Master Your Marketing

Direct Sales vs. Network Marketing

2011-08-30T18:40:00.000-05:00

It's the age old question of which is better, Direct Sales or Network Marketing. Thanks to early multi-level marketing companies, the government has some pretty strict rules for both direct selling and network marketing.

Most direct selling companies have gone to a multi-level profit system just like the network marketing companies, whereby you receive profits on the sales of others in your team. Direct Sales companies focus on creating sales through a party plan format. If you are looking to start this type of home business, be sure to review their requirements for minimum parties and sales for the monthly bonuses.

Network Marketing is focused on creating sales through personal contact with customers and relationship building. Again, some companies have requirements to stay qualified and receive bonuses.

I personally have done both, and enjoy both formats of selling. Direct Sales does work better when you are in a populated setting. It is much more difficult in rural settings. Choose a company and sales format that fits your lifestyle and time alotments.

Home Based Business Keys

2011-07-25T16:59:00.005-05:00

These three main keys to running a successful Home Based Business will help you either make it or break it.

1. Treat it like a real business. "Playing" at working a business will never make it profitable. Be serious about your immediate goals, and your long term goals. Don't have any? Shame on you! You will not be profitable flying by the seat of your pants.

2. Be focused. Plan your Work and Work your plan. Most of us never took business courses or classes. Maybe we decided to start this business on a shoestring, with no "Business Plan" laid out. Decide now how much of your current income you are willing to invest in your Home Based Business. If you did not go out and get a loan for start up costs, they will have to come out of your household budget. Making that decision now, will save lots of grief down the road.

3. Be diligent about setting aside time to work your business at home. Snatching internet time or phone time in between running errands or diaper changes, will not add to your success. If nap time and quiet time are still part of your youngsters life, use that time productively. One spouse watch the children in the evening so that serious work can be done then. It is easy to get sidetracked during the day if you are alone with no kids. Don't let that fool you into laziness. Write your daily "Business Tasks" every day, and stick to it. If you are going to post on a blog once a week, set aside time to write it and post it. If you are going to make a handmade product, be certain to work on it a bit each day, depending on its size or meduim.

This isn't Tara and we shouldn't be Scarlet O'Hara saying "Tomorrow, tomorrow is another day!"

5 Deadliest Mistakes First Time Network Marketers Make

2011-07-23T13:50:00.004-05:00

You remember those first days? You were so excited you could hardly contain yourself. You Told everyone you knew all about YOUR new business. You TOLD them how easy it was, and cheap, you couldn't believe it! You TOLD them the products were fantastic, never before seen. You TOLD them they should sign up like you did.

Are you getting the idea here? You were so excited, you jumped in head first!
Mistake #1.....The first mistake new network marketers do is to not train with a more experienced networker.

Mistake #2..... Not being prepared to be "in Business". You bought the simple, cheapo business kit. But if it didn't come with brochures, business cards and labels, you are throwing your money down the drain. Not having the right tools to do business, is not being in business.

Mistake #3....Organized Chaos. You know the feeling, always hurrying up to get stuff done, but never finishing or completing tasks. Can't find that last order, can't find those names.

Mistake #4.....Treating your new business like it's your new baby. You are new to this business model. Where do you start? Never did this before, how do I do it? Oh, I'll just do it like I want to or have time to.

Mistake #5....Not being a TEAM player. Network Marketing is a Team Building business.

If you have already made all these mistakes, it's not to late to start a new page...do it right this time.

See You At The Top

What Next?

2011-07-23T12:24:00.003-05:00

Well, you finally did it! With the uncertain economy, everyone has been telling you to get a Plan B. After looking at several options, like slinging hamburgers, or scrubbing floors, you have decided to start your own home business. Your friend introduced you to Network Marketing, and after getting past your silly beliefs that it is illegal and a scam, you see that it is a legitimate, dynamic business model, and start up costs are way less than a traditional business model of a storefront with inventory and website. With less than $500 start up costs, you are now in business.

You sign up, purchase your business kit, settling on the $500 kit to maximize your profits right away. You start using the products and find good results with them. You intend to sell the extra product to recoupe and make immediate profits.

Now you start down the road to sharing this exceptional business and product with your friends and family. Some are polite and buy some to try. Others keep asking for more free samples, because, well, they are free to them. You gain a customer or two, and maybe find two eager souls ready to jump on board.

Now in your third month or a mere 10-12 weeks, things have dried up. Those that made a purchase never signed up for autoship, which creates a steady income for you. Those that signed up never purchased their business kit, and therefore are not even in the loop yet. Oh yes, and Ole Uncle Fred keeps asking for more free samples.

You are tired of pestering people, tired of everyone running away from you when they see you coming at a family event? And yes, you are frustrated as to where to turn next. You most likely are ready to quit!

Well, here, we will give you tips and ideas on how to grow this type of business, or any type of business for that matter, because even if you had started a bricks and stone storefront style business, you would be foolish to think your friends and family would be your only customers. AND you have to be certain it is in a high focused retail setting to get lots of street traffic.

Start learning here, we gather the best of marketing world, and bring it down to scale for your needs. Take our advice, do what we tell you and you will find your joy in running your own business.

See You At The Top!