There are a many opinions about how to build your downline. I am going to tell you the differences, pros, and cons about recruiting from Genealogy Lists, your Warm Market, and your Cold Market. I have personally used all three methods to recruit. Lets start with Warm Market recruiting because it is probably the oldest and original way to recruit.

Warm market recruiting is the usual method a company will tell you to recruit. This entails creating a list of 100 or more friends, family, and acquaintences. Then, you "expose" them using a DVD or "sizzle call." And lastly you invite them to a home meeting presentation. This method is a lot more efficient than calling MLM leads because you might recruit 2-5 of your 100 people, rather than 1 out of 100. Also, you might be able to make money with friends that you know and like. For people that have great rapport with friends and family, there may be no fear of rejection in talking to them.

The downside to this method is that you might know a lot of people that are negative, will discourage you, and that aren't reliable. This heavy rejection and negativity, or even the fear of it, kills a lot of new people. Also, if you don't know how to work through the warm market of your own warm market or get referalls, you will quickly run out of prospects. I find that this method can cost a lot more money as well. That is if you are buying all the dvd's, flip charts, 800 numbers, and other things to expose prospects. Also, if you are meeting with them one on one, it takes a lot of time. Expect a lot of prospects to give you excuses and beat around the bush about how they just were so busy and couldn't get to your call.

Another method is Cold Market recruiting or the "3 foot rule." By this, I mean going to a mall or talking to people when you're out at the gas station, and things like that. Anyone that comes within three feet of you, you should build instantaneous rapport and prospect them. The good thing about this method, is that you won't ever run out of prospects. In addition, some people might fear rejection from strangers less than rejection from family and friends.

The problems with this method are that you have no real rapport or reputation with these prospects. They aren't like people from MLM/NWM genealogy lists in that you've both been in the industry before and they aren't a friend or family member. They have no reason to believe or trust you. Even if they do, they might think that if they get involved with your "own company" that you "own," that they will have to pass out magazines and give out DVD's at the mall and coffee shop. This scares a lot of people of as well.This was one of the main methods my upline in the first company I was in used. It almost killed me, I felt like I was making fake conversations. I also think it seems somewhat unprofessional. People in our day and age don't like door to door preachers or salesmen.

Genealogy lists are lists of current or past MLMer's involved in a company, training program, or other MLM group. Tracy Biller was the first to really train others formally on this method. The reason some that recruiting from genealogy lists is the best way to build your dowline is because people are already sold on the concept of MLM/Network Marketing. If they are discontent with their current or previous company, they might be interested in joining your company. The good thing about this method is that you don't always have to worry about people being skeptical of MLM and being asked,"Is that one of those pyramid things?" They have already been involved at least once. Also, usually most people are either very open to looking at your opportunity because they know about what network marketing is and are usually interested in a new possibly better company, or they are sick of MLM, but won't drag you around like some friends or family members that are afraid to say "no." Another good thing is that you can really work from home by just calling people on the phone, giving them a pre-recorded number or website to check out, and doing a 3-way call or closing them. Also, if you teach the method to your downline, they can recruit as fast as you. Furthermore, there's less emotion in response to rejection from these prospects because you don't know them and they can't see you. If they give you a "no," its not like your best friend saying "no," and telling you that you're an idiot for getting into some pyramid thingy, or that mall worker not knowing what to say and wishing you would move along so they could check the rest of the people behind you in line out. And as far as costs go, they are fairly cheap.

The downside is that it is basically cold-calling, so you have to make a connection with the people, otherwise, they will hang up on you like they will a telemarketer. Also, network marketers can be leaders, followers, or sleepers(people that got signed up and never did anything). Now, that is not to say that followers are all bad, and sleepers might "awaken," or that none of the people on the lists are leaders. But just because people are already sold on the concept of MLM/NWM, it doesn't mean they are talented at MLM/NWM at it or had previous success in it. Also, its not that efficient. It might take 100-200 dials to recruit 1 person. And hearing "the number you've dialed has been disconnected" repeatedly can get obnoxious.

Personally, I like to recruit some from Genealogy Lists, and from SOME of my warm market. They say not to prejudge, but I usually just ask the business minded or successful/leader people that I know. I don't believe in making all of my family and friends avoid me because, well, they NEED my business and just don't know it yet . I like the genealogy lists because it only takes 1-2 hours to make 100-150 calls. 5 days a week of calling can enroll some people quickly and in large numbers. Do the math. I don't really do the 3-foot rule because as previously stated. In American culture today, people are stand offish to strangers that they feel are trying to "sell" them on anything.