The Trump Card

Okay, I'll say it.

Why are the people who are touting the Trump Network approaching everyone with "have you heard about the Trump Network?" and nary a mention of what is a terrific product line? (So good, I may join.)

Here's the story as I understand it.

Donald Trump said several years ago that if he was starting over, or going into a new business, or some such thing, that he would do network marketing. I THINK it might have been on Oprah in the past ten years. It's probably on youtube...

Anyway, when things started turning south in the economy last year, he decided, "now's the time." So, he went searching for a company to buy. He had some strong criteria. He wanted a company already in business, but one that had not reached explosive growth. He wanted a health and wellness product. He wanted a quality product. He ended up purchasing a company by the name of Ideal Health. They've been around about twelve years - successful, but not hugely, in an admittedly crowded market.

Several months ago, they went into pre-launch. Ever since, I've seen tweets on twitter, mentions on facebook, a few blogs, etc. And every single one of them focuses on one thing.

Donald Trump.

Now, Mr. Trump is a bonafide force of nature. And having his name, credibility, financial backing, and marketing savvy behind a product is absolutely a good thing. But here is my question.

What are these recruiters going to say to people in a year when everyone knows about the Trump Network? What reason will they give for joining then?

More important, as I have previously discussed here on this blog, it is the retail selling of product that pays the bills in any network marketing or direct sales structure. Even IF a commission is paid on start-up kits, long term, it's residual continuous product sales that really drive checks.

Are all these people signing up for the Trump name thinking they only need sign up a bunch of others and sit back and let the money roll in? If the sole message going out to the public is "Sign up because it's Donald Trump," what does that portend for the ultimate success of the company?

My greatest fear here is that people are signing up literally not caring what the product is. If it's Trump, they're in.

Sigh. Well, to each his or her own. Millions will be made either way.

And, on the plus side, having someone like Trump endorsing network marketing could give an industry that has traditionally suffered mis-understanding and negativity a much deserved dose of credibility.

I'm still sayin'...

SALES, the Life of the Party (or any other direct sales) Plan!

Kimberly Bates
The Better Seller Coach

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