Today I want to share with you an article written by my great friend and mentor, John Milton Fogg (author of The Greatest Networker in the World) There is a lot to ponder here… I hope it informs and inspires you!

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Network Marketing Success Tip: It’s Always About Relationship and Giving Value
By John Milton Fogg

A new friend and beginning networker asked me, “Are there one or two things that make the difference between network marketing success and failure?”

I didn’t need time to think about my answer. “Yup,” I said. “Two things: It’s all about relationship and giving value.”

I could tell by her silence that didn’t quite do it for her, so I said, “Let me guess… you got it, but my answer isn’t enough for you. How about an example of what I mean?” Bingo. I could feel her smile over the phone. So, I told her this story about…

Relationship and Giving Value

I was in a clothing store a number of years ago where I’d bought a number of suits and sport coats before. Dennis, the manager knew me and was “my” salesman. He was very good, as was evidenced by how much money I spent on clothes back then.

We were looking over a few three-season gray suits that I had asked to see, and Dennis pulled out a beautiful double-breasted number with a conservative Italian cut. He put the jacket on me and I stood in front of the three-way mirror. It looked great. (I looked great.)

“How much, Dennis?” I asked.

“Thirteen hundred,” he said, looking directly back at me in the mirror without blinking.

“Whaa!” I exclaimed. “Dennis, I’ve never paid more than $600 for a suit in my life!” (Remember, this was a number of years ago.)

“Yes, it’s right up there — and pretty expensive,” he said. “But feel this material, John. You could wear that for ten years and not raise a whisper of a shine on it.”

“Yeah, it looks and feels superb,” I agreed.

“And look at the needle work,” Dennis said as he rolled back the cuff for me to see the stitching. “It’s all hand sewn — and in the areas of stress, like the cuffs and the seams,” he pointed out, turning up the bottom front of the jacket for my inspection, “it’s all double and triple stitched. That means this suit will last you for years. And don’t worry if you lose weight and need it taken in a bit,” Dennis added. “You know we offer free alterations for the life of the garment.”

He walked around behind me, put his hands on my shoulders and turned me sideways looking in the mirror. He smoothed his hands over the shoulders and down the arms and said, “Look how it drapes, John. I’ve never seen a suit that fit so well or looked better on you. Don’t you look smashing?” he asked, his British accent so properly enhancing the entire affair.

“I know it’s expensive,” he said with a sympathetic sigh. “But truth is, it looks just like a $2,500 Armani, which is like saving more than $1000. The style is classic. They’ll be wearing this for years. Besides, John, isn’t it about time you looked as smart and successful as you are? I think you deserve it. What do you think?”

I’ll tell you what I thought: I thought Dennis was The Greatest Salesperson in the World.

He not only let me know the real value of the suit, which at first I didn’t get at all, he transformed it – in my mind from an “expense” to an “investment”. And, he also guaranteed he would alter it whenever I needed — and showed me clearly how I was actually saving money, even though I was spending way more than I’d expected.

He turned every feature into a benefit, and he hit the ultimate benefit for me with his remark about “smart and successful” and that he thought I “deserved it.”

Dennis made the sale, all right — but more than that, he created a customer for life. Why would I ever go anywhere else for a suit? And I never did until I moved very far away.

Dennis became a trusted friend. He took me to lunch. I had him to the house for dinner. I cannot count the number of customers I sent to Dennis over the years

In network marketing success, it’s “Always About Relationship and Giving Value”.

The challenge in selling your network marketing product or your opportunity is revealing and communicating that value to your customer in such a way that he or she gets the message. Do that… and you’re in a relationship destined to grow into friendship and offering partnership is easy.

And that is what makes good marketing messengers rich and famous.

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John Milton Fogg authored the million-selling industry classic, The Greatest Networker in the World. You can receive useful tips, tools, news, updates, links and other resources to help you build a better network marketing business free from John on his website: http://JohnMiltonFogg.com.

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As I read this piece for the upteenth time, I’m again amazed to realize how powerful and enjoyable having a home based business is… getting into relationship with people is what makes Network Marketing A Perfect Home Business!