Whew! Christmas is over! At least until next year. All the presents, and parties, and concerts...it is a very busy time of year.
A lot of network marketers stop their efforts in December, because it is such a crazy time of year for their customers (my dh calls it the 'silly season').
On the other hand, a lot of mlm companies offer really great incentives to help their distributers/consultants out.
December was pretty slow for me, but mostly because I let all the silliness distract me. I'm pretty easily distracted, you know!
I did manage to let my list know about the $20,000 InterNETwork Marketing Contest, and that SBI! has a great sale on right now.
I think I'll have to do a blog post about the contest, but I'll save that for another night. Lack of sleep combined with time off from work means my body is not at peak performance! :)
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Its just like collecting stamps!
Only I seem to be collecting mlm opportunities...
As of this writing, I am currently listed as a distributer (or consultant, or member, or associate) with five (that's 5!) network marketing companies, plus one online one that is essentially an mlm company. That doesn't include all the affiliate programs I have signed up for, either.
The first one I have been with for four years now, and I have seen moderate success. The biggest problems with that one (I see now through the lens of experience) is that:
1. It is not a consumable product. I have few repeat customers because the product is so good, it just lasts and lasts.
2. I can only market in my own country. Kind of sucks that my family is in a different country...
The second one I have been with for a year now. I have seen limited success. This is the company I wrote about in my post "Setback". The biggest problem I have with this company is that I can not market it online.
The third company I signed up with against my own better judgement. It is a very cool, innovative product, with "shiny" marketing materials. (Any Browncoats out there?) It is a new company, and I signed up to "secure my position". I haven't even tried to market it, and only ever bought one product.
Also, there were a few months this last year where I was working with a company that did network marketing training, and sold leads, but I have since cancelled my subscription with them. I learned a lot, but cold-calling very cold leads was not my idea of fun.
The fourth company I just signed up with in the last month. I wasn't going to at first, because I already had three companies I was working with (oh, and that online one). I was going to just be a customer. But, I figured if I was buying the product every month, I might as well sign up and get the distributer discount. I'm looking at the rest of their products more seriously now, though, since I learned that I can promote them online...
The fifth company I am currently with, a friend of mine gifted me a membership for Christmas! There are a few products I buy and use somewhat regularly from that company, and I was perfectly happy to be her customer, but she figured I was the only one of her friends who would understand and value it, and maybe actually do something with it.
Then there is the online product that I am actively marketing (shameless plug). And we won't even talk about affiliate programs today.
Can anyone beat that? I'd love to hear your comments and how many mlm or network marketing companies you are with!
As of this writing, I am currently listed as a distributer (or consultant, or member, or associate) with five (that's 5!) network marketing companies, plus one online one that is essentially an mlm company. That doesn't include all the affiliate programs I have signed up for, either.
The first one I have been with for four years now, and I have seen moderate success. The biggest problems with that one (I see now through the lens of experience) is that:
1. It is not a consumable product. I have few repeat customers because the product is so good, it just lasts and lasts.
2. I can only market in my own country. Kind of sucks that my family is in a different country...
The second one I have been with for a year now. I have seen limited success. This is the company I wrote about in my post "Setback". The biggest problem I have with this company is that I can not market it online.
The third company I signed up with against my own better judgement. It is a very cool, innovative product, with "shiny" marketing materials. (Any Browncoats out there?) It is a new company, and I signed up to "secure my position". I haven't even tried to market it, and only ever bought one product.
Also, there were a few months this last year where I was working with a company that did network marketing training, and sold leads, but I have since cancelled my subscription with them. I learned a lot, but cold-calling very cold leads was not my idea of fun.
The fourth company I just signed up with in the last month. I wasn't going to at first, because I already had three companies I was working with (oh, and that online one). I was going to just be a customer. But, I figured if I was buying the product every month, I might as well sign up and get the distributer discount. I'm looking at the rest of their products more seriously now, though, since I learned that I can promote them online...
The fifth company I am currently with, a friend of mine gifted me a membership for Christmas! There are a few products I buy and use somewhat regularly from that company, and I was perfectly happy to be her customer, but she figured I was the only one of her friends who would understand and value it, and maybe actually do something with it.
Then there is the online product that I am actively marketing (shameless plug). And we won't even talk about affiliate programs today.
Can anyone beat that? I'd love to hear your comments and how many mlm or network marketing companies you are with!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Progress,,,
is painfully slow! *sigh*
I did get everyone I had loaded into my autoresponder the other night, along with some actual emails. I was only up until midnight to do it! :P And I haven't gotten much done since.
The emails I did with Instant Niche Emails. This is definitely one of the best investments I have made for my business. While certainly not instant, this programs creates follow up emails way faster than I could ever have done on my own. It tells you what to write about, by sending you to do research for several different things on the Internet.
Once you have found everything you need, you plug it into the INE program, and it spits out 52 emails, just like that. You do need to edit the emails to the right line breaks,
and also to make sure they make sense.
It only takes time! Ha ha!
I did get everyone I had loaded into my autoresponder the other night, along with some actual emails. I was only up until midnight to do it! :P And I haven't gotten much done since.
The emails I did with Instant Niche Emails. This is definitely one of the best investments I have made for my business. While certainly not instant, this programs creates follow up emails way faster than I could ever have done on my own. It tells you what to write about, by sending you to do research for several different things on the Internet.
Once you have found everything you need, you plug it into the INE program, and it spits out 52 emails, just like that. You do need to edit the emails to the right line breaks,
and also to make sure they make sense.
It only takes time! Ha ha!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Setback
I'm so proud of myself! I finally got a few more pages added to my website! I've had the plan in my head for quite a while, but
the actual sitting down and typing has proved challenging. So I
set myself a concrete goal. And I've achieved my minimum.
BUT...
I had planned to have a page that talked about the benefits of my
primary business's product, and linked to my personalized site.
I looked up their policy on links and such, and was extremely
disappointed to find out that I'm not allowed to. I even sent an
email to the policy compliance department, just to make sure I
wasn't reading it wrong. Nope, no links, no product info, nothing
except their replicating site.
Can you believe it? What good is an online store if you can't
tell anyone who's online where it is?!?!?!
So the fantastic product will have to remain nameless. Can you
see me rolling my eyes? If I didn't like the product so much, oh
and that whole part about having invested a certain amount of
money into it, and almost a year's worth of time, I'd seriously
consider switching to another company.
I'm thinking one way I might be able to get around it is to have a
page that talks about the dangers of a particular ingredient, and
then having an opt-in form where you could subscribe to an email
list. I can then reveal the prodcut and my website in an email.
I don't think that's against policy.
Grr!
the actual sitting down and typing has proved challenging. So I
set myself a concrete goal. And I've achieved my minimum.
BUT...
I had planned to have a page that talked about the benefits of my
primary business's product, and linked to my personalized site.
I looked up their policy on links and such, and was extremely
disappointed to find out that I'm not allowed to. I even sent an
email to the policy compliance department, just to make sure I
wasn't reading it wrong. Nope, no links, no product info, nothing
except their replicating site.
Can you believe it? What good is an online store if you can't
tell anyone who's online where it is?!?!?!
So the fantastic product will have to remain nameless. Can you
see me rolling my eyes? If I didn't like the product so much, oh
and that whole part about having invested a certain amount of
money into it, and almost a year's worth of time, I'd seriously
consider switching to another company.
I'm thinking one way I might be able to get around it is to have a
page that talks about the dangers of a particular ingredient, and
then having an opt-in form where you could subscribe to an email
list. I can then reveal the prodcut and my website in an email.
I don't think that's against policy.
Grr!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Who gets distract....Oooh, look at the shiny!
One of my problems is that I get distracted. I sign up for some free course, or download a free book, and I get added to someone else's autoresponder. This wouldn't bother me so much if I didn't instantly get bombarded with ads for the latest and greatest product that will boost my online business. A little useful content would be nice.
But instead, I get pitched. And distracted by the shiny sales email, the promise of quick and easy riches, the greener pastures...
I've managed to make myself immune to most of the ads I get from Take the Internet Back. (A useful, inexpensive tool to promote your own business, and you can earn money for reading emails. Check it out here if you haven't heard of it yet. You won't get rich overnight, but every little bit helps, right?)
It's the ads from the "gurus" that turn my head. "Oh, this must be helpful if they are promoting it." I haven't learned that they are just trying to make money. Well, duh!
Since I have not yet managed to train my mind to ignore these emails, I unsubscribed from a bunch of those lists tonight. I'm not going to get distracted any more. (I hope!). I'm going to finish the projects I've got started. And there's a few, believe me!
The first is to build more pages on my SBI! site, Wellness BELIEFS. I think I have a really good idea started, I just need to write the pages. (If you haven't heard of SBI! or Site Build It!, check it out and see how it could benefit your business.)
The next important project on my list is to take advantage of the
Instant Niche Emails tool I have. I have a fair number of people in my autoresponder that I need to provide with useful information. INE is a very useful tool that I have not yet made time to fully utilize.
And there is the ongoing effort to drive traffic to my other site, The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing (yes, that was a blatant plug! If you are at all involved in network marketing, go download the free ebook.)
All right, its late, I've done none of the above tasks, and its time for bed. Until next time....
But instead, I get pitched. And distracted by the shiny sales email, the promise of quick and easy riches, the greener pastures...
I've managed to make myself immune to most of the ads I get from Take the Internet Back. (A useful, inexpensive tool to promote your own business, and you can earn money for reading emails. Check it out here if you haven't heard of it yet. You won't get rich overnight, but every little bit helps, right?)
It's the ads from the "gurus" that turn my head. "Oh, this must be helpful if they are promoting it." I haven't learned that they are just trying to make money. Well, duh!
Since I have not yet managed to train my mind to ignore these emails, I unsubscribed from a bunch of those lists tonight. I'm not going to get distracted any more. (I hope!). I'm going to finish the projects I've got started. And there's a few, believe me!
The first is to build more pages on my SBI! site, Wellness BELIEFS. I think I have a really good idea started, I just need to write the pages. (If you haven't heard of SBI! or Site Build It!, check it out and see how it could benefit your business.)
The next important project on my list is to take advantage of the
Instant Niche Emails tool I have. I have a fair number of people in my autoresponder that I need to provide with useful information. INE is a very useful tool that I have not yet made time to fully utilize.
And there is the ongoing effort to drive traffic to my other site, The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing (yes, that was a blatant plug! If you are at all involved in network marketing, go download the free ebook.)
All right, its late, I've done none of the above tasks, and its time for bed. Until next time....
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Copious Spare Time
I know it takes time to build a business. They say it takes about 10 hours of consistent action each week if you really want to build a home based network marketing business. I'm curious about how my time is allocated, so I want to do a little math with you.
I work almost full time. My actual physical time at my job is supposed to be 32.5 hours a week, but I often work more, so let's call it 35. It takes me about a half hour to get to work each way, so that's another 5 hours a week, for a total of 40 hours. (I know, some of you are saying I've got it easy!) But that is already 1/4 of the week.
The biggest chunk of time is sleep. I need about 9 hours of sleep per night. Not that I get it every night with three boys, but I would like to! That's 63 hours a week. Between work and sleep, over half the week is already gone!
It takes me about two hours a day to get ready in the morning.
This seems like a long time, but it sure goes by quickly while
I'm in the midst of it! I have a stretching routine that takes
about half an hour; eat breakfast; read email; shower, dress
and makeup; get lunch; oh, and interact with my boys.
Another 14 hours, poof! (we're up to 117 if you're counting)
After work is dinner, say an hour and a half to prep and eat (10.5 hours). Then it's time to get the boys to bed-jammies, teeth brushed, read, then tell them to "Lay still, be quiet, close your eyes
and go to sleep" 15 million times. :) Another 14 hours a week.
That leaves 26.5 hours. It should be easy to fit in 10 hours, right? The problem is, those 26.5 hours are in my days off! And I haven't included laundry, dishes, or other general housekeeping. Or taking the boys to swimming lessons, grocery shopping, or other necessary errands. I don't watch tv, so I can't even cut that out.
I guess if I want to be successful, I'll just have to learn to sleep less! :(
I work almost full time. My actual physical time at my job is supposed to be 32.5 hours a week, but I often work more, so let's call it 35. It takes me about a half hour to get to work each way, so that's another 5 hours a week, for a total of 40 hours. (I know, some of you are saying I've got it easy!) But that is already 1/4 of the week.
The biggest chunk of time is sleep. I need about 9 hours of sleep per night. Not that I get it every night with three boys, but I would like to! That's 63 hours a week. Between work and sleep, over half the week is already gone!
It takes me about two hours a day to get ready in the morning.
This seems like a long time, but it sure goes by quickly while
I'm in the midst of it! I have a stretching routine that takes
about half an hour; eat breakfast; read email; shower, dress
and makeup; get lunch; oh, and interact with my boys.
Another 14 hours, poof! (we're up to 117 if you're counting)
After work is dinner, say an hour and a half to prep and eat (10.5 hours). Then it's time to get the boys to bed-jammies, teeth brushed, read, then tell them to "Lay still, be quiet, close your eyes
and go to sleep" 15 million times. :) Another 14 hours a week.
That leaves 26.5 hours. It should be easy to fit in 10 hours, right? The problem is, those 26.5 hours are in my days off! And I haven't included laundry, dishes, or other general housekeeping. Or taking the boys to swimming lessons, grocery shopping, or other necessary errands. I don't watch tv, so I can't even cut that out.
I guess if I want to be successful, I'll just have to learn to sleep less! :(
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Who can I blame?
My name is Mary, and I am a Network Marketing failure.
I've been involved in network marketing, or mlm, on and off for the last ten years. I can't say I'm a complete failure, because I have earned a little money through my business ventures, but definetely not more than I've spent.
So who can I blame? My parents sold Amway when I was a kid. My Dad claims he was doing fairly well at one point, but something happened. Obviously it was a good excuse, since I can't remember what it was.
About 10 years ago I tried my hand at Quixtar, which was really just Amway rehashed for the internet. Hey, they had good products! I did terribly.
Maybe I can blame my friends. See, my friends are all poor. It's hard to sell stuff to people who can't afford to buy it. Ok, I'll qualify that. It is very hard for me to try to sell to people I know can't afford it.
Four years and two children ago, I started a business that I am still with (I'll tell you more about it in another post). But I just barely manage to scrape by and hang on. And last year and one more child later (that makes three for those that are counting) I started another business. Yep, I'm a glutton for punishment! :)
But this summer I started working at a full time job. I love it because
it is in my field-theater. But I hate it because it eats up so much of
my time! There are so many things I used to be able to do when
I was a stay at home mom!
So now I am on a mission to turn this around. I want to be one of
those fairy tale success stories where I buy a new house and a car
and get to stay home with my kids (yes, I really would rather stay
at home with my kids--most of the time).
I'll let you know what's working, and what's not working. And hopefully you'll get to read a really good fairy tale.
I've been involved in network marketing, or mlm, on and off for the last ten years. I can't say I'm a complete failure, because I have earned a little money through my business ventures, but definetely not more than I've spent.
So who can I blame? My parents sold Amway when I was a kid. My Dad claims he was doing fairly well at one point, but something happened. Obviously it was a good excuse, since I can't remember what it was.
About 10 years ago I tried my hand at Quixtar, which was really just Amway rehashed for the internet. Hey, they had good products! I did terribly.
Maybe I can blame my friends. See, my friends are all poor. It's hard to sell stuff to people who can't afford to buy it. Ok, I'll qualify that. It is very hard for me to try to sell to people I know can't afford it.
Four years and two children ago, I started a business that I am still with (I'll tell you more about it in another post). But I just barely manage to scrape by and hang on. And last year and one more child later (that makes three for those that are counting) I started another business. Yep, I'm a glutton for punishment! :)
But this summer I started working at a full time job. I love it because
it is in my field-theater. But I hate it because it eats up so much of
my time! There are so many things I used to be able to do when
I was a stay at home mom!
So now I am on a mission to turn this around. I want to be one of
those fairy tale success stories where I buy a new house and a car
and get to stay home with my kids (yes, I really would rather stay
at home with my kids--most of the time).
I'll let you know what's working, and what's not working. And hopefully you'll get to read a really good fairy tale.
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