Chapter Five - Napkin Presentation #5 - Ships At Sea

Chapter Five: Napkin Presentation #5

Ships at Sea

How Serious Are You?

By now, you have been in the business a few weeks, maybe a month. So here is the real question:

When will you get serious about it?

You have probably sponsored a few people already. That is a great start. Now it is time for one of the most fun and relatable napkin presentations, especially when you are sharing with a group.

Your Ship Has Come In

You have heard the phrase, "When my ship comes in..."

It is something people say while waiting for their big break.

The pessimist's version? "With my luck, when my ship comes in, I will be at the bus station."

But in network marketing, your ship can come in and you can be there when it does.

When you learn and apply these napkin presentations, you are not relying on luck. You are building something real and predictable.

Most people do not have a wealthy relative leaving them a fortune or a plan for their ship to arrive. But in this business, you can build your own ship. That is what makes it so powerful.

Giving People Hope

One of the best things you can do is give people hope. Show them they do not have to spend 30 or 40 years at a job, only to retire on half their income.

Many people dream of traveling the world in retirement, yet struggle to live on less than what they made while working.

Network marketing offers a different path. It gives people a chance to build something meaningful and chase their dreams, without risking their current income. It is a low barrier way to create freedom and take back control of their time.

Three Ships at Sea

Now let us talk about what happens when your ship comes in.

Picture three ships out at sea. One of them is yours, heading toward the top of your organization. When it arrives, you will be ready to cash in on its cargo.

This napkin presentation helps people see what is possible and why it is worth staying the course.

Three Ships Illustration

The Three Ships

When I explain this, I draw three ships on a napkin. At the bottom, draw the shoreline. That is where the ships come in.

Now label the three ships:

  • Gold
  • Silver
  • M.T. (Empty)

These ships represent people in your organization, whether you personally sponsored them or not. They could be anywhere in your downline.

Now imagine one ship reaches shore, ready to unload its cargo. Which one would you help bring in? The gold ship, of course.

But here is the surprise: most people spend their time on the empty ship.

Why? Because they have not learned how to recognize who is truly ready to grow. Empty ships are often the ones who have been around but have not moved forward. They are discouraged and need constant convincing.

Gold ships, on the other hand, often look confident and independent, sometimes even like sales pros. They might seem like they do not need help. But even gold ships need direction, especially if they focus too much on going wide instead of deep.

Everyone you sponsor starts out as a silver ship. What happens next depends on how you work with them. Most people waste time with the wrong ones, until they see this napkin presentation. Then it clicks: focus on the people with real potential.

Are You a Gold Ship?

Here is how to spot someone serious about building a business:

  • They are eager to learn and reach out with questions.
  • They ask for help with sponsoring or training someone new.
  • They are excited and believe the business can work for them.
  • They use the products and keep learning about them.
  • They have set clear goals and have strong personal reasons for building their business.
  • They keep a written name list.
  • They are fun, positive, motivated, and enjoyable to work with.

The only difference between a silver ship and a gold ship? Time and understanding.

Silver ships simply have not been in the business long enough to see results, but with guidance, they can become gold ships.

The more silver ships you help turn into gold, the fewer people you will need to sponsor to find your five serious builders.

Three Words List

Three Words That Make Network Marketing Work

To understand what drives success in network marketing, focus on three words:

Expose. Involve. Upgrade.

  • Expose: Introduce people to the business. Show how products move: retail, direct, online, and through network marketing. Share simple tools like the 2 x 2 = 4 napkin presentation.
  • Involve: Once they are exposed, help them get active. Walk them through "The Four Things You Have to Do" presentation, that mental road trip to California.
  • Upgrade: As they learn and gain confidence, their thinking grows. They start setting bigger goals and seeing themselves as leaders.

Once someone understands the ten napkin presentations and sees the vision, upgrading becomes natural.

Do Not Push - Help

Whenever you reach out to someone, make sure they know you are there to help, not to pressure.

Empty ships often feel annoyed by your calls. They think you are chasing them. That is a red flag. They are usually negative, unmotivated, and need constant pep talks.

Gold ships are different. They want your help. They are eager, positive, and full of energy.

Trying to help an empty ship too early can pull you down. Sometimes you have to let them hit bottom first. If they come back asking for help later, you can lift them up quickly and effectively.

Spend your time with gold ships and silver ships turning into gold. That is where your growth and impact come from.

Avoid This Question

Never ask a new person, "How much did you sell last week?"

If you told them this is not a sales business, that question ruins your credibility. It makes them think you are only in it to profit from them.

Instead, focus on helping them succeed. When they win, everyone wins, including you.

To continue reading the book, click the link below:

Chapter Six: Napkin Presentation #6 - Third Party Invitation