How To Choose The Right Nework Marketing Opportunity

Here are some guidelines to use when choosing a network marketing opportunity.

Every day thousands of people make the decision to join a network marketing company. Some do so in the hopes of "hitting it big" and retiring on a tropical island within a short period of time. Others, with more modest desires, intend to use the power of the network marketing compensation plan to slowly build a significant residual income.

This report will assist you clearly defining what the realistic expectations are in choosing an opportunity that's right for you.

There are many choices out there in the marketplace. Use these rules to help navigate your way.

Rule #1:

Avoid any network marketing company that promotes a "get rich quick" opportunity.

The sad fact is that there are no legitimate "get rich quick" opportunities. In fact, if you are considering a particular network marketing opportunity and you are being bombarded with promises of accumulating massive wealth in a short period of time you should walk away.

Companies who use this technique do so because they know that many people are motivated by greed. Don't be one of those people.

When marketing their opportunity many network marketing companies do highlight the benefits of a residual income, being self employed and having financial independence. There's nothing wrong with promoting and highlighting these benefits because they are truly attainable by every successful network marketer.

If you hear a claim that sound completely outrageous...it probably is. Ask the person who is making the income claim if they will back it up with a written guarantee from the company. If they do...you might have a winner. if not...walk away.

The point to all this is that you should be aware of the scam artists out there who have given network marketing a bad name in the minds of some people. When you're able to identify them before forking over your money you will be able to avoid them completely.

Rule #2:

Look for a company that sells a product or service that people would buy even if there was no business opportunity attached to it.

The rule here is that there must already exist a retail market for the product or service. If there isn't one...walk away. Let me give you an example:

There is a particular company that markets a "self help" course for approximately $1,500. After the product is sold the company keeps about $500 and the distributor keeps roughly $1,000 as commission. Now in the retail market no reasonable person would purchase this product for more than about $150.

What is going on here is a type of "gifting program" where new distributors a really paying a premium or a fee for the right to market the product. Generally, this kind of set up is illegal. Several companies have gotten away with doing this for now, however their time will come. Do yourself a favor and stay way.

Look for companies who market products and services that you would buy...at a price you would pay.

Rule #3:

Look for companies who lead their marketing campaigns with their products not their compensation plans.

Good products and services are the cornerstones of all retail businesses. Your compensation, whatever it's structure, is based upon the sale and consumption of those products.

When looking to get into a business that markets products be sure that the products actually do what they are advertised to do.

This means that in exploring network marketing as a business opportunity you should try and use those products yourself before you make a business decision.

When you analyze an opportunity be sure to carefully review their literature, web sites, live presentation, etc... Determine for yourself where the focus is being placed. If you find an overall emphasis on the product...you may have a winner.

Sadly, however, most companies talk more about their compensation plans and how many millionaires they've created. Don't get me wrong...this is good to know before joining any company. It's just that so many companies focus entirely too much on these details and not enough on why someone would want to buy their product to begin with.

Rule #4:

Although you will be in business for yourself it is extremely beneficial to join a network marketing company through a sponsor who actually knows true marketing techniques.

Before joining any network marketing company ask the person who is attempting to recruit you into his/her business to lay out their marketing plan for you.

If you are advised to make a list of your family and friends, or to buy business opportunity seeker leads at $1-$3 per lead, or to hand out flyers at the local mall, or to purchase company produced marketing materials and pass them out to anyone within 3 feet of you, or any other typical network marketing techniques...run the other way. These techniques do not work for the vast majority of network marketers.

If anyone suggests that you do the things mentioned above they really don't know much about real marketing and the chances of you succeeding by following their advice is slim.

Rule #5:

Stay away from "start-ups" and private companies.

Most new network marketing companies do not last very long. Wouldn't it be horrible to spend a year of your life building a network marketing business only to have it all get flushed away by corporate instability in the parent company?

Avoid this by selecting a company with a good track record.

Determine who owns the company and what their background is. Learn how long the company has been in business and whether they're private or publicly owned. I prefer companies that have been successful for more than 10 years and who are publicly owned.

Older companies have proven themselves with customers, distributors and state and federal law. Publically owned companies are preferred because they are literally an open book. You have the right to and can look into the ownership and profit claims of a publicly traded company. This is good. It will help you avoid all the scams that are out there in the market.

Rule #6:

If possible pick a company that enables you to position yourself more easily.

This one's a little tricky so let me explain. "Positioning" is one of the most powerful marketing techniques available to you. Essentially, positioning is the ability to put yourself and/or your product in the pathway of what others are looking for.

This tool is available to big corporations as well as the network marketer working out of his/her home. To give you an example of positioning in the corporate world think of Walmart. They have spent many years and millions of dollars to position themselves. When you think of Walmart what comes to mind? The low price leader...right? So, when you're looking for household items you think "Walmart...I'll get it there because I'll save money."

Now think about a possible example of positioning in network marketing.

Here's one example:

Let's say you're marketing a weight loss product. In the last 3 months of taking this product it has helped you lose 30 pounds of fat. You have before and after photos of the amazing results you've gotten.

If you can get those photos in front of an audience of people who are looking to lose weight you have now successfully positioned yourself as the person these people need to contact to learn how to get the results they're already looking to achieve.

Here's another example:

If you market identity theft protection you can position yourself by becoming fully informed about the problem and writing informational articles and submitting them to local reporters. These reporters are always looking for content and will most likely give you "free advertising" in their publications.

Anyone who reads the article you have authored will think of you as an authority on the subject. And, by virtue of the fact that you've studied and researched the subject matter and can also show people how they can protect themselves and their assets you have in effect earned that distinction.

When choosing a network marketing opportunity keep positioning in mind. Determine if you will be able to make use of this extremely powerful technique. Using this technique will separate you from other marketers and will give your target audience a reason to do business with you instead of somebody else.
Remember these rules

These rules will help you a great deal when choosing the right network marketing opportunity for you but only if you use them. Don't get carried away with promises of quick riches. Don't base your decisions on greed. This is a real business. You should use these guidelines to keep you focused on what's important. You are going to be in business for a long time right? Then be smart .

If you're thinking of joining a particular company and you want to get a second opinion from an impartial source, I'd be happy to help.

You can contact me here or you can call me at 615-713-1744.

To Your Network Marketing Success.

Brad Mirtes
Marketing & Business Consultant
(615) 713-1744