Network Marketing Success Story - I was an MLM Skeptic

							Network Marketing Success Story - I was an MLM Skeptic
Over the years, my experiences and those of my friends and family had
convinced me that any Network Marketing venture was doomed to failure.
The promise of MLM success seemed to be no more than persuasive
propaganda. Finally drained of time, money and energy, we must have
resembled a sea of people floundering around like dying fish in a
proverbial cesspool of confusion, disappointment and financial ruin.
As a result, my skepticism had since kept me safely out of the clutches
of MLM predators everywhere. To illustrate my resistance, take the
following ad, commonly seen in the classified section of every community
newspaper available at every corner store in every neighborhood:
"Earn extra income from home! Be your own boss! Enjoy financial freedom!
Call 1-800-GET-RICH."
With my justifiably jaded perception of the MLM industry firmly in place,
my mind formed a somewhat altered perception of this claim:
"Join the exciting world of Network Marketing. Learn to successfully
annoy and alienate friends, family and loved ones. Unexpectedly exceed
the limits on your credit cards and then master the art of collection
agency avoidance. Proudly be able to say: 'Been there, done, that…got the
t-shirt…and lost it.' All this for one small investment of the meager
remains of your entire life savings. Call 1-800-MLM-SCAM".
As a result of my resistance to such advertising, I became quite
satisfied living my life vicariously through the financial suffering of
others.
Nevertheless, despite this cynical outlook regarding all things "MLM," I
still remained convinced that somehow Network Marketing, in theory, could
work (sort of like Communism). The goal became finding a way to create
substantial income without expending energy and effort on behalf of
someone else's financial gain. I continued to cautiously keep one eye
open for a sign of proven success.
Discovering a system that works
One day when I was least expecting it, and through what must have been a
preordained set of circumstances, I was introduced to a new way of
approaching the MLM industry. Perhaps my limited success in building my
business was not because of my product or my marketing methods…perhaps it
was not my fault at all. It was explained to me like this:
If you accepted employment with a company, wouldn't you want to read the
Employee's Handbook? Wouldn't you want to know about your opportunities
for advancement? How about rules and regulations regarding reasons for
sudden termination? Wouldn't you want to know about pay raises and
benefits? How about retirement policies? Why should your network
marketing business be any different?
Read and understand your policies and procedures
Remember, this is your contract with the company and is crucial to the
success of your business. A lot of people make poor choices to sign up
with a particular company based on emotions but with limited information
regarding the company. They don't consider ALL the areas that are
critically important from a business perspective.
Simply believing in your product is the absolute wrong reason to get
involved with any company. Having a good product is important but product
alone doesn't mean you'll make money.
Consider the fact that many network marketing companies are owned and
managed by people who have absolutely no experience in the field. They
just see MLM as a very lucrative means of distributing their product. MLM
is just a means to their end. They have no respect for the people down in
the trenches making their company a success. Who do you think loses out
if they decide to change company policy for their own financial gain?
Know how to look for red flags intended to cover up a company's hidden
agenda. Policies and Procedures should be simple and easy to understand.
If a company has hidden some devious trick in its Compensation Plan by
means of legal lingo that requires research using a Black's Law
Dictionary, don't think they won't use it to take away your downline and
steal your check. If they don't plan to use it, why would it be there?
Business models drive the behavior in the field
A company's Compensation Plan and will determine the activities and
conduct of its affiliates and sales representatives. For instance, if a
company depends on a "recruit, recruit, recruit" mentality for its
affiliates to earn substantial backend residual income, the tendency will
be to make a list of all your friends, family and every acquaintance
you've had since kindergarten, sign everybody up, give them minimal
training and then throw them against a wall to see who sticks.
This works out great for the top five percent of an organization, but
what about the rest of us? Instead, there must also be a way to earn
income on retail sales and there should be ongoing training with upline
support.
Questions to ask yourself when evaluating your P&P's and Comp Plan
How many people will you need in your organization to make $10,000 a
month on backend residual income alone, not including bonuses?

Is it profitable for part-time people? (Remember, about 95% of your
organization will be made up of part-time people.)

Does the compensation plan pay on all volume with NO breakage?
Five qualities your company must have in order for you to be successful
Company management experience with integrity.
Timing in the industry and timing in your company.
A flagship product which is value priced - There must be more than one
product and it must be affordable.
A compensation plan that pays average part-time people.
A duplicatable proven system with upline support.
If your company is missing just one of these qualities you will have a
hard time making your business work and if you're missing more than that
it will be almost impossible for you to succeed…your company will be fine
with or without you.
Make sure your company isn't working against you
We work hard at building our organization and don't need our company
undermining our efforts. Your business from home should be fun, rewarding
and profitable. You should have a positive outlook on your chances for
success. Relieve yourself of the feelings of regret, failure and an empty
bank account. Learn to read and understand your Policies and Procedures.
Maybe you can become a reformed skeptic, too.
Terry Montague is a successful network marketer and MLM mentor. Her
objective is to provide as many people as possible with valuable
information and equip them with skills for success in order for their
dreams to become their reality. Download her Free eBook to learn more
about the 5 Pillars to Success or visit "The Full Monte" for more tips
and resources.