The truth is, many network marketing programs today are legitimate and productive.  Many people have found a great source of income from MLM programs.  Let’s explore the advantages of network marketing more closely:

Internet marketing has made MLM more convenient. In the past, many people find network marketing a difficult job especially when it comes to finding leads and meeting with prospects.  With the help of the internet, network marketing has become so much easier.

Finding leads and communicating with prospects can all be done online. An internet marketer can now work from home and reach out to more people.  The fear of getting rejected by a prospect is also avoided.  Online marketing gives you the option to present your business only to those who are really interested to join.

Allows flexibility in managing your own working hours. One of the major reasons why people leave their day jobs for a network marketing business is to enjoy flexibility and control.  Being a network marketer gives you the option to choose your own working schedule, thus allowing you to set aside time for yourself and your family.

MLM programs are low cost.  Today, MLM programs are not as expensive as they used to be some years ago.  In the past, meeting with prospects will cost you some money.  Now, you can communicate with your prospects for free.  The internet provides different ways of communication such as forums, e-mails, chat and VOIP services.  A network marketer does not have to spend much just to convince a prospect to join.

MLM companies establish the business for you. Unlike starting your own business from scratch, you don’t have to create your own business plan or train your own workers to get started.  The MLM company will take care of the business system for you.  You will be provided with all the support you need.

Gives equal opportunity to everyone. What’s great about an MLM business is that anyone has the chance to be a successful.  You don’t have to be a graduate of a high-degree course to be competent.  There is no age limit on joining the program.  Anyone, regardless of his/her background can join the business and be profitable.  Success is based on the person’s hard work and performance.

These are just some the advantages of network home business marketing.  Bear in mind that the key is finding a marketing program that is reliable and genuine.  Always remember that a legitimate program isn’t just dependent on recruiting down lines to profit.  The program must always involve selling of quality products.

Many of these opportunities are MLM (network marketing) I have very limited experience with these programs and I advise them to use their best judgment when choosing a MLM. I have always felt that you need to be a really personable person to make MLM work for you. You need to be able to motive not just yourself, but a whole team of people that will be working under you. That to me seems to be the #1 reason people I know who have gotten into a MLM program either drop out or simply don’t make any money. Its hard enough to keep YOURSELF on track let alone a large group of people.

I have seen it done though. I had a friend named Renee who was in MLM all her life (she was in her late 50′s when we met). Renee had built huge downlines in her time, and had experienced the benefits of working with not just a great group of people but the financial benefits of having nearly 300 people working with her. Renee was incredibly organized, very personable, and w/ more than 30 years of being in different programs incredibly knowledgeable about understanding network marketing structures and payouts. Her main problem seemed to be that she would join programs that just didn’t last. After a year or 2 they would close abruptly.

I would ask her why not start off with companies that have a proven track record and the answer she gave me was that the income potential was 10x better getting in on a new program first, then joining an older program and being way down the list.

THAT’S why I never got involved with MLM. No matter how many times they tell you that you make money selling wonderful products, the bottom line always seems to be getting people signed up under you.

I did some research online for my neighbors and here are some tips I saw touted over and over on MLM sites.

1. Avoid plans that seem to pay mostly for bringing new people into the fold. It could be an illegal pyramid scheme.
2. Avoid programs that say you will make lots of money thru the expansion of your downline more so then having your current downline out selling product .. again this can be a sign of a pyramid scheme.
3. avoid “Miracle” products. If there claims are just outrageous, do you want to be the one to sell someone sick with high blood pressure or some terrible health condition snake oil?
4. Avoid programs that make you buy expensive inventory – while its a nice motivator that every 30 days you will have a new shipment of stuff to sell so you better not delay or your will find your garage full of product. It can get so expensive that people who haven’t quite hit their stride drop out just to get out of the auto ship.
5. Try not to sign up the first night you hear about the program. Don’t buy into the HYPE! A good rule of thumb is to not take your credit card to these meetings. After the meeting, hit the internet and do your research.

   You will find good and bad reviews. You will have other distributors flashing huge checks and encouraging you, you will find disillusioned people who tried the program (or maybe brought and tried to return after the 30 day guarantee and are bitter over losing some money) that will scream scam. Its up to you to shift through it all and make a decision.

6. Check with your local business organizations like the BBB and Chamber of Commerce. Some MLM’s are too small to show up in their records but its better to be safe and check things out thoroughly before committing your hard earned cash.
7. If you are promised outrageous amounts of money in a short time remember the old saying, “Its simply too good to be true”.

If you have done your homework, don’t be afraid to move forward. If you put down the money to join the program, make sure you have a plan of action so that you can start building your business right away.