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The whole premise of MLM systems is that uplines take care of their downlines. They should reach out to them and teach them, even if they're new themselves. This way, a new marketer has someone who can mentor them, offer them practical guidance, etc.
Yet, I find, time and again, marketers are reticent to help their downlines. In fact, just today, I was on a forum and a poster was asking a question about finding out some information-- who should they ask? Should they go and post a help ticket? Now, without divulging anything private, I can say the information was about a new sign up. So I responded by suggesting, "why don't you ask the sign-up???" I then began launching into a tirade about this whole topic.
I mean Aren't Uplines SUPPOSED to help their sign-ups?
But, so far as I've seen, the truth is far from that. Usually uplines are of two breeds: they either ignore their downline completely-- or pester the heck out of them with emails advertising everything under the sun! Few ever offer any real support or help.
I know I never heard from most of my uplines. But (being from another galaxy), because of this, when I started getting my own sign-ups, I wanted to help them. To really help. Hey, if they make a sale, I get a commission. If they get people in their downline, that's also in MY downline. I'm not pretending to be altruistic. Just practical. Also, if they start making money they STAY in my downline, which is where I want them. So, from the very start, I vowed to be an effective leader.
There have been a few problems with that, of course. For one thing, I belong to several different MLM programs-- and they don't all include contact information.
Some don't even let you know when you've gotten a sign up!
Then, too, as things have gotten busier, I kept falling behind in the "keep in touch" department... I was beginning to see why I never heard from my uplines. If it weren't for the PIPs newsletter, my downlines would never learn anything. But even that isn't all it could be-- I mean, it's a very good newsletter. Covering the very basics of some online marketing tactics. But, the fact is, it's VERY generic. And, too, it's becoming a bit, well, dated.
Well, the long and the short of it is, I had run out of ways to effectively help my downline. Until I hit on an obvious idea. That is: Take the PIPs idea and make it my own!
I have an auto-responder, after all, one that allows multiple campaigns. So, I started writing some emails. But I wanted to REALLY help my downline. That means, I didn't want to just give them the generic stuff that can be found in any of dozens of online marketing books.
:) Well, I don't.
Instead, I give them a collection of thoughts and ideas that I've developed and, frankly, just don't have time to post elsewhere-- not even here! They are my downline, afterall. So, they deserve the very best techniques and tools I can come up with. Things that aren't generally known-- but only come from experience...
Yep. Wish I'd had an upline like me. (If I do say so, myself.)
Oh, I'm not saying these ideas don't exist anywhere. I can't really say that since I haven't read all those marketing books, etc. But I can say I've never seen them anywhere. And, considering how much I study this stuff, that is saying something.
Yep. . . I think my downlines will be pleased. ;-) But, hey, what's an upline for, anyway? Now, if only I could get them to feel like they can contact me with questions...hmmmm--mo
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