment here on Facebook is generally supportive.

   Viola Tam
   Viola Tam recently posted..Network Marketing Success Tips: Brian Tracy (7)

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   Oliver Reply:
   January 20th, 2012 at 09:48

   Hi Viola,

   thanks for your comment and seconding our friend Marcus. Yes, as friends, it doesn’t matter whether or not we end up being in business together. We can, but we don’t have to.

   Be blessed

   Oliver

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3. Radu
   Twitter: radu_dascalul
   says:

   January 20, 2012 at 15:54

   Hey Oliver,
   Well said! When you pursue your goals unplanned “miracles” start to flow in your life experience..Great friends is one of them..The ability to travel and have time and financial freedom is another.
   I like the point you made about the misconception “is not right/spiritual to have friends allover the world or more money”. The truth is that everything comes from the “unseen world” so certainly there is spiritual aspect there.
   Network Marketing is a journey that deserves all the atention..in just few years we can be/ do and have things we never imagined before. For those who accept the initial risk and keep going the journey will be fantastic. I’m in

   Thanks for sharing this video/post Oliver. Have a great trip back to Tubingen!

   Cheers,
   Radu
   Radu recently posted..3 proven methods to hurt your home based business

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   Oliver Reply:
   January 20th, 2012 at 22:59

   Hi Radu,

   thanks for your thoughtful comment. I like it that you point out that everything comes from the unseen world. There’s no denying the fact that 99 % of the universe are invisible…

   Be blessed

   Oliver

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4. Ilka Flood
   Twitter: ilkaflood
   says:

   January 20, 2012 at 22:33

   Hi Oliver,

   Haha, Marcus is talking about the “old days.” This practice is still taught by network marketing companies today. I cringe when I hear a company trainer say, “and now sit down and make a list of your friends and family and then start at the top working your way down giving them a call and introduce this wonderful business.”

   Following this awful advice is the quickest way to end up in the NFL, No Friends Left league.

   It is much better not to approach your friends but instead attract new friends to you by branding yourself, (not your company) and establish yourself as a leader in your niche. Gain as much knowledge as you can and share it with your target audience.

   …And surround yourself with successful leaders as success will surely rub off.

   Thanks for sharing you incredible knowledge with us, Oliver!

   Ilka
   Ilka Flood recently posted..Shake It Off and Take a Step UP – An Inspirational Story

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   Oliver Reply:
   January 20th, 2012 at 22:57

   Hi Ilka,

   thanks for your mindful comment. Yes, this is truly awful advice, nou doubt it. People who still teach that haven’t done it themselves. They only teach this because they have done it differently, in a non-duplicatable way and have no clue how to create true duplication.

   Be blessed

   Oliver

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5. James says:

   January 22, 2012 at 04:10

   Great post my friend. I wish I would have learned this lesson sooner in my Network Marketing career. But now I know and I am doing great.
   James recently posted..Can Your Team Duplicate Your Process?

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   Oliver Reply:
   January 22nd, 2012 at 23:07

   Hi James,

   I am grateful that I learned this lesson well and soon enough.

   Thanks for your comment.

   Be blessed

   Oliver

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6. Donna Merrill says:

   January 22, 2012 at 18:09

   Hi Oliver, I coach many MLM people how to ethically get on to an on line business. Because most of them have followed the old way of mindset i.e. being pushy, it is sometimes a struggle to get them to understand how easy it is to make friends all over the world and build trust. To be a go giver instead of a go taker. That being said, I see many being successful just by making friends.
   “how will that make me money?” is the usual question. Answer: Trust
   People buy people is the golden rule. The process is so enjoyable also. The friends we make are incredible. We build such closeness with others.
   I don’t advertize but rather have people come to me. And those are the ones that I enjoy working with. It’s a win win situation.
   Blessings,
   Donna
   Donna Merrill recently posted..Find Your Passion | Key Lifecoach Strategies

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   Oliver Reply:
   January 22nd, 2012 at 23:07

   Hi Donna,

   thanks for your thoughtful comment. There is a fine line between making friends and making money. As soon as people realize that they can make money by making friends, they will start making friends to make money. That, however, is not what it’s all about, is it ?

   I know that you are fully aware of this and practise it in our business that this equation “make friends to make money” won’t work in the long run. We need to ask ourselves all the time:”What’s in it for them ? What’s in it for them ? What’s in it for them ?”

   Be blessed

   Oliver

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7. Stephane Lacroix
   Twitter: stephan_lacroix
   says:

   January 22, 2012 at 20:15

   Hi Oliver, I can relate to what you articulated in the video. We work with people from all over the world in this business and we build strong friendships with people we often never meet in person for a couple years. It grateful for all of the opportunities that this business provides.

   Thanks for the post Oliver.

   Stephane
   Stephane Lacroix recently posted..Do What You Love And Find Happiness

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   Oliver Reply:
   January 22nd, 2012 at 23:02

   Hi Stephane,

   thanks for comment. And consider this: The only goal you ever need to set in your life is being able to visit your friends anytime you wish, no matter where they are in the world. That does include time, health and money, doesn’t it ?

   Be blessed

   Oliver

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8. Holly Jahangiri
   Twitter: HollyJahangiri
   says:

   January 24, 2012 at 13:46

   Oliver,

   First, please tell me how I can get a banner like the one I saw coming in! THAT is really quite clever. I’m not entirely sure I want to implement it – but it’s got definite possibilities.

   Second, I thought, when I saw NFL and “No Friends Left” you were talking about the Superbowl and I gave a silent fist bump – as one who has little interest in sports, football season in the U.S. is “No Friends Left” season for me! It’ll soon be over, though.

   Third, I’m not in Marketing. But all this blogging and social networking and sharing and running around like hamsters on a wheel… I think I fall into both groups. I can usually manage it without alienating EVERYBODY I know, but…it’s a bit like being a writer – you cannot just send your work off to your family for critique. It’s unfair to them, and it brings you nothing useful in return, because if they say they love it, you’ll never know if it’s just because they love you, or because they hope you’ll finally leave them alone, or they really do love it.

   Now, of course I came here from a page that says “CommentLuv.” Isn’t it a wonderful little plug-in? And of course I want something – only it’s not the backlink and I have absolutely nothing to sell you. Really. My friend Abhi, a computer engineering student and blogger from India, is entered into a blogging contest and would love it if you’d drop by (that’s his entry down there – not MY blog) and maybe leave a comment or share his post.
   Holly Jahangiri recently posted..Good Blogger And A Good Blog: What Are The Signs?

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   Oliver Reply:
   January 30th, 2012 at 19:51

   Hi Holly,

   thanks for your comment. If you are referring to my blog header, it’s a private seaview photo put together with my picture by a graphic designer from India for a few bucks. Glad you like it.

   Well, blogging is all about marketing, is it not ?

   I’m just thinking.

   Take care

   Oliver

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   Holly Jahangiri
   Twitter: HollyJahangiri
   Reply:
   January 30th, 2012 at 20:05

   No, I was referring to the clever one that says, “Look, I see you’re coming from a page that talks a lot about CommentLuv, so if you’re just looking for spammy backlinks, it ain’t happenin’ – otherwise, hang tight till I can let you out of moderation jail.” That banner.

   And no, blogging isn’t “all about marketing” to all of us – not really. For me, the marketing is somewhat secondary (though arguably, I ought to be using my blog to sell more of my books – I think it could also be argued that if I do, people might mistake me for the wrong kind of author!) I blog primarily because I like to write – but am not one of those writers who does it purely for my own amusement. I love readers. The more, the merrier. In fact, most of my blog readers don’t blog for money (though many ARE fellow authors who use their blog as one way to market their own and other authors’ books). Me? I mostly blog for the fun of it – and now and then like to help a friend meet their goals. Oh – and I’m out to dominate the “no-niche niche.” So far, I think I’m doing a stellar job of that.
   Holly Jahangiri recently posted..Versatile? You Betcha.

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   Oliver Reply:
   January 30th, 2012 at 22:32

   Hi Holly,

   ah Ok, I understand. This comes from a plugin called “Comment Warning”.

   And congratulations that you are doing what you love and thank you for expanding on your work – keep it up !

   Be blessed

   Oliver

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9. Brock Blohm
   Twitter: start_networkin
   says:

   February 10, 2012 at 23:56

   Oh so very true. Attract the right friends to you. Couldn’t have said it any better.

   I gave all of my friends and family to join. Some did. Some didn’t. No worries, I never pressured them – a simple offer.

   It’s amazing, with the power of the internet, we are able to build such fantastic friends – who are all on the same mental level as ourselves. What a journey!

   Thanks for this reminder, Oliver!

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   Oliver Reply:
   February 11th, 2012 at 12:54

   Hi Brock,

   thanks for your comment. Yes, the internet is awesome, kind of a serendipity machine to gather the right people that can do great things together.

   Be blessed

   Oliver

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