Matt ZavadilWritten by Matt Zavadil
Updated August 19, 2024

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Ever felt that heart-pounding moment when you’re about to approach a stranger about your MLM business?

You’re not alone!

Cold market prospecting in network marketing can feel daunting.

But, in my experience, you can get it to work if you do it correctly.

Did you know that according to a recent study, over 80% of successful network marketers attribute their growth to effective cold market strategies (social media typically)?

Below, I’ll dive into the world of cold market prospecting in network marketing.

My goal?

Teach you MLM prospecting techniques I personally used to turn strangers into team members and customers.

Get ready to supercharge your network marketing game with the following info:

Related Reading:

How The Attraction Marketing Formula Will Build Your MLM Business

My Review Of The Attraction Marketing Formula

How To Buy Leads For Your Network Marketing Business

What is Cold Market Prospecting in Network Marketing?

Cold market prospecting in network marketing?

That’s when you reach out to people you don’t know to tell them about your MLM business or products.

Could be someone you meet at the store, or someone you connect with on Instagram.

They don’t know that you or your business exist yet.

And now you’re going to start telling them all about it 🙂

Feature Download (if you’re a struggling MLM rep):

I’ve put together a free “MLM Quick-Start Video Guide” that shows you How To Attract 3-7 New MLM Customers & Team Members Per Week Without Prospecting A Single Person.

In it, I show you how to intimately know the pains & goals of your prospects so that you attract the BEST leads for your business.

You’ll never have to spam strangers scripted messages OR bug your friends and family ever again…

Click here to grab it all.

7 Winning Cold Market Prospecting Strategies

Again, cold market prospecting in network marketing means connecting with people who don’t know you or your MLM business. It can feel tough, but it’s how you grow your warm market.

7 cold market prospecting tips

1. Master the Art of Social Media Prospecting

Social media is effective for network marketing success because you can meet people all over the world.

But you can’t just send spammy cold marketing messages.

Ya gotta think of it like making friends at a party.

You wouldn’t walk up to someone and immediately start selling them something, as I mention in this video:

YouTube video

Go here for the Business-Building Training I mention in above video

You’d start a conversation, find some common ground, and build a relationship.

It’s the same online with social media prospecting for MLM.

Here’s how to do it right:

  1. Updated Profile: Show you’re a real person. Talk about things like your life, hobbies, and family. It helps people feel a true connection with you.
  2. Become Valuable: Share content people benefit from. You might post various tips, advice, or inspiring stories. People see you as an expert and trust you when you give value.
  3. Be Authentic: Don’t just talk about yourself. Go to other people’s posts and comment. Join groups and share value. Participate in conversations. Build real relationships.

2. Get Your Elevator Pitch Down Pat

Imagine going into an elevator and chatting with someone.

You’ve got this small window of time to share what you do in a way that’s interesting.

That’s your elevator pitch.

Ditch the jargon with your elevator pitch for network marketers.

Instead of saying, “I help people achieve financial freedom,”

…try something like, “I’m helping people ditch their 9-to-5 jobs and be their own bosses.”

See the difference?

It’s about painting a picture, not reciting a script.

Here’s the thing:

Your elevator pitch should spark a conversation .

You want them asking questions!

Leave them wanting more instead of overwhelming them with information.

Something like, “I help people live healthier lives. What are you passionate about?” can open doors.

3. Utilize the “Compliment and Transition” Technique

Cold market prospecting in network marketing doesn’t need to feel awkward.

Start by finding something you genuinely appreciate about the person.

It could be a comment on their style, a shared interest you noticed online, or even something they’re passionate about.

Keep it conversational with the cold market approach in direct sales.

For example, you could say,

“I saw your post about hiking, and it made me think of this side project I’m involved with that promotes healthy living. Would you be open to chatting more about it?”

4. Host Value-Packed Workshops

Think about using workshops for network marketing leads .

You don’t have to be a tech wizard.

There are plenty of user-friendly platforms out there.

Plus, you can use social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to host live sessions.

The key here is to provide real value when using Facebook or Instagram to prospect for MLM.

Don’t just pitch your products or opportunity.

Instead, focus on sharing valuable information that your target audience actually wants to know about.

You can use anything related to your industry with value-based prospecting in MLM:

  • Health and wellness,
  • financial tips,
  • beauty,
  • or personal development.

For example, if you’re in the health and wellness niche, you could host a workshop on “10 Simple Tips for Boosting Your Energy.”

If you’re in the financial niche, you might share “Easy Budgeting Strategies for Beginners.”

Feature Download (if you’re a struggling MLM rep):

I’ve put together a free “MLM Quick-Start Video Guide” that shows you How To Attract 3-7 New MLM Customers & Team Members Per Week Without Prospecting A Single Person.

In it, I show you how to intimately know the pains & goals of your prospects so that you attract the BEST leads for your business.

You’ll never have to spam strangers scripted messages OR bug your friends and family ever again…

Click here to grab it all.

5. Harness the Power of Content Marketing

Cold market prospecting in network marketing doesn’t have to feel sleazy.

Ever hear of using content marketing for your MLM business?

Sounds kinda fancy, but it’s simply sharing your knowledge & expertise on LinkedIn or Facebook.

Brainstorm the questions your target audience might have.

  • What are their pain points?
  • What are they searching for online?
  • What worries them every night?

When you create valuable content that addresses those questions, you position yourself as a resource.

This builds trust and credibility, which are essential for attracting potential customers and downline members.

You could try writing blog posts, filming videos, or even recording podcasts.

The key is to choose a format you enjoy and that resonates with your audience.

Consistency is key with using content marketing as personal branding for MLM professionals.

With patience and effort, you can build a loyal following of people who genuinely show interest in what you have to offer.

6. Implement Referral Strategies in Network Marketing

Referral marketing strategies make your prospecting efforts easier.

Instead of coming out of nowhere, you get introduced through a mutual connection.

Think about it: you’re more likely to trust a brand if a friend recommends it, right?

Here’s the thing:

even if someone isn’t interested in your product, they might know someone who is.

Don’t be afraid to ask your existing network for referrals.

You could even offer a small incentive, like a discount or free product, for successful referrals.

7. Use Paid Advertising to Reach Cold Prospects

Paid ads let you put your offer in front of people already proven to have shown interest in similar products or opportunities.

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all offer powerful platforms to use paid advertising for MLM prospecting.

You can target your ideal audience based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.

You’re not throwing spaghetti at the wall hoping it sticks.

You’re placing your message directly in front of people who actually want what you have to offer.

Mindset Shifts for Successful Cold Market Prospecting

Many networkers think the cold market approach in direct sales is scary.

It’s really just about starting a conversation and seeing if there’s a fit.

Think of it like this: you’re not trying to force anyone to join your business or buy your product.

You’re just putting the information out there.

Look at cold market scripts for MLM as an opportunity to connect with people, not just make a sale.

First things first, ditch the “salesperson” label.

People can smell that “it’s not selling, it’s just sharing” stuff a mile away, and honestly, it can be off-putting.

In fact, I discuss that more in this video:

YouTube video

In The Above Video, I Talk About 
"Attracting 3-7 New Customers & Team Members Per Week Without Prospecting A Single Person"

Click Here To Get All The Details!

Instead, think of yourself as someone who helps others.

Your product or service probably helped you in some way, right?

Share that.

People connect with authenticity.

Next up, embrace rejection.

It’s going to happen.

Simple as that.

Nurturing Cold Prospects in MLM Requires The Right Approach

Just like walking up to someone at a hotel bar and asking them for a date right away won’t get you far, you need a strategy for scaling cold market prospecting efforts.

Let’s face it, no one likes being bombarded with pushy sales pitches or generic propositions.

A gentler and more effective approach is to focus on:

  • fostering connections,
  • demonstrating expertise,
  • and showing value upfront.

Building genuine relationships takes time.

Don’t go in expecting to grab immediate contact info and sign-ups.

Start the conversation and show interest first.

You’ll create a foundation for trust and potential future business together.

Remember, “no” today doesn’t mean “no” forever; it could just mean “not yet”.

Best Practices for Following Up with Cold Market Prospects

So, you’ve reached out to your cold market prospects, and now you’re wondering what to do next.

It’s all using the best follow-up techniques in network marketing.

People are busy.

Just because someone doesn’t respond right away doesn’t mean they aren’t interested.

Think through the psychology of cold market prospecting:

How many times have you seen an ad and thought, “That’s cool,” but then you get distracted and forget about it?

Probably more times than you can count, right?

It’s the same for your prospects.

That’s why ya gotta follow-up inside your network marketing biz. A friendly reminder can make all the difference.

You might ask:

“But how do I follow up without becoming annoying?”

Just be “human” and ask yourself how you might be helpful each time you reach back out.

Ask yourself:

“If I was this person, would I want to read or watch this?”

If the answer is big whopping “no,” then you better tweak your approach while nurturing cold prospects in network marketing.

MLM Prospecting Tools & Resources

To help you stay organized and focused, consider using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.

Here are three top CRM options you can use to manage your prospects:

HubSpot CRM: A popular choice among network marketers, HubSpot CRM offers a free version that allows you to store several contacts and track interactions.

Pipedrive: A CRM software that helps you visualize your sales pipeline and focus on closing sales.

Zoho CRM: Zoho gives you a range of tools to manage your prospects, including lead scoring, sales forecasting, and marketing automation.

To maximize your social media efforts, use a social media scheduling tool. Here are two top options:

Hootsuite: It allows you to schedule posts across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Buffer: With its Pablo image creator, you can create eye-catching visuals, and its built-in analytics help you track performance.

Feature Download (if you’re a struggling MLM rep):

I’ve put together a free “MLM Quick-Start Video Guide” that shows you How To Attract 3-7 New MLM Customers & Team Members Per Week Without Prospecting A Single Person.

In it, I show you how to intimately know the pains & goals of your prospects so that you attract the BEST leads for your business.

You’ll never have to spam strangers scripted messages OR bug your friends and family ever again…

Click here to grab it all.

FAQs About Cold Market MLM Prospecting

What is cold market prospecting?

Cold market prospecting means this: you’re reaching out to people and they have no clue as to you you are…or what your business is about. They never shown interest in your product. They don’t know you. You don’t know them. They’re “cold” prospects.

Why is cold market prospecting essential for Network Marketers?

How ya gonna grow if you don’t reach strangers? Getting good at marketing to strangers means you’ll expand your network. You’ll get your brand shown to new prospects. You’ll uncover a whole new customer pool, and generate new leads outside of your friends and family list.

Does cold market prospecting still work?

Despite the shift to online marketing, many people still make purchasing decisions based on personal connections. That personal touch can make a difference, leading to building rapport with cold prospects. And you can also find cold prospects on social media!

YouTube video

Training I mentioned in above video is right here

Final Thoughts: Cold Market Prospecting in MLM

There you have it, you MLM rockstar!

I’ve unveiled 7 game-changing cold prospecting tips that’ll take your business to new heights this year.

Remember, success with cold market prospecting in network marketing isn’t just about the techniques – it’s about:

  • persistence
  • authenticity
  • genuine value creation

As you implement these strategies, you’ll not only grow your business but also develop invaluable skills that’ll serve you for years to come.

So, what are you waiting for?

Get out there, start conversations, and watch your MLM empire flourish!

Your next big opportunity could be just one “hello” away 🙂

Still unsure about whether you know enough to use cold market prospecting in network marketing?

I have a Quick Start Video Series that shows you how to use Attraction Marketing on social media.

Meaning you’ll learn faster ways to turn cold prospects into hot leads.

Grab the training here.

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