With the downturn in the economy, more and more people are looking at various Network Marketing opportunities as a way to either replace a lost job or augment their existing income.   It is certainly a sign of the times, as this is not an option many would embrace in good economic times.  Some uniformed people even consider MLM to be nothing more than an unsustainable ‘pyramid scheme’.

Yet there are many Network Marketing companies that offer real products/services and have enjoyed a long run of success.  And in fact, the MLM business model does have attractive qualities that make it worth consideration.

• The cost of entry is usually very low.
• It can be a part time or full time job.
• Support and training is readily available.
• It can supplement existing employment.
• You can work from home and set your own schedule.
• There is the opportunity to build a residual income.
• You can leverage the efforts of others.

Yet not all MLM companies are the same and it is important to do your homework before hopping on board.  Here are some things to weigh before joining any Network Marketing company.

PRODUCT – Are you a product of the product?   Often times a person will fall in love with the product, be it nutritional, skin care, candles, etc.  Maybe they lost weight or have gotten compliments on how young they looked.  Passion for the product is a great motivator for initially getting in and some Distributors can succeed on sheer belief and their own personal enthusiasm.

COMPANY – How good is the company?  A great product does not ensure a great company.  Do you research and find out what others are saying.  Yes, you will inevitably find some negative stuff, but that is true of any company, not just those in MLM.  Check to see if the company is a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA).

MANAGEMENT – Is leadership solid?  Who is running the business is as important as the products themselves.  What is management’s background and do they have a track record of success?   If the company is just launching, where were they before and what did they accomplish?

CYCLE – What stage is the company in?  Look at sales figures and number of Reps to evaluate where on the bell curve the company is – Start-Up, Growth, Mature, Decline, etc.

COMPENSATION – Can you make money with this opportunity and are others already doing so?  Does the Compensation Plan make sense to you or require an advanced degree to decipher?

So remember, even if you love the product, Network Marketing is a business and needs to be evaluated as such.

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Wishing you prosperity and joy,

Scott

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