Why Has Network Marketing Become So Sexy?

With over 55,000 people joining network marketing opportunities each week, the heat has turned up on this business' sex appeal. It may have something to do with a recent article in 'The Sun-Herald' which indicated 88% of people are dissatisfied with their job and are now open to looking for another way.

"When I was first approached about a network marketing opportunity I thought, 'Why are they asking me to look at this? I'm a proper business person, not into schemes."

Belinda Jovanovic was a sought after corporate marketer with a six-figure salary and five-figure consulting fees. "It was only after I became dissatisfied with my corporate role that I was more open minded to look outside my comfort zone. When I evaluated network marketing like I would any other opportunity I was at first sceptical and then amazed at how lucrative this business model was."

This industry appeals to all types of people looking for life changes. "I'm too busy running my businesses. I don't have time to do anything else." Ivana Katz was the owner of two companies; a record store and women's clothing on-line business. Most weeks she worked 60+ hours. After having a baby she decided she didn't want to spend the rest of her life working for her vendors, her staff and the government. "I wanted to see my son take his first steps. I wanted to spend each day at the park and I wanted to earn enough so that I could live comfortably".

These 30somethings have now found a business that supports, not runs, their lifestyle. And what surprised them was how simple the business was compared to other ventures they'd experienced. Ivana acknowledges, "In the beginning I tried to make my network marketing business harder than it was. I had a belief that work or business wasn't meant to be easy. I realised that once I followed the proven, duplicatable system I was trained on I just needed to implement it, simple. It was also enjoyable working in a team. I was no longer stressed like I was when I was working in my other companies. I realise now, I want my son to see me have fun, not overworked and stressed, desperately grabbing time to spend with him."

Apart from the more relaxed lifestyle her new business affords her, Belinda enjoyed meeting and working with a variety of people she may not be exposed to in her corporate life. Their enthusiasm towards building a life they dreamed of was inspiring. "I personally like the diversity of people in my business. There are pilots, corporate high flyers, mums, health professionals, educators, business owners and students.

The best thing is I chose who I want to work with and we really work as a team, it's simple; if we don't grow our business doesn't grow. I could only imagine asking a colleague in my corporate life, 'Would you mind doing a presentation for me as I'm working on something else right now?' They'd tell me they had enough to do without my work adding to their burden. In my business we jump at the chance to help each other as we have a vested interest in each other's success. We're helping others while helping ourselves. People in my team have an enthusiasm for life and personal growth which I found devoid in my other jobs which were tainted with office politics and job dissatisfaction."

Both Belinda and Ivana are thankful that they didn't let their opinions of network marketing stop them from doing due diligence and exploring the facts. "We both had negative, preconceived ideas," acknowledged Belinda. "Network marketing has been around for over 50 years and I had opinions that may have been true decades a go. But like all industries, things change."

Ivana agrees, "I was surprised how professional the company I joined was. Their marketing material was outstanding, training inspirational and products without equal in the marketplace. They were also very business savvy taking advantages of key trends and building the company over the past 11 years. It was voted best network marketing company 6 years in a row, amazing because no other company had ever been voted #1 twice in a row, let alone six. It was also a publicly traded company and considered a top stock pick."

Belinda is grateful and excited about her business, "I'm fortunate to have found this opportunity, because I don't know what else I'd do. I honestly believe I'd be unhappy going from one job to the next. I'm glad I took the time to get my facts straight!"

Industry Facts and FAQs

Facts about the direct selling industry in Australia:

• There are over 750,000 Australians receiving either part-time or full-time income 

• Network marketing is over 50 years old

• The business model is used in 125 countries

• Internationally the marketing industry generate over US$120 billion in retail sales annually

• Approximately 40 million Associates worldwide

• An estimated 55,000 people join network marketing each week

• 'Entrepreneur Magazine' rated network marketing as one of the '100 Best Businesses to Start'

• Australian retail sales equate to AUS $1.2 billion
(Source - John Fulton, Executive Director, Direct Selling Association of Australia - May 2003).

Q) Can network marketing be done successfully part-time?

A) Absolutely, it's very common in fact. You can start your network marketing business on a part-time basis without giving up your current source of income until your network marketing business is generating the income you require. And the best part is that you can continue to operate indefinitely on a part-time basis.

Q) Do I have to sell products door-to-door or hold parties or meetings?

A) No. One of the greatest features of network marketing is that success can be achieved using a wide variety of methods. You choose the methods that YOU are comfortable with; whether that means direct mail, distributing catalogues, telemarketing, meetings, one-on-one, in-home parties, via fundraises, commercial accounts, and so on.

Q) Isn't network marketing one of those pyramid schemes?

A) Definitely not. In pyramid schemes, income is generated solely on the process of recruiting others into the pyramid. Sometimes a product or service of questionable value is involved (that is never retailed to the general public), but generally what you're buying is the right to recruit others into the scheme. This is illegal.

Also, in pyramid schemes, those who get in first and who are at the top win, while everybody else loses. In a legitimate network marketing company, on the other hand, distributors are paid only on product movement; not on recruiting. Both at wholesale and retail. There's also compensation based on the training and managing of your marketing team. And unlike illegal pyramids, in network marketing, no matter where you're positioned or when you join, you can advance to the very highest income levels and even make more money than those above you in the network.

Q) I'm not a salesperson, so this probably isn't for me.

A) Actually, studies have shown that people with no sales experience do great in network marketing. In fact, the studies show that they often do better than those with previous sales experience. This is because network marketing isn't about selling; at least not in the way most people think of selling. There's no place for arm-twisting or high-pressure techniques in network marketing. Rather, network marketing is simply about sharing the concepts and products of your network marketing company that you use and you're excited about and finding others who are seeking financial and time freedom. This industry focuses on teaching and coaching a duplicatable system.

Q) How much money can I make?

A) The bottom line is you'll get out of it what you put into it. It works, if you do. But that's the beauty of it, too; you are in control; it's up to you how far you take it. And don't forget, the income you create in network marketing is residual. This basically means that for the work you do just today, you have the potential to earn money not only for today but for years to come.

Q) Isn't network marketing just another "get-rich-quick" scheme?

A) No, "get-rich-quick" is a fairy tale. It just doesn't happen in the real world. Sure, there are a few exceptions, but they're extremely rare. In fact, if overnight riches is your dream, your odds are probably better playing your State lottery than doing it in business - any business.

Q) If network marketing is so great, why aren't more people involved?

A) That can be summed up in one word: misconceptions. Some just doesn't understand what network marketing is or its potential. But that's finally starting to change, with over 55,000 people joining network marketing each week (world wide), there are a lot recognising the business model as a vehicle to change their lives.

Q) I've tried network marketing before and it didn't work for me.

A) Let's say you've just moved to a new city and you decided to go out to eat that evening. Unfortunately, the food at the restaurant you picked turned out to be horrible. But just because of this one bad experience, you surely wouldn't swear off eating at all the other restaurants in the city, would you? Of course not! Network marketing is no different. There are fair network marketing companies, great network marketing companies, and, yes, even some bad network marketing companies. But network marketing works! You just need to link up with the right company.

Q) I don't have the cash right now to get involved in network marketing.

A) Get it! If a brand new $60,000 Mercedes were offered to you for $100, would you find the money to somehow buy it? Go and get the money because your own network marketing business could be worth a lot more than that Mercedes.

Q) I can see how others have become successful, but I don't think I could do it.

A) People of every age, every background, from every walk of life are making it in network marketing today. If you have the desire and believe you are worthy of a prosperous life, you can succeed in network marketing.

Q) I just don't have the time to start a network marketing business. I've got too many irons in the fire already.

A) That's precisely why you should consider network marketing opportunities. Besides creating financial freedom, network marketing is specifically designed to create personal freedom for you so that you can do all the things in life you really want to do that you don't have the time for now.

Contact Your Right to Riches for your FREE 'Network Marketing Special Report' by New York Times best-selling author Robert Allen. For more information: Email us at info@YourRightToRiches.com for your FREE 'Network Marketing Special Report'

Call (02) 9362 8968 for more information or if you would like us to fax you a copy of the report. You can also visit our website at www.YourRightToRiches.com

This article has been published in Australian Business & Money Making Opportunities magazine.

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