MLM Websites - Do I Need My Own Web Page to Be Successful in Network Marketing?

As an IT professional for over 40 years, I have been asked by numerous network marketers my opinion about creating their own websites. They point out that their MLM company provides a website, isn't that good enough?As professional marketers we provide our customers good information so they can make a good decision. Here's the information I have been giving them. You make your own decision.The Corporate Page:You absolutely need to have a presence on the web, bit please don't be "fooled" by you MLM company. Almost all MLM companies "provide" you a website, and many make a sizable profit on the monthly fees they charge. You would think that, because it's out there on the web, those people doing searches will "stumble" upon it.Nothing could be further than the truth! Your company has positioned you with a "company replicated" website, and the search engines do NOT reference these in their search database. Now the MLM companies are getting a little smarter, by having you get your own domain name, and then they "redirect" traffic to the company website. This method is not "search engine compliant". In fact, Google refers to this technique as a "sneaky redirect" and it is therefore a violation of their rules.Now I'm not saying absolutely do NOT get a company website. What I am saying is you should not think about using it for customer acquisition. Again most companies will have a "back office" where you will be signing up your customers, and ordering products and services. This is the business part of you MLM, and you need that interface. What you also need your own web page where you can drive traffic to, and acquire customers.Your Own Web Page:People are "surfing the web" every second looking for information. You need a page where they can find out about you and your products and services. They want help, and if you can provide that help, you potentially have a new customer.The best way is to have your own web page, where a prospect can learn a little about you, and if they want more information, they can leave their name, phone number, and email address. Most people are intimidated about trying to put up a web page, but let me assure you, you do NOT need a PhD in Computer Science to do this.With today's new web hosting companies, and the leading edge software they use, if you can write an email, you can create a world class web page and drive traffic to it. If you need more help beyond what the hosting company will provide, then seek the assistance of a marketing professional or marketing company that teaches this skill. It will be worth every penny you spend.In Conclusion:Hopefully this will clear up the "confusion" concerning the company web sites and their uses verses you own lead capturing web site. Both are necessary, and both have their place in your business.

CieAura - Is CieAura a Legitimate Business Opportunity?

ProductCieAura offers a product that is said to be a 3000 year old science with a 21st century delivery system. It is basically acupuncture without the needles.CieAura claims their adhesive holographic chips, applied in strategic locations on the body, deliver micro-vibrations that simulate the affect of the needles in acupuncture. CieAura offers chips for pain relief, increased energy, and for those having difficulty getting a good night's sleep.Personally, I am an ABSOLUTE believer in acupuncture as I have seen the dramatic affect it has had on the management of my wife's back pain.As for delivery via holographic chips, outstanding testimonials have been provided, especially from athletes, both professional and amateur, on the efficacy of the CieAura pain relief and energy chips.BusinessAs for the business itself, CieAura certainly appears to be a legitimate network marketing opportunity.Unfortunately, many opportunities are flagged as NOT legitimate simply because of the high failure rate among those who enroll.However, that is generally the fault of the distributor NOT of the opportunity.CieAura is no different from any other business in that you must understand core marketing skills if you are to build a successful business. The fact is that if you have a good understand of marketing and how to best utilize current marketing mediums you can successfully build ANY business you like.If you would like more information on what it takes to build a business such as CieAura simply request a free report here.

MLM Branding - Your Key to Success in Network Marketing

When endeavoring to build a network marketing business, there is no greater asset that you can add to your business then that of your personal MLM brand. Most people in this industry don't fully understand this concept because they are taught by their company to simply share the product and the opportunity first. You see all this does is brand the company, it does nothing for you ultimately other than maybe pay you a commission. While the commission is nice, it does nothing to help you in the long run as far as building your own sustainable long term business.Let me give you an example:We all know who Donald Trump is right? We know he has funny hair, and he has a lot of money, but do you really know how he makes his money? Probably not in real detail. I mean we know he is into real estate, and TV shows, but thats about it. Its because he has built his personal brand, and built his empire based upon him, not someone else.This is key when it comes to MLM branding in this industry.I have news for you, if you are not branding yourself, you really don't have a business. You are simply an affiliate for a company, and they pay you a commission every once in awhile for sending them business. Most people may deem what I am about to say as controversial but simply championing for a company is not having your own business, period! Its only helping that company to get more recognized and in turn make them more money. In order to be successful in this industry and allow you to be the leader in your prospects eyes, you must brand yourself first, and then your company will come in on the back end. So what is a good way to brand yourself especially online.Well here is the first and most important key to branding: BE YOURSELF!Its amazing isn't it, that this is by far the most important factor in building your business, but most people don't follow it. Why, because we all here the terms, "fake it till you make it" in this industry, but the reality is that people like to do business with real people, not some cheesy sales guys who is only out to make a commission. You can brand yourself online in a number of ways, but with out a doubt, the most important and effective way is having your own blog! That's right, your own blog is by far the most important and critical factor you will have online that will brand you.A blog is literally your home on the internet. It's your piece of real estate online that will allow people to get to know you on a more personal level. When this is combined with video, you have a one two punch that will literally put you in the drivers seat. The level of skeptics online is staggering. Most people that do any type of business online have wall of skepticism that is hard to break down. But having a blog will showcase you and your talents and in turn it will attract people that identify with you personally.The third and best way to brand yourself, is video! Yup, YouTube and video is a great way for people to see you, your personality and in general get to know you. I am putting together a game plan in the next week or so from this writing to give a series of training videos on why people fail in network marketing, to go along with my report on this same issue.MLM branding is by far the only way to really build a business in the is day and time of network marketing. Simple pitches for your business opportunity no longer have the effect they once did. Can you build a business this way, sure, but get ready to work your tail off. People want to follow leaders, and we all are leaders in our own way, you just have to bring the leader within you out to the surface and that begins with being yourself first.

MLM Products - Success in Network Marketing Begins With Your MLM Product - Are You Proud of Yours?

Why do 95% of network marketers fail to make any real money from MLM? Unfortunately, many network marketers fail because they allow the money making opportunity to be their primary focus and lose sight of the product itself. Before you even join a network marketing business opportunity, you must like and be passionate about the industry and the product! For example, if you're not a fan of health and wellness, why would you get involved in an MLM which sells vitamins? If its simply for the money, well then good luck, you're going to need it!Selling your product first and then the business opportunity is really how network marketing works. It's about building a strong downline of distributors who are as passionate about the product as you are if not even more passionate. But so many people look at a network marketing business without even really thinking about the product itself, they focus primarily on the compensation plan and how much they're going to earn.In order for a Network Marketing Company to last, it must have a strong product. You want to build an MLM business that you can be sure will be around for many years to come. The core of the company must be in the product. Some MLMs last for a short period of time because they are built on "fad" products or services. Make sure that you're product is not a fad, can be used or liked by the mainstream public, will not go out of style, and has very little, if any, competition.Network marketing is built upon "word of mouth" advertising. If you're embarrassed of your product or if you don't truly believe in your product, then go ahead and find another MLM company with a product that you can be proud of. Of course the product should not be the only factor in deciding which network marketing business you join but it should definitely be a huge factor. A strong compensation plan and a company that offers strong training to assist in your success is also important.You must be an end-user of your product or service. If the core product of your MLM can save people money, you must have used the service and saved some money. If you're main product is in the weight loss industry, you better be able to show proof of how it has helped you lose weight and if you're marketing cosmetics or skin care, it better be on your skin!Network marketers who have no interest in using or enjoying their product or services are the worst kind of marketers because you cannot truly market something that you don't like or use yourself. So find an MLM company with a product that you love and can be proud of because it will be the difference in your residual check being a little check or a big check at the end of every month!

Is Network Marketing As an MLM a Legitimate Business Model As Compared to Modern Corporations?

Network marketing is regarded as a specific kind of a direct marketing business model comprised of a tiered or multi-level organizational and compensation structure. It is also a blanket term used to include what is commonly called Multilevel Marketing or MLMs. It is my goal to dispel some common misconceptions and redefine the term, network marketing, to a more accurate and acceptable usage. To do this, we need to understand the elements that contribute to its less than stellar reputation in some circles and compare the business model with typical corporate structures.MLMsYour typical MLM structure works by building a marketing and sales organization of independent company representatives. This is referred to as your downline. As a distributor, this model allows multiple branches, legs, and levels of compensation based on your personally generated sales and for building your own downline of distributors. This hierarchy of multiple levels takes a form similar to a family tree. Your sales and downline growth of other distributors introduced into your downline contribute to your levels of compensation also.It is legitimate and honorable if you, as a distributor, are just trying to sell products you believe in. But to actually earn sustainable and passive income in most MLMs, you need to build your downline, regardless of how much product you sell. So, training tends to focus on emotional hype to motivate you into aggressive prospecting which can cause you to lose sight of the actual products you should be marketing.Where do you suppose you are told to start your MLM business? Your warm market, of course. That is, all your family, friends, and any people you know and associate with. Many people are uncomfortable with that, often putting strain on your personal and relationships and associations. That is what turns people off. Once you tread through that warm list, cold calling is what you are left with. If you actively promote your business opportunity in an off-putting and unrelenting manner, you may soon discover folks wanting to run and hide when you show up.MLMs are legal and legitimate entities as long as there is emphasis on product sales and delivery. However, these are characteristics of MLM systems that can undermine their reputation and desirability. Virtually every MLM company has been historically limited to practices that require face to face contact (a.k.a. personal networking). MLM network marketing itself is a good thing and if done respectfully and politely is beneficial toward driving a vibrant economy.MLMs vs Typical CorporationsWhen you look at businesses as a whole, multi-tiered style organizations are just the way of civilization. Let us take a peek at a typical corporate organizational structure:- CEO - President- CFO - CIO - COO - Exec. & Sen. Vice Presidents- General Manager and/or Department Directors- Mid-Level Managers- Lower Level Managers and Supervisors- Assistants and EmployeesCorporations operate under this type of management structure with all the employee levels. Each has its own degree of responsibility and financial compensation. Each department is essentially its own entity with its own specific roles. Usually, these roles do not crossover to other departments.Take a look at your own employer's organization tree or chart and you will be enlightened. See the family tree form? It is very important that you notice this overall structure is a multi-level structure similar to MLM systems.Each pay rate is generally negotiated or, at least, agreed upon at hiring and remains within a given range regardless of how long you are employed or how much production is achieved. There is a ceiling on your income and promotion opportunity is severely limited.Revenue for operations and profit come from the efforts of marketing and sales departments. This is a direct result of the advertising campaigns and sales personnel. The revenue goes to overhead, salaries, and wages first, then the bottom line profits are benefiting, primarily, the owners and stockholders.Multi-Level-Marketing companies also utilize a multi-tiered structure. Here, this structure combines the organization's levels, marketing, and sales into very financially attractive compensation plans. A major difference is that instead of having huge marketing and advertising departments, the company's independent distributors undertake those roles through networking with people and their own marketing efforts.In an MLM, the advantage is that revenue is spread out to those distributors according to their production and downline performance. The traditional ceilings put on corporate salaries do not exist due to the multi-levels of compensation. This also provides for potential earnings without actual involvement in sales transactions.In the industry, this is known as residual or passive income where you get paid from sales and efforts of people in your downline. Although there are inherent risks and no income guarantees, the income potential is exponentially greater than the traditional salary.MLMs are multi-level organizations, and are perfectly legitimate ways to do business. Face it, every company has a multi-tiered structure with a variety of specific organizational trees and layouts. But, traditional MLMs have acquired a less than desirable reputation in many circles due to the often persistent and sometimes irritating prospecting techniques that have been taught and practiced.Network marketingThe category of network marketing has inherited a bad rap. Mostly this is due to the common questionable tactics that many MLM companies are in the habit of using.Often people have bombarded their friends, family, churches, and their other associations with their MLM business. Once they get to the end of their list, they are relegated to cold calling. People are not bothered by the product promotion, but they are turned off by the over-zealous prospecting techniques. The way warm market and cold call prospecting is done is the main cause of network marketing, as an industry, to often be looked upon with suspicion. Unfortunately, many MLM companies still limit their distributors to this way of promotion.True network marketing is simply a natural flow of conversation and interaction between people. Actually, all marketing is really based on networking. True network marketing is the basis for a robust economy or lack thereof. (People talk, you know.)A company and its product reputations are based on networking. The most effective advertising counts on networking for people to talk about and tell friends and neighbors about. The job of any salesman would be significantly more difficult if it were not for people telling others about their positive experience with their products.Hollywood movie producers count on people telling others how much they loved that last film. Auto manufacturers count on people telling others how great their car is. When the stock market grows, people invest based on what others are doing and advising them to do. The reverse of these is true also. These are examples of how networking works. It is universal.It is when companies or systems take undue advantage of human interactions for the sole purpose of profiteering that MLMs and the network marketing industry get embroiled in controversy. And I am sure you realize that regular corporations are not immune from financial controversy. That lack of integrity and less than ethical way of conducting business is the root of popular distrust of the industry.It is sad when bad people screw up good things. That is what has happened to the term network marketing. If it were really a bad thing, we should just never want to leave our house or interact with others. So, you need not worry. Take a deep breath and relax; networking is a good thing.Solutions?Human beings are flawed. There will always be potential for disruptive conduct and dishonest business practices. It is the nature of humanity to have choices. There is no solution to the human problem other than death. And there is no choice in that. Since there is no solution, at least, there are ways to minimize and counteract the damage. Modern technology has provided some tools we can use to go around the sticky problems of the undesirable MLM practices. I introduce to you the World Wide Web (a.k.a. the internet).Internet technologies have given you many ways to do business, even MLMs and other types of networking, in an electronic arena. You are no longer bound to prospect through your list of family, friends, and associates and do the dreaded cold calling to have a vibrant enterprise. I urge and recommend you check out these electronic possibilities online. These opportunities have never existed prior to the birth of the internet. Electronic networking opens up whole new vistas of potential social engagement and money making ideas.You and I network every day and we never think about it. Society will continue to go on with its networking ways. If we stop networking, whether it be in marketing or social interaction, society will come to a grinding halt! All you can do as an individual is to act with integrity and behave ethically in all your human relationships, including all your internet activities. You will reap what you sow. If you sow happiness, honesty, and some empathy, you will cultivate great relationships. And hopefully make some money while you are at it.

iLearning Global is Closing its Doors - So What is Next For Their Members? Review

ilearning Global is closing its doors as of this month and many of its marketers are wondering what is next. For many programs like this the economy and competition seems to be the leading factors, but is there hope for the individuals who invested just a year ago?iLearning Global was based upon further education for many in the multilevel and network marketing industries and as of March, this tool and avenue of income for some is closing it's doors, but this is not without an alternative. IG is merely changing their name and compensation structure to what is now called DailySuccessStream due to open it's doors in April of 2010. The system will be similar to that of the former IG except for compensation and entry fees.So far there is no mention of compensation set up with the new system only an easier system to access the training for individuals seeking education in the multilevel marketing and network marketing industry. The entry fee has lowered from nearly $80 dollars to almost $60 and of course the monthly fee with the old IG that stood at $180 will remain the same. The system however does come with many tools and solid trainings 24/7 and is touted as having a much simpler system in place to access the trainings that before had been a bit trying at times.The company headed by Brian Tracy is of course will be providing the commissions that have been earned by their marketers with iLearning Global through March. The once marketers also have the offering of being "grandfathered" into the new platform with an entry cost of around $40 dollars and a continual fee of $180 each month. The live seminars will still be available at cost as well.Many who have joined this system may feel a little lost, but remember, there are many learning platforms out there and the industry is only moving forward, even now. Learning to effectively market your product, opportunity or business with continual education is a step that should always be taken forward, even if the platform you have been a part of is no longer available. Keep your head up...there is always opportunity to be found.

Attraction Marketing Training - Why Most Attraction Marketing Sucks Training For Network Marketers

Attraction marketing is a buzz-word used in two different ways; the first, in the online marketing industry (and over-used in network marketing realm). It's a synonym for "lead generation", in that you "attract" leads that are looking for what you have with some sort of offer that is appealing to that market...typically for free.The issue with attraction marketing is that it's touted as the "be all, end all" of growing and developing a successful organization. While generating leads is critical for any business, what happens when someone magnetically and irresistibly attracts 500 new people that are interested in what you have? If you don't have the skills to prospect, close, and train those people, then all you have is 500 people (that have probably cost you time and money to attract) who you cannot assist or monetize.It is the answer for people who are still using their friends and family members as their primary source of leads (hint: they aren't leads. They're friends and family. Leave them alone, and market to people who are already looking for what you have), simply because it gets a networker out of the mindset of having to pitch everyone on what they have. With proper lead generation, they can simply focus their efforts on the people who have demonstrated that they are looking for the types of solution that the marketer is offering.Learn attraction marketing from people who are using it right now - study the principles of lead generations, such as reciprocity, curiosity, and urgency, and you can reap the rewards of this powerful concept.