Network Marketing For Believers And Non Believers Alike
What is Network Marketing:
A business model that involves building a distribution channel by marketing products and services directly to consumers. This channel can include retail sales and affiliate marketing. The money earned is then used to recruit additional sellers, who are known as independent distributors, who will also earn income from their efforts. Each distributor in turn recruits their own team of distributors, up the chain to the top level of the company or pyramid scheme.
Show me what it takes to succeed with Network Marketing:
When you sign up for a network (as an individual) or join as a member of a team that already exists – you become part of an exclusive group where your social skills are valued over technical skills (e.g. building a Facebook page or emailing a prospect). The key difference is that the product you are providing (and/or service you are offering) has to be something your friend or acquaintance can use and benefit from – not something else.
What do I do?
At first, you need to somehow get the attention of your friends and acquaintances for want of a better term. This is called getting the network "off the ground". Once your network is off, then you need to package your product in such a way as to make it attractive to those people.
How do I get started?
You need to be clear about what you want out of Network Marketing. If you are looking for a job, then go find a job. If you are looking for a part-time income, then work on having a part-time income. If you are looking to start a business and make money over time, then work on building that business. Whatever your plans are, create goals and write it down – don't just say it in your head or talk about it around the office water cooler (if you have one).
What is my expectation?
To make money through Network Marketing? Sure! Make as much as you can while working as little as possible. This is the trade off. It's not a get out of work free card like a job. Your time is limited, so use what you have wisely. Network Marketing is a skill that gets better over time.
What do I do?
Try to understand what it is you're getting into, and whether or not you are willing to accept it to be honest with yourself. If you are comfortable enough with the idea of fully committing yourself, then here are your options:
1) Start a business:
This option covers selling products or services, but does not include selling the business itself (i.e., recruiting other distributors). If you choose this option, you will have to do most of the work yourself at first, but as your business grows, you can hire someone to do some of the work for you.
2) Join an existing business:
You could join a company that is already in operation and see where it takes you. The downside here is that your success would depend on the efforts of others. You may be able to attract a few recruits along the way, but don't count on it. Your income would depend largely on how well other people perform in their roles.
3) Join a direct selling company:
This is the traditional way of joining a multi-level marketing (MLM) business. You will be required to invest a certain amount of money up front and buy a certain amount of products each month that you are actively trying to sell. Your pay check will be based on your sales and the number of people you have recruited. You will be required to attend meetings, seminars, and other events.
4) Join another company:
There are several other companies out there that are running some form of a network marketing or direct selling system – as opposed to recruiting distributors into their company (e.g., Amway or Avon). You may find it easier to be accepted into these companies compared to the traditional MLM companies.
What do I do?
You will have to figure out for yourself which one of the above options you are most comfortable with, and run with it. I recommend you check with a few friends or family members (in private) who have had experience with Network Marketing in the past and see what they have to say about their experiences. If they don't want to talk about it – then don't talk about it either because they might not be ready to talk about their experiences yet. They might still be trying to figure things out for themselves as well.
Where do I start?
Decide how long you are willing to "bang your head against the wall" before you give up. Give any opportunity at least 3 months to see if it takes off. If it's worth your time, then you will need to dump the majority of your time and energy into it. If this is not something worth doing yet, then save yourself some time and throw in the towel. If you decide to give it more time, then what you need to do is figure out where your time will be best spent. For example, if you have a family, i.e., you have kids – then try to find something that is not too abusive to your kids (in this case) and will still allow you some part-time income.
What do I do?
You are putting yourself at a major disadvantage if you don't understand the basic terminology and principles of Network Marketing. While there are hundreds of books on the subject, here are two that I recommend: The Millionaire Fastlane by MJ DeMarco and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey .
Where do I start?
You need to find out when the best time of year is to start a Network Marketing business – or any business for that matter. For example, if you are considering direct sales or network marketing, then you should start at the end of the summer. You will have all the children home from school and daddies have all that extra time on their hands with kids at home and leave them alone for hours every day (while mom is busy with her office job).
What do I do? Picking an MLM business:
Don't bother joining a company where you will be asked to buy too much product in order to qualify for ongoing commissions. There are too many MLM companies out there and they are all pretty much alike. The only difference is in their marketing plan, or the products they sell.
What do I do? Picking an MLM company:
Once you find a company that you like and fit into, then start doing research about the company itself – its history, how it makes money, and how it measures success (i.e., what is its plan). Remember not to get upset if you are turned down for a commission at first – it happens because people want to make sure that you will be a good match for them before getting you involved with the organization.