In this short series of articles on network marketing/multi level marketing/direct selling we have so far examined understanding the people already running such businesses and how to discover if they are the sort of people with whom you can find freedom.
You want to be going alone as a business entrepreneur but also as a part of a network so you need products to promote too.
All businesses in all walks of life need products to sell: whether it is a solid item you can touch or a service.
80% of all businesses fail and this is true in direct selling. Often the reason is the products do not sell.
Of course it all depends on you but to find freedom it is always better to have a diverse range of products so if one does not sell well in a situation, you have another one to promote. The expression ‘not having all your eggs in one basket’ is especially relevant to people breaking free from the job market to find freedom.
In direct selling therefore diversification means strength: having one product is weak, two products are better but the ideal is a range of many products.
I repeat: any business has to have a product. This product has to be sold at a profit for an enterprise to survive and for you to find freedom.
It is essential you understand how any network marketing company makes money and how any bonus structure works. If the product is not specified and certainly if it does not even exist, make your way to the exit otherwise you may be entering into the dangerous world of money trees or chain letters.
The truth is there are widely varied ranges of products to be found in direct selling and it depends on you to find the ones that suit you and will help you find freedom.
Always avoid schemes where there are not benefits to everyone involved or there are no products.
It depends on you to be responsible for You Inc. or You Limited so you must be clear if it is worth tying your budding enterprise to the one offered. Are they really worth your valuable time and effort?
As with all businesses you have stakeholders to satisfy: your family. Act like the business entrepreneur you are.
But the benefits need not necessarily financial. Good direct selling companies will offer training, which can be valuable in its own right.
Are you clear how the training works? Is it good quality and well structured? Can you see how it can help you find freedom?
The principles of success are timeless and universal: they have been taught since at least the time of the Bible. They work if applied in the right way and will improve your self worth and help you in going it alone so ensure any training system teaches them.
Also satisfy yourself that the organization will stand behind you and support you all the way.
In his interesting book, ‘Why We Want You To Be Rich,’ Robert Kiyosaki puts it this way:
“Donald Trump and I recommend and support the network marketing or direct sales industry primarily because of the education aspect of the industry. Not only do most of these businesses focus on training people to be business owners, many of these businesses also have great personal development and sales-training programs. Select an organization for the education aspect more than for the compensation.”
Another benefit to be sought in direct selling is the social side. I learned a lot from the success systems but have also made many friends too. That may be important to you and useful as a business entrepreneur. Once again it would be worth getting to as many meetings as appropriate where you can meet others breaking free to find freedom and ask their opinions.
Undoubtedly there will be a cost to the meetings and education system as no one can reasonably be expected to provide books, audio programmes, video programmes and meeting venues for nothing. But again it depends on you to assess if the costs are reasonable.
People have told me they were persuaded into parting £12 000 for support materials. Be self dependent : no-one can force you to part with large amounts of money without your permission. Keep aware and know when to get out when things are simply not worth the cost involved.
Be hard when assessing a network marketing business and understand if what is being offered really works and is of benefit to you.
Act like the business entrepreneur you are and you will find freedom.
var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-7273702-7']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
(function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();