In a way
Network marketing is the same as MLM or Multi-Level Marketing…a term that has
been thoroughly abused by ‘scamsters’ and frauds, mostly on the Internet.
Though a whole lot of less than scrupulous people have caused some damage to
the standing and credibility of this form of business, it nevertheless figures
as a very cost effective revenue stream for a new entrepreneur. Another
benefit of Network marketing is the training you get in operating a business;
like selling, time management and keeping yourself motivated in the face of
rejection.
So how do you get started?
The first
thing you would have to do is to select the right MLM Company. That is half
the job done. With all those scams doing the rounds, it can get a little
overwhelming trying to pin point the MLM company where you would want to
participate. A lot of MLM companies fail because of various reasons. Some are
not well financed; some don’t have a good, saleable product or haven’t been
able to innovate to meet new customer requirements. Still others have shut
shop because the federal government got wind of their less than holy dealings
and acted fast. Even after those MLM guys who had to wind up, there are still
some left that are the Real Mc Coys. These are the guys you need to fish out.
Here are some tips for selecting a good (read ‘Safe’) MLM company for
starting your Network marketing business.
1.
Participate in an MLM company that has a proven
track record for at least five years. We insist on the figure 5,because if the
company has survived half a decade and made money, they would have a good
product, enough capability to innovate and would be able to provide their
downline with good back-end support.
2.
Look for selling a product that you believe in.
Imagine yourself selling weight loss pills when you know for sure that a
doctor would never recommend most of these pills! Bottomline is, you can’t
sell a product if you don’t have faith in it.
3.
Seek out a company that provides solid backend
support and marketing infrastructure to its downline. It can rip the shirt off
your back to develop new marketing literature for your customers and for your
downline.
What next?
Once
you have selected the right MLM company, the next logical step would be to
decide your sales strategy. Devise a plan for lead generation
for the product you will be selling. In your plan include what targets you
need to set to break even, what sales literature you will use and yes, most
importantly… how will you develop your downline. Don’t forget that one part of
your income will come from them. It is a better idea to have 3-4 quality
agents in your level-I downline, than to recruit everyone and their cousin and
not have a single dime come at the end of the month. At this point of time, It
is usually a good idea to focus on the primary product you chose for marketing
rather than include a host of other lucrative offers. It is easy to lose focus
and spread yourself out thin that way.
Finally, how to get rich with Network marketing?
Even
with all those bad apples in the bunch, Network marketing is still a very
effective marketing strategy. Al you have to do is chose the right company and
avoid the ‘scambags’, get the right mentors and then build a solid downline of
effective sales people. You can get some information on how to avoid
fraudulent ‘MLM-ers’ at these websites:
http://www.stopspam.org/faqs/mlm_vs_pyr.html
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/pyrdalrt.htm
One
of the biggest reasons (and there are several; take a look at:
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol4/MLMsurvival.htm) why Network marketing runs
out of gas is that your MLM company hits the ground. Though it doesn’t have to
happen to you, if you’ve been careful in choosing company, it is still a
possibility. You can pre-empt this situation by “Diversifying". Join
several MLM companies which sell similar or related products and you will not
only have multiple income streams but would have also spread out your risk.
Another
big reason for failure in Network marketing is poor or ineffective downline.
Some trouble areas that you could experience with your network are:
·
New members find it difficult to sell.
·
New members are unable to generate new leads.
·
Selling techniques being used are not suited to
the medium. There is a high outward mobility of new members.
The
trick to succeeding is to tackle these trouble areas at the time of recruitment.
When you recruit new members, provide them with ample literature on the
company and the product, train them on sales techniques by example and keep
your team motivated. They are, by themselves a strong revenue stream for you.
I remember a couple of lines from a song I heard
once, “ Chance is not choices, Noise is not voices". If you look
carefully, two of the biggest secrets of success in any business lie in there.
“Chance is not Choices"… There is difference between falling upon a lucky
clover and growing them yourself. So plan your business carefully, choose a
good MLM company and build your sales downline with care.
“Noise is not Voices"… the world is out
there “revealing" secrets of sure shot success “just for you".
That’s just noise. Listen to your own experiences; what they have taught you
is invaluable. And when you teach the same to your downline, you enhance the
possibility of your business’ success.
Network
marketing may not work 95% of the times, but there are still
those 5 chances out of a 100 when it will work. So plan for success in Network
marketing and reap the benefits.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading it and it held my attention all the way through! Keep it up.
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