Although Multi-Level Marketing business has very sound opportunities and prospects of growth and success, however, statics reveals that most of the people who enter this endeavor face a tough hurdle. A study reveals that almost eighty-five percent of the MLM companies fail within the first eighteen months. Hence for a person, it is essentially vital to start this business prudently. Listed below are some guidelines to follow:
Step I: INVESTIGATE THE COMPANY
It is critical for the success of a marketer to join a company that is sound and is viable to enter as a Multi-level marketer. Here are a few points to consider:
Start with a well experienced company
In order to enter into Multi-level marketing, it is usually wise to start with a well-experienced company that has been in the business at least for three years or more. The reason behind this is the company itself has surpassed the initial survival phase and now must be in the growth stage increasing your chances of success as a marketer.
Opt for a Public Limited Company
Well known and well established public limited companies are not only safer to enter but also you have high and easy access to the information regarding the company’s background, its people and its business and financial strength. It is also recommended to compare the salary or commission with the average sales of the company that will indicate you whether it is a good place to start with.
Select a member of a business bureau
It is always ideal to join a company that is a member of a business bureau or registered with the Direct Selling Association. This will not only ensures the company’s reliability but also you can make your complains to these organizations regarding any misconduct by the company.
Investigate company’s track record
Essentially important is to look at the company, see how it does business. Is it on ethical grounds? Check out its track record. Find out whether it has a stable track record and identify whether the company’s values match up with yours. It is essentially important for long term presence in the Multi-level marketing industry.
It is critical for the success of a marketer to join a company that is sound and is viable to enter as a Multi-level marketer. Click To TweetStep II: INVESTIGATE THE PRODUCT
Along with identifying a sound company it is also highly important to know about the product you have to market. Remember your success as a Multi-level marketer ultimately depends on the sales of the product you are offering. Here are few questions to investigate:
Is the product marketable?
As a marketer, it is important to pick up a product that is highly marketable and has sound qualities and features through which you can promote sales. Also in order to sell products, you need to know their features. Sometimes it is essentially important to research and have sufficient knowledge in order to market your self. For example, if you are selling some computer software you should have sound knowledge of technology. Hence before picking up a company a marketer must evaluate these issues.
Do you your self like the product?
If you like the product your self, it will be easier for you to market it and hence you can also convince others to become sales representative. Remember multi-level marketing is more of word of mouth marketing, when you like it your self you feel more confident as you know the product is good and you are no making fake promises.
Is it reasonably priced?
Naïve marketers often ignore the importance of price which is one of the reasons of their failure in the field. It is essentially important to ensure that your product is well priced and either it has got excessive qualities or is comparatively cheaper to other brands available in the market, otherwise it will be next to impossible for a marketer to generate enough sales. Also some companies do offer discounts on certain number of sales, you must identify the discounts associated to improve your profits.
Is the product consumable?
In order to generate more commission, try to select consumable products, as it raises the chances of repeat sales. In addition to that if your customer likes the product than you can retain him for long term and hence finally can convince him to act as a sale rep, which will ultimately increase our future earnings.
Is there a demand of the product?
Never select products that are obsolete, or are excessively available at retail outlets. If your products do not have enough demand you would be wasting your time and efforts for nothing.
Step III: INVESTIGATE THE COMPENSATION PLAN
The next crucial step is to well understand the compensation plan. As most of the times a multilevel marketer is providing dual service; one as a seller and the other as a recruiter, hence his commission and compensation depends on both. This is why it is important to well understand the company’s compensation policies before hand. Here are a few tips:
Is your compensation based on sales or recruits?
Remember that it is an illegal practice to pay commission on the number of recruits. So you must identify the compensation plan. This will help you focus your efforts.
Identify the hidden costs
Some companies do require paying some initial money or membership fee to get your self registered as a marketer or sales rep on companies’ behalf. Identify whether you will generate enough commissions to cover your initial money paid. Also if the investment is relatively high be careful as some fraudulent companies do ask for paying huge some initially. Always refrain from joining them.
Do you have to achieve any targets?
You must find your targets for example how many members do you have to recruit. Some companies require that you sign up a certain amount of people in a given period of time before you will receive payment. Not only that few companies require you to cross the target level of sales first before paying you. This may cause problems for new and naïve marketers.
In addition to above there are also few other important points that guarantees your success as a multi- level marketer. These are:
Training the sales person
Some companies do provide training to their sales rep and MLM marketers about the product features and the company’s profile. Also, good companies do train their staff to improve their marketing skills. It is better to select such a company especially if you are new in the multi-level marketing industry.
Active involvement
Some companies also offer a discussion forum where you can interact with the other members. It is good for you as during the course of your work a few questions may arise that you need answers to and you want to get suggestions from other people in the same company who can help you resolve your queries and can give you the correct answers you need.
Take recommendation from the current member
Always get in touch with someone who is already a member of the MLM. Ask them their recommendations about the company and their views regarding the way the MLM system works in the company.
Beware of Scams
There are a number of fake companies and fake claims. Beware of them.
In a nutshell, a good company comprises of people who are committed to products that actually help make people’s lives better, which see their distributors as their assets and have promising compensation plans that pay well in return of efforts, that train their people and are always there to help their people. Hence if you follow the above important steps, you will be able to select a good MLM company that will guarantee your success as a multi-level marketer.