Tips for Choosing the Right MLM Opportunity

(quick note. This blog needed major restoring after it was hacked and polluted. This particular post was actually posted last July, 2011 and the meeting I attended was before that. I am involved with a company that I love and that is not the subject of this post.)

Went to a MLM marketing meeting a couple of months ago and was overcome with the mediocrity of the message.  So I thought I’d share a few ideas of what to look for if you are searching for a Network Marketing Company. Not all meetings are created equal. This one was 3 hours long, as loud as a sports event and it seemed more geared to the people already involved in it rather than the people being introduced to it for the first time.

First of all, I really like Network Marketing – or Multi level Marketing (MLM), as it is often called. Many people call it “that pyramid thing“, but I’ve got news for them. Any company structure that has more than a few people in it  IS a “pyramid thing” – only most employees don’t have any way to progress  up the company ladder or even to pass up someone at a higher rank.

In a regular company, you have your president, or CEO, then Vice-President/s, then the rest of the employees. The format: one or two on top, the large number of people on the bottom. Pyramid.

Because of the economic changes, more and more people are looking for ways to make money and help others at the same time. There are many opportunities out there, but the sheer numbers of companies can be overwhelming and trying to sort through them and find an effective, credible one  can be mind-numbing.

Words of advice of things to avoid when choosing a Network Marketing company are as follows:

1) Don’t join a company just because you know someone who  joined last week.  Get really clear as to why you want to join “this” particular company and what your expectations are.

2). Do your research on which companies and products are reputable and which you’d like to represent.

3).  Always, always, read through the terms of service. Most people do not and sometimes there are clauses in there where the company can usurp all your hard work.

4).   Take your time in your evaluation. Having your own business, no matter what kind of business you have, is not a sprint. It is a marathon.

5).  Avoid start up companies. I know this one from experience. They are the ones that have the most hype, the most potential opportunity, but the most risk. Over 90% of these start-up companies do not make it to their fifth year. Why waste time? Yes, the ones that do could be a big hit – but if you put work into building an organization of people that trust you, why risk your credibility in building something on an unseasoned foundation?

6).  You can search on Google for MLM reviews and find several websites devoted to helping sort out the MLM or network marketing plethora of companies. The best review site I’ve found is right here.  Lots of information on MLM company trends, gains and losses, etc.

7).  Probably one of the most important aspects that will determine your success is to choose someone who can help you get where you want to go. If you choose a top producer, make sure they have systems in place and the time to help you develop into a leader and  top producer as well. Many people sign up with their neighbor or friend who just got started and who may not have the knowledge to help you.

8).  You no longer have to chase family and friends to become successful. If you practice Attraction Marketing you will find that you can build a business and not alienate your friends and family.

9).  Know up front that this is a business. It will take work, time and dedication – BUT, like Jim Rohn says, “You work on your job to make a living and you work in your spare time to make your fortune.”

Feel free to contact me with any questions..