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Principle Two: Become a Product of the your Product

Use your Products Personally
This seems like common sense but it can not be overlooked. If your products are as good as you say they are than you should be using them personally. This is only a problem when a company is driven by a compensation plan and products are secondary. Be very careful with this type of company. I always encourage people to try the products first before getting involved. See if you can get passionate about the product and develop your own personal testimonial. This is your first key step.

Understand Your Products Line
As you progress with you business it will be important to understand the facts about your product line. You should know such things as Who developed your product line?, How long has your company been in business?,Are there any comparable products in the marketplace?,and Why you personally bought the product. We have all heard the statement that facts tell and stories sell. This is very true. However, having a good understanding about the facts of your product line is very important.

Most companies offer great 3rd party tools such as CD’s,DVD’s, Brochures, etc to explain the facts about your product line. When possible, I highly encourage the use of 3rd party tools to tell the story. I always remember the statement that you need to be the messenger and not the message.

Developing your Story
When it comes to people wanting to try your products or get involved with your business it is going to come down to your personal story and the passion that you have when you deliver it. Honesty is a must when developing your story. Don’t try to become someone else. Let people know how the product has affected your life. I always try to under sell and let the product over deliver. Most Network Marketing companies offer great products and a great opportunity.

Early on as you develop your personal story you may need to use stories from others in the company. You can obtains these by being plugged in to your business and your company. There is no a more powerful tool than your personal story deliver with passion and conviction. Stories definitely will help you grow your empire.

Become Your Own Best Customer
Be sure to replace all products that you are presently using with the products your company offers. This is just good business. Remember that Network Marketing allows people to buy products at wholesale for their personal consumption. All we do is refer people to do the same. It is that simple.

Know your Goal
Your goal for your business is simple. Get all your team members to follow these simple steps. Purchase the products, use the products, study the products and share the stories. It really is that simple.

Principle One: Get Connected-Stay Connected
More and more people are flocking to the Network Marketing Industry in these tough times. My goal over the next several posts is to help people understand the Five Principles for success. We have all heard of the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle. It has never been more true. The most important step you will take in building your Network Marketing business is just getting started. However, understanding the simple building blocks for success is definitely a strong second.

Getting Plugged In!
We all have dreams of building a large Network Marketing organization and getting paid for a lifetime. To do this you must have a constant flow of information from your sponsor, your support team and your company. This is the fuel that keeps the machine running. Positive energy and thoughts are vital to your success. The world is full of negativity and it up to us to keep our energy source filled with positive energy. We have all heard the statement that we are the sum of the 5 people we hang out with the most. Are you hanging with the right the five people?

The System
The word system is a constant buzz word. Everyone is trying to sell you the best so-called system. More than likely your company and support team is already using a proven system for success. Look to the successful distributors in your company for a guide on the system that they use. I strongly discourage looking outside of your company. Stay focused on what is truly important and stay away from activities that distract you from your goal. Understanding how to move people from one piece of information to the next is the most important part of the system. Remember this important fact, there is no online system that will ever replace the personal touch. Online systems are only as good as the personal touch that closes the deal. Think about it, if all it took was a fancy website and an autoresponder, why would companies need us. The answer is companies need us to offer that personal connection. Success can not be achieved without it.

Support Team
Your support team plays a vital role in your early success. You need to let them you that you are serious about your success and are willing to be teachable and coachable. You should have a list of your support team that includes all their vital contact information. The person that sponsored you into the business may or may not be your main contact. Be sure to ask who the leaders are when you started.

Websites/Online Presence
In today’s business world pretty much every company offers a website. Don’t waste your time trying to create a better website. If you are trying to brand yourself you can register a domain name that will redirect to your company’s website. i.e. http://134243.max.com is my company address. I registered http://YourLifeonMax.com which redirects to the same place. If you are interested in developing a strong online presence I do recommend starting a blog. You can post updates and links to your company right from your blog. This site is an example of that. The cost is free to minimal and can help put you out there as an expert. Have fun with it.

Emails and Newsletters
Be sure to get connected to all of your companies email lists and newsletter lists. Many organizations use this a primary means of sharing information. Don’t assume that all of your team members are on it. Be sure to pass this vital information on. A break in the communication chain can cost your business. Communication is key.

Conference Calls
Carry a list of conference calls that are conducted on a weekly basis. Set a goal of having one person on every call with you. You don’t need to be the expert. Let the calls do the hard work. Pretty much all companies offer overview calls and training calls to help all the distributors. Make sure all your team members are connected to this source of information and training.

Local Business Overviews
Network marketing is a person to person business. Trying to build your team without ever meeting with them will not work long-term. You must support your local business overview and become a vital part of it. You must make this a priority just like going to work. In order to get paid at work you have to show up. The same is true of your Network Marketing business. You have to show up to get paid.

Regional and National Events
Success is about developing a community of like-minded people. Attending regional and national events as a team can help develop this team approach to success. Events like this are attended by all the top leaders and are a chance to mingle with and learn from the successful distributors. The energy that will be present and the true impact that it will have on your business can not be recreated on the local level. These events will shape your business and develop a connection that will get you through the tough times.

Getting connected and staying connected is a must. There are no shortcuts to success. You must be willing to put in the effort to achieve the results. Network Marketing is hard work but the end results can be life changing.

Remember this very important fact. If we succumb to the illusion and the comfort of a paycheck, we then neglect to build up self-reliant skills and merely postpone the day of reckoning when we are forced to fend for ourselves. It is never too late to start. Let today be the first day of the rest of your life!!

Let us know how important staying connected has been for your business. We look forward to your posts.

When learning how to market yourself and your business many people continue to make the same mistakes. Take a moment and watch this video with Seth Godin about how to stand out in the crowd. Learn how to take your business to the next level.

As we all are aware of, the economy may stinks right now. However the question I have for you is could this be the perfect time to start your own business. Listen is as Josh Levs went to an economics conventions and had the opportunity to get advice from economists. One expert told Josh if you do it right, on your own, you will be a leader of the future economy. Are you ready to make a change?

Remember this very important fact. If we succumb to the illusion and the comfort of a paycheck, we then neglect to build up self-reliant skills and merely postpone the day of reckoning when we are forced to fend for ourselves. It is never too late to start. Let today be the first day of the rest of your life!! Click Here to Learn More!

2010 is here and it is time to state your resolutions for the New Year. As I look back on 2009, I noticed a few areas of my life that need to be improved and the same with my business. I always like to reflect on the past year and make a list of my accomplishments and a list of the things that I fell short of. I don’t like to call them failures because I don’t look at them like that. My opinion is the fact that I tried and fell short is a learning process for future decisions. I encourage everyone to do the same.

The most important point to remember is that for things to change you must change. We are not in the wishing business. We need to layout a plan for the New Year with thought and reflection. Let’s first take a look at the definition of resolution.To be effective you need to first understand the meaning.

Resolution:

• a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
• resolving power: the ability of a microscope or telescope to measure the angular separation of images that are close together
• resoluteness: the trait of being resolute; “his resoluteness carried him through the battle”; “it was his unshakeable resolution to finish the work”
• finding a solution to a problem
• settlement: something settled or resolved; the outcome of decision making; “they finally reached a settlement with the union”; “they never did achieve a final resolution of their differences”; “he needed to grieve before he could achieve a sense of closure”
• analysis into clear-cut components
• (computer science) the number of pixels per square inch on a computer-generated display; the greater the resolution, the better the picture
• the subsidence of swelling or other signs of inflammation (especially in a lung)
• (music) a dissonant chord is followed by a consonant chord
• solution: a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem; “they were trying to find a peaceful solution”; “the answers were in the back of the book”; “he computed the result to four decimal places”
• a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner; “he always wrote down his New Year’s resolutions”

Let’s get started. First of all you have to realize that for a resolution to have any chance of succeeding it must have a plan attached. For example, many people will state that in 2010 they will get in shape and focus on their health. The problem is that they never break it down into it’s components and make a plan. A better resolution would be, in 2010 I will get in shape. I will accomplish this by doing the following. I will join our local gym, I will exercise 3-4 times a week for 45 min or more, I will eat healthy meals and I will not eat after 7:00 PM. I will commit to this for the entire year. Can you see the difference between the two examples. To many people are wishing versus committing to change.

The same principle goes for the next favorite resolution. I will get out of debt in 2010. The problem is they think they are going to show up at work one day and get a major raise. How many people think that is actually going to happen? So just like the previous example you have to break it down into components for you to achieve this resolution. You might start by getting educated on the benefits of starting a home business and doing a search for a company that you can be passionate about. Try their products and develop your own product testimonial. Commit to a weekly plan of action. I will commit 5-10 hours a week to my business. I will commit to my business for 12 months. I will not be swayed by other offers. This is critical. Many people jump from one company to next and never give their business enough time to succeed. Their is no shortcut to success. Any business worth your time is going to take time to build.

My hope for you is that everyone achieves all of their resolutions. 2010 is the year of improved health and wealth. It is the year of improving your relationships  and building new relationships. Deep down inside whether you believe it or not success is closer than you think. No matter how tough your situation may be presently you each have the opportunity to change it. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you as you prepare for 2010 and the impact it will have on the rest of your life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!

When you bring up the term Network Marketing what response do you get? Do you here the phrase pyramid scam , ponzi scam or I would never do that? Did you ever wonder what information people have to make such claims?

What is Network Marketing?
Multi-level marketing (MLM), (also called network marketing) is a term that describes a marketing structure used by some companies as part of their overall marketing strategy. The structure is designed to create a marketing and sales force by compensating promoters of company products not only for sales they personally generate, but also for the sales of other promoters they introduce to the company, creating a team of distributors and a hierarchy of multiple levels of compensation. The products and company are usually marketed directly to consumers and potential business partners by means of relationship referrals and word of mouth marketing.

So, what is the problem with MLM and network marketing?

Maybe it’s the so called pyramid structure? But you can’t really take issue with the tiered compensation structure—almost every large sales organization in the world has that. Salespeople get commission, and sales managers get overrides or bonuses on top of that, and sales directors on top of that, and VPs on top of that. Actually the shape is more of a reverse pyramid with plenty of room at the top for everyone.

Or maybe it’s the fact that there is a start up cost? But that can’t be it—that’s a standard franchising model. How many franchises can you open for $1000 or less?

Now certainly, there are illegal pyramid, or “Ponzi”, schemes. This is where the money is all being made off of signing up other people, with little or no real product ever being delivered. But in spite of whatever perceptions people may have, the fact is that Network Marketing companies have sold millions upon millions of dollars of products to happy customers, many of whom are NOT also reps. So, there may be a perception problem here, but if so, the perception is out of line with the reality.

But surely the bad reputation Network Marketing (MLM) has some more basis in fact than the occasional illegal pyramid scheme?

The real problem with MLM is not MLM itself, but some of the people it attracts. Network marketing is just a business model, and it really amounts to “micro-franchising”. Its upside is that it has a very low cost of entry, with the potential for exceptional revenue, and there are those who achieve that.

But those same things that make it attractive to many who are NOT really qualified or prepared to become business owners. The salient characteristics of MLM make it attractive to people who:

* have not done well in their business or profession and have little money saved up to invest
* have no previous experience owning or running a business
* have no previous experience in sales
* have little or no experience developing business relationships other than that of employer/employee/co-worker
* are not satisfied with their current level of income
* have unrealistic expectations of the amount of work involved compared to the revenue realized

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with any of these things, or that this describes even a majority of network marketers—only that it describes a disproportionate number of network marketers, and that many of them never do anything about it.

As a result, many network marketers end up:

* over-selling the opportunity
* inappropriately discussing business in social situations
* coming across as desperate
* over-focused on new recruits and neglecting existing customers as a result
* being either inaccurate or deceptive when talking about their business

This might sound a little harsh but my favorite quote is: There are 2 types of people in our business, Network Marketing Professional and MLM Morons. If you become a Network Marketing Professional this industry will reward you with everything you are looking for.

So what’s the solution?

There’s a first time for everything. And network marketing/MLM is a great opportunity for people to have their first business, their first sales role, etc. My point is this—recognize it for what it is: it’s a business, and you are a business owner. And if you’ve never owned a business before, if you’ve never done sales before, if you’ve never networked before, you need to learn about how to do so, not just from the network marketing/MLM experts, but from established experts in those fields.

Network marketing professionals who are serious about building a business should be reading and learning about business fundamentals, the latest sales and marketing techniques, strategies for networking and business development, etc., not just swapping tips at your team’s weekly or monthly meeting. Act like a small business owner, and people will treat you like one.