Watkins Home Based Business

What is network marketing really about? It is about having your own business, making friends, having fun, and achieving financial success. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about network marketing and what it really is. This short article, posted last December, addresses some of the common misconceptions I often hear.

Originally posted in December, 2006…..

When looking around for a home based business, you see a lot of promotion for network marketing opportunities. What is the first thing you think when you hear or see the words “network marketing”? Unfortunately, some people immediately think negative thoughts, often based on myth or hearsay.

Here are three common misconceptions about network marketing that I hear from time to time.

To Make Money in Network Marketing, You Must be Good at Selling

You don’t have to be good at selling to have success with network marketing. You need to be good at sharing information and have a desire to help people. Network marketing is not like selling cell phone service, where you need to “close the sale” with your prospect during your first meeting (otherwise you are not likely to ever see them again). The best approach in network marketing is to identify prospects, share information with them, and stand by ready to help. No pressure, no fancy pitches.

You Must Have the “Gift of Gab” to Succeed in Network Marketing

You need to be able and willing to talk to people, but you don’t have to be a polished
and persuasive speaker to succeed. What you need is enthusiasm, belief in your business and products, and a genuine desire to help people and work with them. Your conviction and belief will show in your voice, and you will have no need to “convince” or “persuade” people against their will. In the old days, the big distributors would throw fancy meetings in hotels and invite dozens of prospects. Everything was set up to convince you to sign up immediately, or walk out feeling like you had just given up a fortune. If your business is reputable and stable, you have no need to do a “hard sell” in order to sponsor new associates.

Network Marketing is a Quick Way to Get Rich

This is perhaps the biggest lie of all. You can get rich through network marketing, but it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. We all hear stories of how some guru joined Company XYZ and make $5000 his first month in the business. That may well be true, but what they don’t tell you is that the guru brought hundreds or thousands of distributors over from a previous opportunity. Achieving wealth through network marketing is quite possible, but be prepared to work hard and smart for at least 3-5 years. Sign up with a group that is active and successful, follow the lead of other successful associates, and work your business consistently.