Multi-Level Marketing "Secrets"

Success in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) or Networking Industry is never easy.

As with any other business, upfront legwork is critical. Planning, preparation, and research should be where you want to start so you’ll have a sense which direction to go. Once you’re satisfied with your collected information, the next steps would be to work seriously at the beginning, find a quality product that performs a quality service, and find a company with a well-balanced marketing plan geared toward longevity. A positive attitude definitely helps, such as enthusiasm,eagerness, involvement, commitment, imagination, creativity, and initiative.

"A strong desire to help others succeed" is core; thus the term networking. Simply defined, MLM or Networking is a system by which a parent company distributes its products or services through a network of independent business people, not only in the U.S. but also through out the free world.

As a networker, you can earn money in two ways:
1. You distribute the products or services you are handling to your friends and to clients who are referred to you.
2. You invite friends and others you meet to explore an opportunity to also distribute your products or services.

Other than the many "secrets" of this trade, MLM also requires you to make a six-part investment:
The first part of your investment is a token amount of money, usually less than $100. This is a big cost advantage and less risky when compared to franchising, for instance. Most networkers keep their regular jobs and operate their business
part-time. Money you earn from your networking business is pure profit. It’s like having your cake and eating it too.

Second is eagerness to learn the business. Seek out successful associates in your MLM business and ask questions. You see, MLM is structured such that you have
to wear two hats, as a learner and teacher at the same time. Your sponsor will teach you the business and help you deal with problems successfully. Most networking organizations supply training sessions and motivational rallies, supply
you with idea literature and encouragement, and provide any other assistance you need to succeed.

Third, create enthusiasm. Many businesses are capital-intensive (e.g. franchises), others are labor-intensive (e.g. restaurants), while MLM is enthusiasm-intensive,meaning that your desire to succeed, backed by your commitment is critically important. MLM gives you a chance to ideas for making money, your techniques for leading and managing people, and your approach to problem solving.

Fourth, a strong desire to help others succeed. Your ability to help other people succeed will be proportionate to your commitment to building your business.

"Anything worth having is worth working for" aptly applies to the MLM industry.

The fifth part of the investment is expenses of some of your free time. You are investing your time. How large a time investment you make in networking businesses is up to you. David Roller, the author of "How to Make Big Money in
Multi-Level Marketing" says, many MLM beginners start with 10-15 hours a week. Others find that by giving up TV time or idle time, you can easily invest 20-25 hours a week in MLM. You duplicate your efforts by bringing others into the business. This means that your weekly personal time of 15 hours could multiply into 100 or even 1,000 hours per week in production.

The sixth and final part of your investment is handling problems. Along the way,you will encounter problems. This is a fact of life. How you approach and handle these challenges will determine how large your business will ultimately grow. It is important that you use good judgment and common sense when choosing a mentor with whom to align you and your organization. Why? You have to exercise some caution because you may, for example, be encouraged to buy a larger product inventory when that is not necessary.

People’s imaginations and initiatives only limit MLM. Why MLM is often called Networking is because it’s "friends-doing-business-with-friends." Your investment is minimal, as I said earlier, less than $100. You capitalize on talents and energies of entrepreneurs. The adage "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" is true in MLM just as it is in all facets of business and non-business life. To illustrate: if you don’t invest in a stock or mutual fund, you cannot harvest a
dividend; or if someone promises you wealth without investing what it take to produce wealth, this person is trying to defraud you. MLM is not one of those ‘get rich quickly" schemes!

As a career, MLM has fewer problems if you have to compare with other business opportunities simply because you don’t need a lot of money nor do you need employees. However, in this type of business, you need to broaden your marketing or promotional techniques because you’ll met people from every conceivable backgrounds, such as teachers, doctors, students, executives, homemakers and
others. Remember in MLM, knowledge is NOT power, power IS knowledge put to use. Saadi philosophically says, "Whoever acquires knowledge but does not practice it, is as one who ploughs but does not sow."

As a newcomer in this business or any other business, you will have some fears, and understandably so. But for every fear, there is a solution. Let’s take a look at some of them.

The fear that your prospect will not be interested. Solution: Many people will be interested. Just like anything else, a number will not be. This is just a numbers game. For those who are not interested, ask for referrals. Chances are there will be some who will be interested.

The fear of what others think. Solution: NO matter what you do or not do, there will always be those who wish you well and those who do not. Ask yourself these very simple questions: Is the company I am with reputable? Does my company offer an excellent value in its products and/or services?

If the answer is yes, you should be proud of yourself and of your company. So, go for it!

The fear that you do not have enough time to do a good job. Solution: One of the many strengths of MLM is that there is help if you need it. Also, there is the magic of duplicating your efforts by sponsoring others. When you say you cannot do it
because you can’t find time is a lame excuse. It really is just a matter of setting priorities and balancing time. Here is where Time Management would be helpful.

The fear that you won’t be able to answer the questions that your prospects will have. Solution: Who can really answer all questions on the spot? Just like any other business you may simply say "Let me write down your question sand I’ll get back to you tomorrow." But be sure you do it tomorrow.

You may find it hard to believe but in MLM, success is not reserved for the most talented. It is there for you if you want to go after it. Over 100 years ago, Abraham Lincoln said, "Things may come to those who wait, but only those things left over by those who hustle!" This is a powerful statement.

By Leticia Gallares-Japzon