Welcome to the 138th edition of the MLM Woman Newsletter with some more fresh ideas to help your business bloom.

If you like this month's issue, please be sure to let your friends know about it too and invite them to come and visit us. Also, if you have comments, questions or something to share after reading this month's articles, please visit our MLMTalk Discussion Forum and join in the lively conversation!

You can also view the articles from this month's issue at the MLM Woman Newsletter blog . This blog will be updated each month with new content from our monthly newsletter. So head over and take a peak.

And also be sure to check out our Moms in Business Blog and MLM Marketing Blog for lots of additional tips and resources which are added throughout the month.

Yours in Success!

Linda Locke, Editor MLMWoman

Should You Market to Pleasure
... Or Pain?
by Alexandria Brown

One day a few months ago, I emptied my mailbox after being away for several days.

Because I give regularly to charities, I seem to be on the mailing lists of every organization in the world. So there were plenty of solicitations to sort through.

Usually I toss most of the envelopes I receive, the ones with generic messages on them like "help us today" or "give to save the... [insert 'children', 'animals', or 'forests' here]".

But one envelope caught my eye. It was an unusual beige color, it had a picture of a cute little dog on it, and it said in bold letters, "Don't let what happened to Coco happen again."

Because I was curious who Coco was and what happened to him, I opened the envelope.

The letter told a true story of animal abuse so horrific that I burst into tears for that poor little dog. It ended by explaining how I could help prevent this from happening to other animals by donating to their organization.

I can tell you I never whipped out my checkbook so fast in my life.

But why this time?

Why had I ignored all the other mailings that simply asked for my help?

Because this one made me FEEL.

It told me a shocking true story. It struck a deep nerve in me that brought out my rage regarding this topic. Suddenly it was personal, because it touched on my pain.

You see, all marketing plays on either pleasure or pain.

It seems to me that most marketing plays on pleasure. For example, cosmetic companies show women how gorgeous and young we could look if we only used their products. Car companies show us how sexy and powerful we'd feel if we buy that sports car we can't afford. And beer companies convince men that they'll magically attract gorgeous females if they only drink a certain beverage.

But...

Sometimes "Pain" Works Better

Some businesses will do BETTER by marketing to people's pain. For example, a TV commercial for a financial planning service shows a couple arguing over money while their children listen from the other room, looking scared. An acne medication ad shows a teenage girl staying home from the prom, crying because she's got a few pimples.

And if you think about it, most of us don't take action on things until we feel pain. For example, a friend of mine didn't take control of his finances until he was nearly bankrupt. And a couple I know didn't hire a marriage counselor until they were ready to split for good. My sister didn't look for a better job until she couldn't stand the one she was in anymore.

So, follow along with me here...

Are your prospects more likely to actually buy your product or hire you based on wanting pleasure ... or to move AWAY from their pain?

For example, a dating coach may have more success in her marketing with statements like, "Are you sick and tired of sitting home lonely on Friday nights? Attracting the wrong men for you again and again? The clock is ticking - have you met Mr. Right yet?"

The idea is to touch on people's pain, then show them that you're the solution.

Another example is an auto repair shop that marketed a free report, "10 Ways Not to Get Ripped-Off Next Time You Get Your Car Fixed". Not only did that touch on most folks' fear of getting ripped off, but it also positioned them as an authority on the subject!

For those of us who are naturally positive people, marketing to others' pain may seem initially uncomfortable. But you're doing them a favor! By helping them realize what's wrong in their lives, their businesses, or the world, you're also showing them how they can fix it. You're actually helping them "see the light".

Marketing to people's pain can make for dramatic results when done right.

What State of Mind Are YOUR Prospects In?

Think about your target market right now. What state of mind are they in when they are considering hiring you or buying your product? Are they more likely to take action to gain pleasure? Or to make the pain they're in go away?

If the answer is different than what you've been doing, try changing the angle of your marketing for a while.

You may find that a little pain is the best thing that ever happened to your business. : )

© 2005-2008 Alexandria Brown International Inc.

About the Author
Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown publishes the award-winning 'Highlights on Marketing & Success' weekly ezine with 28,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.AlexandriaBrown.com

Seven Tips to a Successful
Fundraiser in Direct Sales
by Audrey Okaneko

Fundraising in direct sales is a wonderful way to locate new customers. You are having sub-sellers doing the selling for you. Those who might not have ordered from you directly will order now, knowing the funds will benefit the organization/group involved.

I'd like to share seven tips for creating a successful fundraiser:

1. Plan ahead - Make sure you have plenty of catalogs, samples, sales tax charts and any other supplies you believe the fundraiser participants will need. You want to be prepared whether there are 5 participants or 25 participants.

2. Create a marketing packet - Marketing is key whenever you are making a sale. In this case you are selling the idea or concept of raising funds with you and your direct sales company. If your company already has letters and forms in place, use those and just personalize them with your name, phone number and web address. If your company does not have letters and forms available, ask your upline if they have templates you can personalize and customize.

3. Choose a specific time period - I recommend no longer than two weeks for a fundraiser. This is plenty of time to show the catalog, collect the orders and payment and then submit the order to whoever is collecting the final orders. Be very clear when the deadline is for submitting the orders.

4. Contact the local newspaper - This is a great reason for a press release. Let the community know that the organization is involved in a fundraiser and let the community know how they can participate and order products.

5. Payment options - Be very clear what the payment options are. Will you take personal checks? Do you want all checks made payable to the organization and then the organization will pay you? Can you accept credit cards? Lay out the rules up front so that everyone is clear on payment options.

6. Offer full support - Every organization has different needs. Let the organization know that you are there to help and support them. I've done presentations at board meetings. I've prepared sales flyers. I've created order forms. I'm willing to offer any and all support the organization needs.

7. Follow up - After the fundraiser is complete, follow up. Let the organization know you care. Were there any problems? Were there any additional orders you can place for them? Can you contact them again next year for another fundraiser?

I hope these tips help you create a successful fundraiser for both you and the organization involved.

About the Author
Audrey Okaneko has been working at home since 1983. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at www.recipe-barn.com

Creating Your MLM Success Vision
by Jackie Ulmer

Your vision is the picture that you have of yourself, your life and your future.

Whether you like it or not, it is also what you are living right now. Whatever is your dominate focus in your life is creating your reality.

If you are experiencing lack in your life, check your focus. You will find that you are spending most of your time focused on what you are lacking. You can turn this around by focusing only on what you desire.

It's impossible to have vision and worry at the same time. If worry is holding you back, you must replace that worry with vision.

"What you worry about will come about!"

Now, think about that another way.

"What you visualize will actualize!"

Isn't that much better?

Did you know that your mind does not distinguish between what is real and what is imagined?

Have you ever had a dream, and upon awakening, it was still so real and vivid in your mind that your heart was racing, or your emotions were charged? So, what if you could fool your mind into creating your perfect life?

You can change the entire direction of your life by replacing worry with vision. And, it all starts with writing your vision down.

Take a clear look at your past. How much of it has been dictated by worry, fears, false assumptions, and a scarcity mentality? Most people put their focus on what they lack, instead of clearly visualizing what they want.

The more time you spend in "feeling" anticipation for something great about to happen in your life, the quicker your life will change, and begin to look more like the life you desire!

Begin to write the vision of your perfect life, in addition to your dream book.

Ask and answer these questions while you do this -

If time and money was not an obstacle….

Where would I live?

What would my house be like?

What kind of car would I drive?

What would my family be like?

What type of trips would we take?

What type of charities would I donate to?

How would I spend a typical day?

What type of work would I do?

How would my health be?

What types of food would I eat?

What would be my greatest accomplishment?

What words would be spoken about me by others?

What would my funeral be like?

Now, the funeral part may seem a little morbid, I realize. But, when you think about it, your funeral really sums up the life you lived. How do you want yours summed up?

Have fun with this task and get VERY creative and dream VERY big. After all, life is known to give you what you ask for. You don't want to discover you asked for the wrong things! It's like going through the drive through - you better check your order before you drive off!

Get your vision VERY clear in your head. Write out your "perfect day", answering the above questions. Make several copies of it. Keep one on your nightstand and read it each morning and last thing before you fall asleep. Your subconscious works while you sleep. Keep one in your day timer and one at your desk.

Your Vision is far more powerful than your goals, and will lead you to and through your goals. That is why you must have a very clear, precise vision and stay very close to it.

I want to spend a few moments really exploring the concept of focus and staying tuned into where you are focused at all times.

When we are at a point in our lives where we are not happy, not content and feel that we are lacking in one or many areas, it is imperative that we begin to shifts those thoughts. Yes, it can be challenging to do in the beginning, but most things are. If you set a goal to lose weight, the first few weeks of a new diet, new workout schedule, etc., are the most brutal. Wouldn't you agree?

It's well documented that it takes about 21 days, or three weeks, to form a habit, or even change a habit. Changing your thoughts and feelings of lack to thoughts and feelings of abundance is the best habit you can develop in your life!

Truly, it will positively affect every aspect of your life. (I'm living proof!)

One quick little idea that worked wonders for me was to develop a system where I would catch myself when I was thinking negatively about anything.

First, I put little post-it notes all over that just said "Where are you focused?" It didn't seem to matter what I was doing, I would see those things many times throughout each hour and that would be my reminder to check in on my thoughts and feelings.

In the beginning, it was amazing to me how many times I would catch myself "drowning in my sorrows" and having a pity party. And, I consider myself to be a positive person! Yikes! It was scary! No wonder I was not moving forward at a faster pace toward my ultimate vision.

My current vision (or reality) was a mess with negativity.

I borrowed one of my daughter fancy pony tail holders. It was a pretty, pink rubber band type of hair holder that had beads and trinkets on it. I began to wear that on my wrist, like a bracelet.

I did this so it did not look so funny wearing a regular rubber band! I didn't want people asking me why I was wearing it because it was a personal thing that I did not want to explain.

Anytime I would catch myself thinking in any way other than the way I wanted to be thinking, I would snap that hair holder on my wrist. I would just give it a good pop to get my attention.

After a while, just wearing the band prompted me to be very aware of my thoughts and focus on quality, exciting, positive thoughts about my destiny and vision. I would see it and do a "thought and feeling" check.

Now, checking in regularly with my thoughts and feelings is just part of day to day life. The band is gone from around my wrist, and my vision is taking shape each and every day.

If I do find myself falling back into the old ways, I put that band back on and it doesn't take any time at all until I am jumping out of my seat with excitement and positive feelings.

And, when I find that things aren't cruising happily along, if I stop and check my "feelings" meter, I always find that I am having resistance, negative type thinking of some sort. Once I get that in check, things pick back up again!

Remember this – success is a journey. Often, we think that we will be happy when we get to that place we desire. Not so!

The trick is to be happy on your way there and know every step of the way that what you desire is on its way to you.

It is important to be first. Then you do, and have.

You are the master of your own destiny. And, you must take charge from the very beginning of the journey. And, you must enjoy every step of the journey. It is all invaluable to your future success.

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

About the Author
Jackie Ulmer is a network marketing veteran, industry coach and MLM author. She's built a solid six figure income using the Internet to build her Network Marketing business while maintaining the roles of wife, mom, cab driver, and social coordinator. Her passion is empowering women and young entrepreneurs to believe in themselves and reach for the stars. Get to know her better and sign up for her newsletter at http://www.streetsmartwealth.com

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