Reliv Blog

How Women’s Nutritional Needs Change

By Director of Product Development & Fit3 TrainerTina Van Horn

There are so many quotes and social media tags promoting strong women, but the truth is, it takes a lot more than just a hashtag and a motivational quote for women to be authentic #bossbabes. I will be the first to admit that my strength has been built on the support of a tribe of amazing women that never let me give up on myself.

Taking On Roles

Not only does it take a great community to nourish your spirit, but also it takes intentional nutrition to fuel your girl power and help you meet the daily demands of being a mom, daughter, wife, friend, aunt, sister, student, athlete, caregiver, entrepreneur—Wonder Woman.

Wakeup Call

The funny thing is that while we are so busy wearing all of those hats and our own birthdays come and go without much fanfare, we often don’t realize how much our own nutrition needs change with age. We wake up one day, say around age 40, and realize that not only do we need to update our wardrobe but also it may be time to reevaluate some of our lifestyle habits.

Steady Change

It’s pretty obvious that our outward appearance changes with age, so we give up crop tops and skinny jeans. But, you may not be aware of the subtle changes that are happening on the inside. Hello hormones, right? Those sneaky little chemicals are responsible for the obvious and not-so-obvious changes that come without any warning. Lower levels of estrogen obviously affect reproductive health, but they also raise your risk for chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

If that wasn’t enough, it goes to work slowing down our metabolism. Combine that with the age-related loss of lean muscle mass because of waning testosterone levels (yes, ladies, we have testosterone, too) and you have the perfect storm for weight gain, especially around your belly. Women lose about half a pound of lean muscle per year starting around the age of 40. And for the guys who are following along here, you don’t fare much better. Most men will lose about 30% of their muscle mass during their lifetime.

Choose Wisely

Pardon me while I step up on my soapbox and repeat myself very loudly! We naturally lose lean muscle mass as we age. That not only impacts our metabolism but also has a profound effect on our physical strength. You have two choices here:

Ignore and deny the changes, accepting the decline leading to weight gain and loss of functional abilities.
Channel your inner boss and make the nutrition and lifestyle changes you need to stay strong, no matter how many birthdays you have celebrated.

Maintaining and building lean muscle absolutely requires attention to your diet. But that doesn’t mean you have to do anything absurd. Successful aging is still about following those basic diet principles that apply to any age and that are promoted through the Fit3 program:

Choose a variety of vegetables, including dark green, red and orange, beans and peas, starchy and non-starchy.
Eat a variety of fruits.
Include grains in your daily diet. Half of your grains should be whole grains.
Reduce added sugars and avoid saturated fats.
Have protein at every meal/snack. Healthy protein includes lean meat (chicken), seafood, eggs, beans and peas, nuts, seeds, and soy products.
Use healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocados, and nuts.
Supplement daily with a quality core nutrition product to cover nutrient gaps.

Supplemental Material

Since our need for specific nutrients change as we go through different life stages, additional supplementation with targeted solutions is recommended to meet the unique needs for each individual and/or stage of life. During the teen years, girls need more calcium and vitamin D to build strong bones and support growth. Protein, iron, calcium and folic acid are critical for young women. Calcium, iron, B-vitamins and vitamin D are key to good health, stress relief and energy levels in women prior to menopause. After menopause protein, vitamin D, calcium, fiber and anti-oxidants combat age-related physical and cognitive decline.

Nutrition At Every Stage

Reliv’s core nutrition products in combination with the targeted solution formulas allow you to create a customized nutrition program to meet your unique needs during each stage of life, whether you are worried about pimples or wrinkles. Just remember that your daily regimen is likely to change along with your age. So even though 50 is the new 30, the regimen that worked for you when you were 30 might need some refreshing if you are approaching a different decade!

Business Builder Tips

Fore! Lessons for Life From Reliv’s (Golf) Pros

Reliv professionals have lessons to share from their time on the golf course. Their advice translates beautifully from the game into entrepreneurship and life.

Ryan Montgomery, Chief Executive Officer

Golf can be a roller coaster. One day can be your career best, and the next day it all falls apart. I’ve learned to keep my confidence from the game of golf. The key is to remember the good shots and forget the bad.

Patience and a positive attitude are better for your game, and also more enjoyable for those playing in your group. This translates to business when you’re in a situation that requires persistence and an optimistic outlook.

Don’t try to do too many things with your golf swing. It’s easy to get too many swing thoughts going on at once when standing above the ball. Find what works for you, on an off the course, and repeat that behavior. Keep it simple.

Continue reading “Fore! Lessons for Life From Reliv’s (Golf) Pros” →

Uncategorized

5 Time Management Strategies for the Savvy Entrepreneur

TimeManagement

By Mandy L. Manley, Professional Organizer and Owner of Skeleton Key Organizing

When you own your own business, time is so much more than just money. It’s a limited resource that you must spend on big-impact items as well as bookkeeping, education, networking and planning. Whether your business is your primary source of income, or your side hustle, you’ll benefit from having a firm grasp of how to manage your time properly. Let’s take a look at some strategies for effective time management that will help you keep your business on track.

1. Choose a Calendar

It may seem obvious, but choosing a calendar that suits your skill level and technology preferences is the first vital step in becoming a savvy planner. If you never leave home (or even your desk) without your phone, consider a free calendar app like Google calendar. There are many perks to using a digital calendar: they can sync between all your devices, are sharable and many accept voice commands for easy scheduling. However, if you know technology isn’t your strong suit or you’re a more visual person, consider using a paper planner. Choose a planner that fits in your daily carry bag, and make sure you have a pen or pencil on hand at all times. Be careful if you choose a hybrid method; you’ll need to make sure you record all appointments in both places so you don’t accidentally overbook!

2. Schedule Your Priorities

A useful calendar is a reflection of your priorities. Take a look at the things that matter most to you, and the actions you know will help grow your business. Rank them in order of importance and impact and make sure to schedule these items to reoccur as often as you need to keep your business moving forward. Remember that success doesn’t happen overnight; it’s the result of diligence and repetition over weeks, months and years. Take the time to list out your priorities, goals and repeatable action items; we’ll use them in step two!

3. Block Your Time

Ready to manage your calendar like a pro? Take a note from the pages of successful CEOs and busy solopreneurs and implement the strategy of time blocking. Whether your calendar is digital or analog, block out appointments to do the work from the priorities you listed above. For example, if you know that you will gain new customers by talking to 5 new people each week, then block these outreach opportunities on your calendar as appointments. You can even color-code them so you get a better visual representation of how you’re spending your time. Block out each week until you’ve assigned each hour a task (don’t forget to schedule time for walks, shake breaks and fun!). Bottom line: Make sure that you’re scheduling time to do what matters most to you!

4. Schedule Meetings Like a Pro

Now that you’ve put your calendar to work for you, it’s time to integrate other people into the effort! No one is an island, and you’ll need to make sure you’re available to schedule appointments for sales, coaching and talking to your network. Make it easy for everyone to see when you’re free by using a digital assistant like Calendly. This efficient service means you can say goodbye to back-and-forth emails. Simply share a link to the appointment times you’ve chosen, and let others book these meetings with you. You can share a conference line and set reminders. Once they’ve booked an appointment, they can reschedule and get dial-in information directly through Calendly. Anyone else wishing to book time with you will only see what’s available! Best of all; the basic plan is totally free!

Need to get a larger group together? Sending dozens of emails to check everyone’s availability is inefficient, so try Doodle.com. This tool lets you load in a series of potential meeting times, and invitees vote on what works for them. Doodle will tabulate the results and let you know when everyone is free to meet! Hello, efficiency!

5. Plan a Review Day

The final step for managing your time well is to schedule a review day. Every week, you should review what’s coming up in the next few days. Make sure you’ve got the resources you need and send reminders before you’re walking out the door to your next appointment. By staying on top of things, others will learn that you’re on top of things and are reliable (two very good qualities for an entrepreneur to have!). Take a look at what’s coming in the next few weeks and months, and make sure your larger goals are broken down into action items. When these action items are blocked as appointments on your calendar, you’ll make swift progress toward your goals and gain traction in your business.

As an entrepreneur, you’ve got a lot to get done each day. By using the strategies above, you can put your time and calendar to work for you. Say goodbye to feeling like you don’t know what you should be doing, worrying that you won’t get it all done, and wasting time on things that don’t really matter. Get intentional about how you spend your time and savvy with your scheduling to truly master your business and have more time for the things that matter most.

Healthy Living Tips, Nutrition

Get Your Daily Dose of Color

The summer produce season is at its peak in all its Technicolor glory. For better health, you should duplicate this happy color scheme on your plate. Studies suggest that nearly 80 percent of Americans are putting their health at risk by failing to eat a diet rich in specific colorful fruits and vegetables.

The colors of fruits and vegetables are a clue to the important phytonutrients each contains. Phytonutrients are powerful antioxidants that can help fight the damage caused to the body’s cells over time that can lead to premature aging and disease. Phytonutrients offer a wide range of health benefits from promoting eye, bone and heart health to supporting immune and brain function.

While health experts recommend you eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, you should also aim to eat two fruits or vegetables from each of the five color categories, too.

Phytonutrient Color Categories:

Green: Dark green leafy vegetables are rich in lutein, among other phytochemicals. Others in this family are green beans, avocados, kiwi fruit, green peppers and honeydew melon.

Red: Tomatoes and tomato products, watermelon and pink grapefruit contain lycopene, which studies have shown reduces the risk of several types of cancer.

White: Onions (all kinds, including green onions), garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives contain compounds that protect DNA.

Blue/purple: Most of the berries, especially blueberries, as well as plums, red grapes, cranberries, and pomegranates are in this family that contain some of the most powerful antioxidants such as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins reduce inflammation, protect against cancer, and recent studies show positive effects in eyes, arteries, and brains.

Yellow/orange: Citrus fruits as well as peaches, nectarines, pineapple, and papaya are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, another group of antioxidants that supports the immune system. Other foods rich in carotenes include carrots, pumpkin, mangos, apricots, cantaloupe and sweet potatoes. Carotenes help improve communication between cells as well as performing many of the same functions as other antioxidants.

Not all vegetables and fruits fit easily into families. Just look for the color. Other plant foods rich in various types of phytonutrients are nuts, seeds, and grains, beans, tea and dark chocolate.

All in all, good nutrition is all about colorful choices!

Healthy Living Tips

Is Your Skin Ready for More Time Outdoors?

As we look forward to warmer weather and enjoying more time outside, it is wise to first consider what that means for our health, especially our skin.

While sunlight, or more specifically its ultraviolet B rays, is important for boosting our skin cells’ ability to produce vitamin D, it is only needed in small doses. A fair-skinned person in shorts and a tank top, unprotected by sunscreen, soaking in the midday summer sun for just 10 minutes can produce more than needed.

If you are going to spend an extended amount of time under those powerful rays—no matter the time of year (UVA rays penetrate clouds and glass)—protect the largest organ of your body from cell death, premature aging, immune system suppression and DNA damage that can lead to cancer. Cover up with UV-blocking clothing, hats, sunglasses (UV rays damage your eyes too) and sunblock or sunscreen with broad spectrum protection (against both UVA and UVB rays) and an SPF of 30 or higher. Seek the shade when you can, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is at its strongest.

In addition to these external measures, we can help our skin year round from the inside out to deal with UV damage and other skin health issues like dry skin, laxity, wrinkles, wound healing and aging by making sure we get the nutrients our skin cells need to function well and fight back.

Pycnogenol®
Pycnogenol, in addition to many other health benefits, is a natural antioxidant that has been shown to inhibit damage caused by UV radiation.

Food Sources: The active ingredients of Pycnogenol can be found in peanut skins and grape seeds, but not many of us tend to eat those.

Reliv Sources: Reliv Now® with Whey or Soy and Fit3™ Active

Retinoids
Retinoids refers to vitamin A (a.k.a. retinol) and the compounds that are derived from vitamin A such as retinoic acid. Skin is highly responsive to retinoids, but both UVA and UVB destroy Vitamin A.

Vitamin A is also critical for a healthy immune system because it maintains the integrity and function of skin and mucosal cells, our first line of defense. A lack of sufficient vitamin A has been linked to inflammation of the skin and, for some people, taking vitamin A supplements could reduce the inflammation that contributes to acne. Additionally Vitamin A is important for wound healing.

Food Sources: sweet potatoes, raw carrots, mangos, cantaloupe, spinach, broccoli, kale, milk, eggs, and cod liver oil.

Reliv Sources: Reliv Now® with Whey or Soy, Reliv Classic®, Reliv Now® for Kids, FibRestore®, Innergize!®, and Fit3™ Active.

Selenium
Selenium is an essential trace mineral that has been shown to protect skin cells from UV radiation. Selenium deficiency can also impair the immune system.

Food Sources: Plant sources include brazil nuts, puffed wheat, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, tuna, halibut, sardines, shrimp, beef and turkey.

Reliv Sources: Reliv Now® with Whey or Soy, Reliv Classic®, Reliv Now® for Kids.

Zinc
Zinc is another essential trace mineral in the body. It is found mostly in the skeletal muscles and bones, but it is also stored in the skin. By stabilizing skin cell membranes, it protects against oxidative stress and toxins. A deficiency in zinc can also delay wound healing.

Zinc oxide is a common sunscreen ingredient because it absorbs and reflects both UVA and UVB radiation.

Food Sources: wheat germ, pumpkin and squash seeds, cashews, cacao, beans, oysters, beef, crab and lobster.

Reliv Sources: Reliv Now® with Whey or Soy, Reliv Classic®, Reliv Now® for Kids, Innergize!®, and Fit3™ Active.

These are just a handful of the many essential nutrients our skin needs to function well and protect itself. The best approach to skin care, as in all areas of our health, is a proactive one, so be sure to take care — inside and out.

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. Reliv products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sources

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/heart/articles/2008/06/23/time-in-the-sun-how-much-is-needed-for-vitamin-d

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/news/20140130/vitamin-d-faq

http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/understanding-uva-and-uvb

http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines

S. Iravani and B. Zolfaghari, PhD. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical effects of Pinus pinaster bark extract. Res Pharm Sci. 2011 Jan-Jun; 6(1): 1–11. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3203267/

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminA/

McKenzie RC. Selenium, ultraviolet radiation and the skin. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2000;25(8):631-636. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11167979

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/#h3

http://jn.nutrition.org/content/130/5/1360S/T2.expansion.html

Mitchnick MA, Fairhurst D, Pinnell SR. Microfine zinc oxide (Z-cote) as a photostable UVA/UVB sunblock agent. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999;40(1):85-90. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9922017

[xxviii] http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/#h3

Nutrition

To Be or Not to Be Gluten Free?

Over the past decade, gluten-free diets have moved from a relatively unknown concept to a mainstream way of life. Even Oprah went gluten-free for a while – and if she’s doing it, you know it’s only a matter of time before everyone is. But even with an increasing awareness of gluten and the FDA’s recent gluten-free labeling guidelines, many people are still confused about gluten.

Why Go Gluten-Free?
Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. Most notably, gluten causes inflammation of the intestines in those with celiac, a genetic disease. People with celiac disease, gluten allergies or even gluten sensitivity can experience intestinal discomfort, diarrhea and unhealthy weight loss. The protein can even cause reactions in the skin, mouth and lungs of people with a gluten allergy. The best way to alleviate these symptoms is to simply avoid foods containing gluten.

Gluten-Free Risks
Nutritionists do not recommend eliminating gluten from your diet unless you absolutely must. This is because eliminating wheat and related grains can mean missing vital nutrients. Unless these vitamins and minerals are replaced through other foods or nutritional supplements, a gluten-free diet can be risky. These nutrients include:

Calcium—necessary for bone density and prevention of osteoporosis.
Folate—contributes to healthy blood glucose and blood pressure levels and helps the body ward off fatigue.
Iron—necessary for many body functions such as oxygen transport and metabolism.
Niacin—shown to help the body maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Riboflavin—necessary for normal cell function, growth and energy production as well as cognitive function.
Thiamin—involved in numerous body functions, including nervous system and muscle functioning.

Wheat Substitutes
You can substitute wheat flour with rice or corn flour in many recipes. Also try incorporating gluten-free grains like quinoa and amaranth into your diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to avoid fiber deficiency as well.

Supplement Solution
One of the easiest ways to ensure you’re getting enough of each nutrient is by supplementing with one of Reliv’s core nutrition formulas. Reliv Classic® and Reliv Now® with Soy are both loaded with protein, vitamins, minerals and super-powered antioxidants to support a healthy gluten-free diet.

These targeted solutions from Reliv are also gluten-free: CardioSentials®, GlucAffect®, Innergize!®, Reliv Now® for Kids, ProVantage®, ReversAge®, SoySentials®, Fit3™ Active, 24K®, LunaRich X™, Fit3™ Burn and Fit3™ Purify.

Enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle with Reliv. Order now.

Nutrition

Keep Your Joints Healthy for the Long Run

Joint health is becoming an increasingly important issue for adults of every age. In the US, more than 30 million adults have osteoarthritis—a condition which causes severe joint pain when cartilage around bones wears down and makes bones rub together.

It is very difficult to repair cartilage, so most doctors recommend prevention through nutrition and an active lifestyle.

Work It Out
Exercise is vital to maintain healthy joints. For those with joint pain, low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, tai chi and dancing are best. Strength training should also be incorporated in exercise since it helps strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints—protecting them from wear and tear.

Balancing Act
A balanced diet is also a key component of joint health. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help maintain bone strength. Foods with high omega-3s also help keep your joints in tip-top shape. Other important joint health nutrients include:

Glucosamine: a natural compound proven effective in building cartilage
Boswellin: an herb used in Eastern medicine to help with joint and muscle swelling
Borage oil: a powerful anti-inflammatory

Keep Moving with Reliv
Reliv’s Arthaffect® contains glucosamine, boswellin, borage oil and a variety of other nutrients to help aid in joint health. Another key ingredient in Arthaffect is Arthred®—a hydrolyzed collagen protein with the same series of amino acids required for cartilage generation. A combination of exercise, a well-balanced diet and a scoop of Arthaffect can help keep your joints healthy and keep you moving for a lifetime!

The statements contained in this material have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Reliv products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Sources: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/spring09/articles/spring09pg14.html

http://articles.cnn.com/2007-02-27/health/CL.joint.health_1_osteoarthritis-joint-pain-sharon-kolasinski?_s=PM:HEALTH

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/maple-salmon/detail.aspx?src=mer316

http://arthritis.webmd.com/ss/slideshow-keep-joints-healthy

https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm

Nutrition, Science & Health

A Closer Look at Eye Health

Every day starts the same. You wake up, open your eyes, look at your bedroom ceiling and start your day. Your morning routine might be repetitious, but the gift of eyesight should not be taken for granted. Your eyes cannot properly function if denied the proper nutrients. Understanding how your eyes work and remain healthy is crucial in maintaining both eye health and overall wellness.

Your eyes are susceptible to many health problems throughout a lifetime, particularly that of macular degeneration as we age. Whether eye issues have yet to become a problem for you, the fact is that your eyes demand good care over time in order to function properly.

Stay active by exercising regularly
Exercise is a key part of any healthy routine, and is especially important for eye health. In fact, regular exercise has been shown to help reduce the risk of eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Physical activity increases heart rate, making heart muscles work more efficiently for better blood circulation to the entire body. This includes reduced pressure to nerves including the ocular nerve within the eye. Excess ocular nerve pressure can lead to vision disorders, and in extreme cases, irreversible blindness.

In a study conducted by Tufts University, a direct link was found between healthy weight maintenance and healthy eyes. Diet and exercise naturally fight the trend of obesity, which is a contributing factor to type II diabetes. If left untreated, diabetes deteriorates vision in adults and can eventually lead to blindness.

Reliv’s Fit3™ program can help you commit to staying active on a daily basis and maintain a healthy weight to support long-term eye health.

Maintain a diet high in nutrients
It may seem obvious, but a diet high in nutrients naturally helps your eyes remain healthy. Leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli, for example, contain important nutrients known to combat the risk of cataracts. Reliv’s core nutrition products go way beyond the minimum daily requirements giving you more of the essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy vision.

Core nutrition: Reliv Now® with Whey or Soy, Reliv Classic®, Reliv Now® for Kids

Beta-carotene and Vitamin A
Beta-carotene can be found in carrots and other fruits and vegetables. It is converted into Vitamin A once inside the body and offers natural protection to the cornea, which is essential for good vision.

Found in: Reliv Now® with Whey or Soy, Reliv Classic®, Reliv Now® for Kids, FibRestore®, Innergize!®, and Fit3™ Active.

Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are vital to eye health, especially in early development. Found in breast milk and also added to infant formula, omega-3 fatty acids support normal and healthy vision in newborn babies. The presence of omega-3 fatty acids in pregnant women is central to healthy vision development for their infants.

Found in: Reliv Now® for Kids, 24K®, GlucAffect®, and ReversAge®.

Zinc
Zinc is known as a “helper molecule” for the body. It transfers Vitamin A from the liver to the retina to produce an important chemical called melanin, a protective pigment in the eye. Zinc is heavily concentrated within the eye and is also associated with improved vision in low light environments.

Found in: Reliv Classic®, Reliv Now® with Whey or Soy, Reliv Now® for Kids, Fit3™ Active, and Innergize!®.

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. Reliv products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sources

http://www.allaboutvision.com/nutrition/vitamin_a.htm

http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/diet-and-nutrition

http://www.allaboutvision.com/nutrition/supplements.htm

http://www.allaboutvision.com/nutrition/nutrition_summary.htm

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-positive-effects-of-nutrition-and-exercise-on-ones-vision-244771331.html

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Daily-multivitamin-supplement-may-decrease-cataract-risk-in-men-RCT-data/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BDaily&c=HL0OlOmWuYkQ7

Business Builder Tips

How to Grow Your Business Prospects Through Facebook

You’ve logged in, set up a profile and learned how to follow, post updates, and engage with others. Facebook can be a powerful resource for connecting with family and friends, but what’s the best way to use it to grow your business?

Should I use my personal profile to talk about my business?
Should you also have a business page?
Are Facebook groups useful for business?

It all boils down to this: How can you maximize the time you spend on Facebook?

Because there are so many options for how to use Facebook for business, it can feel overwhelming. Even more importantly, two of the above options are useful, while one can be a big waste of time. Let’s break down some of the options and best practices you should consider when using Facebook.

Your Personal Profile
Let’s start with your personal profile. It’s the page that you create when you join Facebook for the first time. Everyone who uses Facebook has a personal profile, even those who moderate business pages or groups. On this page, you set up a profile picture, cover photo and add some information about yourself. This is your most important Facebook asset, because it’s where people will come when they want to get to know you.

Talking Business
To answer the first question above, yes, you can talk about your business on your personal page. However, as with any social space, there are some rules you should follow, and Facebook has some guidelines. When you talk about your business, the content should be natural and conversational, not like an advertisement or “spam.” Posting this kind of content will result in people “unfriending” you (unfollowing your profile). Facebook is clear about this: your personal profile is for sharing updates, not pushy business promotions. If you fail to adhere to these standards, they can shut down your profile.

What to Share
What sorts of posts are good to share that will promote your business? Think about your Reliv lifestyle! Share pictures of your shakes, create recipes, and talk about what positive changes Reliv has brought to your life in the areas of health, wellness and finances. Your posts should be educational, entertaining, interesting—or all three! Ask questions, and take a real interest in what your followers are talking about. This will provide you with a natural way to build relationships with your friends, followers and their networks.

Note: Facebook limits you to 5,000 friends, but you can have unlimited followers. That’s a wide enough audience to make this your primary online space for building your business.

Business Pages
If creating a personal page is like inviting someone to your home, creating a business page is akin to inviting them to your office. This is the space where you can make your business the primary focus, and you can speak directly about Reliv products and the Reliv opportunity. For many, it is the page that they direct their prospects to for more information.

Business pages have waned in effectiveness because of the Facebook algorithm (the way Facebook determines who sees what content in their news feed). Business pages no longer have the same reach or engagement that they once did. It is estimated that around 1% of the people following your page (likes) actually see your updates in their news feed. That means that you’re taking the time to create thoughtful posts, and very few people are seeing the content.

Advertising on Facebook
Why would Facebook do this? Although it is known as a social platform, Facebook makes money through selling ads. They encourage businesses to purchase advertising to ensure their content shows up in users’ feeds. If you want to create and run ads, a business page is the only place you can do it. These can be effective for reaching your ideal customers through targeted ads, but you must have an advertising budget for your business. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune! Even $5 can go a long way if you put the right message in front of the right audience. Add a note here about checking out our Facebook ads video tutorial to learn more at reliv.com/success-training.

Facebook Groups
The best, most cost-effective way to reach prospects and potential customers today is through Facebook Groups. These spaces are like a club that you invite people to join, and then the group can have discussions, answer polls, share photos and more all within a private space. It’s like an online shake party where you select the guests! These groups look like business pages, but they function very differently.

There are groups for nearly any interest you can imagine, and they are a great space to find other like-minded people. Think of a Facebook Group as a space where people connect with each other, share wins and tips, encourage each other and seek answers to their questions. It’s a great place for lead generation because the group is focused on a theme (e.g. fitness and weight loss, healthy living, entrepreneurs, nutrition). Because group members have elected to join, you can safely assume that they want to see your content and participate.

Facebook favors the content posted in groups because it encourages users to login and use the platform more often. That means that when you post things in a group, members are more likely to see it than they would on your personal or business page. When you post, Facebook sends them a notification that invites them to come view the update! It’s a win-win for business builders!

Where to Begin
Start by creating a robust personal profile online, and share as much as you’re comfortable about yourself. Then, consider using Facebook Groups to share content with your prospects and network. Remember that they will check out your personal profile when they want to learn more about you, so it’s the best place to start. A group that is based on a theme that is relevant to your Reliv business will attract people who are interested in learning more about what you offer. However you choose to use Facebook, remember to be positive, share your story and encourage others.

Business, Business Builder Tips, Business Success Stories

Top Skill Set for a Network Marketer

By President of Sales & Marketing Tom Pinnock

People ask me all the time what the number one skill a professional network marketer needs to have. Well, it’s really pretty simple—people need to know that you care. There’s an old saying that puts it this way: “People don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Think of it as relationship creation. The more friends you have, the bigger you can grow your network. It could even be said that high earners get paid for the relationships that they have with their top leaders. Don’t think of it as “I need to sponsor,” but rather, “I need to make a new friend, and I want to help them to a healthier and happier life.”

By recognizing this very important step, you will go from “salesie” to sincere. The most successful Distributors quickly find out what people want and go to work immediately to see that they get it. In other words, find out what their needs are, offer them a solution, and show them how you can help. This simple action is essential to starting a relationship with your customers and Distributors, and it’s these actions that will show them that you care.

Isn’t it true that in the beginning all of us wanted to know what Reliv could do for us? That’s why the more personal and engaging the conversation is the more effective it will be. If you don’t develop meaningful relationships with others, you’ll never know what’s on their minds. “Our greatest resource is our people,” says Reliv CEO, Ryan Montgomery. “Reliv will always be a people and relationship business.”

With that said, doesn’t it make sense to find out what people need, offer them a solution, and show them your willingness to help? Indeed, our unique conversational advantage is our greatest resource to beating the competition. It’s the caring and the personal touch that sets us apart from everyone else and all the other ways people sell products.

After all, we are about using our brilliant products and our simple business to build up an ever-growing community of amazing people. To do that, we must continue to focus on helping others, getting them to believe in themselves, and coaching them up so that they can achieve their dreams. Sometimes I think of myself as a bridge builder, building the bridge between people’s goals and showing them how Reliv can help them achieve those goals.

I think we can all agree that our core beliefs in Reliv are to help other people and add value to their lives. If we all do that, we’ll all be rich in relationships and in growth. As our founder Bob Montgomery taught me many years ago, “Help enough people get what they want, and you’ll get what you want.”