Throughout the network marketing industry, newcomers have come to know all to well the phrase, “Fake it ’til you make it.” If you’re a home based business entrepreneur and haven’t heard of this phrase yet, just wait….you will. So before you do, let me lay it all out on the table for you. “Fake it ’til you make it” has taken a wrong turn somewhere. It has become a different way to say, “Lie until you are making the money,” and has damaged the reputation of the network marketing industry as a whole.
Should you fake it ’til you make it?
So in this post, I want to set the record straight for those who are in fact “Lying” through their teeth but don’t know any better, are teetering on the edge of fakin’ it or are teaching their new recruits to wrongfully fake it.
“Fake It” – It’s Image Today
In today’s fast paced world, it’s all about how much you can get done in the least amount of time possible. How fast can you rise to the top and who can you step on to get there. And to get to the top, you have to feed people an image of who you want to become….not who you really are. Many network marketing companies are doing it the same way. They’re putting all the focus on the rich and wealthy lifestyle, the fancy cars and loads of cash! Work two hours a day and make millions, all from the comfort of your poolside chair. But what they’ve really done is created a monster. They’ve taken the focus from the actual product and have handed the industry over to those who put image over principles and standards.
I personally know those who have posed next to their dream car or home for a quick snap shot and later posted that image to their site with the words, “My new Jaguar!” Selling the fake image at its best.
Now tell me, if wealth is the product, then how effectively can I sell you riches if I’m struggling to make my bills…which is why I started looking for a home based business in the first place? I can’t…unless I lie about it. Who would buy the promise of wealth from someone who knows nothing of it. If I just got started in that business, as a newbie, I would feel like I had to put on a “fake it” image until I could start having results.
Putting on this fake image is more damaging than just lies. It will eventually take a financial toll. There are those who feel like they have to go out and buy that new hot rod, eat out at fancy restaurants and travel the world when their income can’t support it. They’ll find themselves up to their neck in debt before they know it, if they’re not careful…and all just to maintain an image they’ve created for themselves before their income reached that level.
A Lesson I Learned From a Salesman
Now, before I tell you this extremely important lesson, know that this salesman is the man. He gets results and is a good friend of mine. So, if my buddy reads this, I apologize ahead of time…but he already knows we don’t sell the same way.
Right or Wrong – When you’re selling something to someone, it doesn’t matter what you tell them about yourself, your personal life, your job, or even your religion….even if everything you’ve said was a lie….as long as everything you say about the product you are selling them is true.
If the end result equals a sale for you and a happy customer, does that justify everything else you just did? Sure, you may never see that person again in two lifetimes and everything you told the customer other than the product information doesn’t technically matter….but it’s a toss up.
LESSON – It will come back to bite you. That’s the lesson I’ve learned. If you’re lucky, maybe it won’t get you. But as for me and my house, we know it will. I can’t sell that way because I wouldn’t want to be sold that way!
“Fake It” – The Correct Image
“Fake it ’til you make it” really just refers to your leadership abilities. Act like the leader who is having the results, don’t lie about your results. The important message that you must understand is that people will follow you for where you are heading, not were you’ve been. Don’t ever feel like you have to put on a fake image to impress your future business partners and customers. In business, integrity is everything and I feel that the network marketing industry has taken a hit because of the improper use of the “Fake it” concept. And what you’ll notice is that the companies who sell wealth instead of quality products will never hold on. They’ll disappear. I’ve seen it.
And if all else fails, and you’re struggling with being the leader, just be excited. People will get started in your business, even though you’re the greenest one around. Just stay close to your goals and be yourself!
I’d like to hear from you. What’s your opinion on “Fakin’ it ’til you make it?” I’d love to start a discussion on it. Voice your opinions below.
David Allred is the author and creator of CFW. David has been teaching entrepreneur minded people how to earn a full time income working from the comfort of home for nearly a decade.
Think about it. Never miss your kids’ events, set your own schedule, choose your own income and enjoy a lifestyle and income which most people only drool over!
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