Network Marketing Five Critical Keys To Long-Term Success!

If the network marketing “Business Model” is so great (and I truly believe it is), then why do so many people fail to make real profits, much less achieve the worthy goal of financial freedom and independence?
Here’s the simple answer to that very important question: Most people ignore one or more of the FIVE critical keys to success I’ll briefly outline below. And like a chain with a weak link if there’s just one weak “link” in your business plan you will never achieve your dreams or reach your true potential - no matter how determined you are and no matter how sincere an effort you put in.
But here’s the good news: Any current or previous lack of success is likely NOT your fault! You just have not had the right information or education to act on. That’s all available in the “5 Keys” below and in a FREE e-book mentioned at the end of this article.

The main feature well-informed people love about network marketing is that if you do the work ONCE, and do it RIGHT, besides earning more money than many doctors and lawyers do - with a lot less time and money invested - you can get paid ongoing residual income for LIFE, ENJOY a life and lifestyle most people only dream of, and continue to get paid even if you choose not to work.
If you know anyone who has not yet had the long-term financial success they desire and deserve, take an honest and open-minded look at the “5 Keys” below. Then share this article with them. These “5 Keys” can be used to predict anyone’s likelihood for long-term success with ANY company.
Rank each area on a scale of 1-10 for your chosen company, then add up the total. If your total score isn’t close to 50, you’re asking for trouble and disappointment down the road.

Key #1) Company LEADERSHIP - MLM Experience? - Ethics? - Integrity?

Have you actually read the company “Policies & Procedures?” Very few people do! Yet this is one of the best predictors of company ethics and integrity and their FUTURE treatment of you. Many people have built huge incomes and organizations only to have them legally stripped away because of a “gotcha” clause in the contract they signed when they joined. Unfortunately Enron-type greed and mismanagement are not reserved solely for the conventional corporate world.

How many pages is the “P&P?” (Less is usually better.) Who does it protect? Are the Rules & Comp Plan set up to favor/protect distributors - or the company? Do they allow true ‘walk-a-way’ income? What’s the one word giveaway if they don’t? Are there loopholes to steal your organization or income some day? You might be shocked and amazed at what’s out there!
And don’t be naive. Just because a company is “well known” doesn’t mean they don’t have some skeletons in their closet. Reading and understanding a company’s “Policies & Procedures” is critically important to understanding their integrity and intentions, and to predicting your real chances for long-term success.

If you accepted a marriage proposal from Donald Trump or Oprah Winphrey and were required to sign a pre-nuptial agreement, would you read it? You’d be a fool not to! Your company “P&P” is your “prenuptial agreement” with them. Yet most distributors never study it closely.
It may be more fun (short-term) to get caught up in hype, excitement, and false promises. But it’s a lot more profitable and fun (long-term) if you do your due-diligence before you make an avoidable mistake.
If you’d like more FREE training or coaching on how to objectively evaluate Key #1, contact me directly.

Key #2) TIMING of INDUSTRY and COMPANY
Is there a TARGET MARKET for your PRODUCTS? Is there a Huge current demand? Future demand? Profit Potential? How long has the company been in business and what is their track record?

Many distributors and companies foolishly ignore one or more of these important elements, or miss important clues that help improve their decision making process.

Run from “Startups!” Even if the one you choose is the “one in a million” that lasts more than a few years, the headaches and hassles in the early “Formulation Phase” are not worth the price. Many companies claim they’ll be the elusive “next billion dollar company.” Give any company a couple years to prove their (often ridiculous) claims. There’s still plenty of time for awesome personal success - and it gets much easier and is more FUN IF a company survives the “Formulation” phase and moves into “Momentum.” Very few do.
How about well-recognized companies who’ve been around for years? Generally more name recognition means less of an opportunity for YOU, the individual distributor. Company success and distributor success are not necessarily the same. If too many people have already heard of your company and formed an opinion (right or wrong), it limits your individual chances and potential level of success.

Ideally you want something in between - a young company you can grow with - but who has already established a success track to run on, and proven their likelihood for long-term success. Picking the right sponsor and TEAM within a company can also be a big factor. Almost EVERYONE needs good support and training when they first get started.

Key #3) Flagship PRODUCT(s) – Have to be REMARKABLE – Not over-priced – Consumable

The secret to long-lasting residual income is customers re-ordering quality products. It’s not about a large “one-time” sale or commission. It’s about automatic repeat purchases by customers, month after month, year after year. That’s what adds up to BIG BUCKS long-term.

It’s important to have at least one “Purple Cow” – Attention Getter / Stand Out product. It’s best to have multiple GREAT products. It’s very rare for distributors in ‘one product’ companies to have MASSIVE LONG-TERM success. Some have short-term success that may last a few years and build a loyal following that is good for the company. But they seldom create dependable, large, lifelong income for many individual distributors.

Key #4) COMP PLAN – Pays both “part-time” and “full-time” people a fair percentage - Rewards for promoting products NOT just for recruiting reps.

Part-time people usually make up over 90% of any organization. They have to be able to realize a profit fairly quickly if they’re going to stay for the long-term benefits. If the part-timers can earn a decent income everybody will. And the ultimate focus and rewards should be on movement of consumable products to end users, not just recruiting other distributors. Many illegal pyramid schemes give themselves away by their focus only on “recruit, recruit, recruit!”
Another key to look at in comp plans is does it pay on VOLUME, not levels. You eventually want to get paid on the volume of your entire organization, not just part of it. Learn about “breakage” and how to avoid or minimize it.

Compensation plans drive BEHAVIOR in the field - both good and bad. Make sure the one you choose drives good behavior. And along those lines, avoid anything that heavily promotes “spillover.” Spillover never works long-term like it’s promised or promoted and also attracts the wrong kind of people.
Accurately evaluating compensation plans can be a confusing, time-consuming task, and very few distributors truly understand them well. But there’s one simple question whose answer can tell you all you need to know about any comp plan. I’ll be happy to share it with anyone who requests it. I’ll also be happy to share an invaluable FREE 60 minute generic audio training on compensation plans.

Key #5) Duplicatable Proven SYSTEMS – UPLINE SUPPORT, TRAINING, MENTORING

The 3 keys to success in anything are:
1) Gain some (accurate) knowledge through EDUCATION;
2) Develop some basic SKILLS;
3) Take ACTION to apply and share your knowledge and skills.
In that regard network marketing is no different than anything else in life you wish to do well. But there’s LOTS of misinformation floating around. So be careful whom you choose to learn from.

If you don’t have systems and TEAMWORK to make sure that all new people get the proper mentoring and training they need, your business will never flourish. You’ll keep spinning your wheels going nowhere. Proven systems are a common thread in any successful organization.

Here’s another fact that may surprise you: Successful network marketing is NOT about selling. It’s NOT a sales business. It’s a people and relationship business. If you try to force people to do things they don’t like to do or are not comfortable with, they won’t be with you very long! Most people hate to sell. That’s why the tactic many companies and organizations teach of trying to recruit your friends and family, is one of the fastest ways to fail.
It’s much better and more FUN to find people who are already looking for what you have to offer. And with advances in technology and the Internet that’s much easier than it used to be. All you need is a little good training.

Having a coach and mentor who is actively and successfully building their business TODAY is critically important. Times have changed. Many things that worked well just a few years ago, do not today. Many companies and self-appointed “gurus,” are using outdated systems and methods. Make sure whatever “system” your team is using is working today. Is the team you are thinking of joining (or already belong to) one of the top or fastest growing teams in the company? That’s one very good indicator of how well their “systems” are working.

If you honestly and objectively use ALL “5 Keys” above to evaluate any opportunity you are considering (or are already involved with), you will greatly enhance your chances for LONG-TERM SUCCESS. If you ignore any one of them, you’re asking for trouble and disappointment. If you need any help evaluating one or more areas for any particular company, I’ll be happy to assist you or help teach you how to do it.

Helping you learn how to think, not telling you what to think, is what all good mentors should do.

Wishing YOU the best… and lifelong SUCCESS!