How do you choose the right Network Marketing company to work with? There are now thousands of different network marketing companies, with tens of thousands of distributors telling you that their opportunity is best. This article will give you some tips to help you evaluate different business opportunities.

• Do I have the time and the money to invest in starting a business? Your answer to this first, and most important question will determine whether you can realistically start a Network Marketing business: Without a resounding "yes" you will not be able to get your business off the ground. A business, even one with a very low initial investment, requires an output of time and energy, otherwise it cannot flourish. Money does not come rolling in automatically after you sign up. 

  
  Those promises made by "automated recruiters" and self replicating web pages that you won't have to talk to people are not true! Not one of the major, successful Network Marketing companies has grown through this method. Don't be fooled by ads for a "free" business, as all businesses require some tools in order to get started. 

  
  Many Network Marketing businesses can be started for under $500, some for less and some for more. You will need to purchase a selection of products in order to experience them for yourself. You will also have some regular overhead costs such as long distance phone service, 3 way calling service, voice mail, postage, a day planner/schedule book, and tapes, brochures, videos, product samples, websites, leads, or other prospecting tools. Most Network Marketing companies also require that you be a regular consumer of their products in order to receive commissions, so you will also have a monthly purchase requirement, usually $70-$250 depending on the company. 
  
  

• Am I willing and able to learn something new? Network marketing is a unique business. It is also at it's heart a simple business. If you have tremendous success in other areas, even in traditional business, this does not guarantee your success as a networker. You must be willing to learn an entirely new way of doing business! What you do must be able to be easily taught to others. 
  
  In Network Marketing we call this being duplicatable. When you are showing someone your business opportunity, they are thinking to themselves, "can I do this business?" The business needs to be simple enough for the average person. Your Network Marketing business is not the place to show off your special talents, your impressive business attire, your stunning presentation skills. Humility is a great gift for a network marketer, it will allow you to learn quickly from those who are more experienced than yourself. Those who begin a Network Marketing business with a large ego and the need to prove their know-how have less chance for success because they are not teachable. 
  
  
• Am I motivated to succeed? Having a "compelling why", a reason that you are doing a Network Marketing business, is essential. Perhaps you want to have the time and financial freedom to spend more time with your family....perhaps you want just a few hundred extra dollars per month to save for a special vacation....perhaps you'd like to pay off your mortgage.......donate to favorite causes......travel the world........have enough freedom to be able to not work for a month.....whatever your motivation, it must be strong enough and compelling enough to overcome what I like to call "everyday inertia". What is "everyday inertia"? The tendency many of us have to do the easiest things first, and to postpone until tomorrow those actions which are less comfortable, especially high risk activities like phone calls that might expose you to rejection! 
  
  
• Can I handle discouragement and rejection? While many people that you talk with will be excited to try your products and to hear about your business opportunity, not everyone in your life will be interested. In fact, some people will be prejudiced against Network Marketing because of a bad experience or hearsay. Some people, regardless of what facts you offer, choose to believe that Network Marketing is illegal. Some will tell you you're crazy for doing it! Some people will look down upon you or think you are silly for pursuing your dreams. Some of these folks might be your friends and family, even your spouse or children! You must be willing to handle the inevitable opposition that you encounter from people who aren't able or willing to see the potential of network marketing. You must be able to let go of these unpleasant encounters and reconnect with your own vision and "compelling why". 
  
  
• Can I work my business regularly at least 10 hours a week? If your life is so full that you are not able to spare at least 5 focused hours a week to devote to building your business, think about re-prioritizing your schedule. What is most important to me right now? If you cannot spare at minimum that 5 hours a week, then it may not be the right time to start a business. Without regular, persistent effort, your business will not grow. 
  
  
• Do I care about people? Am I generous and willing to help others? The essence of network marketing is about helping others to succeed. You prosper by helping others to prosper. Without a genuine interest in the well being of others and the willingness to help them reach their goals (not your goals for them), you will not develop a strong and lasting network of loyal customers and distributors. 
  
  Some Network Marketing companies promise a totally automated business, where you won't need to talk with people. However, only a very small percentage of people are recruited without talking to a real person, and no one has ever built a lasting network marketing organization without having real conversations with people! E-mail and websites alone cannot provide the face to face connection and relationship that builds loyalty and customer retention in your group. Live conversations and relationship building are what create true connection. 
  
  
• Do I have enthusiasm and a positive outlook? If you expect to fail, you will communicate this to your potential customers and distributors. You must believe that success is possible. Many successful distributors have studied books on visualization and positive thinking and have attributed their success to having learned to reprogram their thoughts. 
  
  
• Do I have integrity? In Network Marketing you are the president and CEO of your own organization. There is a responsibility in this, a responsibility to serve your customers and distributors. All those that you bring into the business will look to you for leadership and guidance. They will do what you do! If your actions are compromising of your values and beliefs, your organization will reflect this, and you will find your customers and distributors end up going elsewhere! 
  
  
• Am I willing to persist in the face of difficulty??? Many Network Marketing experts have said that there are only two ways to fail in Network Marketing: to never begin, or to begin and then give up. Many successful distributors attribute their success to dogged persistence in the face of adversity and obstacles. 
  

• Nutritional/Health Products 
  
• Cosmetics 
  
• Telecommunications (long distance/satellite/internet access) 
  
• Business Services (advertising, leads, publications) 
  
• Services (legal, travel, financial/debt reduction, motivational, dental/medical insurance) 
  
• Full Service Companies (a wide range of household, nutrition, personal care, and services) 
  
• Non Consumable Items (air and water purifiers, toys, books, clothing, jewelry, coins, stamps) 
  
• Food products (groceries, gourmet food, coffee) 
  

Once you gain some experience you may find start up opportunities with companies or teams that you trust, and by then you will know your way around the industry better to make a more informed decision. I had one excellent experience with a start up leads company. It was highly recommended by my upline mentors who personally knew the management, and my own research and intuition confirmed their evaluation. Bob Schmidt who is a legend in the network marketing industry, having built three multi-million dollar distributorships in his 30 year career, sold his existing million dollar distributorship ( he describes why at 618-355-1190 ) to work with a new company. The Network Marketing Industry is constantly in transition and the one constant in all this change is relationships. Find good mentors that you trust! Good mentoring is essential in the network marketing industry and will be one of the keys to your network marketing success!