Downline Builders - Make Sure You Know What You Are Getting Into!Written by Joe Reinbold
There seems to be an ever increasing number of "Downline Builders" popping up on Internet. Likewise there has been also a steady rise in number of online "Multi-level" marketing programs. And why not! The Internet is an ideal marketing medium. It is cheaper than way we used to market five or six years ago when I was involved in them by mailing to prospects through regular postal mail. Plus back then you also had printing and envelope costs too!In last couple of years downline builders have become popular as a way to recruit people for one or more programs. What is a downline builder program? I want to say right up front that I am not against downline builders or MLM programs, they are great ways to build income. But you have to go into them with a certain amount of knowledge of how they work. Basically downline builder is a marketing plan in which prospects are placed after signing up. The organizational structure of plan varies from program to program. It can be a straight line organization i.e., one person right under each other or it can be two on first level, four on second, eight on third, etc. There are so many different ways to set it up it would be difficult to describe them all here. Many of them will be set up in structure that primary program is, one you will end up going into at some point. The primary concept of downline builder is to build a downline before going into a primary income producing program, thus minimizing your initial marketing costs. It is also hoped that this downline, as it is built, will at some point follow you into income producing program. No matter structure, downline builders are normally FREE. That is what draws so many people into them initially. The promotional material for most of them indicates that you can make X income a month or year by joining up. What many people fail to realize is that they are not going to make any money by just being a member of downline builder itself. The downline builder is free so there is no income generated with it. The promoters aren't going to pay you out of goodness of their heart, especially when there are thousands of people involved. At some point in downline builder process you are going to be asked to join some income producing program. This is where you are going to have to make a commitment in most cases to a monthly payment for some type of product. This is a critical point in process and is where "the rubber meets road" as they say.
| | What To Look For in an MLM OpportunityWritten by Joe Bingham
There are a lot of MLM's, and everyone's is best, right? So, what aspects of an MLM business are ones that count?PRODUCTS One crucial aspect that many MLM's completely overlook is actual products business is selling. That's one extreme difference between many MLM's and traditional business, yet should it be? A lot of MLM companies focus very little on their products. Instead, biggest money maker and focus is placed upon referring new recruits. There is nothing wrong with building a large downline and making money this way, but why not focus on strong products as well that will lead to further commissions resulting from your downline sales force? As well, some who do not recruit well may make more sales from products your business offers. In a recruit only oriented MLM with poor products, you are only stifling your income potential. DUAL SALES POTENTIAL With good products, you also have a better recruiting tool. Instead of always throwing out typical ads about money making potential of an MLM, use your products to bring in leads. Front end sales, on good products, will interest many in joining your downline. If you build a good customer base with what you are actually selling, this can become a good base for leads on joining you in business. If they use, recommend, or believe in produces first, they will be more likely to be interested in business for themselves. This will also give you a better reputation and sales record to exhibit to others coming in with interest in MLM side of business. MARKET APPEAL Many businesses focus solely on those new to Internet and MLM. Others are too complicated or not understood by newbies and are best targeted at those with previous sales experience. However, why not cater to both markets? How much harder would it be to write a different sales page for MLM newbie? It could still lead to same system, just offer further explanations, on a separate page, that would bore experienced marketer but be beneficial to them.
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