Your First Year in Network Marketing - How to Make Your First Year in Network Marketing a Success

The first year in any business is a challenge - ask any business owner. But when it comes to network marketing, you can multiply that challenge tenfold - and that's being conservative.Why is this then, when MLM is often headlined as a surefire way of making an exceptional living in the shortest time frame possible? With all the business building simplified in an easy-to-follow starter kit, what's going wrong?In this article I'd like to share with you a proven way to not only succeed in your first year in MLM, but to prosper long-term, and avoid the pitfalls which lead to failure.First let's consider the typical MLM starter kit and what you get:- a proven business model to follow, laid out step by step- a quick-start guide designed to bring success- quick-start training so you know typically 'how' to get started- straightforward business building techniques proven to work- the support and backing of an established company with proven management- a lucrative, well-structured compensation plan- often a well-established range of ground-breaking unique products- your own personal support structure in the form of an uplineLooks pretty comprehensive. So, why is it so many network marketers fail in their first few months of business when they have this 'proven' business model to follow?How To Succeed in Your First YearSucceeding in your first year is all to do with the strategy you adopt and the attitude of persisting until you succeed, as Og Mandino put it. But there's more to it than mere persisitance. You have to be using strategies and tools which are proven to work and get results. But how do you do that?Did you know that the best way to stick with ANY MLM business is to experience some form of success? Nothing gets you fired up like your own success sooner rather than later. However, this is often where traditional network marketing techniques let new distributors down.If you've been sold on the 'how would you like to earn an extra income' technique, it's easy to see why many new distributors drop out so quickly especially when they don't realise their early income goals. Furthermore, this approach sets up an expectation that extra income (and lots of it) is just a few short steps away. Don't let this happen to you!Success in your first year relies on understanding what your business is about and how your products can solve the problems of your target audience. Enter the internet.If you've been using the traditional method of approaching your warm market with your business opportunity, you'll know how disheartening this can be. But the internet changes the whole picture. Using the latest internet marketing techniques, even those who would admit to being technically challenged, are able to capitalise on the massive reach and low cost of the internet to achieve success.This is where early success can fire your enthusiasm as opposed to months of slog chasing complete strangers who are not interested in you or your opportunity.Learning Internet Marketing Skills You Get To:- learn valuable in-demand skills which no-one can EVER take away from you- apply these new skills to ANY business- offer your services to others as a coach (people pay good money for coaching!)And What's More:- once you get past the learning curve, you could apply your internet marketing skills to your hobbies or any other business of YOUR choice- you could help family and friends- you would be building your own financial security for yourself and your family- I'm sure you could fill in some extra benefits here too!How To Prosper Long-Term:Would you agree that most new distributors rarely factor in the time it takes to learn and apply new skills to develop a successful network marketing business? The funny thing is though, it's not their fault. Most have been lead to believe that they only need to sponsor a few people and purchase a few products on auto-ship for their business to skyrocket.Compare this to a traditional business, where profits are predicted sometimes after several years of steady planned business growth, and you begin to see a huge gulf in expectations.Instead, wouldn't it make sense to learn from people who have already been exactly where you are now? People just like you and me who have overcome the same challenges you face right now using step by step strategies and tools to build long-term success, even if you're technically challenged and on a next-to-nothing budget?By connecting with a community of like-minded individuals, you will have taken an invaluable first step because informed business owners among the community can advise you, put you in touch with experts from within the community and recommend specialist help and tools which can help you at ANY level of your current learning.Owning your own business is truly the most rewarding project you can undertake. All the fumbling and 'not-knowing' will soon be amply rewarded with a sense of elation when your business takes on a life of its own. It will be an experience you will always remember.

Lifepath Unlimited - What We Know About the Lifepath Unlimited MLM Opportunity

Lifepath Unlimited truly deserves a lot of credit for being one of the more innovative MLM companies in existence. While many MLM companies deal with products that may not possess well rounded appeal, Lifepath Unlimited offers something that mostly everyone can agree would be a very high quality product.Specifically, this is a company that offers products related to self-help and personal improvement. Needless to say, most people would find such items valuable. This is why it can prove fruitful to sign on with Lifepath Unlimited as a representative. It may prove to be one of the more successful MLM systems that you get involved with.Again, at the core of this particularly MLM system is the promotion and sale of personal development products. While many people consider this type of product to be a fad from a prior decade that is most assuredly not the case. Personal development items are not something that will ever go out of style because they always present something of high value to those that would benefit from their purchase. This opens the door for the Lifepath Unlimited system to be a perennial 'seller' in a world where opportunities can be tough to come by.The costs of getting involved with Lifepath Unlimited are not cheap. There are significant investments required that include training DVDs and publications as well as expensive in-person seminar attendance requirements. There are both positive and negative elements to such high fees. Namely, when the price is high it eliminates many of those that are not serious.When you venture into a MLM program, you will want to be sure that all those involved with the program are completely serious about what they do. This way, you can feel confident that you are signing on with a serious company. Conversely, the high costs might exclude those that are serious but lack the funds to join which can be unfortunate.One thing to note about this company is that it is a company that deals mainly with direct sales. That means you would be earning money from your own sales more than groups sales commissions. This has its positives and negatives as well. Some would prefer to be more in charge of the commissions they earn while others would prefer the more passive income streams of the down line commissions. Of course, you could still boost your down line with this program although it is more top tier in design and commission structure.As with any other MLM venture, your ability to succeed online will be based heavily upon how serious you are about marketing the venture. A great deal of online and offline promotions will be needed in order to make sure the end result is a positive one. Really, the more aggressive you are with your promotions, the greater the odds of success will be with the process.Consider the Lifepath Unlimited program to be one of the more unique MLM promotions out there. It delivers an innovative concept that can prove perennially popular in the world of MLM marketing and promotions. What more could you ask for in a MLM system?

Forum Marketing - The Importance of Forum Marketing

Forums are great places to collaborate with like minded individuals in your field. They are abundant with information related to your particular field. You can also find great mentors and knowledgeable people posting and commenting on up to date content. If you are new to forum marketing, you will want to concentrate on one or two forums and regularly post and reply to posts.Setting up your information and profile stats is a very pertinent step in forum marketing. You will want to make sure to have accurate and professional information about yourself. Brand yourself as a leader in the community and regularly post content with value. Always provide value to the reader.Once you find the right niche and establish yourself in a forum, you will be respected by other members in the forum. You will begin to attract new members in the forum and build your business. It is also important to know what you are talking about. The more interested you are in a subject, the more apparent it will be of your knowledge about the content.Some of popular internet forums include:RichDad.com - This website was created by the popular entrepreneur and investor, Robert Kiyosaki. This website has a lot of great resources for business professionals.ConquerYourniche.com - This niche oriented forum is great for finding and connecting to people in your business or industry.WarriorForum.com - one of the most popular internet forums. You can receive free advertising by participating and posting frequently.Betternetworker.com- This is a newer networking site that is dedicated to the network marketing industry. This social site has many great features similar to Facebook.In summary, there are various forums and social sites to choose from. You will want to concentrate your efforts on a few of these sites and build a presence in the community. It will do you no good to post a few times and then stop. Momentum is a key factor in building a successful online business. So get a great marketing system and go out and take massive action in your business!

Christian MLM Business - Looking to Partner With a Good Christian MLM Business? Know This

Today's economic environment has lead many people to consider other avenues for creating an income. Network marketing has long been accepted as one of the most powerful and most accessible forms of income for the average person. However, one of the most critical elements to your success in this type of an MLM business is partnering with a company that you can really stand behind. Without congruent values and beliefs, you'll never reach the level of success that you want. If you're looking for a good Christian MLM business, this article will teach you what critical factors to consider.Christian MLM Business - The Importance Of Integrity And IntentAny good Christian, whether they've been involved in a Christian MLM business or not, knows the importance of integrity. The greater the gap between who you are and what you do (or in this case between who you are and who you're partnered with) the more you are out of integrity. And when you're out of integrity, people can feel it. It's literally palpable. And when they can sense your lack of integrity, they instinctively question the validity of WHATEVER you're offering.People also subconsciously pick up on your intent. This is why it's important to partner with a company that shares your values and your purpose. If you're just in this game to make money, I have news for you. People can feel that - and they'll run. And unfortunately, if you're company is just out to make money, if that's their primary reason for being in business, people can feel that too. However, when you find the right Christian MLM business, one that shares your values and your purpose, you literally become unstoppable. You become a magnet for like-minded people who can sense that you have a greater purpose. Not only do they want to be a part of that, your presence literally helps to draw their greater purpose out of them as well. People become the best versions of themselves when inspired by a great purpose.Christian MLM Business - Asking The Right QuestionsWhen evaluating any MLM business opportunity, you'll want to be sure you ask a few critical questions to get to the real heart of the company and the people who are involved. You'll want to know WHY they are in business (their intent, their purpose). For example, I've personally had some experience with an MLM company that was founded by a billionaire philanthropist. You can imagine that his intent is far from making money. In fact, this owner went so far as to take the majority of the owner's share in the profits from the company, and reinvest it into the compensation plan so that they could reward their associates faster and more completely. Now THAT is purity of intent.You'll also want to ask some industry standard questions. Find out if their compensation plan offers "true walk away residual income". You see, some compensation plans require that you continue to personally produce results on a monthly basis, in which case you basically have a job. Others hit income ceilings and "break away" points that require you to get back in the game if you want your organization to grow. Others, however, will reward you to the extent that you are able to help your people succeed. Help bring the greatness out of your people, and you can set back and watch it grow forever, literally to infinity.Christian MLM Business - The Most Critical Success FactorThe most critical factor for success that unfortunately over 95% of the industry doesn't understand is the marketing plan. The network marketing industry is notorious for attracting ambitious and passionate individuals looking to build a business who have no knowledge of sales and marketing. This is what accounts for the 90+ % failure rate in the industry.So as you evaluate your good Christian MLM business, be sure you partner with a team who understands marketing in this day and age. We're to the point now with technology and the internet that you can learn some simple strategies to attract qualified customers and business partners literally on autopilot. Imagine building a business where you have 5, 10, 25 pre-qualified leads coming to YOU asking you about your business. This is the reality of network marketing in today's environment, and if you don't learn and understand it you'll be left behind.

Number 1 Culprit That Kills Your Network Marketing Success

It is very common to hear about how 97% of people who enter Network Marketing fail. One would have to wonder why anyone would bother to join a company after hearing this grim news. But people do join companies every day. Some will have a certain measure of success...yet most others will fail. Why do people fail?There are many reasons a person fails at Network Marketing. Some people start out with no intention of working a business. They are seduced by the hype and think they have just won a lottery ticket, but fizzle out within a month or two when they have no results. Some people are always gung-ho about Network Marketing, but never stay with a company long enough to make it work. Most people enter Network Marketing without the necessary skills for success so they are doomed for failure.More often than not, the number one culprit that kills your network marketing success is fear. In Napoleon Hill's book, Think and Grow Rich, he addresses fear in his 15th chapter. Hill advises that our fears are enemies that are tricky to uncover and get rid of. The most common fear is the fear of criticism.The fear of criticism is one of the most heinous fears for a network marketer. People become gripped with fear when they face talking to people they do not know about their business or products. The telephone can weigh a hundred pounds when it comes time to follow up with prospects.The root of the problem with fear of criticism for most people is the fear of being criticized by one's own family and friends. These people who love us and care about us, may scoff at our venture into network marketing. Common attacks are that it is a scam or they know somebody who tried it and never made any money at it.When a person is stuck on being a perfectionist, procrastinates or avoids doing something, their fear of criticism is high. They may not finish projects or endlessly delay publishing their work because they never feel it is "just right". A person can also become paralyzed with the fear of criticism in the event they try something new and fail. This fear can make it impossible for a person to move forward in working their business effectively.When addressing fears, it is important to remember that fears are thoughts and thoughts are things. Our thoughts, especially those that we dwell on a lot, will eventually become reality. The only way to combat the effects of fear on our network marketing success is to choose to think positive thoughts. Reading personal development books every day and joining a mastermind self help group are measures that can help us work through our fears.

Is it Good to Be Different?

When I was in elementary school, my naturally curly hair was not considered an asset. Girls were supposed to have long straight hair with barrettes. Not this chicken! No matter how much I begged, my mother refused to fix my hair like the rest of the girls. My nickname was Phyllis Diller. Oh, and because my name is Dale I was on the boys registration list in second grade instead of the girls.In high school, we had moved to the country so my parents could buy land to start a campground. The percentage of kids planning to go to college was quite small and as a result, it was not "cool" to be smart. I was a nerd. One of my sister's friends told her they heard her little brother was an honor student (there goes that name again.)In college, I was enrolled in engineering school, and women were a minority. Some companies were giving preferential hiring treatment to women and minorities and it caused some tension between the guys and the gals. I always felt I earned what I got since I worked hard and kept a good grade average, but the tension was still there. Oh, and I got an invitation to join a fraternity (not a sorority) when I enrolled. My sister said I should show up at the house and see what they said. Ha, ha, ha.I enjoyed sewing and when I graduated college and had more free time, I made most of my own clothes. Nobody made fun of me, but it did make me different. I think that was the first time being different actually got me respect. From then on in my professional career, being different finally became as asset. My name still gave me trouble sometimes. I signed up for the gym at one company and they gave me a locker in the men's room (I got it changed.)Now that I am in network marketing and working on personal branding, I believe it is really an asset to be different! In his book "Endless Referrals", Bob Burg talks about how sending a handwritten note to people you meet at a networking event makes you stand apart from the crowd. I have been attending these events for 1 1/2 years and I have never received a note in the mail! I have received a few emails, that is all. So I can truly see how it would make you stand out, especially with the language he tells you to use.How else can you stand out?Care about people, be a "Go Giver"
Be honest, open, and transparent
Be respectful! Don't be an aggressive salesperson
Be persistent, in a good way
Be approachable, not arrogant. Drop the ego!I think if more people were different in these ways in the MLM industry, the industry wouldn't have such a bad rap! Greed and ego have taken their toll.So don't be afraid to stand apart from the crowd, as long as you're on the high road!