Relationships can be cultivated when you’re offering solutions and engaging with others.” Be genuine One of the unique aspects of building a Melaleuca business is the philosophy guiding our social media policies: we rely on word of mouth to tell others about Melaleuca rather than blasting the company name on social media. Melaleuca Marketing Executives focus on creating genuine, relatable content that encourages the development of real relationships. Cassidy’s team focuses on sharing positive content that’s consistent with their personal beliefs because they know that’s how they will attract those they would like to work with. “We call it being a pleasant presence on Facebook,” she says. “There’s a lot of division out there. But by being that person who is positive while still standing for what you believe in, you can build relationships and connect with others.” Adrienne also reminds her team not to pretend to be someone they aren’t. For example, don’t join a mom group if you aren’t a mom. Interact online with people who will naturally connect with the real you. “Be bold and be optimistically you,” she says. “I believe in the power of attraction, so just be yourself and you will attract your tribe.” Use your voice A huge part of being genuine when building relationships online is to let others hear your voice. You could send a voice memo, record a short video message, have a video chat, or make a phone call!
“It’s important to build trust, find a need, and approach others in a genuine way,” Cassidy says. “Using voice memos on Facebook Messenger is one of my favorite ways. It’s better than sending out messages because so much can get lost in translation. I know if I receive a long message from someone, I skim. But when you listen to somebody’s voice and hear what they say, the message is clear. You can hear the tone of their voice, and it’s way more impactful.” “I have found myself picking up my phone and making calls a lot more lately,” Adrienne adds. “I’m definitely making a conscious effort to be more available in all of my relationships. You never know what somebody is going through. I want my team to know I’m always available.”
while also working together on video calls and through a group message. And while her team regularly meets together on video calls, Cassidy also focuses on connecting to individuals regularly through texts, calls, and social media messages. Remember that relationships take time Just like meeting people in person, becoming friends with someone in a virtual way will not happen overnight. Spend as much time getting to know someone you meet online as you would with someone you meet in person. “Online relationships take time because you’ve got to build a level of trust, often without ever meeting
Executive Director 6 Cassidy Burns
National Director Keely Johnson
National Director 7 Adrienne Sifontes
the business together, I want them to know that their goals are important to me.” Use the tools at your fingertips Keely loves that everything she needs to stay connected to others fits right in her hand. “When I started my business 20 years ago, we were so limited to just being able to use phone calls or see each other face to face,” she says. “But now technology makes things so streamlined! So much of our connection is right at our fingertips. Who doesn’t have their phone in their hands 24/7?” Here are some of the ways Keely and many others use their smartphones to develop relationships: • Posting content and asking questions in team groups on social media • Chatting with each other in group messages • Meeting new people through social media interest groups • Working together through group video calls
Make relationships the focus Marketing Executives who
Interact in meaningful ways
It takes more than clicking the like button to find friendships on social media. It’s about creating meaningful conversations by commenting on posts, reaching out with friend requests, or sending personal messages to those you meet through social media. Cassidy knows the power of meaningful interactions firsthand. “I’m in a Southern Oregon foodies group,” she says. “And there’s a woman who consistently likes my posts. And I consistently and genuinely like hers. I never go through and just hit “like” again and again. I interact with posts I genuinely like. And over the last few months I’ve been able to connect with her and determine we have the same belief system and many other things in common. She’s someone I would reach out to next about Melaleuca.” National Director 7 Adrienne Sifontes also finds new contacts through social media. Recently she started a new friendship just by sharing her favorite hiking shoe with someone she met through a social media group. “I think you have to really put yourself out there,” she says. “I think in this virtual world, just like if you were going to some sort of networking event in person, you still have to introduce yourself and do all of the hard work you would in person.
successfully build relationships in our virtual world are always in a relationship-building mindset. “It’s easy to just get caught up in the checklist part of doing the Seven Critical Business-Building Activities,” Executive Director 6 Cassidy Burns says. “But unless building relationships, meeting new people, and having meaningful interactions regularly is a part of your business, you’re missing the boat. I’m constantly thinking about how I can meet people and build genuine relationships without the goal of enroling them. I’m always looking for a need that Melaleuca could fulfill. And it’s very rarely a formal thing.” “If I didn’t get to know my customers, building this business wouldn’t be fun,” National Director Keely Johnson adds. “I do want to help them. I want them to feel that I’m there for them every step of the way. Whether they’re a customer with a question about a product or we’re building
“Be bold and be optimistically you. I believe in the power of attraction, so just be yourself and you will attract your tribe.” – National Director 7 Adrienne Sifontes
them in person,” Cassidy says. “You have to connect with people and have them like you in a real way. And that’s hard online because you don’t want to be the person who projects a persona that your life is fake or perfect all the time. But as you focus on being likable and relatable, developing these relationships becomes possible.”
Connect in multiple ways One of the advantages of developing relationships in a virtual world is that you don’t have to wait to see someone in person to continue building the relationship. You can interact with others on social media at any time. Sending a text is just a few taps away. And making a post on a team page is simple. Adrienne’s team builds relationships by holding virtual get-togethers to talk about their lives, connecting daily with Fast Track, and having customer- appreciation calls. Keely’s team interacts regularly in customer and business-builder social media groups
“It’s easy to just get caught up in the checklist part of doing the Seven Critical Business-Building Activities. But unless building relationships, meeting new people, and having meaningful interactions regularly is a part of your business, you’re missing the boat.” – Executive Director 6 Cassidy Burns
1 Gareth Cook, “Why We Are Wired to Connect,” Scientific American, October 22, 2013.
These results are not typical. Please consult the Annual Income Statistics for typical results.
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