MLMWoman Newsletter Blog

July 2008 Issue of MLM Woman Newsletter

From the Desk of the Editor

Welcome to the 138th edition of the MLMWoman Newsletter with some more fresh ideas to help your business bloom.

If you like this month's issue, please be sure to let your friends know about it too and invite them to come and visit us. Also, if you have comments, questions or something to share after reading this month's articles, please visit our MLMTalk Discussion Forum and join in the lively conversation!

You can also view the articles from this month's issue at the MLMWoman Newsletter blog. This blog will be updated each month with new content from our monthly newsletter. So head over and take a peak.

And also be sure to check out our Moms in Business Blog and MLM Marketing Blog for lots of additional tips and resources which are added throughout the month.

Yours in Success!

Linda Locke, Editor MLMWoman

7 Steps to Local Search Dominance

by John Jantsch

Local shoppers are going online to find products and services in your town — you must find ways to get found when they do!

Right now, in every community in America, increasing numbers of people of all ages are turning to the world wide web to find products and services right their at home.

This trend, known generically as local search presents a huge opportunity for small businesses that focus on winning in this arena. Below are seven steps every local business should explore today in order to gain a competitive advantage in their local markets. (Someone in your market and industry will do this, why not you?)

1. Register with the primary local and social search engines

Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, AOL, Ask, Local.com and TrueLocal are all awaiting your information as they build local search directories. Make sure you are listed.

Judy's Book, Craig's List, and Insider Pages are sites building directories with user generated reviews. Get in those as well and manage your online reputation

2. Optimize your web site for local search

Put local terms in you page titles — not Home page — Kansas City Electrical Contractor

Put local terms in your anchor text — not Kitchens — New York Kitchens

Put local terms in your H1 and H2 tags

Put local terms in your body copy

3. Put a map on your site

The whole mapping category just keeps getting easier to use. Google Maps, both mapping and local directory, recently added a feature that makes it super easy to embed a map rather than simply copy an image or link to a map. This means that you can use a map with all the functionality right on your web page. Many businesses can benefit from this tool, especially when it comes to local search.

To create a map for your business, simply visit Google Maps, conduct a search for your business (you've got to be in the Google Maps directory to show up — get listed), hit the "link to this page" link and copy the HTML code for your map. I've simply pasted that code below so the map shows up in this post, but you could put it on any web page. Then create directions in text to your business from various routes and you've created some nice local keyword rich content. (This is a good web content strategy even if your clients don't need to find your office.)

4. Check your InfoUSA listing

InfoUSA compiles lists for direct mail and telemarketing but they also provide a great deal of the directory listing information for many of the smaller search directories. Go here and make sure your listing is correct and up to date. You can also add things like your web site address to the profile.

5. Add local content

You should create several pages of content on your site focused on local angels. You can report local news, talk about your firm's history in a town, give an overview of non-profit activities, even report on the various suburbs your staff hails from. Don't forget to put your physical mailing address on every page — that's local content too.

6. Add a blog

A blog (not a free blogger one, but one that resides on your domain) is one of the most powerful local search tools going. You can simply post about things going on in the community, school events, neighborhood block parties, the local sports teams. It's helpful if you can do this and post content that is relevant to your primary business, but as long as the towns and neighborhoods you want to score well in the search engines with are in your posts and titles, you will get some serious lift for those terms.

7. Get local inbound links

The search engines give lots of credit for links that are coming back to your site from other sites. Go out their and find some local directories or strategic partners that will link back to your site but don't have them link back to your business name - Joe's Pet Shop. Have them link back to your site with a local search term like — Toledo's Biggest Pet Shop.

About The Author
John Jantsch is a marketing and digital technology coach, award winning social media publisher and author of Duct Tape Marketing. He is the creator of the Duct Tape Marketing small business marketing system. You can find more information by visiting www.ducttapemarketing.com

Creating Your MLM Success Vision

by Jackie Ulmer

Your vision is the picture that you have of yourself, your life and your future.

Whether you like it or not, it is also what you are living right now. Whatever is your dominate focus in your life is creating your reality.

If you are experiencing lack in your life, check your focus. You will find that you are spending most of your time focused on what you are lacking. You can turn this around by focusing only on what you desire.

It's impossible to have vision and worry at the same time. If worry is holding you back, you must replace that worry with vision.

"What you worry about will come about!"

Now, think about that another way.

"What you visualize will actualize!"

Isn't that much better?

Did you know that your mind does not distinguish between what is real and what is imagined?

Have you ever had a dream, and upon awakening, it was still so real and vivid in your mind that your heart was racing, or your emotions were charged? So, what if you could fool your mind into creating your perfect life?

You can change the entire direction of your life by replacing worry with vision. And, it all starts with writing your vision down.

Take a clear look at your past. How much of it has been dictated by worry, fears, false assumptions, and a scarcity mentality? Most people put their focus on what they lack, instead of clearly visualizing what they want.

The more time you spend in "feeling" anticipation for something great about to happen in your life, the quicker your life will change, and begin to look more like the life you desire!

Begin to write the vision of your perfect life, in addition to your dream book.

Ask and answer these questions while you do this -

If time and money was not an obstacle….

Where would I live?

What would my house be like?

What kind of car would I drive?

What would my family be like?

What type of trips would we take?

What type of charities would I donate to?

How would I spend a typical day?

What type of work would I do?

How would my health be?

What types of food would I eat?

What would be my greatest accomplishment?

What words would be spoken about me by others?

What would my funeral be like?

Now, the funeral part may seem a little morbid, I realize. But, when you think about it, your funeral really sums up the life you lived. How do you want yours summed up?

Have fun with this task and get VERY creative and dream VERY big. After all, life is known to give you what you ask for. You don't want to discover you asked for the wrong things! It's like going through the drive through - you better check your order before you drive off!

Get your vision VERY clear in your head. Write out your "perfect day", answering the above questions. Make several copies of it. Keep one on your nightstand and read it each morning and last thing before you fall asleep. Your subconscious works while you sleep. Keep one in your day timer and one at your desk.

Your Vision is far more powerful than your goals, and will lead you to and through your goals. That is why you must have a very clear, precise vision and stay very close to it.

I want to spend a few moments really exploring the concept of focus and staying tuned into where you are focused at all times.

When we are at a point in our lives where we are not happy, not content and feel that we are lacking in one or many areas, it is imperative that we begin to shifts those thoughts. Yes, it can be challenging to do in the beginning, but most things are. If you set a goal to lose weight, the first few weeks of a new diet, new workout schedule, etc., are the most brutal. Wouldn't you agree?

It's well documented that it takes about 21 days, or three weeks, to form a habit, or even change a habit. Changing your thoughts and feelings of lack to thoughts and feelings of abundance is the best habit you can develop in your life!

Truly, it will positively affect every aspect of your life. (I'm living proof!)

One quick little idea that worked wonders for me was to develop a system where I would catch myself when I was thinking negatively about anything.

First, I put little post-it notes all over that just said "Where are you focused?" It didn't seem to matter what I was doing, I would see those things many times throughout each hour and that would be my reminder to check in on my thoughts and feelings.

In the beginning, it was amazing to me how many times I would catch myself "drowning in my sorrows" and having a pity party. And, I consider myself to be a positive person! Yikes! It was scary! No wonder I was not moving forward at a faster pace toward my ultimate vision.

My current vision (or reality) was a mess with negativity.

I borrowed one of my daughter fancy pony tail holders. It was a pretty, pink rubber band type of hair holder that had beads and trinkets on it. I began to wear that on my wrist, like a bracelet.

I did this so it did not look so funny wearing a regular rubber band! I didn't want people asking me why I was wearing it because it was a personal thing that I did not want to explain.

Anytime I would catch myself thinking in any way other than the way I wanted to be thinking, I would snap that hair holder on my wrist. I would just give it a good pop to get my attention.

After a while, just wearing the band prompted me to be very aware of my thoughts and focus on quality, exciting, positive thoughts about my destiny and vision. I would see it and do a "thought and feeling" check.

Now, checking in regularly with my thoughts and feelings is just part of day to day life. The band is gone from around my wrist, and my vision is taking shape each and every day.

If I do find myself falling back into the old ways, I put that band back on and it doesn't take any time at all until I am jumping out of my seat with excitement and positive feelings.

And, when I find that things aren't cruising happily along, if I stop and check my "feelings" meter, I always find that I am having resistance, negative type thinking of some sort. Once I get that in check, things pick back up again!

Remember this – success is a journey. Often, we think that we will be happy when we get to that place we desire. Not so!

The trick is to be happy on your way there and know every step of the way that what you desire is on its way to you.

It is important to be first. Then you do, and have.

You are the master of your own destiny. And, you must take charge from the very beginning of the journey. And, you must enjoy every step of the journey. It is all invaluable to your future success.

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

About the Author
Jackie Ulmer is a network marketing veteran, industry coach and MLM author. She's built a solid six figure income using the Internet to build her Network Marketing business while maintaining the roles of wife, mom, cab driver, and social coordinator. Her passion is empowering women and young entrepreneurs to believe in themselves and reach for the stars. Get to know her better and sign up for her newsletter at http://www.streetsmartwealth.com

Seven Tips to a Successful Fundraiser in Direct Sales

by Audrey Okaneko

Fundraising in direct sales is a wonderful way to locate new customers. You are having sub-sellers doing the selling for you. Those who might not have ordered from you directly will order now, knowing the funds will benefit the organization/group involved.

I'd like to share seven tips for creating a successful fundraiser:

1. Plan ahead - Make sure you have plenty of catalogs, samples, sales tax charts and any other supplies you believe the fundraiser participants will need. You want to be prepared whether there are 5 participants or 25 participants.

2. Create a marketing packet - Marketing is key whenever you are making a sale. In this case you are selling the idea or concept of raising funds with you and your direct sales company. If your company already has letters and forms in place, use those and just personalize them with your name, phone number and web address. If your company does not have letters and forms available, ask your upline if they have templates you can personalize and customize.

3. Choose a specific time period - I recommend no longer than two weeks for a fundraiser. This is plenty of time to show the catalog, collect the orders and payment and then submit the order to whoever is collecting the final orders. Be very clear when the deadline is for submitting the orders.

4. Contact the local newspaper - This is a great reason for a press release. Let the community know that the organization is involved in a fundraiser and let the community know how they can participate and order products.

5. Payment options - Be very clear what the payment options are. Will you take personal checks? Do you want all checks made payable to the organization and then the organization will pay you? Can you accept credit cards? Lay out the rules up front so that everyone is clear on payment options.

6. Offer full support - Every organization has different needs. Let the organization know that you are there to help and support them. I've done presentations at board meetings. I've prepared sales flyers. I've created order forms. I'm willing to offer any and all support the organization needs.

7. Follow up - After the fundraiser is complete, follow up. Let the organization know you care. Were there any problems? Were there any additional orders you can place for them? Can you contact them again next year for another fundraiser?

I hope these tips help you create a successful fundraiser for both you and the organization involved.

About the Author
Audrey Okaneko has been working at home since 1983. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at www.recipe-barn.com

Should You Market to Pleasure ... Or Pain?

by Alexandria Brown

One day a few months ago, I emptied my mailbox after being away for several days.

Because I give regularly to charities, I seem to be on the mailing lists of every organization in the world. So there were plenty of solicitations to sort through.

Usually I toss most of the envelopes I receive, the ones with generic messages on them like "help us today" or "give to save the... [insert 'children', 'animals', or 'forests' here]".

But one envelope caught my eye. It was an unusual beige color, it had a picture of a cute little dog on it, and it said in bold letters, "Don't let what happened to Coco happen again."

Because I was curious who Coco was and what happened to him, I opened the envelope.

The letter told a true story of animal abuse so horrific that I burst into tears for that poor little dog. It ended by explaining how I could help prevent this from happening to other animals by donating to their organization.

I can tell you I never whipped out my checkbook so fast in my life.

But why this time?

Why had I ignored all the other mailings that simply asked for my help?

Because this one made me FEEL.

It told me a shocking true story. It struck a deep nerve in me that brought out my rage regarding this topic. Suddenly it was personal, because it touched on my pain.

You see, all marketing plays on either pleasure or pain.

It seems to me that most marketing plays on pleasure. For example, cosmetic companies show women how gorgeous and young we could look if we only used their products. Car companies show us how sexy and powerful we'd feel if we buy that sports car we can't afford. And beer companies convince men that they'll magically attract gorgeous females if they only drink a certain beverage.

But...

Sometimes "Pain" Works Better

Some businesses will do BETTER by marketing to people's pain. For example, a TV commercial for a financial planning service shows a couple arguing over money while their children listen from the other room, looking scared. An acne medication ad shows a teenage girl staying home from the prom, crying because she's got a few pimples.

And if you think about it, most of us don't take action on things until we feel pain. For example, a friend of mine didn't take control of his finances until he was nearly bankrupt. And a couple I know didn't hire a marriage counselor until they were ready to split for good. My sister didn't look for a better job until she couldn't stand the one she was in anymore.

So, follow along with me here...

Are your prospects more likely to actually buy your product or hire you based on wanting pleasure ... or to move AWAY from their pain?

For example, a dating coach may have more success in her marketing with statements like, "Are you sick and tired of sitting home lonely on Friday nights? Attracting the wrong men for you again and again? The clock is ticking - have you met Mr. Right yet?"

The idea is to touch on people's pain, then show them that you're the solution.

Another example is an auto repair shop that marketed a free report, "10 Ways Not to Get Ripped-Off Next Time You Get Your Car Fixed". Not only did that touch on most folks' fear of getting ripped off, but it also positioned them as an authority on the subject!

For those of us who are naturally positive people, marketing to others' pain may seem initially uncomfortable. But you're doing them a favor! By helping them realize what's wrong in their lives, their businesses, or the world, you're also showing them how they can fix it. You're actually helping them "see the light".

Marketing to people's pain can make for dramatic results when done right.

What State of Mind Are YOUR Prospects In?

Think about your target market right now. What state of mind are they in when they are considering hiring you or buying your product? Are they more likely to take action to gain pleasure? Or to make the pain they're in go away?

If the answer is different than what you've been doing, try changing the angle of your marketing for a while.

You may find that a little pain is the best thing that ever happened to your business. : )

© 2005-2008 Alexandria Brown International Inc.

About the Author
Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown publishes the award-winning 'Highlights on Marketing & Success' weekly ezine with 28,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.AlexandriaBrown.com

3 Ways Network Marketers Can Use the Social Networking Tool, Twitter

by Linda Locke
Editor, MLMWoman.com

Twitter is a wonderful tool you can use for marketing, networking, keeping in touch with your downline and for team building. And best of all it's free!

But many people still dismiss Twitter as just another time wasting social networking fad. But for smart network marketers it just may be the new killer app.

Why? Here's 3 ways you can use Twitter to promote and build your networking business:

#1 - Marketing - You can use Twitter for marketing your business by setting up an account and posting good tips and information about your products and your business. It's easy since you are limited to only 140 characters per post and you don't need to be a great writer to do it. If you can write short sentences, you can use Twitter.

People can get a sense of who you are and get to know you better, which helps them to decide if they want to work with you. To promote your Twitter page, just add the link to your website or blog and to your signature file on emails, any articles you write, and discussion board posts.

Whose team would you rather join? Someone who is using cutting edge tools or someone who is still doing it the hard way? And if you want to attract younger people to your business using Twitter is one of the best ways to connect with them.

#2 - Networking - Twitter is a wonderful networking tool and allows you to follow and network with people you choose based on your business and preferences. You could use it to communicate with your upline and share ideas and tools to help you in your business. And you can use the replies feature to ask questions and get feedback quickly on ideas and problems you have.

#3 - Keeping in Touch with Your Downline - Staying in touch with your downline is easy with Twitter. You can set up a separate account for this and invite your downline members to join using Twitter's invite by email option.

Once your team is on Twitter you can all follow each other and you can share news, announcements, and other information quickly with one short post. What a timesaver!

And any downline member can ask questions and get the answers online too. If you have an international downline, this is a wonderful way to include them with no expense to you or them.

Hopefully these ideas have encouraged you to try a new marketing method and have some fun by giving Twitter a try.

Free Promotion: Signature Advertising

By Tammy Embrich

Signature advertising has proven to be an excellent (free) advertising source for online marketers today.

What is a signature? A signature is a block of text at the end of your forum/newsgroup messages or emails. It includes your name, a brief blurb or saying about you and/or your business, and a link to your website or business.

What is signature advertising? Signature advertising is simply including your signature in your postings on forums/newsgroups and at the end of any emails you send out. It is a proven fact that about 75% of people surfing the Internet today will click on your signature links. And it's 100% free advertising!

To make the most out of signature advertising, (if you intend on advertising through message forums or newsgroups), you need to subscribe to as many of them as possible that relate to your website or business. Always make for sure you read the posting and signature rules on each forum you join...important! If rules are not followed, you could be banned permanently.

Once you have joined the forums, don't forget to create your signature.

Important Note: Always make sure you have "always include your signature" ticked on all your profiles in each of the forums. This way, your signature will always automatically appear after all your posts. Also always make for sure you follow the character length rules in your signature in all forums.

Catchy Link Titles
It is important to have catchy link titles in your signatures to entice the members to click on your links. Try different ones....create link titles with short word phrases that relate to your website or business. Signature advertising has proven to be effective over and over again, especially in message forums. Try and make your links as creative as possible, to try and perk the readers attention and make them want to click on your link.

In message forums (related to your website or business) start out by participating in conversations... answering questions, sharing advice/tips, welcoming new members to the forums, and just having fun getting to know the other forum members. There is usually a folder in the forums where you are allowed to enter your ad for your website or business promotion. Please always read any rules for those ad postings.

Important Note: It is always important to begin in each forum by FIRST... introducing yourself and telling a little about your business and what you do from home. In this introduction, leave out any ads. The Introduction folder in message forums is for getting to know other members and sharing a little bit about yourself and is not intended for ads. If you do include an ad or affiliate link in the Introduction folders, it will most likely be deleted by the administrator.

Another effective signature advertising method is including your signature with a link to your website or business at the end of all of your outgoing email messages. You will be surprised at how many people click on these links.

Once you get a good amount of signature links out there in the public eye, you will soon discover more and more traffic to your website. This could mean sales for your business, someone interested in networking with you...a number of things.

Wishing you much success in your online business endeavors...and Happy Posting!

About The Author
Tammy Embrich is an Internet Marketer and is the owner of www.onestopwebemployment.com and www.real-wah-jobs.com Tammy's two WAH websites focus on free telecommute job leads and more.

Using Internet Social Media For Small Business Marketing

By April Boone

The Internet has proved to be the biggest marketing tool by itself for small businesses and large corporations alike. In fact, everyone who has any sort of product or service to sell approaches the internet for prime marketing. It has, in the last two decades, become the cheapest means of reaching a target audience without having to pay through the nose, as many companies were wont to do before its advent.

The internet is an autonomous entity that contains more than merely web pages or web masters. It's more than any one person can imagine, with a vast number of websites which number in the millions. More than one billion people get online everyday, either to check mail, or surf the net, or perform research. And out of these, most get on the social websites to meet new people and have a good time. This is where you come in.

As a small business owner, networking is extremely important for your business. Websites such as Facebook, Stumbleupon, Digg, Twitter are social communication websites which offer you a wide platform for increasing publicity for your site. How do you do this? Simple.

Let us first have a look at how Facebook serves as your marketing platform. It's called the Facebook economy. Everyone who knows anyone is on it. First step: Register. Build your business profile on it. And then network like crazy. Get into Make New Friends, register your website or blog on it, join all business ventures related to your field, socialize and make a name for yourself. You'll soon see increased traffic on your actual website (Did I mention you need to have your own website? Not for Facebook, but so people can see what you're selling.)

Twitter is another form of social communication media that can get you places. All you need is a following. Twitter operates on the What Are You Doing Right Now phrase. Sign up, and get a following. It's the ideal way to market yourself and your business. Twitter is home to millions of twitterers. Be one too.

There are many other social media out there. Get onto them, figure out how they work, and get marketing. If you have to spend two hours each day on advertising your website, why not do it in the most efficient way? So start today.

About the Author
April Boone is the owner of Global Marketing Solutions. Get more about small business issues at FreelanceSprout.com

Choose the MLM Business That Fits Your Personality

By Ronda Tuckness

If you do not choose the MLM business that fits your personality, you will not last long in the business. If you are forced to do things that you detest in order to build your business, you will never be successful.

Here is a perfect example. I do not like home parties. I don't like jewelry parties, home decor parties, makeup parties, candle parties, or kitchen gadget parties. I would rather have a root canal than attend one of these functions.

Therefore, joining an MLM company that is based on home parties would be a foolish thing for me to do. Home parties are an option in my company, but they are not mandatory. Other distributors say that we should all participate in at least a few of these in order to be able to train new distributors.

I wholeheartedly disagree. Our company provides detailed training in home parties just as it does with other areas of our business. Why should I feel obligated to try each and every method that my company recommends? The answer is simple: I don't.

Most people will simply not join a business opportunity that mandates how they should run their business. I would never join a home party business when my only interest is in building online.

On the other hand, for those of you who love home parties, then that type of business is perfect for you. You will do well because you will enjoy what you do. Those who attend your parties will see your excitement and it will be contagious.

There are companies who teach their distributors to approach their friends and family, or their warm market. My company recommends it, but I don't spend much time on it. I have set up an email signature with a little blurb about my business. I also have a web decal on the back window of my car with my website address.

As a result of these two things, my friends and family know about my business. I never had to approach them and make them uncomfortable because I told them about my new candle business. Even if you don't ask for a sale when mentioning your new home business, it is inferred in your message.

If my warm market is interested, they contact me and ask me questions about my products or my business. It is true both with your warm and cold market; prospects that come to you are better prospects.

You have something that interests them, and they have come to you either for information or to make a purchase. I am not a salesman, and I never wanted to be. I will never push sales of any kind for any reason, so I just do things my way.

My way is to provide valuable information on my personal website. I use article writing, ad placement, forum posting, a blog, an email signature, and various other things to drive traffic to my site. Those who find something interesting on my website then contact me, and the relationship begins.

I am in this business because I enjoy it. If I didn't, I would have quit long ago. You should enjoy it, too. Do not practice any marketing methods that you are not comfortable with. Some will disagree because they think that you should step out of your comfort zone.

While this may be true to an extent, it can also cause you enough panic and discomfort that you decide to quit. If you choose the MLM that fits your personality, you will be much more likely to stay in the game.

About The Author
Ronda Tuckness is involved in network marketing through her gourmet candle business. She hopes to educate others with what she has learned. Learn more about MLM at her website, http://www.FlamingSoy.com

Sequencing - If I Knew Then What I Know Now

By Judy H. Wright

To: Those who come after us, with us or beside us
RE: What I have learned from my life journey

Sequencing is the one word that sums up what I know to be true. It took me some time to really "get it." It being that you can have, be and accomplish anything you want in life, but not all at one time. Living in anticipation of this season to be over so that you can find happiness in the next is a fallacy and prime breeding ground for resentment and stomachaches.

Rushing through school, so I could enjoy vacation, I got the education, but sometimes missed the wisdom. Eager to start real life, I sometimes overlooked life lessons. Wishing the babies would get potty trained so I would be more mobile, I sometimes forgot staying home was okay. Hoping they would pass the driver's license test so I wouldn't have to drive them everywhere, I suddenly realized the drive was the best communication model available. Hungry for a promotion at work, so I could climb higher on a ladder leaning against an institution I didn’t even like, I woke up to my real passion, and it wasn’t Corporate America.

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Sure I was busy, but was I productive? Was it imperative to be on so many boards and involved in so many organizations in order to hurry change? Why was I so annoyed when others didn't see the same vision I had? Was I impatient to pluck what had been planted, before it had fully matured? My greatest crop has been fine children who like themselves and each other. My marriage is solid and our retirement is secure. In terms of worldly accomplishments and acclaim, I have done well. But, I forgot to enjoy myself along the way.

Hasty at waiting for the "real stuff" to happen, I frequently neglected to savor the season. Now I know that all the good things would have happened anyway, just a little later in my life. Now, I know that there is time to take walks with a friend and not be afraid to miss the boat. There will be another one coming along soon, and it might be headed to a far better destination than any of us could have ever imagined.

My advice to you, my dear friends: You have plenty of time to do all that you were destined to do. Climb in the rowboat, but don't be so concerned about steering or paddling against the current. Relax, and enjoy the scenery and the season. You will get where you want to be soon enough by just going with the flow and trusting that you are where you need to be, doing what you need to be doing and learning what you need to be learning right now.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

About the Author
As we all work on becoming better people tomorrow than we are today, we can use assistance. If you are interested in learning more about the power of encouragement, receive a free eBook by clicking on www.UseEncouragingWords.com this book was written by Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke, the storytelling trainer who conducts workshops on mutual respect and kindness. To join her teleclass series or see the other books and articles available see www.ArtichokePress.com Join us at we find the heart of the story in the journey of life.

What Is RIGHT About Network Marketing?

Copyright © 2008 by Sue Seward.
All Rights Reserved.

Network Marketing is one of the only industries that actually gives a person the chance to take back the American dream.

It allows someone like myself who barely made it out of high school, who went to college and dropped out to go to work - to build a credible career that pays as much or more than a lot of people who have college degrees earn and pays you even when you're not able to work! Where else can someone earn an income even if they cannot work with the exception of government assistance?

In network marketing though it's earned and not because someone is giving a handout. Instead of giving people an apple to feed them for one day teach people to plant an apple orchard and feed them for life.

The industry gives someone like myself with no experience, no income, no credibility, no contacts, no confidence, no corporate background or degrees, incredible leadership growth and experience which is priceless! So even if it was all lost today it could be done all over again because of the self-development and experience gained from being a part of this industry. How can something be wrong about that?

There's absolutely everything right about Network Marketing for the people who see it for what it really is and start treating it like the real business it really is meant to be.

So many people get into Network Marketing with the ole 'I'll give it a try' attitude. They never set their enterprise up like a real business entity right from the start so it's never treated like a real business.

Network Marketing is really treated more like a hobby by many people who for the most part it doesn't have much significance or priority for them. Others outside our industry pick up on that attitude and do not take these people serious and then they wonder why people poke fun and complain about what's wrong with network marketing?

People get started and you hear them saying you mean there's an investment in this and in myself? What happens is they never really get started right in the first place and end up quitting because they simply cannot handle delayed gratification.

Entrepreneurs invest in themselves and work for no pay for many years. They understand and can handle delayed gratification because they realize that the eventual pay off can be huge. Sometimes they have losses and they overcome those too and do it all over again. They have a business minded attitude, they act and present themselves as professionals. People and business are attracted to them.

It's up to the leaders in this industry to show professionalism to our teams and to the entire industry at all times. That also means to not bash another person's company or product or try and talk them into or convince them to join yours when they are not interested. When people decide not to build their belief in themselves and the industry they simply will not build a profitable business and then turn around and say something must be wrong with the entire industry.

It's not the industry that has the flaw, it's some of the people who tout it as easy and get rich quick to people who are cash addicted and have no priority for running a business in the first place because they never treat it like one right from the start.

My husband went to school for years, got his degree and studied for his professional license for many years and ended up with professional land surveyor licenses in five states. I remember all those grueling hours of study he had to do to accomplish this.

If he was to start a survey business it would cost us in the 100's of thousands of dollars just for all the equipment needed, office space, employees, benefits to them, etc. It would take years to see a profit and if the economy is slow there's no work and people start to be laid off!

When we brought our son James to Austin to play tennis almost a year ago he was a very weak player, a pudgy 14 year old who was 30 pounds heavier, who they had to take and mold like a piece of clay. He has had to work very hard to compete here with these kids who have been playing tennis at the academy, many of them since they were six or eight years old. Most of them are way ahead of him. He has made it this far because he has a sincere desire to become one of the top players and obtain a college scholarship. His coach said he has to do even more and it has to do mostly with his attitude to win!

For many months we thought that we had made a mistake and were wasting all this money because we just were not seeing him winning the matches and moving up in levels. It has been grueling to watch him lose match after match. Not really realizing that he's right on target with his training!

At the end of the year party we were shocked to hear that our son was giving the end of the year speech! If you all knew James you'd know he's extremely quite and shy. He barely speaks in school. He took the challenge the coach gave him and we had tears of joy when he gave his speech loud and clear in front of over 50 people including his peers! That took a tremendous amount of courage and it gave us hope and reassurance that we've done the right thing by bringing him to Austin to play tennis!

There are people who drop out of the academy because they don't see the progress quick enough. The coaches told us that by what our son is doing now we'll see the results in four more months. What he did four months ago we're seeing right now! It's amazing to see the leader he's becoming and it's taken a huge amount of sacrifice and investment for our family to give him this opportunity! In fact, if it were not for network marketing he would not have this opportunity in the first place.

It's the same with our network marketing business. When we do all the right things now we will see the positive results come back to us in the near future. Three to four years and even five years is not much time really to invest in the freedom that network marketing provides and that my friends is what is so RIGHT about network marketing!

I'm proud of our son, love being a Network Marketer and so proud to be an American and appreciate all that network marketing has given and also excited about what we can all give back to the greatest industry in the world because they are all watching us guys and gals! Remember this saying by Ralph Waldo Emerson? "What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say."

Where you are now is because of decisions you made five years ago. Where you'll be in the next five years will be because of decisions you make TODAY!

About the Author
Sue Seward is an entrepreneur, Network Marketing Online Coach and top income earner in the industry, who has been working from home online since 1996. She encourages self-growth and teaches people how to develop valuable connections online and turn them into long term relationships for building a home-based enterprise. She is also a public speaker and published author of numerous print and electronic articles as well as coauthor of the book 'Build It Big: 101 Insider Secrets From Top Direct Selling Experts'. To find out more visit http://www.SueSeward.com and/or call 800-985-4697.