An important part of your network marketing career is prospecting. No matter what type of business you're in, it's important to build your downline. When you build your downline, you can multiply your results and see more income from your network marketing business. Plus, you'll have the added benefit of making the lives of others better. If network marketing has done good things for you, it will be just as rewarding to help it create the same kind of results in the lives of others.

But you can have hits and misses in your prospecting. Have you ever spent time and energy trying to recruit someone only to have the whole thing fall apart? Have you initially picked what you thought was a great prospect only to be disappointed? You can get a lot more from your downline if you prequalify your prospects before you start the recruiting process.

Stop barking up the wrong tree! With these prospecting keys, you can prequalify your potential team members and avoid wasting time.

1. Pick up on their cues.

People avoid saying "no" directly to other people. They bend over backwards because they don't want to say "no," but that could end up leaving you thinking they'll say yes when really they are just being polite. Read into the way people speak to you and interact with you. Do they return your calls in a timely way? Do they seem genuinely interested or just listening politely? Even if they truly have a need for the opportunity, they might not be ready for it at this point. Don't push someone who is giving you "no" cues.

2. Look at their previous experience.

What do they do for a living to begin with? Are they self-motivated types or are they stuck in the employee mindset? You want to focus your efforts with the prospects who are going to take the ball and run with it - not those who are going to be stuck sitting at the sidelines waiting to be told what to do. Ask them questions about their lives and really get to know them. This will help you determine whether or not this opportunity is really right for them. People tend not to change - someone who takes opportunities and runs with them will more likely to be a great member of your downline.

3. Ask the right questions.

Asking the right recruiting questions can help your potential prospects see themselves in the opportunity and help you evaluate whether or not your opportunity is right for them. For example, you can ask:

"If I could show you a way to add additional income to your current salary, and you'd feel great doing it, would you be ready to start your own business?"

Or

"If I could show you how to get a pay raise without having to beg your boss, would you be willing to spend 30 minutes with me to go over the details?"

By asking the right questions, you can set appointments that stick and find the right downlines that will help you grow a strong team.