How to really acquire the power of leverage

We've all heard of the power of leverage.

You can be successful by yourself. It will take more time, or more money, probably both.

With the power of leverage, you can also use the time and/or money of others to accomplish your goals.

In order to be able to do that, you have to develop the ability to make people want to follow you. After that, all you have to do is ask, they will give you their time, or money, or both. They will trust you.

Of course, after winning their trust, you have to keep delivering the goods. Otherwise, you'll destroy the relationships you've built.

How do you build the power of leverage ?

The MLM masters would tell you "find a company with a good product and marketing tools, and build your downline".

It works. For some people. We hear success stories that make us burn with envy. I'm not saying these stories are not true. If that was the case, all the MLM companies would close their doors, the authorities would make sure of that.

My article here is not about MLM. Neither is it about Network Marketing.

It's about branding yourself.

One of the things we hear often is "work smart, not hard".

It's a myth.

If you work hard, but not smart, you will fail.

If you work smart, but not hard, you will fail. Sooner or later.

You have to do both. Work smart, and hard.

You have no choice. Otherwise, your personal brand will have zero value. Nobody will want to associate with you. Or stay as an associate, once they discover you're a fraud.

What does it mean to work hard and smart ?

Simple.

Do the things nobody else does.

Do it repeatedly.

Those tasks must include helping others. Without expectations whatsoever.

The way you help must be outstanding.

That's easy. Just look at how many people help others. "Do this, if you don't know how, just read this information, go to this website, if it doesn't work, let me know".

Not good. It takes less time, of course. If the person you just helped already has some knowledge on the subject, you will have given the right direction.

But what if it's not the case ? The person comes back to you. Asks you more questions. You give the same kind of answers, referring the person to other sources of information, or worse, to other people.

You're losing a customer. You're not building trust.

Take a different approach. Answer the question, then wait to see if the person was successful. If not, give more details. Take him/her by the hand.

The person will appreciate it.

The next time, the person will come back to you. More than that, friends of that person will appreciate what you did.

At first, it seems like it takes more time. In fact, when you look at it in the long term, you'll discover that some people you've helped get tired of asking, they want to learn to be more efficient, they do their homework, and become mentor to others.

The feelings of gratitude toward you will still be there.

After a time, when you need help, they will be happy to help you. Or, they will put you in contact with other people who have the answer you need.

That, my friend, is the power of leverage.

Don't leave home without it. :)