Affiliate since: 04/07/2012, Power Rank: 99999999

Good question! Glad you asked. Just be you. Be real. Be accessible. Write like you talk. Make your language simple and clear.

People like to work (and follow) people they like, respect, and admire. It isn't work to motivate someone who likes, respects, and admires you. You ask or suggest to them that they should do something that will improve their business. They will do it, if they possibly can.

For example, I think most of us would do anything Erich asked us to do. And most of us don't know him personally. However, he is accessible - we see him all over the Affiliate Center. We comment to his streams. He writes clearly, simply, and his caring shines through. He suggests actions that will help us. There is probably more than one Erich in SFI, but you know of whom I speak: Erich Winnecke.

You can offer all the contests and awards you want, but it is the relationship you build with your downline--even those that don't communicate with you--that makes motivation work best.

Internet marketing, network marketing, is a people business. When they know you care, they will also care. However, if the time is not right for them, they won't take action.

Give yourself the best chance of motivating your downline by being a warm, caring person, and let it show.
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Good question! Glad you asked. Just be you. Be real. Be accessible. Write like you talk. Make your language simple and clear.

People like to work (and follow) people they like, respect, and admire. It isn't work to motivate someone who likes, respects, and admires you. You ask or suggest to them that they should do something that will improve their business. They will do it, if they possibly can.

For example, I think most of us would do anything Erich asked us to do. And most
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Affiliate since: 04/07/2012, Power Rank: 99999999

When your new affiliate is starting with SFI, I believe that your rank contributes to his/her trust and confidence in you and your communication. Six months later, I suggest that trust comes from your interaction with that affiliate, or lack of it, more than your rank.

That said, I believe your rank has more to do with inspiring confidence in your working affiliates. As they see you work for, and communicate your desire for, advancing in the ranks, serious workers wonder what you do and how you do it. This may encourage them to ask questions of you.

However, if you do not show an personal interest in your affiliates, and their personal and business growth, most likely they will not ask you--for much of anything. Sometimes it is a challenge to get to know your working affiliates. Often, they too, are busy, and don't answer your emails. Then you get to know them by observing what they do; for example, when do they login in, how often, what items do they complete, what have they accomplished, do they have more VP this month than they did last month at this time, are they using PriceBenders, are they purchasing from TripleClicks, and are they doing product reviews? When you answer these questions about your affiliate, you will have some idea what they are currently willing to do.

Yet I think you probably would like to know why they are doing it. "To become wealthy", "to improve my standard of living" are good answers on their profile. But those answers don't take you to the heart of the matter like "work less hours on my job, because my health isn't what is was" does. Or perhaps they want "to provide a college education for my child", and they are the only parent. Sometimes an answer such as, "I want to take my family on holiday, and this can provide the funds for that dream", will awaken a special understanding in you.

The second part of the question is will your rank fuel further growth? I think it will for 2 reasons.
1) As you advance in rank, you discover what you can do, and usually want to do more. So you educate yourself, and take more and different actions, and learn the results. As you do this, you find tune your personal SFI growth. You also have vast materials to share with your affiliates to empower their growth. End result: You are growing and are fueling your SFI team growth. Another secret to your growth is the growth of your personal relationships with your team.
2) Your affiliate workers will see what you accomplish and earn, and may desire those things for themselves and their families. As you watch and encourage them, the bond between you grows. As they make efforts, and succeed, to emulate your actions, your SFI team will grow.

As a final word on this: There is a man, 2nd from me upline, that is a Platinum, is from the state I grew up in, is active on the Forum and in Streams. On occasion I have asked a question or two, and he has always answered in a timely and thorough manner. We are not buddy-buddy; I didn't know he existed until SFI. Do you think I want to emulate him and become a Platinum, too. You bet I do!
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When your new affiliate is starting with SFI, I believe that your rank contributes to his/her trust and confidence in you and your communication. Six months later, I suggest that trust comes from your interaction with that affiliate, or lack of it, more than your rank.

That said, I believe your rank has more to do with inspiring confidence in your working affiliates. As they see you work for, and communicate your desire for, advancing in the ranks, serious workers wonder what you do and
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