The Similarities between network marketing and fishing
Casting out my bait from the rocky shoreline into icy Lake Superior
was a big thrill, I was excited at the prospect of catching a big fish. I mean after all I was fishing the biggest fresh water lake, it had to be full of big fish, right? I was looking forward to reeling in a big fish and then sharing my triumph with my family. I stood there alone, enjoying the beauty and that is when it happened. I caught one, I had a fish on my line and I had a fight on my hands as I reeled it in. I got it in and then guess what happened? Nothing. I froze like a deer in the headlights when I caught the fish, I had no stinking clue what to do once I got it to shore. I had to run and get help from my family to help me finish the job. Here is a photo of me once my family came to my rescue (don’t judge the high hair and bad style, this was in the 80′s).
Little did I know the things I learned fishing that day would parallel network marketing so closely.
- You need to have the right lure to catch the right fish.
In network marketing you need to have the right lure to get prospects. You need to target your opt-ins, marketing and offers to get the attention of the people who will be most interested in your business.
- In a big lake you will have some big fish and some little fish. You just need to keep fishing to catch the big one. In the big sea of network marketing prospects there are people who will come in and do well and others that will come in and do nothing. To get the “big fish” who will do big things you just have to keep “fishing”.
- You can be prepared but sometimes the best way to learn is to start fishing and learn as you go. In network marketing it is easy to get stuck in learning mode and get prepared for all the situations you might encounter. A more effective way to build your business is jump in and learn as you go.
- Once you catch a fish you need to know what to do next. You might be getting leads for your network marketing business but you have to know what to do when you get them.
- Sometimes you need a little help to bring in the fish. The power of network marketing is leverage and the power of a team building together. While you are an independent business owner as a network marketer sometimes you just need to ask for help to bring in the fish.
If you are a network marketer you can learn a lot from fishing, you just have to keep casting out your reel. You will have some that get away, you will catch some small fish, you will have some that put up a fight but it is all worth it because if you keep fishing you will eventually catch some big fish.
P.S. If you want to learn how to reel in more leads you have to see this training on how to get roughly 50 leads a day. Sign up, get it now free and start generating more leads for your business. Click here.
Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Angela Paige
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p.s. Want to learn to get more leads and sales? Check out this great video!
My husband and I have done a lot of fishing on Lake Michigan. I love your analogy of network marketing being like fishing. It’s really true.
Melodie Kantner´s last [type] ..Rev Up Abundance Energy – WHY – Your Network Marketing Mission
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While I haven’t been fishing since I was a kid, I can certainly relate to your analogy Angela. It’s all about balance … tending to the details while being able to keep your eye on the big picture. Thanks for the inspiration!
marquita herald´s last [type] ..How to Stop Feelings of Unworthiness from Sabotaging Your Dreams
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Network Marketing is like fishing. We need to fish the right kinds of fishes. Then the hard part is actually trying to unhook and handle it. So before we get the fish we should be prepared to handle the leads and train them.
Jacob´s last [type] ..Using An Attraction Marketing System With Unmatched Power
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Perfect metaphor!
Learn as you go for me is the best bit. Without action, it’s just information. With action, it’s true learning.
As an aside, I came across a funny quote this evening: “Give a man a fish, and feed him for one day. Teach a man to fish and get rid of him for the weekend”.
Have a great day.
Dee
Dee Ankary´s last [type] ..The Internet Is Not An ATM Machine
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This analogy makes a lot of sense, Angela. Not just the idea that you are trying to catch a fish, but with the all important idea of knowing what to do after you have the fish reeled in. Not much good if you just stand on the shore with fish flopping around with a hook in his mouth.
Its pretty important to have a plan in place before you go fishing, of course with the expectation that you are going to be successful.
Michael´s last [type] ..Stick With Me Here
Twitter: alifeoflight
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Hi Angela! I liked your analogy with catching fish and network marketing. It was unlikely match but I really was able to understand things clearly because of how you presented it. From my perspective, patience is the key and yes learning as you go is a great experience.
Twitter: coachestraining
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Angela…I think the thing that stuck out most to me about your article was having the right lure. So man times, we get into a business that really few people love except us, and we make the job of growing our businesses so difficult when tit doesn’t have to be.
When I started my business, I felt sure that I had something general enough to hit a lot of peoples’ interest…but I wasn’t sure until I started enrolling. Your article reminds me that I need to keep others first so that I can the best results possible. Great writing, lady. Thank you!!
Christi Johnson´s last [type] ..The Real Reason Your Spouse Doesn’t Support Your Business And What To Do…
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Angela,
In a recent sales training selling was equated to fishing, much like you speak of here. One of the trainers offered that it was actually much more like a scavenger hunt, looking for all the right pieces. I really liked that, because, for me a scavenger hunt is much more fun than fishing.
RICK
Rick Lelchuk´s last [type] ..I Don’t Want To and You Can’t Make Me – Being Accountable
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Good stuff, Angela. Someone in my office suggested not to look at is as fishing, but rather as a scavenger hunt. Fishing has never been my “thing.” But, a scavenger hunt, that’s fun!
RICK
Rick Lelchuk´s last [type] ..The Human Side of Being
Twitter: whealthsource
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Like your blog Angela, informative, network marketing is a skill to be learned overtime, that does create results and rewards.
leospittles´s last [type] ..Where has all the Website Traffic Gone!
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