There are a lot of benefits to joining a network marketing business:

• You do not have to worry about product manufacture, the company you join provides the products and services for you.
• You don’t have to pay rent and utilities for a brick and mortar location.
• You get tax breaks that are available for small business and home-based business owners.
• You set your own hours.

This being said there are things that you do need to worry about.  You are a business owner so you have the responsibilities of a business owner:

• Advertising
• Business management
• Inventory
• Customer service/relations

The biggest issue that I often see is network marketers running home-based businesses that are not knowledgeable about the products that they offer.

Some companies have a wide range of products and the more products they offer, the more you are going to need to know.  For example, there was a time when I dabbled in Avon.  I’m a big fan of their Skin so Soft line and could tell people a lot of ways to use that product.  I wasn’t knowledgeable about other products and the range of products that Avon offered; so if it wasn’t Skin so Soft, I didn’t have a clue.

I however am very well versed on the LegalShield product line.  I know the range of products offered and how the different plans can help different people.  No I am not an ‘expert’ on all of them but I know what is available, who qualifies for what and where to find the answers to questions that I don’t know.  In other words, I learned my product line.

If you are going to join a network marketing company, this is something that you ar going to have to do.  You can only get so far on “I’m new, I don’t know.”  Eventually that excuse is going to wear thin.

Familiarize yourself with your chosen company’s product line.  You don’t need to be an expert in everything but you do need a general knowledge.  Get to know your products!

The Zombie virus spreads exponentially.  A zombie bites a human and infects them with the virus.  The infected humans bite more humans and infect them creating more zombies.

The internet marketer comes across a website promising easy riches for no effort.  They join that site and then promote the site to others who join thus spreading a scam exponentially.  In both cases this occurs because the brain is not being used.

Well as we know from numerous Zombie movies and TV shows, not all humans become Zombies, some survive.  They survive because they have enough intelligence to recognize the zombies for what they are and then they shoot them in the head.One less Zombie shambling around to bite you.

Internet Marketing has it’s own survivors.  These are people who use their intellect to evaluate the scams.  They see them for what they are and there are a lot of ‘Daryl Dixon’ types in the IM world, like Internet Scams Anonymous.  They recognize these scams and expose them, that means that there should be one less scam out there to burn you right?

Unfortunately no.  Just like in a world full of Zombies there’s always that one survivor who lacks the skills to survive and do something stupid.  Same with IMers, there will always be the lazy, the greedy and the less than ethical out putting people at risk.  It’s time to start using your own common sense and think about what you are doing.  You are responsible for yourself.

Just like your best friend may not run fast enough to escape the Zombies, they may not have the presence of mind to check a program out before joining.  It’s all about due diligence, no matter who much you trust the person showing that program to you.

The biggest thing you need is a list of goals for the year.  Long term, medium range and short term goals for the year give you targets to strive for.  Lets start with Long term goals where do you want to be come Deecmber 31st 2012?  These are your long term goals.

How will you know that you are on track?  By setting medium range goals that lead to your long term goals.  For example let’s use something simple to track, sales.  You want to make 120 sales this year then you need to have 60 in by the end of June.  Approximately 10 sales per month.

Your short term goals should be accomplishing the activity that will get you to those mid-range goals.  If you lay out your plan correctly then each small goal will get you closer to the long-term goal.

Don’t forget to stop and evaluate your progress from time to time.  Unforeseen circumstances can throw a monkey wrench into the best laid plans.  Be prepared to adjust that game plan as the year moves forward.

If you pay attention to what happens on social networks, you will sooner or later run into the “It’s a scam” debate.  If you do run into this I am going to tell you to pay attention because the majority of the time you will see more red flags than you can count.

Usually you will have people crawling out of the woodwork to defend a scam and I have noticed a few common tactics that always seem to make their way into the defense of scams.  These tactics are what you need to look for and see them for the flimsy defenses that they are.

Tactic #1- I got paid

Getting paid does not make an illegal scam legal.  If it was a marker of legality, most crimes would be legal.  The drug dealer gets paid for selling illegal drugs but it is still a crime.  Getting paid for promoting a scam does not make a scam legal either.

Tactic #2- It’s your opinion

There are a lot more people online today that have a basic understanding of what the laws say and they know where to go to find the information from the authorities who investigate and prosecute cybercrime and fraud.  When someone provides a link to the information from the authorities and the promoter of a scam responds with “that is your opinion”, they are attempting to distract people from the decision of an authorized law enforcement agency.  It would be like an embezzler getting caught stealing and saying that the person pointing out the the fact that it is theft is offering an opinion when the law clearly states that embezzlement is a crime.

Tactic #3- Avoiding the opportunity to offer proof of a program’s legitimacy

I don’t want anyone to take my word for it is I say something is a scam, I want them to go to the ‘horse’s mouth’ so to speak.  I will Tell them to check with the FBI, FTC or other overseeing agency to check the legality of the program.  Oddly enough I have yet to have anyone do that.  But several programs that I have pointed out for bearing red flags have disappeared and those defending the program right along with it.

If there is a debate over something being a scam, use your common sense and check with the authorities.  If it is legitimate they will let you know that it is.  Remember that person promoting the program will not tell you that it is a scam if the are promoting it because they hope to profit off of you.

Pepe Le Pew

There is no doubt that Pepe is an die-hard romantic and that he is filled with passion for his conquest. He will pursue the object of his desire with a single-mindedness that is immeasurable but for all his passion and single-mindedness, his still ends up the victim of unrequited love.  That’s because Pepe is focusing on the wrong goal.  He has not correctly identified what it is he wants.  He goes after the first thing that may look like what he wants.

I am Marvin The Martian I have been assigned a mission by the leader of Planet X.  My mission will be completed.  Of course completing my mission may mean that some of you will be discombubulated.

Marvin the Martian

Another toon with issues of single-mindedness but unlike Pepe he has correctly identified his goal. He will pursue that goal even if he has to destroy everything in his path to reach it. He’s the man with the plan! His problem is that there is no flexibility in his plan.  He does not allow for unforeseen circumstances and refuses to adapt when necessary.  Instead he stubbornly follows his original plan to the letter.

I’m Elmer Fudd now shhhh! Be vewy, vewy quiet.  I’m hunting wabbits!

Elmer Fudd

The great hunter with lots of experience and no trophies on his wall.  Elmer does not suffer from single-mindedness, but tunnel vision. All he can see is Bugs Bunny’s fluffy tail in his sights, everything else is ignored.  If he would just stop and step back now and then to see the big picture, he might just realize that he would be better off using a snare instead of a gun.

My Name is Wile E Coyote, Genius.  It is my intention to prove to you that the capture of the RoadRunner,  From the Latin “Extremis Velocitus” is a complex undertaking requiring a mental accuity of Genuis Level.

Wile E Coyote 

No doubt the Coyote is a genius so why does the Road-Runner outsmart him every time?  Because he is too smart for his own good.  He tends to complicate things to the point of absurdity.  Rather than just drop a rock on the bird, he will create a complex machine to drop the rock.  The thing about complex systems is the more complex it is, the more things that can go wrong.  He has never heard of Occam’s Razor for all his extensive book knowledge!

*Loud whirring sound*

Tasmanian Devil

Taz is an unstoppable bundle of energy, he rarely stops moving.  He’s always on the go, even if he’s just spinning in place.  Even when he travels from point to point he weaves and wobbles all over the place.  He’s got energy to spare and he uses it, it’s just wasted energy because he has no focus.  Sometimes others can get him to focus temporarily, but on his own he simply can’t. That could be why he is so cranky, all that effort and nothing to show for it.

So what have we learned from our toons?

1. Correctly identify your goals.

2. Have a plan but realize that things happen so you must be flexible and willing to adapt when necessary.

3. Take the time every so often to look at the overall picture and access your progress.

4. Don’t make things more complicated than they really are. Remember “Occam’s Razor” which I will paraphrase as “the simplest method is usually the best method”

5. Don’t waste your energy, focus that energy to attain your goals.

The Ostrich

What is it we always hear about how an ostrich handles a crises?  That’s right he sticks his head in the sand  (That’s actually a myth by the way, but it is a myth that has been ingrained in our culture).  So are you like the mythical ostrich burying your head in the sand and refusing to know the things you need to know as if it will make them magically disappear?

Not knowing will not change the fact that they effect you.  It will however leave you clueless when you find yourself face to face with a crisis situation. Things happen, laws are being enacted whether you like it or not.

The Silly Goose

The silly goose unlike the ostrich actually knows things exist.  However they go through their business life thinking “not me”.  Or it’s not important now, I’ll worry about it later.  Later tends to arrive much sooner than you anticipate.

While you are busy finding other things to do that are more ‘important’, you could be setting yourself up for a crisis.  The silly goose realizes after the fact that he should do something.  Normally for the silly goose that something is going to be expensive by the time all of the fines, fees and possible lawsuits are over.

The Serious Business Owner

The serious business owner on the other hand realizes that laws are being enacted and those laws can affect their business.  The serious business owner realizes that his business has liability issues and takes steps to learn his liability and what he must to do lessen it and protect his business.  Since the serious  business owner has already taken steps to do what he must do, His clients, customers and regulatory agencies sees that he is proactive.  They see an effort to do the right thing and comply with the law.

So what should you do to be a serious business owner?

• Know the laws that affect your business.
• Realize that you don’t know everything and talk to a business attorney for clarification.
• Invest in yourself through continuing education.
• Keep yourself current on new laws as they arise.
• Have a plan in place to handle a possible crisis.

Quality
Quality marketing takes some thought.  It must be targeted and powerful.  In order to use quality marketing, you need to know your demographic.  You want to use content that will grab their attention.  Since you are targeting your market you won’t reach a lot of people.  For example if your product is a snowboard, you want to make sure your marketing is targeted toward those who might use them.  You certainly wouldn’t want to spend your time advertising to a bunch of surfers in Hawaii, that would be a waste of your time.  You won’t need to market to Senior Citizens either, most of them would leave snowboarding to the youth.  Granted you could get a sale or two out of marketing to those groups but not enough to make it worth your while.  But if you target your marketing to young people living in areas that get a lot of snow, you will be reaching your target market and making your marketing effective.

Quantity
In this case you are marketing to everyone.  That’s great if you have a  simple product such as a toothbrush.  Who doesn’t brush their teeth?  But why should they use your toothbrush?  The problem with quantity advertising is that although everyone may use a toothbrush, what makes them choose on over the other?  If your message is going to reach everyone it must be very broad.  You may capture the attention of say those with normal healthy teeth and no dental problem, but what about the others who still need a toothbrush.  You have groups out there with specific needs, sensitive teeth, dentures or braces that you won’t reach because you haven’t addressed their specific problem.

The recent trend in marketing is in Quality.  Even if it is a product that all can use.  Allstate is a good example, they use two different commercial campaigns to reach as many people as possible.

Allstate: Price Price Price

First you’ll see the Allstate ‘agent’ using logic to sell you on Allstate.  He is pushing the price, and benefits of Allstate insurance to fill your needs.  Then there is Mayhem

Allstate: Mayhem Blind Spot

It is the same product but it is targeted towards different demographics.  One campaign relies on logic while the other relies on showing you all the bad things that can happen to you in a humorous way.  Allstate is looking to reach as many people as it can with it’s message.  What they hope is that one of these commercials will strike a chord with the watcher and make them prospect think that Allstate is the best insurance out there.  So even if you go the route of quantity you have to make sure that you have quality marketing that will speak to the audience.

I believe in the method of “Expose as I go”.  During the week I’m calling on businesses, making and setting appointments doing research on my prospects which limits the amount of time I have to expose potential customers.  I’ve had to figure out how to do it without taking needed time from the other things I need and want to do.  I’ve included it in my daily routine and it’s really not that hard.

1. Make sure your business is open

This is not hard.  Magnetic signs on your car, accessories that advertise your business or even clothing with your logo.  My LegalShield corporate office gives each of it’s associates a “Lady of Justice” lapel pin.  I always wear mine.  People often notice the pin and comment on it.

2. Carry your tools with you.

Invest in a small file organizer.  I keep a small hanging file basket in my car and keep it stocked with magazines, brochures and DVD’s.  I also keep business cards on me at all times.
3. Talk to Strangers.

What else do you have to do while pumping gas, waiting in line at WalMart or otherwise sitting or standing around waiting for service.  Say hello and start up conversations with the people you meet.

4. Get to know the employees of places you frequent.

It could be that they come across someone who needs what you have to offer.  Speak to them and treat them as more than just a clerk paid to ring up your purchases, build relationships.  If they know you, they will refer you.

5. Be Prepared.

You never know when the casual conversation with someone might turn into a sale or referral.  Always carry whatever paperwork you need, pens and a tablet or pad to jot down information.

You don’t have to be pushy when doing this.  Just be friendly and positive.  If you are positive and cheerful, it rubs off.  I most often just ask them to take a look at my website.  If the conversation progresses to where a specific issue comes up, I’ll give them a magazine or DVD, and ask them to take a look and if they mind me giving them a call in a couple of days to see what they thought about it.  Most people are willing to do that and to give you a number you can reach them at.  No everyone you talk to is not a customer.  Later on down the line a friend or co-worker may need what you have.  Since they  have your card, they could pass it on to someone who really needs it.