How you train your team in network marketing will determine whether you get duplication and achieve MLM success.
But before you choose the approach, you first how to understand there will be 4 types of downlines on your team
If you have a new MLM team member, make sure you go over how to train a new network marketing downline so that you get them to take action ASAP before they get discouraged
Once you know which type of person your downline is, here are network marketing training topics that you can teach on but this article will focus on HOW you train someone in network marketing.
Table of Contents: How to Train Your MLM Team
4 Types of Downlines On Your MLM Team
Before you can focus on how train downlines, you must know WHO you are training.
There are 4 kinds of network marketing distributors.
There are basically 4 types of people in your MLM team
1) Whiners
These people just complain and whine.
They make up only 27% of your team
No matter how much you help them, they always quit anyway
2) Followers
These teammates do a little but very little.
They may get 1 or 2 customers a year but they show up to trainings
This group makes up 65% of your team
The smartest way to support them is to have them attend the weekly team trainings.
The Whiners will eventually all quit so don't waste time on them,
but the Followers are different
They're a valuable part of your team because they become your main customer base
Don't push them too hard and make these leadership mistakes and scare them away.
Instead, love them for where they are and just accept it. Don't push them.
The only way to get them going is for them to attend a network marketing event and go through an emotional experience.
3) Supporters
These are the future leaders that produce and gets results.
They enroll customers and also signup team members.
They also step up to help out anytime you need help
They make up 5% of your organization
You should be spending the majority of your 1 on 1 time with these people to develop them into leaders
4) Leaders
Only 3% of your team are real leaders.
True leaders are ones that take action on their own and don't need you to remind them to do things
Often, they're even better than you
The only difference between the Supporters and Leaders are that Leaders have enough confidence to take action THEMSELVES.
Leaders don't need you to tell them what to do.
They just do it.
Work with People that Deserve Your Time
Most people make the mistake and spend most of their time with the Whiners when they should be spending time with the Supporters instead.
If you do that, you'll just get drained and lost motivation to work on your own income producing activities.
Work with those that DESERVE your time, not NEED your time.
Everyone needs your time but you only have limited time so make sure work with those that DESERVE it and they are the Supporters and Leaders
How to Train those 4 Types of Downlines
Quick rundown on how you should train these 4 types of downlines
Whiners – don't waste time on them since they quit anyway
Followers – Don't waste 1 on 1 time with them but make sure they attend the weekly trainings.
You support this group by big group team meetings.
Supporters – Spend quality 1 on 1 time to develop them into leaders
Leaders – Check in on them daily to see if they need help
Best Way to Train New Downline Distributor
Train someone new in network marketing is one of the most critical parts of building a successful team.
If you train someone new in MLM the right way, you can create quick duplication, keep new distributors engaged, and help them see results fast.
If you train distributor the wrong way and overwhelm them with info, your new recruit may lose motivation, quit before they even get started, and never experience the true potential of network marketing.
So, what is the best way to train someone new?
Let’s break it down step by step.
Get Them to Take Fast Action When They're Excited
Think back to when you first joined network marketing.
When were you most excited?
For most people, it's the moment they sign up.
That’s when the dreams are big, the enthusiasm is high, and the belief is at its peak.
However, this excitement doesn’t last forever.
The moment a new rep faces rejection from a friend, skepticism from a spouse, or negativity from an internet search, their enthusiasm starts to drop.
If they don’t experience a win fast, they will likely quit within the first 70 days and mentally, they may have already checked out in just 48 hours.
Why Do New Recruits Quit?
New reps quit because they lose belief.
They start with excitement, but when they encounter rejection and self-doubt, their enthusiasm fades.
If you don’t get them sending invite messages ASAP, they will disappear before they even get started.
The key to preventing this?
You must create a quick win for them immediately!
How to Create a Quick Win for Your New Downline
The best way to train new distributor and get them engaged is to help them experience success right away. Here’s how:
1 ) Take Action Immediately
When your new downline signs up, don’t train downline by sending them videos and PDFs to go through.
You'll simply overwhelm them and they'll never feel they are ready to do the bvusiness.
Instead, ask them:
“Do you have 20 minutes? I can help you make a couple hundred dollars right now.”
Most people will say yes because they are excited and eager to get results.
2) Get Them to Send the Invite Message ASAP to Friends
Instead of train new distributor and give them all this information, simply get them to send messages to their closest friends and family immediately.
Here’s a simple script they can use:
You're one of my close friends and I need your advice and opinion and it'll take just 2 minutes?
This works because people love to give advice, and it gets their friends to take a look without pressure.
Leverage Enthusiasm Over Knowledge
A new rep may not know much about the business, but that’s okay!
As the saying goes, “Ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice.”
People buy into enthusiasm more than expertise.
Get on a 3 Way Call / Text Immediately
When a new rep’s friends say “Yes”, get them on the phone, share a quick presentation, and show them the basics: the industry, the company, the products, the training, and the money. Keep it short and to the point.
Help Them Follow Up and Recognize Activity
If they reach out to 10 people, at least 3-5 will say yes to taking a look.
Even if none of them sign up right away, recognize and celebrate the effort.
Make sure you recognize and create that fulfillment or else they'll get discouraged.
Activity leads to results, and recognition keeps people engaged.
Why This Works
This approach works because it prevents your new rep from getting discouraged.
Instead of facing rejection alone, they see that people are interested, they get immediate feedback, and they stay motivated to keep going.
Even if someone doesn’t join right away, the rep has already built momentum.
They are much more likely to continue taking action and growing their business.
What If They Don’t Take Action?
Not everyone will send out those 10 messages.
If they don’t, that tells you something important that hey may not be coachable.
Remember you want to work with those that deserve your time and willing to take action.
But for those who do, even if they don’t get a sale immediately, make sure they feel appreciated and recognized.
Recognition should not be based on results alone—it should be based on activity.
The Power of Quick Wins
The worst thing you can do for a new rep is let them overthink, delay action, and lose excitement.
The best thing you can do is get them to take action immediately, experience a quick win, and build belief in the process.
If you follow this strategy, you’ll create duplication faster, help new reps stay motivated, and build a stronger, more successful network marketing team.
Video: How to Train New Distributor
How to Prevent Your MLM Team from Quitting
There are only 4 Reasons why people don't quit
4 Keys to Train Your Team in Network Marketing
1 ) They Make Money
Most people don’t make much money but that doesn’t mean they will quit.
You can still keep them if you implement these 3 other reasons
2 ) They Like the Products / Service
Your MLM team may not build but they’ll stay on as customers and do a little if they like the products so make sure they consume and like what your company offers
3 ) The Relationships
People stay for the friendships and community.
Create a MLM team that is fun that people want to be a part of.
4 ) The Fulfillment
This is often overlooked.
We all grow as people because of the business and the fulfillment of knowing that you’re getting better each day is strong enough to keep people in.
but…
People who make money may still leave if they feel unfulfilled
Remember that money is only a part of the solution.
Getting them to feel fulfilled plays a big part to retention and the easiest way to create fulfillment is through recognition.
How to Train Your Network Marketing Team and Create Fulfillment
1) Create Fulfillment by Rewarding Activity and Not Just Results
Make them feel they are doing something good and valuable
You can achieve this by celebrating Activity instead of just Results
Make sure you don’t make these common mistakes and push your team too hard and take away fulfillment or else they will quit
2 ) Make It Fun
People like fun!
People will leave once the business is no longer fun and especially if they’re not getting results
3 ) Celebrate Small Wins
Small wins don’t need to be results.
It can be simply attending a training…
or registering for an event
doing their first presentation, etc.
Again, make sure you celebrate Activity and not just Results
Keep things fun!
How to Train Your MLM Team the Smart Way
Don't make the same mistake I did and push your team too hard
You always have to train them at the level they're at.
One of the 4 keys to retention and duplication is fulfillment
And if you push your network marketing team, some can take it while many can't and will quit.
Don't make these common mistakes when it comes to training your team in MLM.
Common Mistakes When Training Your Network Marketing Team
Step by Step Approach to Train Your MLM Team
How do you know if you're training your network marketing team member the right way?
Here is how you do it.
Step 1: You Give Them a Task
You tell your distributor to take some action and do something
For i.e. make a list of 20 prospects
2 Possible Scenarios
Afterwards 2 things can happen:
Scenario 1: Downline Does It
If they do the task, then you give them the next step or something harder.
In the above example, you would give them a script and have them send it to the 20 prospects
Scenario 2: Downline Does NOT DO It
The downline didn't do what you ask them and there are only 2 reasons for this
Reason 1: They're lazy and don't want it
Reason 2: They lack training (they don't feel they have the skills or the mindset)
Reason 2 is usually the common reason why people don't do what you asked them to
Their lack of mindset create fears and overwhelm or they feel they don't know what to do and this paralyzes them
If this happens,
it's pointless to give them the same task!
What you have to do is give them something EASIER to do
For example,
The new task can be to simply go over a training that teaches them how to invite
or have them go listen to a network marketing podcast or go over something motivational to encourage them.
Whatever you do, the new task has to be EASIER than the previous one.
It can't be the same one because they won't do it.
Step 2: Give Them a Second Task
2 things can happen again
Scenario 1: Downline Does It
If they do it, then you give your MLM team member the next step or give them more of what you just gave them (reach out to another 25 people)
Scenario 2: Downlines Still DOES NOT Do It
The reasons are the same.
They're either lazy and don't want it or it's because of lack of skill and confidence
You repeat Step 2 with an even easier task
Who to Work With
As long as the team member shows initiative and desire then you keep working with them
If you feel they're just giving excuses after 3 times then you stop working with them 1 on 1 and just send them to the group trainings.
The ones who are lazy and make excuses always quit regardless of how much time you spent on them
Remember to work with those that DESERVE your time
Feeling the Pressure When You Train Your MLM Team
If a MLM team member feels pressured, it's because:
1) They don't really want it
If this is the case, then you just let them be where they're at
Don't make the common mistake and push them so hard that they'll quit
2 ) They want it but they have fears and limiting beliefs
They need more mindset and network marketing training
As they grow their minds and improve their skills
they'll be able to handle the tasks and won't feel the pressure
Recap: How to Train Your Network Marketing Team
Give them simple task and see if they do it.
Never have them do the same task if they failed to do the first one. Give them something easier
If you take this simple step by step approach you'll be able to train your network marketing team better and develop leaders quicker.
Simon Chan is a business coach, podcaster, speaker and best selling author who helps network marketers recruit and build a team by staying consistent with a Simple Online System. Full bio