Do you like getting up before you’re awake and going out in the dark and cold of winter, then sitting in traffic for hours day in, day out? Thousands of people have quit that daily grind and have started their own MLM home based business. They can set their own schedules, get up when they want, and have a real life, being around their families and loved ones when they want and taking vacations exactly when they want to, not a few days here and there to fit in with their miserable boss’s wishes!
Have you been considering some kind of home based business, but afraid to think about it seriously? Perhaps you have looked at a few MLM businesses, and some of the scams that are out there too.
MLM Home Based Business – the Hard Facts
If you want to know the hard facts about MLM, or multi level marketing, you should know that there are a lot of things to consider.
First, if someone tells you it’s easy, he has obviously forgotten about the long hours he put in at the beginning. Perhaps it’s easy for him now, but there are a number of crucial factors you should take into account before you write a buy-in check, or sign on the dotted line.
Be aware that there are less than 30 MLM companies that have been around for over 10 years. There is nothing wrong with the business model, just that all those companies that failed simply did not set things up right.
These companies could see that having a system where one person recruits many others, called a down-line team, would mean having ever increasing numbers of people selling their product. Great! What’s wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. So where did they go wrong?
There are two main reasons these companies folded. First, their products were not as desirable as they thought they would be or not profitable enough, or second, their compensation plan sucked.
MLM Home Based Business Due Diligence
When you are looking to join an MLM home based business, the compensation plan is the first and most important thing you should look at. Ask questions. Ask what system they use. There are many complicated systems out there, so make sure you understand what you are getting into.
Then look at the product. Is it well advertised, is it something most people would want that they can’t easily get in a store, is it good quality and is it enduring? Will people want this in five years time? If they don’t, then where will you be?
Mary Kay, for example, has endured because its compensation plan allows for everyone to make money. The more you sell, the more you make, simple. They are also pretty tight about territories too, no good trying to sell in a small area where 20 other people are selling too.
If you have a company in mind, get on forums and find other people to talk to who work for that company. You will have to look out for people who have failed though; the attrition rate is very high in any MLM business, mainly because people think they are going to make money from day one, or they don’t put in any effort.
The Bottom Line
Building a profitable home based MLM business takes time, skill and a major commitment. So doing your due diligence before you invest your hard-earned money is a good step in the right direction.
You should also outline a sales and marketing plan to promote both the product and the opportunity – before you sign up. Seriously. Because the only way you will ever make any money is sell the company products, services and recruit others to do the same.
Do you have any clue how you will go about making this happen?
Do you have any idea what you need to do to create a steady stream of highly interested prospects to take a look at your wares? Will you build a web site and market online? How will you drive traffic? Do you intend to run ads or participate in a company or team sponsored advertising co-op? What kind of budget do you have to invest into your business? What type of training, tools and advice will you make available to your new team members.