I thought it was important to give another round of tips to avoid MLM scams.   The reason for my post today is a recent issuance of a cease and desist order by the Montana Attorney General's office to a network marketing company.   The cease and desist order accuses this company of running a pyramid scheme in which participants only make money by recruiting others.

This brings to light one of the greatest questions that needs to be asked with any network marketing company to avoid MLM scams.  The question is simple:  "What is the product?"   When a company offers no tangible product or service, but only a portal through which people can shop, the red lights need to be flashing.  

This question is so critical for a couple of key reasons:

• Identification of the company's primary business
• Identification of the target market
• Determination of the company's viability in the years to come.

I personally refuse to represent any company that does not offer a tangible product or service to their customers.  If a small business owner could not make a solid retail business out of their product or service, I run the other way.   If I am going to recruit others to represent this company or opportunity, it is critical that the product or service be able to stand on its own two feet.  It is this foundation of credibility that supports our team building efforts.

We've all heard the term "buyer beware."   As always the greatest way to avoid MLM scams is to do your homework.



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Relationship building is the key to any successful marketing program, and autoresponders are the backbone of today's online marketing efforts.   Today I want to quickly answer two basic questions for you:

1. What are autoresponders?
2. How do autoresponders work?

So what are autoresponders?  Quite simply, autoresponders are programs that automate email communications using pre-defined variables.   Autoresponders can be as simple as an automated response to any incoming email (ie: a vacation or out of the office message) or as complex as a platform that is mean to manage thousands of email subsribers, sending pre-written marketing messages at pre-determined time intervals.

The basic working of autoresponders in a marketing effort looks something this.   A prospect requests an item of information, training, etc... from a website that has an opt-in form as a part of the webpage.   When the prospect submits their name through the opt-in form, they are added to the autoresponder campaign through which they entered.   The marketer will have a series of messages set for delivery to the prospect at defined intervals.   Most autoresponders also allow "solo" messages to be sent apart from the pre-defined series of messages.   Additionally, the autoresponsers being utilized today will offer customizable fields, such as a recipient's first name, last name or address.  

By utilizing autoresponders, the marketer can keep a continuous cycle of ongoing contact with their prospects.  This ongoing communication allows the marketer to continuously brand themselves, while offering value to their email subscribers.  Most autoresponders allow for multiple campaigns to be run simultaneously.  Each campaign is targeted towards a specific niche market.  

The other great advantage in today's autoresponders are the affiliate programs run by the main email autoresponse providers.   These providers offer financial incentive for directing other marketers towards their particular email autoresponse platform.   The two autoresponders most favored by online marketers are Trafficwave and Aweber.   Both of these platforms offer free trials, I would encourage you to give them a try and see which works best for your needs.  I have provided banner links at the bottom of this post for your convenience.

I personally chose to go with Trafficwave for two reasons:

• Trafficwave has constant pricing, no matter how many subscribers are in my list
• Traffic wave is set up in an MLM structure that allows me to leverage the work of others in my organization

If you are trying to build an online marketing presence without the use of autoresponders, you are working very inefficiently and costing yourself relationships and ultimately sales.

        

There are so many options to choose from when considering your online MLM advertising.   Every network marketer has to decide which form of online mlm advertising is right for their network marketing business. 

I am going to set a backdrop for you to better understand the way I market my mlm business opportunity online.  I live on the Gulf Coast of Texas, and like many in this region, I am an avid fisherman.   When I go fishing, I always bring a variety of baits and lures with me and I generally fish with two rods at a time.   The purpose for this is simple.   There are certain times when the fish are most active near the top of the water, and there are other times when the activity is along the bottom.   So when I fish, one rod is rigged for bottom fishing and one is rigged for top water fishing.

Now let me transition into my online MLM advertising.   The first thing that comes into consideration is the question of target market.   I know that my target market is first of all people who are wanting to make money online.  Secondary to that is a more focused group who are looking to use a network marketing opportunity as their primary vehicle for making money online.  Here are my favorite free tools (in on particular order) to use online, and the reasoning behind the use of these tools:

• Traffic exchanges - a traffic exchange works on the "I'll look at your website, if you'll look at mine principle."  The traffic exchange community is made almost completely of other marketers who are trying to make money online using affiliate marketing or network marketing.   This market is already warm to the ideas of generating revenue through an online business and therefore very receptive to the business building training that I offer through my website.  This group is also very comfortable with opt-in pages and being a part of another marketer's mailing list.   The biggest drawback is that you have about 6-10 seconds to capture the attention of your target prospect.
• Safelists - A safelist works on a similar principle to a traffic exchange, except it is done through email.   The advantage to a safelist over  a traffic exchange is the time requirement on your website.  A safelist marketer is required to view the target page for upwards of 20 seconds.  This gives you a greater opportunity to deliver your message.   The biggest drawback is that your messages are limited to a smaller group as a free member than they would be with a paid subscription.  
• Blogging - This is my top choice for free online mlm advertising.  I am so fond of blogging, because it allows me to build an ongoing relationship with my readers.  As my readers return, loyalty is built and my branding efforts are strengthened.  I can target desirable keywords and phrases.   My blogging allows me to essentially do the same type of keyword strategy that I would do in a Pay Per Click campaign, but allows me to grab organic search ranking instead of a paid advertisement ranking.   Blogging also allows me to become a "real" person to my prospects, not just another marketer trying to reach into their wallet.
• Social media - this free online mlm advertising tool takes my number two spot.   The great part of social media is the relationship building.   I am a people person by nature anyway, so the opportunity to get to know people from all over the world "floats my boat."   Again social media can be highly targeted.  Since I am primarily looking to build business relationships with other network marketers operating online, I simply need search for others who list "network marketing", "MLM", or specific network marketing companies in their interests and profiles.   My social media efforts have allowed me to build some great relationships with people online and even if they never choose to work withe me, I am a better person because of their influence.

These are just a few of the free mlm advertising tools I use online, but they are by far my favorite and have proven highly effective for me in my own business efforts. 

Please drop me a note if you would like to know more about how I deploy these strategies.


To start developing your success story, I invite you to take advantage of my Exclusive MLM Power System training. You can initiate that process by clicking on the banner below.



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My decision to enter the network marketing arena was not a decision I took lightly.   I wanted to make sure that I chose MLM companies that fit my long range goals for my business.   When I began my network marketing journey, it began with hours of research studying various MLM companies.   

Over the years I have watched many MLM companies fold and others have suffered severe black eyes in the courtroom of public opinion.  It was important for me to find companies that seemed to rise above the others.   I view myself as a professional, and it was equally important that the companies I represent did the same.

Before I go any further it is important that I give an overview of my business plan, so that my decisions are more easily understand.  As you already know, I am a church planter by profession.  I started a ministry in 2008 called Simplicity Church Network, that plants simple modeled churches.  In our model, all of the pastors are bi-vocational or self supporting.  In addition to our church planting work, we are also the overseeing ministry for Redeemer Bible College in Kenya and Uganda.

I quickly realized that I needed a funding mechanism for our ministry.  It was important that I develop a business model that met some key criteria:

• It must be able to generate sufficient income to support a church planter and his family
• It must be teachable to anyone, anywhere
• It must require a low start up cost
• It must be marketable online and offline

There are 4 key objectives of this business model:

• Create small businesses to support church planters and their families
• Create funding for new church and Bible college plants
• Create funding for missionary work
• Create job opportunities for people who are rebuilding their lives or have no skill sets

When it was all said and done I chose 6 MLM companies to work with, 3 offline and 3 online.   2 of these companies have been around for over 100 years.  The shortest tenure is 10 years.   It was important that these companies have something that people are looking for.   My 3 offline MLM companies are so much in demand that customers search us out.  Several times per week we are asked for product catalogs and our customers refer others to us.  

It was important that my team members not have to convince someone that they "need" our products.   Our customers convince themselves.   2 of my 3 offline companies also actively pursue commercial accounts and retail on the shelf accounts.  This allows my team members to tap into market places that are off limits in most MLM companies.

My 3 online companies were chosen based on the following criteria:

• The company allowed persons outside of North America to join the company
• The company's primary product needed to be a fundamental tool of online marketing

I did make one exception in my online choices.  I do utilize one health & wellness related company in this arena, because many experienced marketers are comfortable in this niche market.

So why am I telling you this?   Pretty simple really.  Your choice of company needs to always be grounded in the big picture objectives of your business.   The "why" of your business needs to determine the choices of company and product that you make.   Not every MLM company is going to be a perfect fit for your long term goals.   Always let the "why" of your business determine the "who" you are going to represent.

 
To start developing your success story, I invite you to take advantage of my Exclusive MLM Power System training. You can initiate that process by clicking on the banner below.



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For anyone actively involved in network marketing, building your MLM downline is a top priority.   We are constantly looking to add new people to our organization in hopes of achieving greater success.   Unfortunately too many network marketers are haphazard in their approach to building downlines, taking anyone and everyone that will sign up for their program.

I have met network marketers who quickly boast of the 50, 100 or more people in their downline, but when you get to know what's really happening in their business you find they aren't making a dime.   Let me say something important here...we'll call it a "Carlism":

100 inactive people in an MLM downline will always produce no more result than you are producing on your own.  

When it comes to building your MLM downline, it is important that you examine the DNA of your team members.  If they do not share your passion, your values and your commitment they will become a drag on your business.   5 team members who share your convictions, values and drive will outproduce 100 who require constant prodding and poking.   Even in ministry I see this principle.   In a typical church 20% do 80% of the work and give 80% of the finances.  

So what does this selectivity look like?   As you are networking and building relationships, take note of those who share your passions, your interests and values.   When you find people like this, invest even more time into your relationship with them.   Let them see more of your life and give them greater access to you than you would to the average joe off of the street.  Let this person begin to walk with you in your business.  Invite them sit in on your trainings, team meetings and other "insider" places.   The real objective is to reproduce yourself in others, creating synergy and leverage within your business.

These activities will instill your business DNA into your prospective downline member.   When they are ready to join your team, they will already be walking and talking like you do.   More importantly you will have already by experience, trained them to reproduce these same results in others.


To start developing your success story, I invite you to take advantage of my Exclusive MLM Power System training. You can initiate that process by clicking on the banner below.



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MLM Advertising needs a good kick to the seat of the pants.  You've seen it...your new Facebook friend sends you a message:  "Earn $10,000 a month with only a two dollar investment...www.spammylinkeverywhere.com".   If that wasn't bad enough this same "friend" posts the same stupid message on your wall.   My personal favorite is the guy that keeps asking to be my wife's friend, because she's listed in my "married to" information, so he can send her some links as well.   It seems that most network marketers don't have the first clue about MLM advertising that doesn't drive people away.   This daily spamfest is the online equivalent to the guy you've talked to twice in 10 years, who calls you because he was thinking about you for a new business he's come across.   Get real!!!!

How can those in the network marketing industry, ever expect to be taken seriously when their MLM advertising settles for such low standards.    Let me be among the voices that are asking network marketers everywhere to raise the level of their game to the professional ranks.   Professionals don't have to chase down leads, in fact the opposite is true.  Professionals not only have others pursuing them, but they can even be selective in whom they choose to do business with.

It is time to remember the second word in our chosen field..."marketing."  If your MLM advertising consists of anything other than selling yourself and branding you as a leader that people want to draw near to, you are missing the mark.   People don't buy because you continue to barrage them with your daily spam....they buy, because they like what you bring to the table.  It is the added value of you the person that makes the product, company or team desirable.

If you are guilty of link spamming in your MLM advertising efforts I forgive you.   At the same time I want to make you an offer.   Spend some time reading my writings and the writings of others who treat their business as a business.   These professionals will not only teach you how to make money, but they will teach you something even more important...how connect with others in meaningful relationships.   This is the solid foundation on which businesses are built.


To start developing your success story, I invite you to take advantage of my Exclusive MLM Power System training. You can initiate that process by clicking on the banner below.



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I received word yesterday morning that Paul Kinder and his successful marketing team have acquired Traffic Dealer.    Traffic Dealer is a traffic generation and list building system that is cutting edge.   With Paul Kinder and his team at the helm, this is sure to be virtual goldmine to online marketers everywhere.

For those of you not familiar with Paul Kinder.   He is the owner and/or co-owner of several highly successful traffic generation and list building programs including Traffic-Splash, Affiliate Funnel, TE Toolbox, Fast Easy Traffic, Reactive Adz, Viral Mail Profits and many others.   Paul himself is an online marketer who just entered this arena a mere 4 years ago and established himself as a powerhouse. 

Any time Paul Kinder launches something new, I generally pay attention to it, and I have always found tremendous value and results when using his marketing tools.

I would encourage you to take a look at Traffic Dealer.  You can access it through the banner link below:

        

Contrary to popular belief, banner advertising is NOT dead.  I continue to get some great click throughs utilizing banner ads.  This week I was introduced to a new banner rotation website called Buckets of Banners.  I believe Buckets of Banners is another valuable tool in your arsenal if you use it effectively.

The greatest reason for using banner ads is simple...Branding Branding Branding.  Banner ads allow you to get your logo, site name,
and site colors in front of people on a continual basis.  People really do remember things as they see them over and over again.  The more they notice your banner ads,  the greater their awareness of you.

When you are surfing traffic exchanges you can find, win and accumulate some significant amounts of banner impressions.   Sadly, many people do not use them. Why?  One common reason is they don't have a banner advertisement of their own.  That is no
longer a problem because you can use one of their ready made banners and link it to whatever site you like.

If you are tired of having to change out your banners everywhere that you promote, they've solved that too.  By adding your Buckets of Banners URL in all the sites/exchanges you utilize, you can simply change your banner ads in one place.   This is mean to make your banner advertising much more efficient. 

Maybe you have lots of banner displays in a few places, but want to show your banner ads all over the internet, without creating additional work.   Simply add the Buckets of Banners code where you have banner impressions and get your banners shown in multiple places.

If you have a busy website, you can add the Bucket of Banners code and display banners on your site in exchange for others showing your banner ads on their sites.

You have heard of banner exchanges but none have taken it to anywhere near this level before, Click below to see more

        

In today's economic uncertainty, many are looking for a legitimate home based business.   Unfortunately in the field of opportunities there are both good and bad companies.   This has caused many to look on the MLM industry with suspicion.   So the question becomes:  Can an MLM company truly provide a legitimate home based business?

The answer is not only yes, but a resounding yes.   

MLM is in itself a great business building strategy that puts small business ownership into reach for the average individual.  The concept of developing relationships for business purposes has fueled the engines of business for centuries.  The concepts of team building and synergy are taught in business schools throughout the world.   MLM in itself is not a scam, but it is the bad experiences that leave the lasting impression.

There are many companies out there that use an MLM strategy for product distribution.   Some of these names are household names, and you may even be surprised to learn that they are MLM in structure.   Many of these companies are even part of American folk culture.   When it comes to legitimate home based business opportunities, few would argue with the integrity of these companies:

• Amsoil - Manufacturer of synthetic motor oils and lubricants a known name in racing and high performance motor sports - in business since 1972
• Avon - Manufacturer of cosmetics and other beauty and skin care related products - In business since 1886
• Fuller Brush - Manufacturer of home cleaning and personal care products - In business since 1906
• Mary Kay - Manufacturer of cosmetics and other beauty and skin care related products - In business since 1963
• Shaklee - Manufacturer of health and wellness products - In business since 1956
• Tupperware - Manufacturer of resealable food storage solutions - In business since 1946
• Watkins Products - Manufacturer of a wide range of home and personal products - In business since 1885

An individual could begin a legitimate home based business with any of these companies for less than $100 and most offer start up packages for under $40. 

As I mentioned in my last post, due diligence is key in choosing a legitimate home based business; however, companies like those mentioned above have proven themselves through the test of time. 

The importance of a great company is only the first step.  True success in home based business comes with learning how to run your business.  To start developing your success story, I invite you to take advantage of my Exclusive MLM Power System training. You can initiate that process by clicking on the banner below.



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Avoiding MLM scams is a top priority for anyone considering multi level marketing in their small business pursuits.  Let's face it there are new MLM scams being introduced with regular frequency.  The bad apples in the bunch give a black eye to the rest of the field.  Today I want to give you a few tips to keep from getting sucker punched.

I can't stress enough, that your best defense against MLM scams is due diligence.   Doing your homework will save you a great deal of frustration in the end.  Here is a quick run down of due diligence that I would recommend for anyone researching MLM business opportunities:

1. Is the MLM company a member of the DSA?
2. What is the company's record with the Better Business Bureau?
3. How long has the company been in operation?
4. Visit the company website.  Is there information on the founder?  Is there a physical address?  Is there a contact phone number?
5. Give the phone number a call and ask about the company?
6. Visit MLMwatchdog.com to search for news items in their archives and any scam warnings that have been issued.
7. Ask a trusted MLM advisor to evaluate the company with you

This is just a quick list of steps you can take to choose a great MLM business opportunity, while protecting yourself from MLM scams.

 

To start developing your success story, I invite you to take advantage of my Exclusive MLM Power System training.
You can initiate that process by clicking on the banner below.



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