MLM, NETWORK MARKETING, DIRECT MARKETING THE TRUTH

It has happened over the years time and time again. I just had it happen again. I have had it happen face to face and I have read it time and time again. If you didn’t know any better and had it happen to you, you just might believe it. For those of us that know the truth and understand these marketing methods it makes us just shake our heads in disbelief. For those that propagate this misconception it just makes you look very uninformed (a nice way of saying stupid).  So what is this occurrence? It is this statement said or written in many variations, “That’s one of those pyramid deals” or “Network Marketing doesn’t work it’s just a pyramid” or “Those pyramid deals don’t work”, you get the idea. Anyway are you kidding me! How can you say that?

Why do I feel I can write about this? To begin with I have been in sales and marketing for over thirty plus years. During that time I have also been a part of many MLM, Network Marketing companies and have studied this marketing method intensely. So what are these people actually saying? Is it just referencing the shape of the organization? Well if so you could say just about 100% of all companies are pyramids with a CEO at the top and customers at the bottom. Even our government is a pyramid with the President at the top and citizens at the bottom. Or are they referring to an illegal Pyramid Marketing Scam? These scams have nothing to do with MLM, Network Marketing and Direct Marketing Companies period. These are highly regulated businesses that follow a stick code of Federal and State guidelines. Of all the companies that I am aware of in the marketplace today I have not found one instance of a violation that would indicate that any of them are a Pyramid Marketing Scams or even anything close.

So why do individuals make these misguided statements? I can tell you why. It is either they are truly ignorant as to what these type companies are or more likely they tried one of the MLM, Network Marketing or Direct Marketing opportunities and failed. Human pride is a powerful drive we all have and it is hard for us to admit we were the problem not the opportunity. If we failed we don’t want others to succeed at what we failed at so it is easier to say “That’s one of those Pyramid deals that doesn’t work” than to say “I didn’t know what I was doing” or “I didn’t take action and failed”. The problem is that people like what they see in these opportunities and move forward not realizing the investment in time, learning, activities, growth, dollars that need to take place for these opportunities to be successful. If you are broke now and keep doing the things broke people do guess what you’re still going to be broke after you sign up for a home based business.

So what should you consider if you are thinking of starting a home based business so that you don’t end up babbling ridiculous inaccuracies? The following list of items should get you started in the right direction. This not intended to be everything you will need to know but these are items I coach individuals on before they join one of the businesses I am promoting or another they are considering. If you have tried a home based business and it didn’t succeed be honest with yourself, no one will know, and see if you can answer that you did all of the following to the best of your ability.

Do A Self Evaluation

Are you ready? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Are you ready to work like you have never worked before? Will you have the support of your family? Are you willing to push yourself? Are you willing to broaden your horizons and grow? Are you willing to reduce and give up things like TV?

Discipline

Are you capable of being a self starter? Will you do what it takes without having to be told what to do?

Commitment

Are you willing to look in the mirror and say “If it is to be it is up to me”? Are you willing to state “If I fail or succeed I am the one responsible for that and NO one else”? Are you willing to say “I will if something is not working be responsible and search for a solution that does work”? Are you willing to work on your business every day?

Vision

You must have a vision of what you want your life to be. Can you imagine what that looks like? What kind of house do you want to live in? How much money do you see yourself making. What kind of lifestyle will you have?

Goals

You must set goals with completion dates. How will you know where you are going if you don’t have a roadmap to follow to get you there?

Why

Do you have a big enough why? What is your motivation to start a business? Is it big enough to get you through any possible tough spots?

Outlook On Life

Are you an Optimist or a Pessimist? Do you expect good things to happen to you?

You’re Mind

Can you control your thoughts? What is the self talk you have with yourself daily? Is it an internal discussion of positive can do thoughts or is it on of negative self defeating thoughts?

Patience

Will you allow yourself some of the growing pains you will have? Will you have patience for others as they grow?

Honesty

Will you be honest with yourself? If you’re not doing the things you need to grow your business will you own up to that? Will you then be able to get back on track?

Never Sell Yourself Sort

Do not make your decision based on what others are doing. Please never ask someone that is doing what you are thinking of doing this type of question, “So how much money are you making?” You decide how much you will make and it doesn’t matter what others are making.

So now that we have evaluated ourselves now we are ready to evaluate the opportunity we are considering. Here are some things to consider.

The Company

Do your due diligence and decide if the company that you are considering is one that you feel comfortable aligning yourself with. Are they stable? Are they growing?

The Product

Do they offer a product that is unique, one that fills a special void? Is it a product that people would buy if it were offered in a store? Do you like the products, be honest?

Pay Plan

Is the pay plan lucrative? Is it too complicated? Did you understand it the first time or are you still not sure how you will paid? What are the percentages and additional benefits?

Investment

What’s it going to cost you? What do you get for your investment? What is your estimation of how long it will be before you earn it back?  What will be the ongoing investment?

Education

Does the company offer ongoing education for its members? Do they hold training sessions that you can get to?

Leadership

Are the company leaders’ people that you are excited about following? Remember you plan on this being a long and prosperous journey will these leaders guide their teams to success?

Team

Are there existing teams that you can plug into? Does the company promote a team spirit?

Coaching & Mentorship

Have you identified who you will be able to go for guidance and education?

Accountability

Have you identified who you will work with that will keep you on track and that you can hold each other accountable for the goals you have set?

Marketing Plan

How are you going to promote your new business? Does the company provide training and outlets for promotion?

These are just some of the things you should consider. Be careful though make sure you don’t get caught up in the paralysis of analysis. You need to be able to go through this process quickly for many reasons. You want to keep a forward momentum and realize you don’t want to miss any business. Or it is ok to decide not to move forward if it is not the right opportunity for you. Also don’t make the mistake of thinking this is just some little business because the cost was low to start. Treat it like a million dollar business and it will be.  

I believe that entrepreneurship is more important than ever. Home based businesses should be embraced by communities everywhere. But that’s a whole other article. So if you share your business with someone that tells you that’s just one of those pyramid deals, just smile, be polite and leave as fast as you can. You don’t need them to be successful. Over 250,000 people per week are looking to start a home based business. Focus on the people that want to be found. For those of you that have said that’s just one of those pyramid deals you may want to take another look. If not that’s ok too, just stop with the pyramid deal line. As Abraham Lincoln said “It is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you a fool than to open your mouth and prove it”

I hope you enjoyed this article. There are truly some great opportunities out there that will allow you to start earning an income fast. You can do it! If you have any questions I will be glad to answer them. All you have to do is ask.

Envisioning your success,

Steven Eidson

A.K.A. AskCoachSteven

http://empowernetwork.com/askcoachsteven