Motivation in network business: how to increase partner activity

The viability of each MLM company literally depends on the productivity of its distributors, as they are the ones promoting the products, making sales, and expanding the partner structure. But how to maintain a high level of partner activity in network marketing? Let's figure it out

Why Partner Activity Fades

The decline in distributor network activity and the departure of partners from the business are one of the main pains of entrepreneurs in network marketing. According to Gitnux research, more than 50% leave MLM companies in their first year of operation.

The first nuance that provokes the decline of activity in the structure is that the direct sales system is more complex compared to standard wholesale and retail trade. To succeed in MLM, you need to have a very good understanding of the specifics of this area, know the peculiarities of different types of marketing plans, set up a sales funnel, develop a personal brand, define a strategy for attracting partners, set up the work of routine processes, etc. Such multitasking often causes difficulties for people, and their motivation to continue developing in the MLM business quickly disappears. In addition, not everyone is ready to take on the role of mentor, leader, and lead others.

In one of our previous articles, we already talked about Who is a mentor and sponsor in network marketing.

The second reason for the decline in activity is that some team leaders at a certain stage of business development do not understand what to do next. Starting to work in network marketing, they develop intuitively, acquire new skills, are filled with motivation, and inspired by the initial results. Over time, enthusiasm for work diminishes, but the responsibility for the results of the work of many thousands of people in the personal structure is not removed from the sponsor.

At this time, each networker makes a personal decision on how to survive the moral crisis: some continue to learn new things and automate routine tasks to the maximum, while others withdraw from the business and neglect their sponsorship duties.

When the activity of distributors sharply declines and there are no people in the partner ranks who can replace the departed leaders, this is a huge risk for the company. A new MLM project may simply not withstand such a crisis and collapse.

How to Increase Distributors' Activity and Motivation

We have identified several important recommendations that will help maintain the productivity of your MLM business partner structure at a high level:

№1. Gamify Work Processes

Focus on engaging partners in the business and transform work processes into a game. When you show that working with you is not only beneficial but also interesting, partners will become more loyal, their trust and commitment to the company will increase. More about gamification elements in network marketing we have already discussed in the article Gamification as a Tool for Attracting MLM Distributors

№2. Think about communication and sharing experiences among networkers

Do everything to ensure that the top leaders of your company get to know each other, communicate, inspire, motivate, and share their experiences with potential partners and newcomers. This will increase their motivation in network business, as they will see by real example that success can be achieved here. In most companies, internal forums, online chats in messengers, and webinar rooms are also created for communicating with partners and educating them.

№3. Review the conditions of material and non-material motivation

One of the key factors for success in MLM business is a unique and well-developed marketing plan. From a psychological point of view, the compensation system serves as a tool to reinforce distributors' correct actions. However, it is not enough to just create a compensation plan; it is necessary to constantly review its terms, come up with new bonuses, adapt it to the interests of the company's partners, and market trends.

To learn how to create a compensation system that will stimulate the activity of the structure and involve newcomers in business processes, read the article Best Marketing Plan for MLM Company. 

№4. Create a spirit of healthy competition among partners

Objectively speaking, direct competition between distributors is not encouraged in MLM business. However, artificially created moderate "spirit of competition" can engage, motivate, and stimulate partners to improve their productivity.

Organize competitions between branches and individual distributors, marathons, and other contests, rewarding them at the end of the month or quarter with bonuses and gifts for their achievements. It is important that the whole team knows about the winners. Alternatively, in the personal account, you can post tables with lists of leaders by the number of invitations, registrations, or maximum sales volume.

№5. Enter the regular events program

A standard but effective method of motivation is to organize meetings or calls with the TOP leader of the company, conferences, training sessions, webinars, etc. At such events, you can present new products in the company's range, talk about team achievements and individual partners, discuss future plans, and just socialize.

In addition, such meetings have a positive impact on the company's brand, help teams bond, and the performances of well-known personalities, experts, and leaders in the MLM field inspire and motivate distributors to move towards their goal with great enthusiasm.

№6. Be open and transparent with your partners

People appreciate sincerity and when a leader approaches their business with dedication, with soul. Do not hesitate to share information about yourself with distributors and how you decided to start your business. Inform the structure about internal events in the company, share plans for project development, product improvement, etc.

№7. Work on the visual appeal and functionality of the company's website and partners' personal accounts

To make collaboration with you convenient and comfortable, think through every detail of the user interface and functionality. For example, every partner should have at hand: indicators of personal and team sales, history of reward accruals, reports on the development of the structure of personally invited individuals, calendar of events and training conferences. And this is the minimum set of tools that should be easily and quickly accessible. Thoughtfully designed functionality significantly simplifies work processes for distributors and increases their productivity.

Resume

Undoubtedly, managing a large MLM structure is a great responsibility and a complex process. However, if you approach building your business thoughtfully and initially create an environment where people are motivated and trust your company, it will be much easier to increase sales, scale your partner structure, and achieve the desired success in the MLM market.

If you are facing the issue of declining distributor activity and want to optimize your MLM business operations, consult our experts for guidance.With 20 years of experience in launching network projects, our team will help create a favorable environment for the successful growth of your MLM company in the long term.