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 additional
income along with working a regular job and working overtime.
The marketing techniques typically taught in the industry
consisted of introducing the products to family and friends--the
classic way was to invite friends, family, and any acquaintances
to hotel meetings, where they heard a presentation about the
products and/or the business. After exhausting what was called
your "warm market," you then had to go to your chamber of
commerce, your church, networking clubs, malls, and other public
places in order to meet new people to whom you could present the
business and the products.
Unfortunately, many network marketing companies are still using
these lead generation techniques in the present day. Some
recommend using what are called "drop cards" and flyers. The
network marketer's daily method of operation consists of leaving
these flyers and drop cards in as many public places as
possible, from restaurants to phone booths, in grocery shops and
around ATM machines.
Rather than working from home, these techniques leave network
marketers on the road most of the time, and network marketing,
in this case, is not really what one would call a home-based
business.
Currently, the Internet allows lead generation via Internet
marketing. Internet marketing lead generation may be completely
free or low cost. Leads generated through the internet are
highly targeted.
Flyers and drop cards are replaced by simple signature lines in
emails, discussion groups and forums. Visits to grocery shops
are replaced by visits to forums. Expensive non targeted
newspapers advertisements are replaced by cheaper highly
targeted newsletter and pay per click advertising.
The current technology of phone bridges allows marketers to
conduct presentations that connect prospects from all over the
country, or even from all over the world. Expensive time
consuming hotel meetings are replaced by a joining a phone
conference 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 have
the chance to spend some quality time with your family, and if
you are planning to work part-time in the business, when
evaluating a company, you may want to check about their
marketing plan. Before checking compensation plans, products, or
policies and procedures, it is recommended that you check the
quality of the company's training program; this should be done
before joining, not afterwards. You will have to make sure that
the network marketing company you are considering will teach you
real marketing techniques and internet marketing for lead
generation.
About the author:
Nabil Khoury, MD is a medical doctor and an entrepreneur. He
likes helping people with their health and wealth. Visit his
website for generic practical network marketing tips
http://www.networkmarketingsuccesstips.com
