During the conversation, I asked this gentleman, “What is the one thing that you feel is hurting your Network Marketing business the most?
His reply was, “Information overload! I simply don’t know where to start…. I just feel over whelmed!”
Can you relate? I know I can, because at one point, I was in this same position!
And since I’ve been doing this wonderful business for a few years now, I have come to learn that many Newbies and struggling Networkers more often than not, find themselves in this very situation.
CAUSE OF INFORMATION OVERLOAD
I believe the internet itself, is the biggest cause of information overload for Network and Internet marketers.
Think about it. Everyday you are bombarded with emails, banners, articles and so on, telling you that you should be doing this, you should be doing that…. It’s crazy
And for someone who doesn’t have a plan of action laid out, all of this stuff becomes a major distraction and the next thing that happen is…. YOU’RE OVERWHELMED!
THE AFFECTS OF INFORMATION OVERLOAD
Information overload often will cause one of the following things to happen to you once you become a victim of it:
You will either become completely paralyzed…. And do ABSOLUTLY NOTHING!
Or! You will find yourself doing a bunch of NON-Income producing activities! Things that keep you busy and make you think you’re building your business. When in fact, all you are is just that…. BUSY! Busy but not making money!
In case you don’t now the difference between non-income producing and Income producing activities, here’s some examples:
Non-Income Activities
Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, ect.).
Working on your blog or website.
Reading and answering emails.
And so on.
Income Producing Activities
Creating leads
Prospecting
Are these non-income producing activities important to your business? Yes of course they are. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do these things.
But they shouldn’t take up all your time. And once Information Overload hits you…. You will find yourself constantly doing these things.
I recommend giving them 30-35% of your time and the rest should go towards creating leads and prospecting.
FIGHTING INFORMATION OVERLOAD
There are a few things I recommend you do, to help fight Information Overload.
Find one or two strategies to focus on. Rather it’s Blogging, video marketing, article marketing, social networking or whatever.
Pick one or two and learn everything you can about those topics. But as you’re learning, put the blinders on to everything else.
Find one or two experts or “Gurus” on the strategies that you have chosen and learn as much as you can from them and turn a deft ear to all the rest.
Make a “To do list” the night before you go to bed. Of the things you want to focus on and get done the following day. Set time limits for each activity and stick to them.
Check out this outstanding webinar “How The Internet Is Kills Network Marketing” that goes into greater depth on this topic and shares some great solutions.
As always, I hope yo found this information to be of value. If so, please share it others. And don’t forget to share your thoughts I would love to here them.
Later,
About Anthony McNeil
I'm a Network Marketer coach and mentor, who builds his business using the "Attraction Marketing" concept. I love working with struggling Networkers, to help them learn all of the various aspects of building a long, lasting MLM business.
martyinmaui|15:54, 22. February, 2012
This really is an important topic that in my opinion isn’t discussed enough. Regardless of whether the business is MLM, network marketing or direct sales, there is the same tendency to attempt to learn it all at one time. The direct sales company I used to work for had thousands of products, and one of the biggest challenges we had with new people was helping them get over the feeling they had to become product experts before starting their business. But of then I think in today’s digital age we all suffer to some degree from information overload!
anthonymcneil|22:28, 22. February, 2012
@martyinmaui martyinmaui Hey Marty how are you? You’re right we all do suffer from it a way. When you stop and think about it… It’s really mind blowing the amount of information one is exposed to in the course of a day.
ChrisBernardo|21:25, 22. February, 2012
Great points shared here on info overload!
Rick Lelchuk|7:59, 24. February, 2012
Anthony,
I find that I must resist signing up for any more opt-ins. It’s mostly the same stuff anyway. I had to plead with my wife to start unsubscribing when I noticed she had several THOUSAND unread emails in her inbox.
We MUST discriminate in our information input. Without which insanity must follow.
Since we’ve become Certified Passion Test Facilitators the secret to living your passions really resonates with us: “When ever faced with a decision, choice or opportunity, choose in favor of your passions.” It has made some of those decision NOT to opt-in much easier. (Of course, you must know your passions first. LOL)
RICK
anthonymcneil|8:35, 24. February, 2012
@Rick Lelchuk ricklelchuk Rick Lelchuk I love it Rick! I can totally relate to having to resist opting in. Great advise about choosing in favor of your passion.
GaryYoung|4:21, 26. February, 2012
Anthony,
Great post about information overload. You are absolutely right that we will most likely get stuck doing something that is not worth while for too long. I like your methods of fighting the overload! Very helpful! Thanks for posting.
anthonymcneil|8:43, 26. February, 2012
@GaryYoung GaryYoungChina Hey there Gary! Thank you for taking the time to read my post and share your comment. I’m glad you find the info helpful!