First let me say that I LOVE network marketing and am involved in several companies. Also, it doesn’t hurt that network marketing is fully endorsed by financial powerhouses Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki in their book “Why We Want You To Be Rich.” This article is meant to be a little tongue-in-cheek, a little serious, and hopefully “a lot” insightful for those who want to get serious about a network marketing business.
My personal recommendation is that a person can have up to three participations in network marketing. One strictly for fun or because it’s something you’re passionate about. If that’s the case, then you’re simply enjoying the discount and that’s perfectly fine. The second can be for residual income. Once a person signs up for your product or service, whether it’s $1, $10 or $100, the money just keeps coming. There’s nothing wrong with that, either. The third is where you’re not only earning residual income, but you’re also building a team. It’s the “sink your teeth” company where your goal is “unlimited income.”
It is this third that I will focus on because I think it is the one that we, as Christian businessmen, need to be most aware of due to possible spiritual “land mines”.
Are you in business for yourself but not for yourself?
Too often in network marketing we hear that “you’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself.” A lot has been done by replacing your current JOB with your private network marketing company. Also, there is a lot of talk about how you simply “trade time for dollars” in your current position versus the “unlimited income” you could get from this or that company.
Network marketing has certainly evolved considerably since the days when people were hounding you to show up at meetings and sign up for something you didn’t really need or want, but felt compelled to join because your sponsor was a relative, a friend. or suddenly “new friend”.
With modern technology, there are fancy-titled meetings, conference calls, flash presentations, webinars, and of course, the almighty DVD (how did we live without those things?). Today, you don’t even need to meet or personally know someone to sign them up. Just buy some internet cables and you’re ready to expand to Antarctica, oh my!
Network marketing today is ingenious and sophisticated. Even Magic Johnson and Warren Buffet have significant interests in network marketing.
Your upline probably calls themselves a coach (hey, you probably call yourself a coach). Information packs after you sign up ask you what your goals are, how much you want to earn, how much time you’re willing to spend on your business, and other roadmap type questions. Then there are endless meetings and conference calls. There are even liability partners, weekly and monthly checks. Whats Next? Performance reviews? 360 degree evaluations? Myers-Briggs?
Still time to trade dollars
As a result of all this, it occurred to me that being in business for yourself, but not for yourself, suddenly feels like the old JOB, except now you have NO fixed income, NO benefits, and NO vacations. On top of that, you’re probably involved in some kind of autoship or monthly subscription. However, it is a known fact that most people in network marketing do not even earn enough to cover their monthly expenses associated with the business. These days, if you’re not serious about working hard, you’re probably better off not even signing up with a network marketing company, no matter how dazzling the opportunity may seem.
From my own experience and observations, the people who are MOST successful in network marketing are those who virtually eat, drink, sleep, dream and WEAR network marketing, just like someone climbing the proverbial corporate ladder. I know people who may be making a lot of money in network marketing, but when do they really relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor when there is call after call, training after training, and meeting after meeting, even on Sundays, presumably a day off? .
Simple brochures and easels have been replaced by LCD projectors and DVD players, so now there’s equipment to lug around and tangle with. Are these network marketing diamonds and bionic diamonds REALLY enjoying a better life outside of the traditional workplace when they seem to be consumed by their advancement in network marketing? It still sounds like exchanging “time for dollars” to me.
Business meeting or revival?
As Christians, we are reminded to keep our focus on God and not get distracted by other gods. Go to a few network marketing meetings and you may be wondering if you are at a business meeting or at church. In my opinion, just as “The Secret” for all intents and purposes took “religion” out of the equation, the fact that religion is placed “in the equation” doesn’t necessarily make it “sacred” either. “Unlike so many, we do not sell the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent by God.” (2 Corinthians 2:17)
As you look at various network marketing opportunities, especially the one you’ll “sink your teeth into,” remember to apply the same rules you would apply to any other major investment.
1. Pray about it. There is no need to jump to anything, no matter how low. It has to be the right opportunity for YOU. Of course, you can’t beat a GOOD ground floor opportunity either, so don’t be the perpetual “hem and hawer” either. People DO make a lot of money in network marketing, but it had to be the right company and in the right position in the product lifecycle.
2. Use your discernment about the people involved. Remember, actions speak stronger words, no matter WHAT is being “preached.” Look at the leaders and others in the organization and make sure their actions are consistent with what they say. It will be difficult to maintain enthusiasm if you have an unresponsive or uninspiring sponsor. Network marketing is about building relationships and they have to be good in every way.
3. Is the company in line with your own spiritual gifts? If it doesn’t align with what you’re good at or passionate about, then it’s probably not a good fit in the first place. And remember, just because it’s someone else’s passion doesn’t mean it has to be yours. No matter WHAT status Sally has attained at XYZ Company, if you’re not into things-to-ma-jigs, then you’re probably not going to do very well. Donald Trump, Martha Stewart, and Barbara Corcoran are just a few of the many people who advise on the importance of having a passion for your business.
4. Will the time commitment allow adequate downtime for Bible study, prayer, and meditation, or will it be consumed with meetings five to seven days a week? What is your threshold? Will you still be able to go to church and hold meetings on Sundays? Remember, God wants us to keep Him first. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
5. If you are a business owner, will the time commitment of network marketing allow you to fully maintain, develop and nurture your own business? It’s very easy to find yourself switching to the network marketing side and spending less time on your own business if you’re not careful. If that happens, then you’re not even a business FOR yourself.
6. There are only 24 hours in a day and at least eight of them must be spent sleeping. The body really needs time to rejuvenate itself and it does so when we are sleeping. Make sure you get enough rest so you can be a HEALTHY entrepreneur!
7. Have fun! Remember that the Lord said that he came so that we “may have life…in abundance” (John 10:10) and not be stressed, tired, or overworked.
In conclusion, using the above guidelines, I wish you the best of luck and may your network marketing business become everything you hope for and much, much more. See you all on the road in our new Cadillac or Benz or Mustang!
©2007 by Paula Quick. This article may be forwarded, copied, or distributed to others only if it contains the title and author as shown above, along with the referring websites: The Faithpreneur and The Lemonade Coach.
