What is the secret to sales? Although many network marketers, particularly those that are struggling, may think there’s a secret to sales. After all, that has to be why some people experience astonishing success while others struggle, right? What’s the best sales tip to help network marketers build successful businesses?

There will always be those people who succeed (at least in the short term) because they strong-armed everyone they know into buying from them. To build lasting success, you have to open your ears and listen (or open your eyes and look).

The truth is, there isn’t a secret to sales or a magic phrase or word that will make people buy from you. However, those who are the most successful salespeople know that the core of sales is one thing – selling solutions to the problems your product solves. People don’t just buy a product, they buy the solution it solves. For example, think of the last thing you bought. Chances are you didn’t just buy it to buy something. You bought it to address a problem. There are reasons we buy what we do, whether it’s to solve a practical problem or because we just want to feel better. Humans are emotional creatures and that seeps into our buying habits as well. 

If you want to build your business, you have to figure out what problem your business solves and show your customers and prospects how you can help. 

Targeting the problem you solve

With some businesses, it’s easy to see what problem is solved. For example, for health and fitness businesses, the goal for many is to get healthier and fitter. However, for others, it may take more thought. If you’re wondering what problem your business solves, think about the emotional connection a customer would have to your business. For example, if your business relates to home decor, think of the role our homes and environments play in our lives. If a customer mentions that they’re stressed out, your solution may include products related to relaxing scents, sounds, colors, etc. 

Sales tip: Sell the problem you solve

The most successful network marketers listen to the needs of their customers, prospects, and distributors. It sounds easy; however, your network often won’t come right out and say what’s ailing them. More often you have to read between the lines and listen for clues. In the course of the conversation, they might mention something that you might be able to help them with. 

Let’s say you’re catching up with someone in your network and they mention they wish they had more energy. If your business is health and fitness related, you may know that exercise and a healthy diet can go a long way to feeling energized. You may mention to them that your business can help. Start by explaining how food and exercise are linked to more energy, then explain how your business can help. Then, go into all the other benefits of eating right and exercising.

Or, let’s say a customer laments that they’re noticing more fine lines on their face recently. If your business is skincare, you may have the perfect cream or serum that can smooth out those fine lines and wrinkles. This is your opportunity to discuss this product with your customer and explain all the great benefits it’ll have for their skin, including that it’ll make their skin feel softer and appear brighter, for example. 

What if your business doesn’t solve their problem?

Sometimes a person in your network will mention a problem that your business can’t solve. Let’s say a customer mentions those problems, but your business is related to clothing or home decor. You can still help them because you’re in the business of building relationships.

This is your chance to work your network. Chances are you have other network marketers in your network whose business is health and fitness or skincare. Tell your customer that you know someone who can help and introduce them to one another. Your customer will appreciate that you were able to connect them to someone who can help and will surely see you as the hub of your network. It also helps build your relationship with the other network marketer and it may prompt them to send business your way as well. 

If your customer has a need that is not network marketing business-related, connect them with someone you know who can help. If they mention they need a roofer, give them the number of the company that fixed your roof. The point is to show your network that you have an extensive network that you can tap into to help them. Not only will they be thankful for the sentiment, but they’ll also understand that you see them as more than a potential sale or team member – you appreciate them as a person. 

Sales tip: Focus on building your relationships

The truth is that the best sales tip in the world has nothing to do with sales itself and everything to do with building your relationships with the customers, prospects, and distributors in your network. When you’re building a network marketing business with heart, it’s about showing care and concern for everyone in your network. It’s about building relationships with your network and allowing them to see you as the expert of your industry. 

This builds trust. We talk about the C’s of building trust, which includes character and competence. By not pushing the sale and instead focusing on the relationship and looking for ways to help, you’re showing your character. And, by showing off your expertise and exerting yourself as the center of your network, you’re showing your competence. This will not only strengthen your standing in the eyes of your network, it’ll also make them more likely to want to introduce you to other people they know if you just ask for that introduction. 

Reach out to your network

Teamzy makes it easy to reach out to your network and listen for a need to fill. Simply log into your Dashboard and see who to contact each day. Set aside time to contact everyone one that list – it should take about 30 minutes or less, unless your list is huge. As you reach out and they respond to you, try to pinpoint a problem they may be facing. Then, figure out ways that you can help, whether it’s recommending a product or service of yours or introducing them to another network marketer or business who can help.

Be consistent

Consistency is another one of the C’s that build trust. The more consistent you are, the more likely your network will grow to trust you. That doesn’t mean you contact them all the time; it means they know you’re going to check in when you say you will. It also means that you’re true to your word – if you say you’re going to introduce them to someone who can help, you will. 

Bonus sales tip: Selling is nice, building a lasting relationship is better

It’s not worth making the sale if you have to strongarm the other person into buying. You may recommend a product or service that your business offers only to have the other person respond that they’ll “think about it.” No one likes to be pressured into buying, even if they like the person they’re buying from. Instead, make the suggestion and then follow up with them soon after to check in and remind them of the benefits of the product or service and how it can help them. In the interim, they’ll be thinking about it anyway. People often need to think about things before they act. Additionally, most sales are made after several follow ups. Remember, following up is an act of love – it shows that you care. Continue to follow up – it’s not annoying, it’s an act of service. 

Teamzy can help you build a lasting network marketing business 

We developed Teamzy to help network marketers build the foundation for a strong business based on relationships and helping their networks. Not only does our CRM help you keep your business organized it also features scripts you can use to build and strengthen relationships, easy goal setting to give you a target to aim for, and training to help you sharpen your skills. You can put our sales tips into action with ease. Click here to learn more.