Network Marketing Opportunities 101--Is it for You?

When the term ‘network marketing’ comes up, what arises in you?  Do you get a negative or skeptical feeling when it is mentioned?  Unfortunately, there is a big misconception in today’s society about network marketing and network marketing opportunities, that they are pyramid schemes and they are not legitimate.  The truth is that many network marketing opportunities are modeled after the insurance industry.  They have the same model of business when a senior agent recruits a junior agent, then the junior agent is responsible to enroll 2 more agents as a part of their training.  Network marketing is actually endorsed by some very successful people.  Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki both endorse network marketing for people that want to increase their business skills and take a relativity low risk when starting a business.  

Network marketing opportunities actually started to become popular in the 70’s and 80’s.  This was a new way of doing business for people.  Many people saw it and were skeptical of that type of business.  See, when people think of a business they see the traditional type of business model.  Get a loan from the bank, create a storefront, and sell product.  That is a business for most people.  What most do not know is that is only the surface of what business is.  Business goes so much deeper than that.  What happens is when people see a new model of business they do not fully understand it and people then get involved into something they do not fully understand.  They do not know the amount of work and involvement it takes to run a successful business so they quit and blame the business.  Sometimes this is legitimate because the business mis-represented what was actually involved.  However, more often than not the person is the one responsible and they are quick to point a finger.  

For example in the early 1900’s there was a vote on whether or not to have strip malls.  Many people thought this was the wealthy taking advantage of the poor and building too much.  There were many people against strip malls.  Fortunately, the vote won by one vote.  Now today we see strip mall wherever we go and accept them as a perfectly normal way of doing business.

Franchising came next and when this model of business became popular people believed this was a scam and another way for the rich to rob the poor.  Those that understood the model capitalized on it and made a ton of money.  This is now a very popular way for business and many people are still getting their start and success using the franchising model of business.

Now we are seeing Internet marketing and online business opportunities all over the web, TV, and, radio.  Many people also approach this as a scam.  The wise people that can see opportunity just know this is a new way of doing business and many people are making a ton of money from this business model.

The truth is that network marketing has helped tens of thousands of people become successful through business. They support you, they work in teams, they educate you and they walk you through step by step. I will agree that all good things attract bad people. These people are the ones that mis-represent and are looking to just make money for themselves and not help others. So it is important for you to due diligence and research when choosing any business model. Network marketing opportunities are great for people that want to start a low risk and low investment business. They can also help people become successful at a faster rate than traditional business.