Did you know that the fastest expanding industry in the height of the recession is direct sales through Network Marketing or MLM,(Multi Level Marketing)? In the USA there are over 15 million participants in companies that use this ‘personal use and referral’ method of marketing a product or service, over  the conventional advertising, retail model.

The main reason why Network Marketing is ‘on the up’ is that it provides a relatively inexpensive way for individuals to start a business and replace income that  may have been lost through shortened hours or redundancy in these tough economic times. I say ‘relatively inexpensive’ in relation to the normal start up costs of a new business such as franchise or conventional sales be it Real Estate, Insurance etc. Network Marketing companies usually require only a few hundreds pounds to join (in the UK there is a limit of 200 pounds put on MLM company stock purchase in the first 7 days), which includes a sign up fee and some product to sell.

Training is usually free in a Network Marketing company, provided by leaders in the company who have a financial interest in helping you succeed. This contrasts with costs and expenses for most of the recognised commission earning sales positions such as insurance and real estate where training and licencing can cost a new entrant  reasonable sums of money.

The critics of Network Marketing also point to the drop out rate in the industry quoting statistics that upwards of 70% of people fail at their new business. What the critic fail to point out that these statistics fall into line with virtually all other forms of self employment including those mentioned above. They also mirror the drop out rate for students in their first year of college.

So the next time some-one offers the chance to look at a business opportunity, rather than dismissing it out of hand, you may be wise to consider what is on offer. Millions have benefitted from an extra income ranging from a few hundred pounds a month to substantial life changing increases. Focus on the company, the products involved and whether they fit with your lifestyle because you never know when something may cross your path that will change your life forever for the better.

The Old White Hart, Northampton

The Richardson Group whose chain of pubs, clubs and restaurants in Northampton which include, The Charles Bradlaugh, The Picturedrome, The Old White Hart, Auntie Ruths, The Black Bottom Club and The Church Restaurant are promoting the use and sale of electronic cigarettes across their premises from this week after signing as independent distributors for Inlife LLC, the US electric cigarette supplier.

” Electronic cigarettes are a logical alternative for smokers wanting to enjoy a night out without having to stand in the cold and rain every twenty minutes to have a cigarette” said Jarvis Richardson on behalf of the Group.

” After much research, we decided that Inlife electronic cigarettes were ahead of the game by providing synthetic nicotine using pharmeceutical grade material from a registered laboratory. We decided to get involved because we see this as an opportunity to offer our customers who smoke the ability to do so without affecting those around them who do not smoke. It’s a ‘win-win’ situation.”

” Inlife also offer people the chance to get involved in a business that is rapidly expanding in a stagnant economy and make some extra money. In these recessionary times that can’t be a bad thing either! We see the electronic cigarette industry as a great help to putting smokers back into pubs across the UK helping to lift the licencing trade which has been negatively affected since smoking bans came into force.”

For more information telephone Jarvis Richardson on 0782 441 4498 or visit www.richsmokes.co.uk

A big part of Multi Level Marketing is building a team. The paul getty quote that he would 2rather earn 1% from the efforts of 100 people than 100% from the efforts of 1″ sums up the MLM ethos.

When it comes to building a team though, your primary objective is find 5 partners to work with.

Now this may not sound like a lot, but the fact is that the more thought you put into building your team of 5, the more successful your business will be. Of course you will pick up more than five frontline distributors along the way, but it is these core 5 who will make the foundation of your business.

Making a list of potential partners needs to be attacked like any corporation would search for business partners.

The general principle in MLM is to make a list of everyone you know and whittle the list down. I like to be a little more circumspect.

Take some time thinking about who you know, family, friends, business contacts. Try to analyse who you think would be best suited to tasks needed to be successful.

1. are they ‘people persons’

2. Do they have a wide network of friends and contacts.

3. Are they respected in their business field

4. are they ‘open’ to new ideas.

These are some of the questions to need to ask of yourself about your list of people.

Get the list down to about 10-15 who you think may be suitable. Then contact them and present the business opportunity.

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