I just got done listening to Disc # 3 in Eric Worre’s Go Pro CD and there is a great section about setting proper expectations which I think is so important. Many people don’t do this step but really need to. In network marketing setting expectations upfront with your newest members is extremely important for long-term success.

When setting expectations use the 1-3-5-7 formula when talking to the newest member.

  • It will take you one year to be functional and profitable. Rich in a year? NO! Functional and profitable YES! There’s an occasional exception to the rule.
  • It is going to take you three years part-time, 10 to 15 hours a week, committed, working hard to make a full-time income. Three years on average!
  • About five years to become a high-end income earner.
  • It will take you about seven years to become financially free creating a high 6 figure to 7 figure residual income.

Too many times I see people have unrealistic expectation and not get the immediate income results they were looking for. Guess what happens? You guessed it; they quit and blame the the MLM profession on their failure saying it did not work while bad mouthing the industry.

If expectations are set properly on day one you will have long-term committed people in your organization that will not blame you or the network marketing profession for their lack of success.  If you were to start a new profession you would not expect to make a six figure income in the first 6 to 12 months, so why is network marketing any different? You would work hard setting goals on your way to success. Well network marketing is no different and setting proper expectations upfront with your newest member is one of the most important things you can do.

If someone is new in network marketing and is full-time in the profession because they lost their job the best advice you could give them is get a job. It means being employed by someone else in the meantime while building their future. The “Hail Mary Pass” of trying to cram a 3 year curve into 6 months is devastating. You will loose your newest person for life. It is much better to set realistic expectations upfront.

Don’t ask me if building this was hard or easy… Ask me if it was worth it!

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  • mike oakley

    We sometimes do get the cart before the horse. Thank you for the article. I enjoy reading articles on your site.
    mike oakley

  • mike oakley

    We sometimes do get the cart before the horse. Thank you for the article. I enjoy reading articles on your site.
    mike oakley

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  • http://www.facebook.com/tammywike Tammy Dennington Wike

    Very practical advice- another great article for the Ford’s :)

    • tylerford

      Yes one of my favorites. So important!

    • http://www.tylerandmimiford.com Tyler Ford

      One of my favorite posts. So important!

  • James

    Prescient post in that I am reading the setting expectations chapter in Mark Yarnell’s book First Year in Network Marketing right now as well. I’m just starting out, and am leaning there is a 60+% attrition rate in the 1st year for network marketing. Everything I have read and listened to, relates that poorly set expectations are the number one reason for people leaving MLMs.

    It takes a lot of time and effort to prospect, discuss, enroll and teach people in your downline. This simple step can lessen the attrition I believe. Great way to quantify and set expectations. I appreciate your posts.

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