I watched one of Dale Calvert’s “No Fluff” webinars last night and he took the time to describe the perfect network marketing prospect. He said that he learned this definition of the perfect prospect from A.L. Williams, founder of Primerica, many years earlier.
He went on to explain that there are always exceptions to the rule, and you should never stereotype or pre-judge people, but if you were to focus on just one demographic of people to prospect, this is who it should be:
- 25-35 years old
- Married with children
- Own their own home
- Income of $40k to $100k per year
He explained that people in this demographic are the best network marketing prospects because they haven’t made it yet, but they want to really bad.
In other words, they are HUNGRY for success, open minded, and willing to do whatever it takes to create a better life for themselves and their family.
Chew on that for a minute. To be quite frank with you, I have been thinking about this definition for the past 24 hours, just spinning it around in my mind. While I personally believe that anyone can be a great prospect for our business, when the timing is right for them, I would have to agree that this demographic is a good one to focus on.
At the end of the day you are looking for someone who is open minded and HUNGRY for success. You don’t want someone who has accepted their lot in life and settled for their current situation. You don’t want a “negative nelly” or “pessimist” who thinks they know everything, or has given up on their dreams.
DESIRE is the number one attribute of a good prospect. You want someone with a big, burning desire. You can teach skills, but you can’t teach hustle, desire and work ethic. Give me someone with desire and I can show them how to be successful in our industry, even if they don’t know what they are doing yet. Give me someone with skills, but no motivation, and I will show you a picture of most struggling network marketers.
You really want someone who is sick and tired of being sick and tired and is ready to do “whatever it takes for as long as it takes” to be successful.
Most people in their mid twenties to early thirties have realized that a traditional career isn’t going to give them what they want in life. Even with a decent paying job (which most people don’t have) most of these folks don’t have the time and money to do what they want when they want to do it.
Many people in their 20s and 30s are looking for a different career path. They are open minded. Many of these folks want to be home with their kids, want to work from home, and would even love to work for themselves.
Assuming you can approach these folks the right way (as a professional) many of these people will take a look at what you have to offer. I’m not saying everyone will join your team or become a customer, nor am I saying that every 25-35 year old is a good prospect, but I believe it’s a good group to focus on.
I don’t know about you, but I was in this demographic when I first learned about the network marketing industry. I had a good work ethic, hustle, and was looking for a better way. Thank goodness someone sat me down and shared the possibilities of network marketing with me!
What do you think? If you were to look at your team, what do your two or three best performers have in common? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a great day.
Chuck Holmes
20+ Year Network Marketing Professional
Top Earner & Top Recruiter
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
P.S. Learn how to grow a successful network marketing business. Secret tips, training, and practical ideas. Free training delivered by email.
I think the key is to never prejudge anyone and find those with the burning desire and the will to make change in their lives. Most people are engrained in the 9-5 mentality. They know there is a better way, but just need to be shown a proven system. Nothing a little dream building can’t handle.
Yes, getting people to open up to the possibilities can be a challenging task. I like to look for people who are already entrepreneurial minded.
This is a good example of the target market; while many of us agree that you should not leave out anyone who falls outside those parameters, it should be the focus of any advertising and such that we do should aim directly at this target market. Instead of dropping flyers outside the bongo hall, it would make more sense to drop them outside the gym, as an example.
It makes good sense and thanks for sharing that with us. While I fall outside that target market, the majority of people I talk with fall within those boundaries.
It is interesting to me that when I took the time to analyze the makeup of my business, I found that almost all of the people fit those guidelines. Of course as you pointed out there will be exceptions, as I am involved in MLM and I’m not even 25 yet. I think people should be targeting people who fall into those parameters, but also making sure not to exclude those who may have the same drive and passion but don’t fall into those realms.
The bottom line is that everyone should have a target market that they focus on.
The target market should not be too narrow, nor too broad. If you understand what the needs and desires of your baseline target market is, then you will find others who may not fit the demographic you are aiming at, but will have similar wants and needs.
There will always be people on the perimeters, who will fall into your targeted group and that is, I am sure ok.
It is best to go for the group you understand and know best, I guess. Then you will do your marketing really well because you will totally understand your target market group.
Every business has a target market.
Being hungry for success is useful anywhere. The desire to success is stronger in those who are either
a) discontent with their lot in life and where they are at socially and financially
b) see the need for income generation to feed, clothe and house their family to a desired standard of living.
Yes, sure there is a lot to be said about people who are content with their lot in life and many are and give thanks for their blessings, but they also need to be aware that it is always possible to improve your life and lifestyle with a little redirection in energy and thinking.
You’ve gotta be hungry!
Yes, Charles, agreed. You need to be hankering for success and driving yourself towards actively achieving those financial lifestyle goals. Without that drive and the hunger to succeed most of the population floats along, just getting along.
There is a lot to be said for contentment, but one has to be careful it does not become stagnation.
One can still live simply but have a need to achieve in order to contribute to this world. I think we all have some sort of mission or goal for our lives, apart from personal comforts.