Boot Camp Day 18

I did a ton of follow ups today. I mostly got the "I'm too busy, maybe after the holidays." answer. So, I stepped away frustrated and scatter-brained.
I took an hour to just think. and I thought about how I could be a little more pushy with out being pushy.

I have some experience in retail. I worked at a bike shop. And I became very good at finding the right bike for the person who came into my store. Almost all my customers said to me "I'll take this one". Well, this is not retail. And I feel more comfortable when they come to me because they need something. This is a step up from that.
Now I know I'm not selling anything. But I'm still having to go out there and offer something.

So, back to my thinking. How do I close without being too pushy when they tell me they're too busy and they need more time.

Well, I thought what if I said

"I understand you've got no time. I totally hear you. (if they're at home) But we're all hurting for money. And I know you would like to make a little more right? So, what do you say you go over to your computer and just watch the video and I'll call back in about 30 mins. or so?"

I have to admit, it does sound a little pushy now that I'm writing it out, but when I ran it past my wife it sounded pretty good.

So, I went to try it out, and wouldn't you know it, I got all answering machines! I left messages. I can't wait to try this (or a variation of it) out tomorrow!

Boot Camp Day 15

Let me start with reminding you of yesterday, I was running on 2 hrs. of sleep and didn't end my day until 10:30. I was totally exhausted and ready for B-E-D. Well, a good, full nights sleep was simply not to be.

At 3:00am I was woken up by the sound of my wife getting sick. So I had to get up and help with that. I did get to go back to sleep, but I had to get up 5 hours later to help get my daughter ready for her date with my Mother-in-law. So, I was able to steal away and make the call this morning.

I got my 5 contacts, but it did it while trying to keep my eyes opened. No one was home on my follow ups, so I left messages and I'll try again probably tomorrow.

I'm having a blast at this!

Boot Camp Day 14

I've met some very interesting people while making these contacts. This is fun!
I've even experienced some personal growth in the process. I'm not as shy anymore, and I'm learning how to relate to others! All I've gotta do is ask questions! That's it!

I met a retired police officer from N.Y.. and another gentleman who's in the independent film business! There is one person I can't wait to follow up (correctly) with! He's a former head sales rep. for a pretty big company!

Now, I did thoroughly enjoy the call this morning. We talked on the subject of follow ups.
It was just what I needed to hear! I finally have something to work with now.

I did call a lot of follow ups, it doesn't help that most of them forgot and didn't check their emails. Needless to say, I'm not perfect at it yet. But it's a start!

Boot Camp Day 13

I've meet some really interesting people while contacting.
The fun part is getting a grumpy person on the phone and cheering them up just by keeping a positive attitude! If I didn't get any contacts, that alone would make my day!

One of my follow ups involved a little drama. I called and I thought he was going to rip my head off. He didn't sound happy at all. As it turned out he was just in a car accident. He and his car were pinned under a tractor-trailer and dragged for a little while!
He said he was suffering from sever trauma and on his way to the hospital. I offered to let him go and he said "Wait a sec, my computer caught a virus before I could look at your email. Would you send it again to me?" Well, of course I did and I wished him luck and told him to go to the hospital.
That pretty much ended my night.

I'm constantly amazed at the brevity of life. I mean, that guy could have died tonight.

Without sounding to preachy, I'm believing more and more that the true meaning in life is to live for others. To make a difference in another life is true fulfillment.

Boot Camp Day 12

Today was fun!
I was totally snowed in so I went straight to the phones.
Making friends while I work is a much better living than where I used to work!
I met a young lady who just found out she's getting laid off, and another gentleman who is off for the fishing season. He was looking to replace his income just like me!

I finally finding people who are looking! I'm very confident about all these leads and I can't wait to follow up with them!

Even though this business hasn't replaced my paycheck YET, I count it as my job right now. The cool part is, it doesn't feel like a job. I've never been eager to wake up to do the same thing all over again tomorrow like I am with this business!

I now have the McDonalds jingle going through my head.

Ba da ba ba ba, I'm lovin it!

Boot Camp Day 11

Okay! Today was great! I made a choice to get my five.
The weather is being relentless so going out on the roads is not really an option.
I made some friends today! And I cultivated some relationships.

My first new friend is a fellow photographer. I had a lot of fun talking to him and got some pointers!
I also met quite a few people with the same why. Mostly they were looking for something different because they wanted more income due to disabilities or poor job situation.

This is how I could relate to them, and I told them this: I'd say, "I saw a list of states and counties and at the top were the "richest" states and counties, at the bottom were the "poorest". My state (Mich.) is at the bottom of the state list. My county (Gladwin) is at the bottom of the counties list. So, I'm in the poorest county in the poorest state. This is why I'm working my Home Based Business." From the ashes the Phoenix shall rise! There was more to it than that, but that's one of my motivating factors.

I look forward to tomorrow!

Boot Camp Day 10

Day 10 already?! My goodness how the days go by!

Today went a little better. I liked the call this morning about enthusiasm.
That is the one thing I've lacking. Unfortunately I didn't have any opportunities to use my enthusiasm for world changing in person today. Or on my follow ups either. I managed to get e hold of one of my follow ups but he said he hasn't looked at it yet, so I set a date to call him back on Monday.

Boot Camp Day 9

Well, today was good.

I had a hard time getting out, so I had to resort to the phones.
I used some leads I had, and I think it went good.
Thinking positively about these leads has helped, I got my five.
There was one guy, Mike, he wasn't sure he was looking for a home based business, so I told him how I'm laid off.
He was intrigued when I told him about helping out my local charity, I asked him if I could send him a link to a website that will tell him more. He gladly gave me his email.
I know this is a people business, and I know I'm supposed to get out and talk to people face to face. It's going to happen. I'm not gonna stop trying.

Follow ups were typical. Answering machines and no-thank-yous.

I'm going out tomorrow so I'll talk to more people and I WILL get my five tomorrow.

Boot Camp Day 8

Alright. I used the law of averages today, I guess.

I talked to more people today, and got 1 contact. I didn't use the "Eleanor Method".
Instead, I just made small talk with some nice ladies behind the counter of one of my favorite book stores. Eventually I just threw it out there, and I said, "So, have you heard of My Power Mall yet?"
The younger lady said no, but the older lady asked what it was so I told her a little bit about how you can buy your groceries, pay your bills and by doing that, help support our local charity. She said, "I think so... one of my friends has been trying to get me into that but ya know, I've been a part of those pyramid things before and it just costs too much to join..."
I said, "Wait a minuet, she didn't tell you that it's free to join?" She raised her brow and said, "Well, maybe it wasn't that then." So I said, "Well, how about I email you a link to a website that will tell you more and then you can make an educated decision?" She gave me her info but very reluctantly. So I tried to make her feel better by giving her one of my invite cards. I think she felt better when she saw my phone number and I told her that now she can get a hold of me if I don't get a hold of her first.

All in all, I suppose it was a better day than yesterday.
I'll see how tomorrow goes... it's snowing hard out there and I'm not sure how the roads will be.

Boot Camp Day 7

BREAKTHROUGH!!!!

I managed to find enough time today to talk to at least 2 people. I used the "Eleanor Method" but they both wouldn't give me their email or phone number.

I now have a little more confidence and I'm happy because I didn't give up.
Tomorrow I'm going to try to get to a major university and try again!

As far as follow ups, I mostly got answering machines. Again I'll try once more tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone's encouraging words!

I'm gonna do it!

Boot Camp Day 6

I think I had somewhat of a breakthrough today.
The roads were bad once again from the white pounding we received last night.
So, I went out to the library while the main roads were clear and talked to the librarian.
Even though I got her info, she still gave me that "you're trying to sell me something look". I must confess I haven't gotten used to the "Eleanor Method". I love it and believe it will work but I haven't gotten used to the simplicity yet. I will try again tomorrow.

The roads started getting bad while I was out so I had to get back home before I could make anymore stops and talk to anyone else. So, back to the phones.
First I started with my follow-ups. I got a lot of answering machines and "I haven't checked it out yet". So I'll be calling 10 people tomorrow.
I had success on the phones and I got my five. Woo-hoo!

I look forward to trying again tomorrow, weather pending.