Downsizing America. Millions of people a year are victims of corporate cutbacks. For many, it's devastation. The rug pulled out from under their secure job -- house, car, and lifestyle in jeopardy. For others, it's the opportunity of a lifetime. A chance to take a risk -- to go into business for themselves, and live the American Dream.
Network marketing has played a major role in the transaction from corporate security to personal security -- independent distributors (salespeople) who take products ranging from vitamins (NSA, IDN) to jewelry (Jewlway), from product catalogs (Amway) to gold (Gold Unlimited). The latest big entry into network marketing is personal development available through a private satellite channel (The People's Network).
What's the attraction of network marketing, and why are 40,000 people a week getting involved? Why might you be interested?
- Low price of entry
- The chance to make money
- It seems uncomplicated
- You went to a meeting where someone got up and gave a testimonial that in the past month he made $15,000. And you think, "Hey, this guy's not as good or as smart as me... I could do this... yeah ... I could do this."
The reality of Network Marketing is that you must contact your circle of influence (friends, relatives, business associates), and run the risk that they'll tell you you're nuts.
WARNING: Network marketing is not for everyone. Even though many people become millionaires, more than 50 percent of the people who try it fail.
Reality Check: The network marketing statistics for success are about the same as for any small business.
There are two tremendous advantages offered by network marketing:
- More control of your own financial security.
- Provides a great chance for personal growth and development
If you are serious about getting involved in network marketing, your personal challenge is to:
- Tear up your list of excuses
- Make a time commitment
- Develop a plan and a story -- for both retail (direct) sales and distributor recruitment
- Use testimonials from others who have succeeded
- Create more opportunities to talk to more people
- Stick at it for two years before the word "quit" comes to mind
Here's a list of 15.5 elements that successful network marketers have in common. How many of them describe you?
- Recognizes opportunity when it appears, and takes advantage of it.
- Is self-determined, with a plan for success.
- Is self-motivated -- on the inside.
- Becomes self-functional -- to perform the disciplines necessary to succeed.
- Takes self-responsibility: Blame yourself, not others.
- Has good work habits.
- Is a person of high integrity.
- Deploys the mental muscle needed to win.
- Maintains a positive attitude.
- Makes a commitment to himself and others he recruits.
- Talks one-on-one to people.
- Has a lot of people doing a little.
- Builds a customer base of people who use the product.
- Sets a successful example for others to follow.
- Is believable in what he says -- people will buy if you're believable.
- 5 Becomes passionate about the products he represents.
The biggest lure of network marketing is to have control of your own destiny. Up to this point in your life, you are a reflection of the choices you have made. To climb to where you want to be on the ladder of success, you may have to make new choices, and develop a new belief in yourself.
