USANA Hub: Getting The Most Out of the Initial Rollout

Just a couple of days ago USANA released their Hub system. I've already received quite a few emails and Facebook messages asking about my opinion on it and how to best incorporate the new technology into a person's USANA business.

First Impression: A Big Move In the Right Direction!

USANA is continuing down the road of personalization and customization in regards to their tools. Which the is right move to make because that's how the trends are going. People are wanting everything personalized to them! We have Google, Facebook, and YouTube to thank for that. I wrote a detailed blog post, "Is the Traditional Health and Freedom Presentation Outdated?" that goes into much more detail on the personalization trend. I've had a tremendous response from that post! It's worth the time reading it.

Hold Off On Diving Into The Hub

USANA is doing a major update to the system. There will be some BIG speed bumps along the way. That's just the nature of any major system rollout. Here's a tip that will save you time and frustration: Don't dive into it immediately! I never download the latest iPhone updates immediately, software updates or use newly rolled out systems and platforms... because there will be issues! This comment has nothing to with USANA, it's just a tip to keep in mind for any major system and software updates.  Let the IT department and other people spend countless hours working out the bugs. I'm spending me time on building my business.

Now, I did spend an hour this morning looking through the Hub so I could share additional tips with you. It was a frustrating hour. Many features and pages wouldn't even work on my computer, even when I tried multiple browsers. 

Stick With USANA's YouTube Channel

Want your USANA prospects to actually be able to view the USANA prospecting videos? Then stick with USANA's YouTube Channel over the video library in the Hub's Communication Edge. It's NOT completely mobile friendly!

Screenshot from my iPhone 5s. Notice the line through the play button? It won't play!

This is a HUGE deal. Every year, more and more people are viewing video on their smartphones and tablets. Some market research even indicates that people now watch more video on their phones and tablets then they do on their computers.

There's a few other technical reasons I don't recommend using it as well, but it would put you to sleep. Just understand, YouTube is where it's at. 

"But I can't track what my prospect's view on YouTube?" You're right. I can tell you it's better to actually have your prospect view the video rather then them having a dead video on their iPhone.  For the average USANA Associate, detailed tracking (known as analytics) is completely unnecessary. Almost every USANA Associate that I've worked with needs to focus on their USANA communication skill, rather then having more detailed tracking.  

Having trouble finding a video on USANA's YouTube channel? As far as I know, USANA has every video in its library also on YouTube. I've never had a problem finding the video I wanted to share. Click the "Magnifying Glass" icon across USANA's YouTube channel to search for only USANA videos. Look at the screenshot below to see exactly what I'm talking about.

Avoid the eCards!

I've never liked USANA's eCards, or another platform or system with similar features, for the simple fact that dramatically hurt deliverability performance! At Integritas Group we have spent tens of thousands of dollars over the years just on enhancing our email deliverability. I share that fact to stress that I speak from persona experience. There's an amazing amount of computers working behind the scenes to deliver email to people around the went. Guess what? They favor emails sent from a person's personal email address over a system sending it out on your behalf. 

Integritas Group is actually in the process of reprogramming our entire system so it can work hand-in-hand with a person's own email address. In a nutshell, it will increase the email deliverability rate, while saving people money. For 99% of distributors, there will no longer be a need to use any auto responder system. More details in a few weeks. 

Just remember, it's best to use your personal email account to send out emails. Don't use your USANA.com email address! Use your Gmail or Yahoo or whatever you have.

Technology is Not The Be-All and End-All 

I want this section to carry weight with you. Remember, I have a tremendous amount of technology, knowledge, and resources available to me. We devote a lot of time, effort and resources developing our technology. The technology is only as good as the USANA Associate's skills!

All to often I see USANA Associates on Facebook or whom I speak with on the phone talk how much time they've invested or money spent on this or that technology and how much it'll change their USANA business. Yet, the person doesn't even have the basic money making skills of behind able to handle an objection or have a good conversation. Remember, your USANA business will live or die by your USANA Communication skills, among other skills. 

Technology is an extension of your skills. If you have great USANA money making skills, then technology can help you get even greater results. For the most part, the average USANA Associate lacks real USANA money making skills (this based off the hundreds of people I've talked with over the years.)

I share all this as a reminder that you need to develop your own USANA money making skills. Technology is no replacement for solid skills! If you haven't read our Complete Networker ebook, then do so ASAP. Click here to download a free copy.

Looking Forward

I'm excited about the changes USANA is rolling out with the Hub. You should be too. Keep in mind that it will take to fully rollout and get all the bugs out. There will be a portion of the USANA Hub that I use in the future. The updates to the "Team Manager" section look fabulous. However, I'm not relying on their contact manager or system in order to build my business.

Look, USANA does a tremendous job at creating and manufacturing products. They are world class because they have the background in those areas. They don't have the background in technology and building the USANA business. They are not distributors! They are not in the "trenches" with us when it comes to building the business. It's nothing against them, it's just the situation.

If you're looking for solid marketing and contact management system for your USANA business, then make sure you stick with Integritas Group. We're constantly updating our system to meet the needs of changing needs and to help us better build our own USANA business. We're in the "trenches" with you.