Network Marketing: Is It a Home-Based Business?

Copyright 2006 Nabil Khoury

Before the Internet era, network marketing used to be the only"home-based business" and the only way to earn some additionalincome along with working a regular job and working overtime.

The marketing techniques typically taught in the industryconsisted of introducing the products to family and friends--theclassic way was to invite friends, family, and any acquaintancesto hotel meetings, where they heard a presentation about theproducts and/or the business. After exhausting what was calledyour "warm market," you then had to go to your chamber ofcommerce, your church, networking clubs, malls, and other publicplaces in order to meet new people to whom you could present thebusiness and the products.

Unfortunately, many network marketing companies are still usingthese lead generation techniques in the present day. Somerecommend using what are called "drop cards" and flyers. Thenetwork marketer's daily method of operation consists of leavingthese flyers and drop cards in as many public places aspossible, from restaurants to phone booths, in grocery shops andaround ATM machines.

Rather than working from home, these techniques leave networkmarketers on the road most of the time, and network marketing,in this case, is not really what one would call a home-basedbusiness.

Currently, the Internet allows lead generation via Internetmarketing. Internet marketing lead generation may be completelyfree or low cost. Leads generated through the internet arehighly targeted.

Flyers and drop cards are replaced by simple signature lines inemails, discussion groups and forums. Visits to grocery shopsare replaced by visits to forums. Expensive non targetednewspapers advertisements are replaced by cheaper highlytargeted newsletter and pay per click advertising.

The current technology of phone bridges allows marketers toconduct presentations that connect prospects from all over thecountry, or even from all over the world. Expensive timeconsuming hotel meetings are replaced by a joining a phoneconference call from the comfort of your home.

Network marketing is truly becoming a home-based business.

If your purpose in looking for a home-based business is to havethe chance to spend some quality time with your family, and ifyou are planning to work part-time in the business, whenevaluating a company, you may want to check about theirmarketing plan. Before checking compensation plans, products, orpolicies and procedures, it is recommended that you check thequality of the company's training program; this should be donebefore joining, not afterwards. You will have to make sure thatthe network marketing company you are considering will teach youreal marketing techniques and internet marketing for leadgeneration.

About the author:

Nabil Khoury, MD is a medical doctor and an entrepreneur. Helikes helping people with their health and wealth. Visit hiswebsite for generic practical network marketing tipshttp://www.networkmarketingsuccesstips.com

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