Lead Generation

So David and I tried the lead generation program that is offered through Herbalife (they are an outside vendor - not related to Herbalife). This is where a lot of the people in this business make the big bucks. They use this lead generation system to build their teams and thus their business, since it is an MLM company. The leads we received were people that wanted to start their own business and they either had already purchased the training packs or wanted someone to call them to give them more information about getting their business started.

Over the month of August, I was on the phone over 14 hours every day, except for Sunday. Had the averages worked out the way they do for the majority of people, I would have done over $10K in business for the month of August. Some of the leads worked out but most of them weren't interested or didn't realize that starting your own business meant paying to get your business started. After hours and hours of working the leads, my averages didn't pan out like most people's averages do. We ended up losing money rather than making money - but I think it is just luck of the draw.

I attended a daily call where I listened to others doing the same program that I was doing and the majority of them actually met their goals and the averages turned out correctly. However, there were others on the call that were having the same luck as us. I know it wasn't my lack of work effort or not following the step-by-step plan - because I followed their plan to a 'T' and even worked more than required. I'm not bitter - this is a business and you win some and you lose some. We lost this round but we are going to try other methods - on our own- to grow our business.

One thing that truly amazed me was how many people think you can start your own business for free - how do they expect to get inventory, keep their websites running, accept credit cards, advertise, etc. with no money? I even had one that wanted me to pay for her business and then if it worked out she would pay me back - REALLY? If I wasn't just starting my business and I was making a six-figure income, I might do that for my friends or family - but I would never do that for someone that I didn't know at all. Then their were others that asked you to call them and when you called they chewed you out for calling. That happened mostly on Mondays. I decided at that point that I was not doing Monday calls any longer. People are too grumpy on Mondays and I like to deal with nice people on the phone.

As far as the business goes, I believe in the products we sell because I have experienced first hand what they can do for you - so I know this business is a good business and I want to keep doing it. I just like the retail side of it more than the MLM side of it. I know the MLM side of it is where most people make the money - the royalties and such - but I'm not good at trying to sell people on starting their own business. I am good at retailing the products because I can prove that they work and I believe in them whole-heartedly. I'm going to focus my business on the retail side and if we build our team in the process, so be it and if we don't, we don't. I won't be upset over it. I do have people on my team now and I know that once they get into the products - they will love the business as much as we do. The products are what this business is all about - and the products are awesome.

My next step in the business is to do some print advertising - I have a lot of ideas up my sleeve and can't wait to get them started. However, I am getting bored hanging out at the house so I'm going to find a part-time job and do the Herbalife business around it. Then, I can use the extra cash to put back into growing my Herbalife Independent Distributorship and do more of my own advertising ideas. Wish me luck - and read my product results guys. These products really do work and are all they promise to be.