Written by Matt Zavadil
Updated October 13, 2024
Go Here for the MLM Bootcamp Training I mention in above video
Alright, let’s talk about something that nobody seems to get right in network marketing—following up with leads and when to reach out again to network marketing leads.
People talk about it, sure, but do they teach you how to actually build relationships with prospects? Or is it just ‘check-in and see if they’re ready yet’ advice? Spoiler alert if so: You’re doing it wrong!
I’m about to show you exactly how to build relationships that count with your MLM prospects, but first, I’m Matt Zavadil & I’m passionate about helping networkers like you improve your leadership & marketing skills.
I encourage you to stick around to the end because I’m going to give you 7 ACTIONABLE tips you can start using immediately to build real relationships with your network marketing prospects who willingly buy from you and join your team.
BTW, this is video four in a series that digs into vital MLM topics like how to find leads, how to talk to leads, and how to get them to join your business, so check out the full Playlist.
OK, let’s get to it…
If you’re only following up with your network marketing leads to push a sale, you’re missing the whole point. It’s why so many people struggle in network marketing—they never build a REAL connection. I’d like to show you how to flip the script, so to speak, and do followup the right way—by building relationships.
Tip 1: Use a Relationship-Building Mindset (Not Just Selling)
Think of it this way, if you’re looking at your prospects like dollar signs, you’ve already lost the game. You can’t treat people like transactions and expect them to stick around. Your goal should be to get to know them, understand their pain points, and actually care about their success. I know… revolutionary, right?
So here’s the action for you: the next time you talk to a prospect, don’t bring up your product, service, or business right away. Ask them about THEIR goals. THEIR challenges. Build rapport. You’ll be surprised at how much more open they become with you.
Here’s Action Tip #1 to do immediately:
Starting today, when you follow up with a prospect, focus on asking them about their goals or current struggles first—skip the sales pitch.
Tip 2: Go Beyond My First Tip About Relationship Building by Using Personalized Messages
Now, when it’s time to follow up, don’t make the rookie mistake of sending out those cookie-cutter messages. You know, the ones your upline may have given you, or those scripts you got from a sales book. I mean, who likes getting a generic message that screams ‘copy-paste’? Your prospects sure don’t! Personalization is where the magic happens. It shows that you’re paying attention.
Pro tip: Reference something specific they mentioned. Maybe they talked about their family or their job last time? Mention it! It makes a HUGE difference.
Action Tip #2:
Go back and review the last 5 follow-up messages you sent. Rewrite them with personal details about the prospect. Watch how your response rate shoots up!
Tip 3: There’s Big Power in the Use of Questions
Questions. Simple, right? But asking the RIGHT questions—game changer! Instead of trying to convince your prospect that you’ve got the best thing since sliced bread, ask them open-ended questions. Let them talk! The more they share, the more you learn.
Remember, it’s not an interrogation. Keep it light, but make sure they do most of the talking.
Action Tip #3:
Before your next follow-up, come up with three solid, open-ended questions that get your prospect talking. Ask them things like, ‘What’s your biggest challenge right now?’ or ‘What would success look like for you?’ It’s amazing, but you’ll quickly learn that the person asking the most questions is actually in control of the conversation.
By the way, if you’re loving these first 3 tips but you want more detailed education on how to uplevel your lead generation and follow up skills for your network marketing business, and do it all without ever spamming anyone or bugging your family or Facebook friends, grab our free Digital Recruiting Bootcamp series. It teaches you how to use social media to attract new customers and team members every week.
Tip 4: Provide Value in Every Single Follow-Up
Now, here’s the golden rule: Always—ALWAYS—give value in every follow-up. Whether it’s a tip, a helpful resource, or even just a link to a great article, you want to be the person they associate with helping, not selling.
And no, value doesn’t always have to be related to your product or service. It can be something totally different, as long as it helps them in some way.
Action Tip #4:
Right after this video, send a helpful resource to one of your prospects. Don’t pitch. Just give. Trust me, you’ll build goodwill and stand out from the rest.
Tip 5: Build Deeper Trust Through Consistent Communication
Ahh, consistency. This is where so many networkers drop the ball. If you only follow up once, or sporadically, your prospects are going to forget about you. You have to stay top of mind, but without being annoying.
And no, spamming them doesn’t count as consistent communication. Keep it casual, but regular.
Making a mistake here is why network marketing prospects don’t respond.
Action Tip #5:
Set up a simple follow-up system today. Whether it’s a reminder on your phone or a full-on CRM system, make sure you follow up every 2-3 weeks with something valuable.
Tip 6, which is a nice subset of Tip #5: Follow Up Without Being Pushy
Let’s be real. No one likes being hounded. But obviously the key to success here in network marketing is you gotta be tenacious with your follow up, right? Here’s the secret sauce to never making it seem pushy to your prospects: Stay interested in the person, not the sale. Be a resource, not a pest. If you focus on serving, they’ll appreciate hearing from you instead of dreading it.
It’s a subtle concept, but very powerful.
Action Tip #6:
Next time you follow up, instead of asking, ‘Are you ready yet?’—ask if there’s anything you can do to help them in their life right now. Show that you’re there for THEM, not just the sale.
Tip 7: Use Some Social Proof with Your Follow-Up Process
Let’s talk about something super powerful—social proof. When people see that others have already had success with you or your product, it lowers their guard. It’s not just you telling them they need this; it’s real results speaking for themselves.
Share testimonials, success stories, or even a quick example of someone who was in their shoes and found success after working with you. This builds trust instantly.
Action Tip #7:
Right now, grab one or two success stories you have and work them into your next follow-up message. Don’t have your own testimonial yet? Use one your company makes available. Make it as relatable as possible to every individual prospect and show them what’s possible.
Here’s a quick biblical principle around everything I’ve shared so far:
As I continue to study the book of Joshua, I was fascinated by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribal of Manasseh, who twice failed to follow the simple process God laid out for them.
First, they refused to cross over the Jordan into the promised land with the other nine and a half tribes. They figured the land East of the Jordan was good enough for them.
Then, after spending 7 years helping the other tribes inside the Promised Land, they returned to the East side of Jordan and immediately erected an altar, in direct violation of the law laid out by God back in Deuteronomy 12. The altar had already been erected in Shiloh, called the Place of Rest, on the WEST side of the Jordan, which interestingly was a foreshadowing of the place of rest all of us as believers find in Jesus Christ.
There’s a lesson here for you as you work on following up with your network marketing leads. I encourage you to avoid cutting corners or violating the Law of Relationships. Go back and write down these 7 specific tips I’ve given you, and use them diligently.
Avoid trying to “go for the sale” too quickly. It will only serve to harm the relationships you’re attempting to build with your prospects. It will only serve to lower your income possibilities and downline growth opportunities.
Please go use these tips to follow up without being pushy with your network marketing leads, to time your follow-ups just right, to use social proof to build better, stronger relationships with your MLM prospects.
And remember, follow-ups aren’t just about closing a sale—they’re about opening that relationship. If you focus on the relationship as top priority, I promise you’ll see a huge difference in how people respond to you.
And if you want to uplevel your online marketing skills, go through the DIgital Recruiting Bootcamp Series to get the ENTIRE picture of how to get more and more leads for your network marketing business through social media…
As well as the secrets to a perfect network marketing follow-up.
