Because of many opportunistic scamsters, MLM (Multi Level Marketing) is looked upon more as a scam than a legitimate business. MLM does not really mean scam. It’s quite a legitimate business if you choose the right company, and you can certainly create multiple streams of passive income if you do it right. If you do not have any experience in MLM and wish to consider it seriously, you have to do some research before you jump into it. I would recommend the following tips to start off:
1. Get acquainted with the ins and outs of MLM. Visit Mlm Discussion forums, read what others are saying, what is making them money, what is not converting, what is identified as a scam, etc. Read articles and ebooks on MLM, understand the concepts of downlines and matrix; basically get the hang of the Mlm Business.
2. Next, make a list of prospective Mlm Companies you wish to join based on your research, their market standing, their ability to fulfill your goals, their supporting your country, their compensation plan, their bonus revenue pool, your interest in their products, your ability to market their products, etc.
3. Now is the time to select your upline. Choose a good leader carefully, one who is willing to work with you and support you till you can manage yourself. Will he help you in following up and converting leads? Will he actually call up your pre-enrollees and leads? When you’re first starting out, it pays to have someone who can support and motivate you.
4. You have to understand that you need to leverage at least one or more of three things to succeed in Network Marketing - your own time, money (to generate leads) and resources (hard work). This business works best when you have a team that cumulatively possesses all three of these. This means that you need to look out for leaders that fill up the area you lack in.
5. Your business will take time to reach the goals you’ve setup. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day; and neither will your MLM business. Have patience and give it at least three to four years to reap real results. Start doing it part time along with your day job or whatever other business you have and gradually build it up. Pace yourself for the long haul, don’t stress yourself out by overworking in a frenzy and affecting your health.
6. Maintain your client list and use the services of an optin email solution where you can update them with new offers as and when you come across them. Marketing online is a great and cost effective way to do business, so you also need to learn about internet marketing and copy writing which you can use for making ads. Check out my other articles on these subjects at http://www.bharatbhasha.com/author.php/Nirjara%20Rustom
7. Its great to join new companies as you get in the ground floor and you increase the chances of building a greater downline. At the same time, its also a higher risk. Do some due diligence by asking folks in the trenches and also do some research on the internet. But since piling people is a race in this business, just signup and reserve your position before you do a detailed due diligence.
8. Always join companies that have some real rock solid products, keep away from the junk. This way, you don’t have to sell the sizzle (hype), just the steak. The key is to join the right program at the right time with the right people, continue to re-invest a part of your income in self improvement and other programs, and form co-ops with others.
9. Branding is a very important criteria in the MLM business. Maintain a habit of putting your name with every promotion you do. Once you’re known to promote only reputed and decent products, people will listen to you and also join every program that you promote. This is called “Branding Your Name And Breaking The Bank”!
10. Its 100 percent legal to form 2, 3 or more companies; signup from one company, put your second company below it, put your third company below the second, so on and so forth, depending upon the number of levels the MLM allows. Just ensure that you have separate tax IDs for each of them. This way, you just need to promote the bottom (last) account and you get paid on multiple levels! This is good if you plan to do business in a big way. While the initial cost of setting up companies is high, you can continue using them for each New Mlm Company you join. Some MLM companies even offer you the opportunity to buy multiple positions when you first join them, which can even double your income.
Are liquid vitamin & mineral supplements better for us than vitamin & mineral pills?
Internet marketers and Mlm Distributors like to promote liquid vitamin & mineral formulas and claim that colloidal, sub-colloidal and now micro-colloidal liquid formulas are far easier for the body to absorb than multi-vit & mineral tablets? Is there any truth in this, or is a liquid formula just another over-hyped “snake oil”? Tell me more about your experience with them.
Tablets become liquid when digested in the gastro-intestinal tract (or gut if you prefer).Surely they will then absorb quickly after they are liquefied?
And what about the so-called natural ingredients mined from primeval forests discovered in Utah, then turned into liquid form by the Dead Doctor story-teller’s company? Are they any better than the “artificial” synthesized ingredients in tablets?
The absorption rate will obviously be quicker with the liquid form but the content is the same whether in liquid or pill form.
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MLM: The Whole Truth (A Revealing Special Report)
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A "must read" for any one interested in Multilevel or Network Marketing. With hard-hitting directness, formerly frustrated "MLMer," reveals in this extremely valuable Report the WHOLE truth about why so many good people over the last 50 years have lost money in MLM.Now, having successfully climbed to the top 1% of earners, Lou shares very powerful criteria in The 12 Critical Success Factors that i...
Author is Jerry Clark who is an InterNet Network Marketing Trainer. Jerry specializes in helping networking marketing professional to use the Internet to attract prospects. He has a FREE MLM Blogging Secrets Video Training Course and specializes in teaching how to drive traffic to blogs and webpages through Article Marketing.
Creating Good Quality Network Marketing Blogs
There is no denying the fact that a blog can take your Network Marketing Business places. People love the open communication that you can have on a blog, they love the interactivity and they love the fact that they get replies to the questions they pose. A blog is as close to dealing with a real person as it can get.
Even from the point of view of the network marketer, having a blog is a great idea. The fantastic search engine optimization that blogs have is something that cannot be undermined. Search engines rank blogs highly if they have regularly updated content. Blogs can be used for lead capturing because of the website links that they can carry and because of the fact that they can be used for giving freebies such as eBook downloads and newsletter subscriptions. However, it must be noted that network marketing blogs are different from usual blogs. Here we take a look at some of these aspects that are different.
The Written Content
The content will speak directly about network marketing or a subject that is allied to it. When making the post, it should carry a strong opinion of the writer. This is what stamps the seal of credibility in the minds of the readers. The content must have good keywords taken from a source such as Google’s Keyword External Tool. People who are looking for network marketing as a business opportunity are definitely not looking for extensive content, but they are looking for some crisp information. So breaking down the information into small paragraphs or bulleted lists is a very important thing to do.
The Plug Ins and Tools
Blogs can be spruced up with a lot of plug ins, of which the syndication plug in is the most important. This plug in informs visitors that there is some new content put up on the blog and even gives them the link. There are several other such plug ins that can really come in handy. One of the reasons why people prefer WordPress is that it provides a bigger range of plug ins than other blog software.
Not Too Much Sales Pitch
You will find that the genuine Network Marketing Websites and blogs do not push their products relentlessly. The tone is always kept subtle keeping in mind the way that the average Internet user is going to stumble upon the blog looking for information and not to join a plan right away.
About the Author
Author is Jerry Clark who is an
InterNet Network Marketing Trainer.
Jerry specializes in helping
networking marketing professional to use the Internet
to attract prospects. He has a
FREE Blogging for Profits Video Training Course and
specializes in teaching how to drive
traffic to blogs and webpages through Article Marketing.
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Inbound Marketing: Get Found Using Google, Social Media, and Blogs (New Rules Social Media Series)
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Stop pushing your message out and start pulling your customers inTraditional "outbound" marketing methods like cold-calling, email blasts, advertising, and direct mail are increasingly less effective. People are getting better at blocking these interruptions out using Caller ID, spam protection, TiVo, etc. People are now increasingly turning to Google, social media, and blogs to find products and ...
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The bestselling bible for social media is now completely revised and updated!The Social Media Bible, Second Edition (www.TSMB2.com) is the most comprehensive resource that transforms the way corporate, small business, and non-profit companies use social media to reach their desired audiences with power messages and efficiency. In this Second Edition, each of the three parts - Tactics, Tools, and S...
I normally have oily skin I tried the products and they are making my skin peel! I’ve tried using less and going down to once a day… nothing has ever done this to my skin
and the foundations used without the cleanser does the same thing!
I have a meeting tomorrow with a director and she already has all my information
but I did not give her my social or the money for the “starter kit”
she’s rushing a bit to get me in the door i can tell
I’m worried this is a Multi-level Marketing (MLM) aka Pyramid scheme
and that i should get my $60 back for all the product I bought and run!
Kimmy- she said before I could see how things work.. I would need to get in the door and order the starter kit
Yes it is multi level marketing but far from a pyramid scheme.
A pyramid scheme is when someone takes your money and runs.
There is no product in a pyramid scheme.
You have to remember, it is a business opportunity, so there is
a chance you can make a lot of money, chance you can make
a little money or no money. It is even possible for you to lose money.
I am just a little curious, where did you get the idea that MLM is a pyramid?
You have to remember, it is what you make of it. Give the business a good shot,
do not treat it as a hobby. It takes hard work and dedication to make it work. An MLM
is the same as a McDonald’s but for a lot less money. The problem with the MLM/Direct Sales
Industry is that there are a lot of them.
The bottom line is that if you want to make a little extra money… say a hundred bucks a month, you could do it by selling Mary Kay. If you want to make a real income, there are better Mlm Companies with better comp plans. With Mary Kay, you’ll be lucky if you even get to that $20k or $25k level. And even then, you’ve got self-employment taxes and no benefits, which make that income look even worse.
I have been in Network Marketing for a while and as an attraction marketing coach I see the ups and downs
people go through trying to build their business.
Hope this helps, good luck!
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Rod Cook's Big Illustrated Book of MLM Compensation Pay Plans is for both beginners and experts. It is a Big 8.5"x11" book with full size easy to understand diagrams with full explanation on the opposite page! It contains secrets to understanding MLM pay plans, tricks to maximize your income, avoiding MLM pay plan traps, and how to dodge illegal pyramid schemes. It includes all MLM compensati...
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Rod Cook's Annual How To Start Your Network Marketing, Modern Party Plan, or Web Affiliate Company is the worlds largest (over 304 8.5 x 11) diagrammed, detailed books on starting an MLM Company. It gives written descriptions of what you need to do to prosper, often with illustrations followed by essential check lists. It covers critical areas such as Strategic Marketing research, MLM Legal issues...
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Is this a way to get through to those countries in the Middle East?
CAIRO (Reuters) - A breakdown in an international undersea cable network disrupted Internet links to Egypt, India and Gulf Arab countries on Wednesday, and Egypt said it could take several days for its services to return to normal.
Egypt said its call centers saw their services cut by more than 30 percent, and two Egyptian stockbrokers said market transactions were considerably slower and some international trading orders could not go through.
“It (the disruption) had a very negative impact on the stock market today,” one Cairo-based trader said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. “At times, we were trading blind.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSL3026621820080130?feedType=RSS&feedName=internetNews&rpc=22&sp=true
As the world bases it’s transactions on the web, would it be easy to cause economic failure?
How much do entertainment industry jobs make pay like?
not glamourous jobs like actor, singer etc…jobs like working as a marketing manager or marketing director for a major film co., tv network, fashion designer, magazine etc….
I know the market is in cali and ny…and i know the cost of living is expensive but if im gonna be able to live comfortably( get a mansion) i would sacrifice that for higher cost of living…
Check job sites like Monster.com for going rates.
Honestly the top people can earn bucks in any field. The vast majority won’t earn that much. Anything associated with entertainment is a glamorous job compared to doing the same job for other industries so the wages might be less (since more people want to do it - basic supply and demand).
To put in perspective Southern California prices - a moderate sized house in LA/Orange County is over $600,000. Check Realtor.com to get an idea.
Put the wages to the housing prices. It’s ain’t easy.
Are you struggling to get traffic to your MLM related website without breaking your bank account? If you want to get cheap traffic quickly while building your prospect list, one of the best methods is to Join Mlm related groups within social networking websites. While there are several websites that Mlm Professionals frequent, you will have the most success if your primary focus is on the business oriented websites like Direct Matches and Ryze.
Networking with your fellow MLM professionals can increase links back to your website, increase your chances of being seen as an expert, increase your mailing list, sell more of your product, get new team members to sign up, make you new friends – in fact there’s not a lot to be said against joining a few MLM related groups and networking online. However, there are some things to think about before you get started:
DO:
1. Research each networking group before you join. Make sure it’s relevant to your business and see if the participants are in your target market. Look at how much traffic the group gets. How busy is it? – there’s no point in joining a dead group with very few posts.
2. Check the group rules before you post. Some groups will allow you to post advertisements for your business while others will object. Check if you are allowed to add a signature at the end of your posts – adding a small biography with a web link to your business is a great way to increase incoming links to your site and to get more traffic.
3. Be polite and treat everyone the way you would like to be treated. Even though you don’t meet people face to face you will build up some great relationships if you take the time to give good answers to questions, to be helpful and to respect other people’s opinions. And every post you answer adds to your reputation. Use your posts to give genuine, useful advice, not just to plug your business and you’ll soon be looked on as an expert.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice – no-one knows everything and sometimes you will need help.
5. To make the most of your time on the groups, allow yourself only a certain amount of time each day. Read only the posts that are relevant and that interest you and post answers quickly before moving on. It’s very easy to spend the whole day on groups and not get anything else done.
DON’T:
1. Never, ever use a post to blatantly advertise your business, particularly if the group rules don’t allow it. Nothing will damage your reputation faster than spamming a group.
2. Don’t go through the list of group members, collect email addresses and send them unsolicited mail. At best you’ll be banned from the group and at worst the owners might report you to your ISP.
3. Don’t ever get involved in a flame war (this is when a heated conversation on a group boils over and degenerates into nothing but an exchange of personal insults). It might be really satisfying to say what you think about someone, especially if they’ve been getting on your nerves, but just imagine what other people will think of you if you do.
In conclusion, treat people online like you treat people in real life. Think of it as a networking event that’s taking place on your computer and don’t forget that other posts on the groups are made by real people with real feelings.
You already know how to make friends and new contacts face to face. Apply what you already know to online networking and you could be enjoying great success with a global audience.
About the Author
Carlos Scarpero is the creator of the Success Duplicator downline building system, a free tool that combines the power of Success University and Direct Matches. Try out Success Duplicator for yourself for free at www.success-duplicator.com
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Review of Exfuze- Another Mlm Company Review Featuring Super Juice
ExFuze is another in a long line of Network Marketing Companies that serve a market that apparently loves healthy, pricey, juice! Each company that promotes juice products claim that their juice has the most “muscle.” What inquiring minds want to know is how viable ExFuze is as an Mlm Opportunity. This article will answer that question.
The company founders are a pair of brothers; Rick and Don Cotton. Rick is a dynamic speaker with many years of network marketing experience, and Don is a operations whiz. Don is formerly an executive with Microsoft, and winner of several achievement awards. Team “exFuze” also consists of Lawrence Taylor and Eric Dickerson, two N.F.L. legends. So it would seem that the company is in good management hands.
ExFuze juice is the company’s featured product. The juice is almost a “all-star team” of super fruit juices! While other companies feature one juice type as a signature product, ExFuze juice combines the top 7 super fruit juices!Among the juices included are Acai berry,Noni Fruit,Goji Berry,Mangosteen, among others. The juices combine to make ExFuze a nutrient dense juggernaut! It is packed with anti-oxidants, omega complex fatty acids, enzymes,vitamins, amino acids and a “partidge in a pear tree!” Reports and testimonials for the juice are as plentiful as the nutrient profile.
The juice is pricey, though. It goes for 45.00 retail for a 25 oz bottle! Distributors can buy it at wholesale, 30.00 a bottle, and keep the retail profit of 15.00. Interestingly enough, it costs nothing to be a distributor. For simply filling out an application, the company will also provide you with a replicated website.
ExFuze’s compensation plan is a classic binary plan. A good plan in that it only requires two “sign-ups” to start earning money. Not so good in that it is a definite “juggling” act in keeping both legs of the plan active and earning. In a binary, commissions are always determined by the earnings of the weaker leg. The company also has many “fast start” bonuses, geared to help distributors make money fast.
In conclusion, ExFuze suffers from the “one product” syndrome. Network marketing companies featuring one product generally don’t last. The current situation in mlm makes the situation more challenging, as there is much competiton among companies featuring super juices. Regardless of the mlm company you align yourself with, it is imperative that you learn the new model of attraction marketing. Renegade University is a FREE members only site that trains students in Internet attraction marketing. Mike Klingler’s step-by-step video tutorials provide excellent training in video marketing, article marketing, email marketing, and network within the Web 2.0 communities. Check out Renegade University NOW!
About the Author
Michael Hutchins is a Professional guide at Renegade University, the FREE members only site where students can EARN CASH while learning cutting edge Internet marketing skills and online selling strategies. To learn the secrets of achieving REAL residual income that 97.9% don’t know, and only the mlm “heavy hitters” understand, subscribe to Mike’sFREE weekly newsletter
MLM Lawyer D. Jack Smith registered his website in December of 2000. However he has been practicing law much longer than this. He has a list of credentials a mile long and is currently known as the top Mlm Attorney in the United States and is an Industry Icon. He operates his office out of Memphis, Tennessee.
MLM Lawyer D. Jack Smith currently represents the Multilevel Marketing International Association in Irvine, CA. He graduated from both Vanderbilt University as well as Ivy League Harvard Law School and is active in the ABA as well as the Tennessee Bar. His specialties include direct sales representation, MLM as well as going to bat for franchising operations all over the world.
To date MLM Attorney D. Jack Smith has participated in over three thousand Network Marketing Legal Cases. He specializes in MLM Law so if you needed a personal injury or Criminal Attorney he wouldn’t be able to help you, although he may be able to give you a good referral. He also wrote a book titled MLM Law in the 50 States which is widely published in the Network Marketing Industry.
D. Jack Smith even use to write monthly articles for the MLM Law Free Enterprise Magazine. He’s been a panelist as well as a participating speaker and ran seminars all over the U.S. as well as Canada. He is a current active member of the Lawyer’s Council of Direct Selling Association which is located in the state of Washington as well as a member of the Governmental Affairs and Ethics Committees.
In fact, he even served on the National Congressional Advisory Committee in Washington and was nominated for the “Best Attorneys in America” award in 2006. If you are the owner of a Network Marketing Company, especially if it is a large growing company, chances are you’ll need an MLM Attorney at some point. The thing you don’t want to do is get an attorney that isn’t familiar with the inner workings of MLM Law.
You’ll have to speak with a Tax Professional to validate this, but hiring an MLM Attorney is usually tax deductible as a business expense. So when you hire one this could save you on taxes as well, as it is a legitimate tax writeoff. Plus if you’re trying to get your Mlm Business off to a good start, especially if you see it becoming successful soon, the best thing you can do is have a good MLM Attorney like D. Jack Smith and have him look over your website and marketing materials to make sure they are fully compliant.
MLM multi level marketing option Ina’s life changing story Ontario, Canada
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If you’ve ever dreamed of running your own business from home, whether on a full or part-time basis… and are good with people but have very little business knowledge, then Multilevel Marketing (MLM) may be for you. This is especially true if you have a minimal amount of start-up cash.
Mlm Companies provide a product or service to the consumer via a network of ‘independent’ distributors, who usually work from their home.
Reputable MLM companies also provide a low start-up cost, all the training you need, advertising in one form or another, and supply you with a product line-up or service to sell. They also allow you to recruit other distributors and make commissions on their total sales.
The United States Federal Trade Commission, however, cautions anyone from joining a Mlm Company that pays you for each distributor you recruit, as opposed to only paying a commission on the total sales they generate. This is called ‘Pyramiding’ and is illegal.
The U.S. FTC also encourages you to thoroughly research a MLM company before signing on the dotted line, and not to sign anything under pressure, but instead, take time to consider all the details. You can check out their Multilevel Marketing Caution Web Page at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/pyrdalrt.htm. On this page, they also list eight checks you should do before making your decision whether to join or not.
Research is always an important component of any business venture and considering a distributorship with a MLM company is no exception.
Searching the Internet under ‘Multilevel Marketing’ returns a recipe of results. These range from government agencies, general information web sites, encyclopedia type sites to a host of disgruntled, former Mlm Distributors. People who are ‘pro’ MLM don’t write web sites on the topic because they’re usually too busy building their network.
THE GOOD SIDE
Here are some of the benefits of finding a reputable MLM company:
- They have an established and very marketable product line or service, and strive to improve or add to the existing line-up.
- Recruiting new distributors will be a streamlined process, and the company will not be involved in pyramiding.
- As a company, they will have a solid track record and good work ethics.
- No experience will be required. A good MLM company will provide one-on-one training, as well as motivational seminars and a full compliment of training materials. After all, in multilevel marketing, when one succeeds all succeed.
- A reputable MLM company will be ‘Family’ rated, meaning that crude conduct is not tolerated.
- They will provide an excellent bonus plan with many incentives for those who excel.
- Well-established MLM companies should be able to provide you with resource material to aid you in not only product sales but in recruiting.
- They will have minimal start-up fees.
- A strong support system.
- You will be led by example.
- Healthy team competition.
- There will be a successful business and marketing plan in place that can be successfully duplicated by others, assuming they apply themselves to the plan and are motivated to succeed.
- There exists the possibility of full-time or part-time commitment.
These attributes would definitely belong to an ideal Multilevel Marketing Company, however not all reputable companies excel in all these areas. Some companies will be better in certain areas than others. Do research on the company. Don’t just accept the motivational hype used by most MLM companies in order to recruit.
Some MLM distributors are so highly trained that they have a ‘come-back’ for almost every statement you make or concern you have. This would be considered a ‘high-pressure’ invitation to join. Always take time away to cool off - especially if you’re excited by what you heard. Sit on your decision for a while and do research. If the company is good, they will still be there when you wake up tomorrow; and yes, you will get a follow-up phone call.
THE DOWNSIDE
While the Mlm Model can be a great tool to achieve what you want in life, it would be remiss not to mention the downside.
- It is easy to get ‘taken’ by a disreputable MLM company. Do your research.
- If you plan on developing a network - a ‘downline’- it will cost you more money than you realize and take you longer than you think - although this is slight compared to the cost and time required to start up a traditional business. You will spend a lot on resource and training materials that you will end up giving away to prospects and to your downline distributors.
- You might spend a lot of money on fuel for your vehicle, meals out, hotel rooms or neck surgery from sleeping in your car.
- Some companies insist on a minimum monthly order to maintain your distributorship.
- Some companies only pay you for recruiting other distributors and not on their total sales volume. Beware, as this is called ‘Pyramiding’ and is illegal in most countries.
- While you may initially be led to believe that the products sell themselves and that you can make a lot of money with little effort, beware. Most businesses, whether they are traditional, online, or MLM, take a lot of energy and effort to make them successful. Consider a rocket: 60 - 80% of the fuel is used just to raise it a few inches off the ground.
- Be ready for a lot of rejection. Approximately 80%+ of the people you contact will turn you down.
- It is easy to get caught up in the ‘dream’ and overspend because, ‘Winners always find a way.’ It is also easy to be pressured into ‘willingly’ spending beyond your means.
- It could very easily become your life’s vocation, with everything centered on it. Some distributors even refuse to attend family weddings etc., because it falls on the same date as their MLM seminar.
- Also, like most businesses, when you begin you will be spending much more than you make.
The final judgment: Most business entrepreneurs face the question, ‘How much am I able and willing to lose if it doesn’t work?’ That is the question you have to ask yourself before you get into Multilevel Marketing.
And of course, what do you want from life and what are you willing to do to get it?
If you enjoy helping others succeed so that you can succeed, are willing to take the risks associated with being in business for yourself, even on a part-time basis, and are willing to put in long days, then Multilevel Marketing may just be the tool you are looking for to achieve your business and life goals.
Network marketing is now recognized by some of the biggest names in personal finance and success industry as one of the best opportunities for the average person to reach their financial goals. Included in this group of proponents are folks like personal finance gurus Robert Kiyosaki and David Bach, and world-renowned economist and entrepreneur (and advisor to two presidents) Paul Zane Pilzer.
If you are like me, you are always interested in looking at ways to get ahead. For 24 of my 26 years I have worked for non-profit organizations – not known to be a high-paying career choice! I have 10 people living under my roof, and I need the best possible leverage with the least amount of risk.
I would hazard a guess that if we were to compare our personal experiences, or the experiences of our friends, we would conclude that there have been more disappointments in the industry of network marketing (or MLM) than positive outcomes. But this is not an invalidation of the industry. Rather, this is simply an invalidation of the evaluation process that most people undertake prior to involving themselves in an opportunity presented by the industry. What I will do in the next few minutes is spell out for you a process to successfully evaluate any opportunity within this industry, so that if you decide to investigate a business for yourself, you can go into the process with the confidence and knowledge to succeed.
Primary to running your evaluation, you must keep in mind that network marketing and MLM is a subset of the Direct Selling industry. Thus, network marketing is not about selling a product – it’s about offering a business structure supported by a product offering. It is therefore important to understand that you must evaluate both sides of the opportunity – the product offering and the business structure.
There are five key components necessary for success in any business within this industry.
PRODUCTS
The best products are:
• Consumable - not durable, single-purchase items like water filters or car alarms. Products need to be normally re-purchasable every month. This creates a monthly revenue stream for the company and you.
• Physical – it is very difficult to make intangibles & services work (like financial planning services) partly because there is very little emotional involvement. If you can’t feel it, experience it, and immediately enjoy it’s benefits, you are not going to be satisfied with the product yourself, and thus you won’t be a convincing advocate of the product (and opportunity) to others. If it makes a significant difference in the way you feel, or feel about yourself, you will become committed!
• Supported by upward price pressure – you want to be involved in an industry that is growing (strong demand), or where “designer” products keep pricing trends on the rise (like Estee Lauder and Nutregena do for the skin care industry). Commodities like phone service or internet service will always see downward pricing structure as technology and competition continues to drive down costs.
• Ahead of or part of an emerging or growing trend – did this company jump on a bandwagon that left the parade years ago (bad choice), or are they positioned to take advantage of growing demographic or consumer trends (good choice)?
• BONUS: First-to-market innovation – it is better to avoid “me too” products. The front-runner in any category is going to almost always remain the leader, no matter how much a new comer may tout a “better” formula or product (think juice products). IF you find a company that is introducing a significantly new product, or an innovation on an existing product (think breath strips for mouth wash), consider this a bonus, as these innovations (& opportunities) are few and far between.
COMPANY
Thousands of companies have attempted to utilize network marketing to distribute their products. As of the date of this writing (fall 2006), only 27 companies have grown to be $100-million-per-year companies, 8 have become Billion$-per-year companies. Of those thousands, many do not last, and only a few grow to be large companies, indicating success. These companies typically fall into 3 main categories:
• Mature Business – they’ve been around for 30-50 years (in my opinion, Amyway, Shaklee & Mary Kay fit this category)
• Slow-growth companies - these are the party plan or direct-selling companies. It just typically takes too much effort to make significant income, so people burn out eventually. (here I would reference Pampered Chef, Usborne Books, etc.)
• Emerging Powerhouse – they have a product that meets the criteria above, and are relatively new to the marketplace (see TIMING below).
Two key things you MUST evaluate when you identify companies to research are:
1. Capitalization – do they have the resources to make it past the delicate first couple of years. As you probably know, many companies fail due to lack of resources to get them through the launch phase, or their first growth spurt.
2. Management – it takes more than just an entrepreneur with an innovative product idea – to handle world-wide distribution and all that that entails requires a diverse and experienced management team.
Also, stay away from the Money Games disguised as businesses – things like friend gifting schemes, laundry balls – these are usually illegal and are quickly shut down. In EVERY industry there will always exist the charlatans!
TIMING
This separates simple income opportunities from true wealth-creating opportunities. Those who are satisfied with a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month can simply review the established mature & slow-growth companies and pick one that appeals to you. Those that really desire a breakthrough financial transformation need to be a bit more deliberate and will need to look a little harder. You’re looking for one of those Emerging Powerhouses.
The growth chart of all business looks like some form of an S-Curve. When a company first starts out – as they are introducing their product to market and building a new network of distributors – their growth is fairly slow and relatively flat. Once they get past this early stage – their product begins to become branded in the market, their distributor force begins to gain traction – they reach critical mass and their growth begins a steep climb that can last from 5 to 25 years depending on the breadth and depth of the markets. Then as they mature, they reach that position with the older companies where their growth tapers off to a steady pace again.
What you are looking for – and sometimes you have to look for quite some time to find it – is a company that is in the first part of that S-Curve – before or just after it reaches critical mass. Yes – there is risk that a company in this stage may not make it to or past critical mass, but if you do your homework on the other components described here, and they all point in the direction of success, you can be confident that your risk (if any) is minimal!
COMPENSATION PLAN
There are basically four types of compensation plans in this industry, and they all have their strengths and weaknesses (I won’t go into detail in this presentation). What you really want to scrutinize are the weaknesses. The three critical components to look for are:
1. Can a new person make money quickly – can the new affiliate reach profitability within 30-60 days. This early success will lead to enthusiasm about the business and provide an intrinsic motivation.
2. Can the AVERAGE person (who only plans to work part-time, 5-7 hours per week) make significant money
3. Can the professionals (those who desire to work full-time) become millionaires. This is important because any venture of this type needs to attract strong field leadership.
One additional component that I have found to watch for is the nature of any “cut-off” from the efforts of those in your downline. There are a couple of ways this happens in various plan designs:
• The Breakaway – in this situation, if someone grows a larger business, or in some way outperforms you, they can break out from under your business, and when they do so they typically take all of the business volume (which translates into commissions) away from your business.
• A Level Limit – in this situation, you are paid only through a set limit of levels of referrals in your business (typical level limits are 5 or 7). Thus, once business extends below this set level, any of the business volume no longer contributes to your business or commissions.
The preference is a plan design that pay through infinite depth. There is typically an additional benefit with these designs in that the purchases of customers-only and the efforts of those who are not working the business very vigorously do not penalize your business.
SYSTEM
Done correctly, in network marketing you NEVER sell – you simply provide information that will lead a person to a point of logical conclusion. They will either:
• join you in the business
• decline the business opportunity but become a customer of the product
• say no to both
Because they reached their own conclusion after perusing the available information (and without any “sales” pressure from you) your relationship with that person remains unchanged. The significant component of this process done right is that YOU are not the information provider! You point to a system, and the system takes over. The elements of a proper system are:
1. tools do all the work – you simply distribute the tools
2. there is no guesswork – you plug into a pattern of activities
3. you have access to leadership
One last word – once you have done your homework, the ball is in your hands! Businesses don’t grow by magic but by determined and consistent effort, and network marketing is no exception. The concept of network marketing is one of the most powerful concepts of leverage that exists today. When done correctly (and with the right company), you can leverage the efforts of thousands of people literally around the world.
As John D. Rockefeller remarked, “I’d rather have 1% of 100 people’s efforts than 100% of my own.” The power of leveraged, residual income is a force multiplier that levels the financial playing field for any person.
The deck is now stacked in your favor. You can evaluate any opportunity and reach your point of logical conclusion based on solid rationale rather than fear, misperception, or false claims! Whatever your story, whatever your passions, whatever your situation, whatever your needs, whatever your skills – if you desire a breakthrough financial transformation, do your homework and find the right opportunity for you!
About the Author
Greg Kittinger
www.ACTisMoney.com/gkittinger
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Small Business International Development in Three Easy Steps
Some companies feel they have a global market ecommerce with an online presence. But are the international clients coming to your online store? And if they are, how did they find you? Does your online website have a real presence in foreign countries?
Once you have a local or national business operating through a website, there are a few steps you can take to develop your market further abroad.
Targeting international markets still involves the same type of market analysis you needed for your current business. Often a bit more market analysis is needed to allow for the cultural adaptation of your products. This market research is multiplied by the number of countries you would like to do business in.
Assess your communication
Then you must step back and look at your current means of communication. The website you have for your own local market. How would foreigners react to your website?
There are a few general questions to ask yourself:
Is your website clear and easy to understand?
Could an 8 year old easily understand what your company does?
Do you only provide an 800 number? Do foreigners know how to reach you? Put in your local land line telephone number. Give your full physical address.
Is your order form compatible for international addresses, or does it get stuck if you don’t put in an American State code? Make sure your order forms have enough lines for foreign addresses.
Do you use one specific word for things? - having two or three ways for saying one thing makes it harder for foreigners to follow you. Choose between “car” and “vehicle”. It is a good idea to create a glossary of company terms - you will greatly appreciate this later on.
Do you use specific cultural expressions or slang? Keep your communication easy to understand by everyone.
Does your website refer to specific national holidays? Is that something you should change?
Do you have any embedded words in your diagrams? Avoid them and it will make it easy for you to translate any images later on.
Making these changes should not take away the strength of your sales message to your local market. The good practices for an effective website in your local market are very similar. Taking those local good practices a little further will open your website up for international expansion. Your communication will become clearer to your international clients.
Once you make these transitions to your current website you will be on your way to your next transition towards an international business:
Localized Websites
Once you have your main website open for international business. If your website is actually speaking to foreign visitors and not alienating them, then it is time to take your next step in developing a global market presence.
All of your marketing efforts should be aimed at determining where you need to sign up for a localized website.
Are your current international clients from a concentrated area on the globe?
Does you market lead you to choose a specific international market?
Is there a country you feel passionate about and feel there is a market there for your products and services?
Depending on your resources you may only choose to develop one new country market at a time. The more countries you do a market analysis for the easier it becomes.
Some companies at this stage decide to translate their website into 5 languages: Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, and German. This can be a wasted investment at this stage. Will your product hit the same emotional buttons in your foreign markets? This is highly unlikely.
Remember Spanish in South and Central America is very different from the language spoken in Spain. And the people are different. French is spoken in several countries too. Which culture is your main target?
Become Acquainted With Your Foreign Market
If you are a small business and or do not want to go to the expense of too many changes in translations, take this process slowly. Take your time to get some detailed market knowledge for your products in the foreign countries. You can do this from your “internationalized” local website.
Work with your current international clients. Run international campaigns in English from your local website that stimulates international market feedback. Use traditional methods of market research and client prospecting by phone. Even when only speaking English you will get some feedback. Keep at it until you feel you are now acquainted with your foreign market.
Localized Websites To Get To Know Other Markets
You now know which country you want to sell to. You may even have decided to target a country that speaks your own language. The next logical step is to create a localized website in your first overseas target market.
So what does a localized website mean? Create a second website for your foreign market. This new website is localized for your new target market. It can be hosted locally or in your foreign market. But it will be submitted to all of the local foreign web directories.
And it will be written specifically for your foreign market. Use your original website as a model to adapt to communicate with your new market. Company branding is important. Truly communicating with your foreign markets in a way that will get them to listen to you is more important. Play around with finding the balance.
One key to successfully finding this balance is using web templates…without text imbedded in the graphics.
At this stage probably only part of your website will be translated. This is not the best scenario. It may feel like a cold brochure. Just be sure to give your international clients access to your local website in English. If they know what to expect in which language and this is clearly indicated on your new website, this is acceptable.
Continue to develop relationships with people in your new markets, do more research, test changes and adaptations to your localized website. With a little bit of follow up and concentrated effort you will become very familiar with your new market. You will learn how to offer your product and services to get sales in a different market.
You will then be ready for the next transition:
A Fully Customized Website
Once you have a localized website adapted to each of your target markets you will want your international clients to feel more familiar with your products and services. You will want to improve the level of communication with your foreign markets.
Your website is now localized. It is already on their territory. The best way to deepen your relationship is to communicate with your foreign markets solely in their language, and to communicate exactly how you would if you were your local competitor.
Foreign Language Communication Strategy
The better you know your foreign markets the more options you will have. At the very minimum you could organize an email campaign in their language. Before doing this, make sure this would be appropriate in their culture. Will your target market read your emails, how would they read your emails?
Foreigners targeting North American business men might be surprised at how many of them use tiny little Blackberry screens to read emails. A country like France with high ADSL penetration might forget that other countries are not so lucky and they should therefore send appropriate content in their emails.
Easy, Low Cost, Multi-Channel Communication Each Month
Once these elements have been defined, create a simple communication strategy in the foreign language. With a little thought and preparation you can come up with a foreign language communication plan for minimal investment in time and money.
Take advantage of the possibility of re-purposing content to be used in different formats both online and offline. Come up with ways to get your international clients to interact with you, plan beforehand to get feedback and track results.
Online events
Surveys
Competitions
Ask for feedback campaigns
Use incentives to improve responses. Think of the foreign appeal your incentives might have. This can often translate into something low cost. Tie this with your own local events.
Example Based On A Monthly 2-Page Newsletter Written
One cost effective solution is a monthly 2-page newsletter with 4 articles written by a foreign native marketing professional. This monthly newsletter can be repurposed into several formats using the same content. This will give you a variety of communication touches in your foreign market each month:
Monthly Newsletter - online and in print
Weekly Emails
Podcasts
Videos
Monthly Surveys
Product Reviews
Case Studies
…and more, with variety over the year
This entire international client lead generation strategy only by investing in one 2-page translation.
This can work very well if combined with a local event, international exhibition or some other way clients can interact with you.
A great bonus is getting your writer to use foreign language keyword optimization.
This foreign language communication campaign will increase your understanding of your international markets even further. A valuable asset for any business. You will be ready to move towards a fully customized foreign website.
Website totally customized to local cultures
You will need to analyze your market potential again. Do you understand what incites your foreign market to buy your product? If so, then it is time to look at translating your entire foreign language website.
Your own knowledge of your international market will make it easier for you to determine which web pages can be translated and which web pages should be exchanged for pages written in the foreign language by industry experts. Your foreign website will probably not look exactly like your original local website.
Adaptation Phase
Creating a foreign language website can be done in stages. Remember to always think of how your foreign visitors may react to this.
Welcome them
Acknowledge their needs
Show them what you have in place already to help them.
You may or may not have a fully multilingual staff, explain this appropriately somewhere on your website.
“We particularly appreciate all of our foreign clients. Unfortunately we are not able to have staff to speak to you in your own language on a full time basis. Please leave us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can”.
You Have Control Of Your International Development
As your business grows and defines itself, you will set up an appropriate structure and find the partners best suited to your business requirements.
Are you committed to speeding up your international sales cycles?
Learn how to combine cross-cultural marketing tools and international sales strategies for faster sales.
Would you like to develop your international business? Are you a beginner at international sales and marketing? Read the Beginners Guide Discover Your International Business.
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