A Skeptic Walks Into The Room

How To Deal With Network Marketing Skeptics

Unfortunately, Network Marketing has had some bad publicity. Many outside the profession think it’s a pyramid scheme, a get-rich-quick scheme, or just a scam. And unfortunately, this means as you’re out recruiting prospects, you’ll run into some skeptics.

This frightens many Network Marketers. What do you say when your prospect thinks you’re trying to scam them? How are you supposed to react when they speak negatively about your profession, thinking they already know everything about it?

I’m sorry to say that there’s no way to avoid skeptics. You will run into one eventually. But that doesn’t mean you have to be unprepared.

Dealing With Skeptics

So, here are two things to keep in mind as you’re dealing with skeptics.

First, the way you approach skeptics can make a huge difference. Remember, you are not there to convince anybody to do or believe anything. You’re not. You are there to educate people on your opportunity so that they understand what it is that you do. So, don’t push your prospects to sign up or make them feel uncomfortable. You’ll merely drive the skeptics away and confirm some of their negative views of Network Marketing.

Also, you need to not be emotionally attached to the outcome. I know that when you first start out, you’re talking to prospects, and they tell you no, it can feel like they are rejecting you personally and it hurts. But you have to learn that no is just a word. It doesn’t matter if your prospect tells you yes or no. That’s not important. The only thing that is important is that they come to understand what it is that you do and the opportunity you are presenting them.

So, don’t approach skeptics with a confrontational or defensive attitude. Approach them as a friend, a consultant, a teacher. Approach skeptics with the mindset of educating them, and you’ll have a much better interaction.

Okay, so then what do you actually do when you approach a skeptic?

You hold a conversation.

That’s it. There’s not some magical formula for converting skeptics or proving them wrong. All you do is have a conversation with them.

Often skeptics have had some sort of experience with Network Marketing. They’ve known someone who joined with no success or they’ve tried it themselves and it didn’t pay off. Or maybe they’ve just heard stories or read articles. Whatever kind of experience they’ve had, ask them for their story. Ask them what they specifically are concerned about or what they don’t like about Network Marketing.

And then talk about it with them. If they think it’s a get-rich-quick scheme, explain that it is extremely rare for anyone in the profession to get rich in a short amount of time. If they’ve been told that there’s no work involved, tell them that they will have to work hard to reach success. Tell them the truth about Network Marketing. Give them realistic expectations. Present objective facts about the company, product, and profession.

You don’t have to be afraid to run into skeptics. All you have to do is hold a conversation with them. If they are still skeptical of Network Marketing, that’s okay. You can’t make people believe in the profession. All you can do is educate them.