If you “do” the three foot rule — stop it now.
How many of you practice and teach the “Three Foot Rule”?
It goes something like this – if someone is within three feet of you then talk about your company or your product.
If you do this, please stop it now. Without knowing it you’re helping to run the reputation of the network marketing industry into the ground.
Yep, into the ground.
And you’re killing your new business builders.
This week (like most weeks) I got a call from a distraught business builder who asks, “How can I introduce my product or business to people I don’t know? My upline says I’m supposed to talk to everybody I meet.”
How many of you have been told when you go to a party to look for a way to bring up your company or your product?
How many of you have been told to join the Chamber of Commerce (or just go to the mixers) and pass out your cards and “listen for a need” so you can talk to people about your business?
How many of you really feel comfortable doing this? For what it’s worth according to the people I coach not many of us do? Why? Because it’s disingenuous and unprofessional.
I’m not saying don’t talk to people. And I’m certainly not saying never talk to a stranger. But I am saying the industry needs to upgrade most of the training I hear about. And that folks means it is up to us. When you train your business builders to attend an organization to “see who you can get” rather than to get involved and offer what you can give, it is going to continue to drive down the reputation of our industry…and drive away our business builders not to mention customers. It’s obnoxious.
I know of business network groups who have “banned” network marketers because of this kind of business practice! And to drive that home a bit, how many of you shouted with joy when you found out your company was network marketing? hmmmm
Let’s put this into perspective. How many times do you go to a party and meet someone who’s a real estate agent and they ask you if you’d like to buy (or sell) a home?
Or how many times are you at a party and the person you’re talking to manipulates the conversation to find out you don’t have life insurance and then wants to sell you some?
Or have you ever met a dentist at a party who said to you, “you ought to come into the office” because s/he could straighten your teeth?
Why not? Because it’s not professional. But we teach, train and sometimes bully our new business builders into doing this. I had an upline in Excel that told me (and everyone else in his downline) that anyone who wouldn’t be my long distance customer wasn’t really my friend and I should tell them so! Yikes!
I know that one of the keys to build a successful MLM business is to get in front of new people all the time. But the only way that works is to be invited in – not to push or trick ourselves in. We need to cultivate professional relationships by working with others on projects, in professional communities and organizations.
If you want our industry to take its rightful place as a powerful way for people to take charge of their lives –
And if you want your network marketing business to flourish –
Then its time we build networks not crash them.
As networkers we are all looking for that person with the ever expanding sphere of influence. Yes? Aren’t the best sponsors exactly what they are looking for?
I know this will take a little longer. But businesses are built systematically and typically by members of the community..
Wouldn’t you love it if the next time you tell someone you’re a network marketer they tell you a wonderful story about a networker they met once.
What do you think?
February 24th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
I have always thought of the “three foot rule” is kind of like going fishing and throwing out a big net, lots of twigs branches and debris get caught up there.
Or like the other expression “Throw mud at the wall and see what sticks” ugg !
Now having said that I think we should be aware of WHO is in our three foot circumforance and if we choose to we can start a conversation with the intent to make an appointment to discuss our business.
Choice, it’s always about making those choices ! I don’t want debris and mud in my downline taking up space and my time for the short time we know they will be there. Rather I prefer to pick who I want to work with and help develop and coach a strong team of people I enjoy to be around and who are committed business builders, now that’s productive and we all have fun moving forward together.
February 25th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
I’ve been on the receiving end of the 3 foot rule many a time… it has rarely been a good experience.
Most recently I was corresponding with someone on a technical issue, and out of the blue he sends me an email about ’send out cards and he’d like to call me tomorrow to chat for for about 15 minutes’. Uhhhh, nope! I politely resonded ‘no thanks’.
It was just strange as I barely know this person other than a few emails back and forth, and after this I honestly want to avoid him. He’s damaged our relationship before it could even start.
February 26th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
” I have to admit, that, yes, I was encouraged to work the 3-foot rule, and I do talk to a lot of people, but if I was really honest with myself, I HAVE NEVER SPONSORED, OR BROUGHT SOMEONE INTO MY BUSINESS THIS WAY. When I create curiosity talking to someone in the grocery store line, and they ask, “well, what do you do?” or something where if I DON’T answer I will seem rude, then of course I share the name of my company, and GET PERMISSION to share. I have learned that truly SAVVY people form relationships, they don’t “business card bomb” as I call it.:) Thanks for this blog, it is so true.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Jillian,
I love what you said about the 3 foot rule. It’s that perspective that will move people into action. It’s that truth that lets me see more clearly the responsibility and flexibility that is mine in this business. My own unique talents can be developed and a business created that is authentic. At the same time I contribute to the whole when I am real. This viewpoint brings me to a place that it is packed full of integrity and a welcome jolt into action as a network marketer. I can do this and what’s more, I want to do this! Thanks Jillian for once again sharing thoughts and words that move and inspire.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Once upon a time, I thought the three-foot rule was the only way to meet new people. I then learned this method is like hunting versus farming. You see, when you practice the 3-foot rule, you take your “shotgun” out and attempt to bag the customer (or better yet, the new business builder). As with hunting, you can see the results quicker even though there are a lot of missed shots.
On the other hand, if you go out with the intention of making friends and seeing how you can benefit them (and I don’t mean how your product can help them but how you can truly benefit them) its like farming. You have to plant the seeds (meet people), cultivate (build the relationship by helping them in their needs), and finally reap the harvest. The best part is, by doing this, you produce more “food” than you ever could hunting. And that “food” will go out and refer you to others because they know you aren’t a hard sell.
So go to parties and networking events and groceries stores even, with the intent of seeing how many new friends you can make. It’s a whole lot more fun and less pressure than seeing how many sales you can make.
Oh, and I have to say, I am with that same company Tina had a bad experience with. I’m very sorry she had to face that. I guess with every company, you have some good and some bad.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
If the three foot rule is not where it’s at, then what would you suggest when you’ve run out of your warm market, ask for referrals and people won’t give them to you and you don’t have time for in home presentations.
I think if you’re not pushy and obnoxious, the three foot rule works. If i am friendly and leave them a way out if they choose, i think it works.
What do you think?
MG
February 28th, 2007 at 9:26 am
I’m so relieved to hear you give “permission” not to have to use the 3-foot rule technique. I think some people can get away with it and not come off as pushy, but I am not comfortable doing it and remaining true to myself and my business. I would like to learn effective techniques though for chatting with strangers in the grocery store and piquing their curiosity. How about a coaching call on that…?
March 5th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
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