Some REAL TALK (facts) about MLM...... Why its tough to really make good money!

Ask yourself this question (particularly if you have been working with MLM)......

• What is the average time your clients STAY with your business?
• Are you constantly, replacing clients that dropped out with NEW ones?

   I know there are die-hard MLM fans out there but, really, there is a disturbing truth behind this question! And many folks involved in this industry.....know the truth!

   In my last entry, I talked about the worth of working from home as an Internet marketer. One word that should stand out is "EFFORT". There are many reason why people fail in this industry.....lack of effort is only one of them.

   Why, because most are "recruited" under the pretense that it only require a few hours of work. After a few attempts with little response they are ready to throw in the towel. But MLM type companies have many other issues as well.

   Before I begin this article, I want to be perfectly clear, This is not an attempt to undermine or put down MLM as a home based business opportunity. I have (in the past) marketed some MLM companies and would most likely (under the right conditions) market some in the future.

*These participation usually pertain to products or services that will benefit your online business!*

Keywords being an actual product and/or service (to an end user)!

TIP: See what a few marketer in this industry do not understand is that many of the techniques.products & services use to promote MLM type businesses can be use to build other types of legitimate online business.

   However, there are some real facts based on a number of years that I have spent....dealing with, participating in & research of MLM companies over those years.
Once again, this is not an blog that is meant to degrade MLM, but as an aid to those who maybe looking into, wondering why they are not succeeding in their MLM business..

   First, over the years, they're  people who have made plenty of money in MLM companies. Truth is the basis of MLM structure is that of traditional business model. A typical corporation will have a CEO or President at the top, then their directors, the directors have their managers, and the managers have their supervisors, and the supervisors have their foreman's who have workers that do the work!

   The structure of MLM is at it's basic.... build upon this platform. A crude platform but today, I'm not here to discuss in-depth MLM structure. Whether the inherent facts that are embedded in every MLM!

Some real talk when it comes to marketing MLM companies.

In my first months of market online as a real business, meaning that, even though I had done some direct marketing in the early 90's. I was still wet behind the ears when I became interested in internet marketing.  (After some research), I understood that money could be make with hard work & effort. See there were certain aspect of direct marketing that taught me much about MLM type business at that point!

TIP>>> Truely, one really simple fact.......You will have a much higher success rate (% wise) when you have an actually product or service to sale to an end user.....a customer!

Even with that wisdom in mind I began using the trainings, paying for online/offline advertising, buying leads trying to convince prospects to join or stay in  my businesses. The income from commissions was still less than my R.O.I. (Return On Investment). I was truthful in my presentations, careful not to hype products or services excessively ( I'm turned off by this types of tactics of advertising myself), willing to build relationships etc., yet I kept losing my clients. The harder I seemed to work didn't seem to stop my rollercoaster ride in building my MLM business.

There is a reason for this.

Now this was a few years ago. I've seeked, explored & have learned so much more!
Nowadays, there are 2-3 times more of these MLM type businesses and more every month.

Seriously,  financially, the odds for an individual to achieve financial success is against them straight out the gate.

For one, MLM are not defined nor regulated like say, franchises are. MLMs can be established without federal or state approval. There are no federal law specifically against MLM with many of them in fact being nothing more than an pyramid schemes in disguise. Not all but many are floating around out there!

MLM, just like pyramid schemes, generate income from those continuous influx of new distributors at the bottom that goes straigh to the top and that profits those in top level positions & their sponsoring corporations.

Fact ~ one the largest MLM, Amway, of all distributors they only produce 1/2 of 1% of basic "direct" distributor level, with an average income from those Amway distributors being about $40 a month. Where do you think ALL of that revenue from the other 99 1/2% went too???

And think about this ( if you do any amount of research or even just looking for a business) You are likely to find these businesses, at one point will claim that there are X amount of people enrolled in their business. Usually some number of thousands of  other distributors who are trying to make money just like you.

 Which brings upon another fact......

Market saturation! The simple fact is that even the most successful products will have only partial market penetration.
Huh???  LOOK....not everyone will buy, say, a PS3(Playstation3), some will buy the Xbox! Not everyone will buy a GMC cars some will buy Toyota.

Yet, these MLM companies have 10s of thousands of distributors. Is there a cut-off when enough sales people are hired? In a traditional business, there is someone that says, "We have enough, let's stop hiring people at this point." But in most MLM, there is no way to do this. An MLM continues to saturate the market. Out of control by design, this will eat up the lower level distributors money, time, credibility, and entrepreneurial energy of well-meaningful people who joined merely to supplement their income.

Some of these businesses are primarily in the business to continuously enroll distributors with little focus on products or services retailed towards consumers (an end user). Unless, of course, it benefit their company (and/or other business venture). Things like leads generation programs, auto responders, splashpages etc., ( Which again does what.......benefit top level participants).

   BIGGEST mis-conception about MLM is it can be done  in your spare time. As a business, it offers the greatest flexibility and personal freedom of time. A few hours a week can earn a significant supplemental income and may grow to a very large income making other work unnecessary.

Come on, now really.......I understand this business of advertising.

Example: You go to one of these fast food joints, We look at the menu, and boy those pictures makes you want to eat the menu. When ever, has your burger, sandwich ever come to you looking like it does on the menu? So yes, there is always a bit of hype (exaggeration) in advertising, commercials. This is or has been reasonably except-able. MLM companies or their distributors on the other hand, sometime really do over do it. Many times bordering false advertising. Which is almost always cover by the fine print - disclaimers!

   Decades of experience involving millions of people have proven that successful entrepreneurs who make even a reasonable amount of return on their investment ~ requires extraordinary time, commitment as well as hard work, effort & persistence.

Which is WHY people drop out of they're respective business.

   It’s sad that 90-95% of all home businesses (mlm and network marketing) fail to produce a substantial income (if any income at all). And this is well documented. The remaining 5% are considered to be the home business or internet “guru’s” who make ALL THE MONEY! 

Top level participants

   Most people begin and end their MLM career only talking to a few family members and friends. That is the extent of their lead generation, their marketing campaign. Their effort to run a business. Clearly, any serious network marketer or business owner cannot build a sustainable income like this.

   Truth is these guru's can claim they built their massive organization nearly over night, however, it took them years of building teams through affiliations with numerous other MLM companies. After years of building relationships with hundreds or thousands of distributors, these top producer can switch companies, contact their down-line (list). . . have what seems like an overnight success.

   Choosing the wrong product, a weak compensation plan, the wrong team or the wrong lead generation system are other reasons you will fail in this MLM and network marketing arena.

   Strategic planning, organizing and goal setting are all a major parts of running a successful business, whether at home or in a traditional business.

The exact nature of your internet marketing activity will depend on the following things:

   - What do you want to achieve?
   - How you are going to achieve it?
   - How much you are willing to invest?
   - Are you willing to dig in and work hard towards your goal/dream?

TIP>>> Understand that most home business entrepreneur and network marketers are ALREADY in business for themselves. They already have a business opportunity, or affiliate program, and don’t want to hear about yours. So don't spend alot of time or effort in that direction!

(Don't believe or understand this statement.....take a look at your inbox of your email, social networking etc.,)
How many opportunities do you pass up?

   Ok, the question at the beginning of this entry "What is the average time your clients STAY with your business?"

   After an intense research...... There seems to be no actual hard data, giving the nature of many MLM business over the last decade. With no real state or federal regulations in place and many company's being fly-by-night operations. True data can only be calculated through numbers provided to the IRA by up-front companies who reps are required to provide their social security number for tax purposes.

 * Roughly 70-75% of new start-up MLM companies fold after the first year

    * Nearly  60% of sign-ups to an online business cancel after the 1st month
                 * Nearly 80-85% after the 3rd month                                                        

                                              

   Again, many many MLM. network marketer understand that there is a very high turn-over ratio in this industry. Granted that you have been networking for a little bit, it is easy to see.
I know I  do.


Visit these sites for some interesting topics on MLM

 http://pyramidschemealert.org/

 http://www.falseprofits.com/FalseProfitsBlog.html

 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4375477/

 http://www.mlm-thetruth.com/

 http://www.mlmwatch.org/

   Hope that you find this piece of value to your online endeavors. Also remember to really focus on the basic of marketing online. When you take care and have a solid foundation of the essential working of marketing online. Many of the pitfalls can be avoided.

   Find your own groove or niche, that is how a true entrepreneurs succeeds. Think outside the box. If you need and want to work successfully from home/online you've got to be willing to adjust, work hard and stay informed.

Sincerely,
Andrew

REAL TALK

Copyright © 2010 Andrew Hayes All Rights Reserved

Is It Worth The Effort To Pursue An Online Business?

This was a question I came across in an forum -

My reply

   As a single parent, the rewards from being able to work from home online is just that, (my) rewards. I got into this industry, because I foreseen the direction it could go. A technology that could allow me to work and get paid. Like I know I have to. Just in a different manner. A format that was in it's infant stages. The Internet!

Looking over many of the comments. People should take notice of some of the points touch upon there. 

Yes, there are so many others out there that claim (act like) they are making so much money in such a short period of time, that it really does give the hard working internet entrepreneur a bad rap.

   People have a hard time believing whats really a true (good) opportunity and/or advise. Unless, one has 10's of thousand of clients in their database aka their list upfront. It will take up to as much as 12 months & as many hour as you can get in a day, to actually see a return on your investment of time & $$$. Even then one main misconception in this industry is, even after you have built your list, even after having a steady flow of inbound clients/reps, there is NO WAY, that you can work it for just a few hour a day and really expect to continue building wealth from your online endeavor.

TIP>>> Between e-mails, articles, blogs, website updates it will be a full-time business, point blank!

   Remember this is your business and when you treat it less than that, it will treat you the same way. So, what is the benefit.....you work for you, on your time , at your own speed and with today's technology, where you want to work from!

Continued success through hard work & education,
Andrew "1stPeacemaker" Hayes

REAL TALK

Copyright © 2010 Andrew Hayes All Rights Reserved

Networking - Understanding personalities that builds relationships

   One of the most important relationship-building tools you can employ in any profession is Networking, it allows you to build a fellowship with other professionals. It allows you to develop successful partnerships, and creates a crucial presence in an individual or business. Also known as "BRANDING"

   The first thing you need to do is make yourself valuable. Do some research. The information that you bring to the table shows that you are working to keep yourself updated and that you can be a valuable asset. Keep the communication to the point and professional.

   Getting to know & understanding your clients personality is key to building a personal & professional relationship.

You have essentially 4 type of characteristics, but understand that not everyone falls purely within any one of these particular group.

    1) Lets start with the DISCIPLINED ones. They like to analyzes things, conversations, and situations without really thinking about it, it just comes naturally to them. Meticulous and loyal, but not much of a talker, they need time to think and evaluate your offer, so simply give them the information, give them time to think about it, then get back to them....follow up. Then ask them if they read or watched what you gave them, and ask them about it, if they have questions, you have to be very professional, answer their questions, and tell them you value their opinion, make sure you use words and sentences like: trust me, amazing, beautiful, awesome! Give them as much info as you can.

    2) Lets call them AMBITIOUS -- confident, and result-oriented, multi-tasking come naturally to them: talking business on a cell, typing, checking their e-mails.. all at the same time, "driven", and they are willing to work long and hard to go where they want to go, and they will succeed! Remember they are results-oriented. So talk about the results they will get if they use/take your product/services, they want to know what it will do, how and when! They are very strict, so you have to be very precise when answering their questions...if you don't know the answer, just tell them you don't know, but you can get the info and will get back to them with the answer......Then do it. don't leave them hanging!

    3) I like this one, we will call them PEACEMAKERS or DIPLOMATS -- this personality doesn't like conflicts, arguments or fights, they would whether have everything organized. They usually have a really good sense of humor, optimism, and a really interesting way of thinking. They can blend really well in most situations or groups, they are easygoing and also sensitive and in touch with their emotions, So when you talk to them about your product/service you should ask them what they think, they will not tell you. And ask them the right questions at the right time and you will collect the information promptly.

    4) We'll call these DYNAMIC -- everyone notices these personalities. They are the ones that stand out in a crowd. They are energetic and love talking. They are usually fun to be around because they are enthusiastic, active, changing and love to have a good time. They also love to be in the spotlight, the center of attention. They are optimistic and cheerful people. So you have to be upbeat & savvy. They are usually into the latest, greatest & best of everything. If your product/service is the newest, hottest item out, talk to them in that manner. Usually they are impulsive buyers, so armed with the right info they will buy from you on the spot.

These types of personalities will fall within 6 category:

1. - Realistic : are hands-on when it comes to problems and solutions. They enjoy outdoor work, including working with plants, animals, wood, tools and machinery. Many realistic personalities do not enjoy handling a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. They prefer to get the work done themselves.
2. - Artistic : like working with forms, designs and patterns. They like self-expression in their work and prefer less-structured settings without following a clear set of rules. More likely to be entrepreneurs, own their own business and the such.
3. - Investigative : prefer ideas and thinking over physical activity. They like to search for facts and figures and solve problems mentally, preferring these types of tasks over persuading or leading people.
4. - Social : like working, communicating and teaching people. They like to assist others and promote learning and personal development, preferring to communicate over working.
5. - Conventional : prefer work activities with set rules and procedures. They prefer working with details and data over working with ideas. They like precise standards and having a clear line of authority to follow.
6. - Enterprising : like to start up and carry out projects, especially business ventures. They like to lead people and make decisions, and prefer action over extensive thought.
   Getting to understand the way your client thinks, can open up the dialog needed to bring that person into your circle. You want to find out what's most important to your client. Take a little time to discover your clients needs, desires and expectations. Being able to better understand what motivates them and being able to recognize how to effectively deal with others can go along way. When people understand and connect with one another, they help each other get the job done.

Also when it come to building relationship & networking:

   E-mails are great and goes a long way to building a foundation, but try to meet and/or talk to them via phone 
(nowadays with video conference ~ a visual connection is just as good) or with a face to face meeting. Its more personal and you have a much better chance of that person remember you. 

Networking is about building relationships, so don't be afraid to communicate.

REAL TALK

Copyright © 2010 Andrew Hayes All Rights Reserved

Steps taken to have your Blogs Web Presence: Getting Set-up & Connected

 

Steps taken to have your Blogs web presence:

 Getting Set-up & Connected

   As I layout these guidelines, note the importance that each step has in relation to the relevant theme of said topic.

   Hopefully, you have already put some thought into the subject matter that you plan on spreading across the web. Be sure to focus on the future direction you hope to take with your blog. Today, you are laying the foundation for bigger and better inter-action with your targeted audience.

   Remember, come up with your own  subject. I am using this as example.....

• You may have an expertise in a particular career field; 
• It may be arts & crafts 
• Hobbies that you want to showcase or of course  
• Some kind of product, service or information as a business

   Your blog will be use to bring awareness, connections (links) & contacts to your internet presence.

   I have taken a long standing passion about our wildlife and have started an informational blog on the plight of our environment and its effect on wildlife & our children’s' future on this planet.

BLOG started weekend of December 12th/13th, 2009

http://www.sowsaveourwildlife.com

   Understand that I have already collected data (information) over the years (some of you may already know of my love for lions & (tigers)

I have a plan on why, how and where I’m going with this blog already established.

  

Essential steps

  

(1st)  

We want to establish some e-mail addresses:

·                    gmail.com

·                    yahoo.com

·                    There are many others, so whatever you are comfortable with will work.

   I personal like google, simply because of the many options including search engine related avenues.

  

   You will need these for opening up several accounts including your Blog.

   Pay close attention to the names of your address. Get e-mail addresses that reflect the theme of your blog. 

  

My email addresses to new blog -

·          sowsaveourwildlife@gmail.com 

  

   These addresses play a vital role in the development of your blog. They will be linked to and from your social networking site...Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and any other promotions that you will do.

  

(2nd) 

Choose a Blog platform:

·                    Blogger.com

·                    wordpress.org

·                    Bravenet.com

·                    Typepad.com

   Again, I choose Blogger (another google related venture). Because of ease of use, it's well-established, google friendly & its many options *mobile & tech applications (apps.), etc.* 

(3rd) 

Naming your blog:

   Put serious thought into your name & title of your blog (and website)! This can be a bit tricky. As you want the names, titles, e-mail addresses to coincide not only with each other, but also with your social networking sites name and/or titles. 

  

Here’s what I name my (example)Blog:

·                    SOW-SaveOurWildlife

(4th) 

Content:

Now its time to add content to your blog...this should include text, images & video.

IMPORTANT -- Stay relevant to the theme of your blog (Don’t name your blog "All about Pool" then write about football.

·                    Researching the internet will yield you all the information needed.

·                    If you need images the internet is full of royalty- free pictures

·                    Youtube.com  has many many video clips 

  

(5th) 

Get connected.....

Begin to let the outside world KNOW you are ONLINE! 

Set-up accounts on Social networking site:

  

      

Twitter  -- http://twitter.com/SOWsaveourwild  

Facebook -- http://www.facebook.com/SowSaveOurWildlife

Myspace -- http://www.myspace.com/sowsaveourwildlife

                     

Linkedin -- http://www.Linkedin.com/in/wehit 

  *  Look for social networking sites that specialize in your            particular area of expertise *

  

Submit your blog to blog directories

Optional but recommended :

·                    Set-up google account

·                    (gmail)

·                    Google adsense

There are many excellent reasons to have a google account, simply..........

Because you are online

Google is the major player when it comes to establishing an online presence.

Final Note:

    As you can see from e-mail to social networking sites Words that will be used in my blog are apart of my Title, email address, social networking site name. This is extremely important because now you have multiple links tied to your blog using KEYWORD or KEYWORD PHRASES.

   This makes it much easier for your site to be pick up by Google, yahoo, MSN, Bing and hundred s of other search engines.

   People that you have targeted, should be using those types of words in search engine boxes, allowing extra visitors to your blog.

   Now as you continue to add content to your blog, as you gather a following through your social networking sites, adding links relevant to your blog. Your online presence will continue to grow.

All at little or NO cost!  

REAL TALK

Copyright © 2010 Andrew Hayes All Rights Reserved

Easy steps to QUICKLY entering the world of Home based ONLINE business - With no cost!

                       EXCELLENT Resources on DVDS:  Watch when you have the time!
             

   The whole idea and purpose behind operating a online business is simply to make money. To do this & build a successful business, you must have the outside world know that you have a product, services or information to offer them......online!
  Believe me, there is an endless list of avenues to start your journey, but there is a simply and inexpensive way to build get your name recognition or as it is referred to your BRAND - your business reputation.
 It's call Blog or Blogging.

• WHAT IS A BLOG?

   Web Journals (Web-Log) - With a blog you can upload daily posts about anything that you want. Pictures, videos and other information can be uploaded on to your blog. Some people create personal blogs as a way to keep in touch with family members. But nowadays, blogs & bloggers are not just for personal journals.....internet marketer have discovered a powerful tool that allows businesses to connect with an audience quickly and efficiently. Everyone & anyone can have a blog created in a just short time. You can establish a personal connection with your targeted audience. It will however, take effort and frequent updates by adding new quality content to your site daily or weekly.

   As we explore the use of blogs as a inexpensive starting point to your online business.
You should be looking into a  way to show off your expertise or hobby and also make a little money while doing it, by starting a blog. You can always move on to a website and use your blog as part of your marketing strategy afterwards. (More on that , later!)   How would you feel, to do something that you love and can make a living from it?

   I have pointed out in earlier blogs, that we must first figure out what you will market? What is your passion? Do you know about something that others are interested in?

   As a baby boomer, over the course of my career, I have had the benefit of doing many different activities, learning different skills....whether it was from working, traveling or hobbies. And I am now turning some of them into a way to make extra income. Many of you have at least one skill or expertise ( you make not even have thought about this) that you have done on the side (hobbies, interests, arts & crafts, sports, music, etc.,). Maybe something you have done from being employed for many years. And you have always had a passion for a particular segment of that jobs. This can be your niche. 

LOOK...just start a blog about it!

   Provide quality and unique content about this passion or interest, the traffic will come and your blog visits will start to grow. With the help of some very simply internet marketing strategies, one person connect with two people, those people tell two more and so on and so........!

There are many FREE blogging platforms to use if you are new to this.

Sites like:
• Blogger.com,
• Wordpress.org,
• Blogspot.com
• Typepad
• Bravenet, with many others across the web

   How can you make money from blogs? Once you have built a following with interesting & quality content. Your visitors will see that you have a product (arts & crafts, maybe an E-book on your expertise or service) you can provide them.

You can also add these income generating strategies like
:• Google AdSense
• Selling Advertising
• Affiliate Marketing - Get paid for all products sold through your blog.

Sites that pay you to blog!
• American Consumer Opinion Panel- Place banners on your blog, get paid $0.50 per person that signs up
• b5Media- Get paid to write about what you love.
• Linkpost- They pay up to 70% per post. Receive payments monthly by paypal, check, or direct deposit.
• Pay Per Post- This site offers you the opportunity to complete tasks
• PayU2Blog- Get paid per post.
• ReviewMe- Get paid from $20-$200 to review products and services on your blog.
• Smorty- Get paid to write your opinion about people, products, and services. Get paid weekly.

   In up and coming blogs, I will actually start from scratch with a passion of mine.
 http://sow-saveourwildlife.blogspot.com/ 

Combined with insights & tips I provide from my website, I will post, track these events as the blog grows enabling you to watch the actual growth through basic internet marketing strategies. Stop by and get a feel for what's going on.
When you find your true passion, you will be unstoppable in achieving your goals. Whether it be financial or personal, the internet makes it easy and affordable to make a name for yourself and build your online business.

   As a single parent father of my 8yr old son, it is essential that I'm in his life as much as possible. With a home based online business or Internet marketing, this can be accomplished. With all the hype & different paths to take, it is easy to get turn around, thereby losing interest in the direction one want to head. After several years on that same path I've learn that there are some definite basic steps needed just to ensure minimal success.

   At http://www.wehit.org I have selected some resources geared towards setting your internet business on the right track. These will not be secrets or hyped gimmicks but real steps and information that place you into this world of online marketing using today's internet technology to have your presence on the web. Stop by, watch as WE all grow.

See U @the top!

REAL TALK

Copyright © 2009 Andrew Hayes All Rights Reserved