Tom Big Al Schreiter: How Shy People Can Be Successful
Tom Big Al Schreiter shares how he was a shy quiet engineer and not only a successful network marketer but one of the legendary network marketing trainers.
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Who is Tom ‘Big Al’ Schreiter?
Tom, Big Al Schreiter has over 43 years of experience in the MLM profession and is the author of 13 books and several audio albums.
He is a legendary trainer and teaches the SKILLS it takes to be successful because as he says in his own words… “everyone already knows WHAT to do but they want to know HOW to do it.”
How Tom Big Al Schreiter Started in Network Marketing
Tom Big Al Schreiter didn’t start network marketing because he wanted to be rich.
He just wanted more time.
He was young and already knew he didn’t want to spend his whole life working 9 to 5.
Two weeks of vacation a year didn’t sound like fun.
So he joined network marketing for time freedom.
Money followed later.
But it wasn’t easy at first.
He didn’t have any skills.
He failed for 1 year and 10 months.
He says he was clueless and didn’t even know quitting was an option.
That mindset helped him keep going.
He believed he would figure it out eventually.
And once he learned one simple skill, everything changed.
Just 60 days after learning that skill, he was earning a full-time income.
Tom Big Al Schreiter’s Turning Point in Network Marketing
Tom was great at math and science.
So naturally, he thought giving people more information would work.
He gave long presentations—45 minutes.
When that didn’t work, he made them 90 minutes.
Still nothing.
People were running away.
That’s when he realized—it’s not about more info.
It’s about whether people believe you.
The real turning point was when he learned how to create rapport.
He started focusing on getting people to believe the good things he said.
Once he did that, everything shifted.
That one change made all the difference.
Tom Big Al Schreiter’s Worst Moment in Network Marketing
When people ask Tom how he kept going for almost 2 years without success, they expect a story about vision and drive.
But his answer is simple.
He just didn’t know quitting was an option.
No one told him he could quit.
He didn’t even think about it.
So he just kept showing up.
To him, things felt normal, even when they weren’t working.
That mindset helped him push through his worst times.
Because in his head, quitting never existed.
Tom Big Al Schreiter on How the Industry Has Changed
Tom says things are different now.
When he started 43 years ago, network marketing was weird.
Only rebels and outsiders did it.
Now it’s more accepted.
But there’s a new problem.
People keep jumping from company to company.
They don’t understand that they are the ones who make the difference—not the opportunity.
He says people used to spend more time developing skills and growing.
Today, too many people try to do it all themselves.
And that’s why they struggle to build teams.
The magic is in duplicating, not doing everything on your own.
Million Dollar Question for Tom Big Al Schreiter
If Tom had to start all over again and knew no one, what would he do?
He would look for talkative people.
He calls them “blue” personalities.
The ones who talk fast.
Who love meeting new people.
Who are always telling stories.
He’d ask, “Who do you know that’s a good storyteller?”
Then he’d tell them, “There are two kinds of people: those who tell stories, and those who get paid for it.”
And that one person would lead him to all the appointments he needs.
Tom Big Al Schreiter on First Sentences
Tom wrote a book called “First Sentences for Network Marketers.”
He says most people decide if they like you in the first few seconds.
So your first sentence matters.
A lot.
If you start with “Would you be interested in…” they think you’re a salesperson.
But if you start with “Would it be okay if…” it’s totally different.
People relax.
They want to say yes.
Tom says learning how to start a conversation is one of the most important skills you can learn.
Because if you lose people in the first few seconds, it doesn’t matter how good your video or presentation is.
They’re already gone.
Tom Big Al Schreiter on Follow-Up Without Chasing
Tom doesn’t like chasing people.
He’s not a fan of phone calls either.
So he uses word pictures to plant thoughts in people’s minds.
For example, if someone says, “I need to think it over,” he says:
“No problem. But tomorrow, before you put your keys in the car ignition, ask yourself—do I really want to be leaving my family at 7am to drive to a job I don’t love?”
That sentence does the follow-up for him.
Because every day, when that person puts the key in the ignition, the question comes back.
And one day, when they’ve had enough, they’ll call him.
That’s smart follow-up.
Without pressure.
Recommended Tools And Resources
Favorite Quote
“Network marketing isn’t perfect, it’s just better” by Brooke Stubbs
Must Read Book
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Recommended Online App
Recommended Prospecting Tool
Yourself! The words that come out of our mouth in the first 15 seconds
Contact Info
Key Lessons from Tom Big Al Schreiter
- Confidence comes from learning simple skills.
It’s not about working harder—it’s about learning a few things that work. - Your words matter more than your tools.
People decide in seconds whether to listen to you or not. - Network marketing isn’t perfect. It’s just better.
This quote shuts down objections and helps people focus on the opportunity.
Your Action Steps
- Master your first sentence.
Practice saying “Would it be okay if…” to start conversations without resistance. - Focus on building rapport.
People must believe you before they ever watch your video or attend your meeting. - Find talkers and storytellers.
Ask “Who do you know that talks a lot?” and partner with them to fill your pipeline fast.
Simon Chan is a business coach, podcaster, speaker and best selling author who helps network marketers recruit and build a team by staying consistent with a Simple Online System. Full bio
