For the vast majority of my vocational life I have worked in law enforcement. For much of my career I have been involved in the training, hiring and retention of new police officers. After years as a training officer and field training coordinator, I was able to turn my knowledge into a publishing contract with the book “Be a Cop!” The book offered advice, guidance, and direction to prospective law enforcement candidates on how to maximize their potential in a peace officer probationary process.
Shortly before my promotion to the rank of sergeant, I was recognized by my state’s Peace Officer Training and Standards Board as a subject matter expert in adult instruction related to police work. One of the most significant insights I gained from this experience was the difference between how we learn as adults and how we learn as children. A vital component in teaching adults, and thus in running a successful network marketing business, is determining how a marketer takes in information. This knowledge can help in developing strategies to attract new customers and business partners. There are essentially three different systems by which adults learn:
1. Auditory learners: Auditory learners learn best by listening. They learn by listening to information in ways that help them identify with the information. They tend to talk a lot because talking allows them to hear information out loud; they remember names easily; they remember words and music (this is the first indication I had of my propensity for auditory learning); follow verbal instructions well; and are easily distracted by noise. I am a lover of movies and documentaries, which was another early indication of my inclinations for auditory learning.
2. Visual learners: As the title indicates, visual learners learn best by reading information. This revelation led me to recognize visual learning as my secondary learning style. They are visually organized; they give landmarks such as directions; they take copious notes; they are good editors as they notice typos and spelling errors; they remember faces easily; are easily distracted by visual stimuli; and they tend to notice details.
3. Kinesthetic learners: Kinesthetic learners learn by doing. They enjoy the sense of touch; they have exceptional muscular coordination; they learn by taking things apart and putting them back together; they express themselves with their hands when speaking; they like the feel of various textures; and they tend to take a lot of notes. Not surprisingly, he’s not a kinesthetic learner. If I take something apart, it usually ends up in the dumpster in no time.
I noted earlier that my main mode of learning is through auditory stimulation. I also have a strong reading component, which means that I am, to a lesser extent, a visual learner. This exemplifies the point that although each person has a primary learning style, many people learn through a combination of these systems. What does this have to do with network marketing? It has everything to do with network marketing.
It is of utmost importance that you recognize your own leanings related to this topic as it helps you to identify your strengths related to your business. If you are a visual learner, it is quite possible that you have writing skills beyond the average person. This information can push you to market through blogging or article writing. If you are an auditory learner, you may be inclined towards large group presentations. However, it’s important that you don’t get caught up in a belief that defeats many people involved in sales and marketing through social media and the Internet.
Many people will assume that because their learning style works for them, it will work for everyone else in the same way and to the same degree. This belief often causes talented and potentially successful marketers to fail in their attempts to connect with large sections of the population in a meaningful and powerful way.
Several years ago I read a book called The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Lasting Love (Gary Chapman, Northfield Publishing, October 2004). The author suggests that the reason many marriages fail is because each spouse assumes that the way one person feels loved will reflect their own. By the time a spouse realizes that what makes their husband or wife feel special is very different from them, it’s too late. The concept presented here is very similar. Finally. Every marketer must recognize that he needs to find ways to connect with diverse learning styles, or accept the fact that his message will be lost with many potential business partners and customers.
I am suggesting that every network marketer should develop marketing strategies outside of their own comfort zone. Kinesthetic learners must find ways to connect with auditory learners. Visual learners must discover ways to reach kinesthetic learners. Each of us must find ways to use a broad spectrum of marketing tools to reach as many people as possible and not limit our efforts to those areas where we demonstrate significant talent. A written blog can be an effective way to reach some, but it would not appeal to a kinesthetic learner. A group presentation/demonstration may be successful with a kinesthetic learner, but may be lost with a visual learner.
A network marketer’s efforts must incorporate each learning style into every aspect of their campaign. For example, a blog, surely, should consist mainly of the written word; however, sometimes an embedded audio or video can be very effective. A group presentation can reach a large number of potential clients and business partners, but delivering an interactive summary at the beginning of the presentation can attract many more people in the crowd.
I get a lot of pleasure from teaching. I also enjoy helping others become great teachers. Determining what drives you to learn can help you in this effort. Remember that instruction on your particular business is a service you offer to others. If you provide enough people with free, helpful information, you can build lasting relationships that can turn into sales and business contacts.
If you’re interested in a tool to help you determine your learning style, I may be able to help. I invite all readers to contact me if this is of interest to you. I can be reached through my email at [email protected]