By Joseph Demasi
You have heard it all before. That MLM thing is nothing but a scam, a pyramid scheme where the only way to make money is to get in fast and early and get out before the whole thing collapses. On the other hand, there are true legitamate opportunities that fall under the so called MLM banner. There are many factors to consider in determning the true value of an opportunity
Let us delve into some of the history of the free market system as relating to MLM or Network Marketing. Several manufacturers of products in the early 50's tried to sell their wares the traditional way, by going to stores and trying to get on the shelves and found that this was a tough task because the stores would rather spotlight their own brand products over something new and relatively unknown.
If a company does not have a big ad budget and they want to keep tight control of the product and not sell the rights out for pennies on the dollar, it is almost impossible for them to make any kind of headway into the public domain.There needed to be a better and cheaper way to get these products out there without spending millions on a Madison Avenue ad campaign. It goes without saying that I am referring to producs that were of the highest integrity and worth every bit as much as the so called national brands at that time. We are not talking about inferior products. Anyone that has used one of these products can attest to that.
MLM is born:
In 1954, a young man came up with a marketing system that would bypass the great advertising machine and take the product to the streets in the hands of entrepreneurs from all walks of life that believed in the product and the chance to make some money by recommending the products to friends and family. They were rewarded by the company through volume bonuses, so instead of the company paying big money for advertising - the money would go back into the pockets of the individual distributors. Basically payng the people that recommended the product for their word of mouth advertising. So in many cases, these products that were just as good as the national brands, would actually cost less to use because the company would save so much on advertising.
It is tue that there have been some MLM companies that have been considered a pyramid scheme and have been shut down quickly by the FTC. MLM has gotten a bad rap because of Uncle Joe trying to sell Grandma Betty on the great business venture where you only have to get 4 friends to do the business and retire in a year. This get rich quick mentalty of some distributors that only care about recruiting new people as not helped the industry. When you have an army of distributors out there, the company can only do so much. Every reputable company has a code of ethics and expects their distributors to follow suit, but sometimes it is hard to enforce.
Anytime there is money to be made and big money involved there are the scam artists that will try to take advantage and give the industry a bad name. With the recent shutdown of PAS ( prosperity automated systems) we know the Government is always on the lookout for pyramid type schemes that only benefit the first people in. Don't rely on the government to always help out, even with PAS, it is estimated that over 5000 people lost the $4k investment they made and probably will never see it again. With PAS, the writing was on the wall. If someone tells you that you will make thousands of dollars a month with no work on your part at all- that should raise a red flag. No company of integrity is going to sell you that pie in the sky BS.
With the right company and compensation plan MLM/Network Marketing can be a true opportunity. Do not expect to become rich overnight. Like anything of value it will take work and some sacrifice, but with the right sponsor and system in place to teach you and give you step by step guidance, it can be a vey rewarding journey. It has been a way to business ownership for millions of people worldwide who otherwise would not have had the opportunity because of the usual high start up costs of traditional businesses.
For a great system that can take you step by step to succeeding online GO HERE. If you want to know about what you need to be looking for in a primary Network Marketing opportunityGO HERE.
To Great Success,
Joseph Demasi
Monday, November 27, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Do You Have What It Takes To Work From Home With An Internet Business?
You have heard it said that there is money to be made on the Internet, and indeed, there are people who are making a lot of money using the ‘Net. Yet did you also know that there are a lot of frauds out there who will promise you the blue off the sky in return for some of your hard-earned cash? Similarly, do you have all the tools you need to do your work? Read on and find out if you have what it takes to work from home with an Internet business.
Have you done your research?
There are so many great looking Internet business opportunities that it may seem like an easy task to pick one or another. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of scam artists out there who will want your money and will not be able to help you work from home after all. Do your research on any Internet business diligently! For example, look to see if the website will tell you the details of the business. If it is vague, or promises you that all you need to do is get people to watch a clip or download a free e-book, the odds are good that this is not a lucrative business. Similarly, if the entire website is nothing but a gigantic ad for the e-book the webmaster has written, you are not actually going to start an Internet business, but simply buy a book. So do your research, and you will soon be able to weed out the wheat from the chaff.
Do you have the tools?
Let’s say that your Internet business will be web design. Designing web pages is not a very difficult feat, but it does require some specialized software and enough memory to ensure that your computer will not slow down if you are uploading large graphics or files. Is your equipment new enough that it could handle this kind of business? Do you have the software you need to get started? Before you start advertising your new work from home Internet business, make sure that you have all your ducks in a row, so that you will not have to turn away any business!
Do you have a reliable Internet setup?
Granted, dial-up is more and more going by the wayside, but if you still do rely on a dial-up connection, you need to be honest with yourself and assess if you are truly able to rely on the connection. Does it work quickly and efficiently, or does downloading take long periods of time? Do you lose your connection frequently, or is it pretty solid? If you do not think you have a reliable Internet connection, you might need to consider upgrading your system.
So go ahead and take stock in what you have, and see if you are ready to work from home with your very own Internet business!
Have you done your research?
There are so many great looking Internet business opportunities that it may seem like an easy task to pick one or another. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of scam artists out there who will want your money and will not be able to help you work from home after all. Do your research on any Internet business diligently! For example, look to see if the website will tell you the details of the business. If it is vague, or promises you that all you need to do is get people to watch a clip or download a free e-book, the odds are good that this is not a lucrative business. Similarly, if the entire website is nothing but a gigantic ad for the e-book the webmaster has written, you are not actually going to start an Internet business, but simply buy a book. So do your research, and you will soon be able to weed out the wheat from the chaff.
Do you have the tools?
Let’s say that your Internet business will be web design. Designing web pages is not a very difficult feat, but it does require some specialized software and enough memory to ensure that your computer will not slow down if you are uploading large graphics or files. Is your equipment new enough that it could handle this kind of business? Do you have the software you need to get started? Before you start advertising your new work from home Internet business, make sure that you have all your ducks in a row, so that you will not have to turn away any business!
Do you have a reliable Internet setup?
Granted, dial-up is more and more going by the wayside, but if you still do rely on a dial-up connection, you need to be honest with yourself and assess if you are truly able to rely on the connection. Does it work quickly and efficiently, or does downloading take long periods of time? Do you lose your connection frequently, or is it pretty solid? If you do not think you have a reliable Internet connection, you might need to consider upgrading your system.
So go ahead and take stock in what you have, and see if you are ready to work from home with your very own Internet business!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Finding the Top Home Base Business
Finding the top home base business is for you is not one of the simplest things in the world, but if you are able to pinpoint it, you have taken an incredible step towards personal success.
The top home base business for you is does not necessarily mean the most profitable in terms of money, nor is it the job that offers the best prospects of advancement. The best business for you is simply the one that can propel you towards your own definition of success, whatever that definition may be.
Most people define success as having a lot of money, or having a lot of people look up to you. While these are valid criteria for success, they leave out too many other variables that make up human happiness. No one really wants to make money for money itself. After all, who wants to spend their lives just accumulating paper?
We run after money because it represents a whole lot of the other things that we want in life. Money helps us take care of our basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter. It also gives us the capacity to do things and go places that we otherwise could not have engaged in. In other words, money gives us possibility. If it can provide anything beyond that, however, is open to question.
When looking for the tope home base business to engage in, how much you can earn from it is definitely an important consideration. But don’t neglect all the other aspects as well. For instance, will you be happy operating such a business? Would you able to really “sink your teeth” into it? If you take a person who was meant to be a teacher and place him in a job that denies him his dream, he will be unhappy, no matter how well he may be compensated in money. Similarly, take someone who absolutely wants nothing to do with children and place him in a classroom, and he will probably be miserable whatever the size of his paycheck is.
Before anything else then, take stock of your inclinations. The top home business for you is one that is in line with what you love. Such a business may not become the top moneymaker in the world, but in all likelihood it will succeed. After all, if you engage in the work that you love, it won’t be work at all. It will be a labor of love, and you will most likely find happiness in pursuing such an occupation. And, being happy with what you do, you will invariably end up doing an excellent job. This will be your key to greater financial rewards. Wouldn’t you rather have money and happiness both at the same time?
For a Great Home Business GO HERE
The top home base business for you is does not necessarily mean the most profitable in terms of money, nor is it the job that offers the best prospects of advancement. The best business for you is simply the one that can propel you towards your own definition of success, whatever that definition may be.
Most people define success as having a lot of money, or having a lot of people look up to you. While these are valid criteria for success, they leave out too many other variables that make up human happiness. No one really wants to make money for money itself. After all, who wants to spend their lives just accumulating paper?
We run after money because it represents a whole lot of the other things that we want in life. Money helps us take care of our basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter. It also gives us the capacity to do things and go places that we otherwise could not have engaged in. In other words, money gives us possibility. If it can provide anything beyond that, however, is open to question.
When looking for the tope home base business to engage in, how much you can earn from it is definitely an important consideration. But don’t neglect all the other aspects as well. For instance, will you be happy operating such a business? Would you able to really “sink your teeth” into it? If you take a person who was meant to be a teacher and place him in a job that denies him his dream, he will be unhappy, no matter how well he may be compensated in money. Similarly, take someone who absolutely wants nothing to do with children and place him in a classroom, and he will probably be miserable whatever the size of his paycheck is.
Before anything else then, take stock of your inclinations. The top home business for you is one that is in line with what you love. Such a business may not become the top moneymaker in the world, but in all likelihood it will succeed. After all, if you engage in the work that you love, it won’t be work at all. It will be a labor of love, and you will most likely find happiness in pursuing such an occupation. And, being happy with what you do, you will invariably end up doing an excellent job. This will be your key to greater financial rewards. Wouldn’t you rather have money and happiness both at the same time?
For a Great Home Business GO HERE
Monday, November 06, 2006
The Legalities of Running a Business in Your Home
by Joseph Demasi
There is much enjoyment to be had in running a home business, but did you know that there are also quite a few legalities you will need to keep in mind? It is true, you will not be able to simply open up your doors and hang out a sign. As a matter of fact, depending on the business you are running in your home, there are probably a number of rules and regulations you will need to follow.
For example, if you are planning on opening a home day care business, you will need to have a license to operate. This will mean that a city inspector will come in and take a look at your residence to make sure it meets the safety codes and rules that your city and state has set forth for such home daycare centers. Additionally, you will need to permit occasional visits from the overseeing government agency to ensure you are still up to code.
If you are living in a covenant controlled community, you will need to dig up the bylaws of your homeowners’ association and take a look about what it says with respect to home based businesses. Some associations do not permit businesses to be run out of homes within their vicinity, while others only limit the kinds of business you may engage in or the hours of operation.
If you are not under the auspices of a homeowners’ association, you will still want to check in with the zoning commission to make sure that your proposed home business will not violate any zoning laws in your area. The same is true for signage. While you will need some signs that advertise the location of your business, you need to find out what the neighborhood and city limitations are. This may pertain to size, color, and also placement of any sign.
Other legalities to observe include insurance issues. For example, if a customer were to enter your home business location and fell in the course of doing business with you, your homeowners’ insurance will probably not cover any of the injuries she or he sustains. You will need to contact your insurance company to find out if you need a special waiver, rider, or a different policy altogether.
While these legalities may appear to be a wrench in your home business, do keep in mind that they are designed to protect you, your customers, and everyone else doing a similar kind of business. Adhering to certain standards and obtaining licenses and permits will actually give you a leg up with the competition, since you can show how your business is superior to anyone else’s – simply by displaying your licenses and permits. As a matter of fact, you could say that the legalities of running a business in your home make for great marketing tools!
HOME BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
There is much enjoyment to be had in running a home business, but did you know that there are also quite a few legalities you will need to keep in mind? It is true, you will not be able to simply open up your doors and hang out a sign. As a matter of fact, depending on the business you are running in your home, there are probably a number of rules and regulations you will need to follow.
For example, if you are planning on opening a home day care business, you will need to have a license to operate. This will mean that a city inspector will come in and take a look at your residence to make sure it meets the safety codes and rules that your city and state has set forth for such home daycare centers. Additionally, you will need to permit occasional visits from the overseeing government agency to ensure you are still up to code.
If you are living in a covenant controlled community, you will need to dig up the bylaws of your homeowners’ association and take a look about what it says with respect to home based businesses. Some associations do not permit businesses to be run out of homes within their vicinity, while others only limit the kinds of business you may engage in or the hours of operation.
If you are not under the auspices of a homeowners’ association, you will still want to check in with the zoning commission to make sure that your proposed home business will not violate any zoning laws in your area. The same is true for signage. While you will need some signs that advertise the location of your business, you need to find out what the neighborhood and city limitations are. This may pertain to size, color, and also placement of any sign.
Other legalities to observe include insurance issues. For example, if a customer were to enter your home business location and fell in the course of doing business with you, your homeowners’ insurance will probably not cover any of the injuries she or he sustains. You will need to contact your insurance company to find out if you need a special waiver, rider, or a different policy altogether.
While these legalities may appear to be a wrench in your home business, do keep in mind that they are designed to protect you, your customers, and everyone else doing a similar kind of business. Adhering to certain standards and obtaining licenses and permits will actually give you a leg up with the competition, since you can show how your business is superior to anyone else’s – simply by displaying your licenses and permits. As a matter of fact, you could say that the legalities of running a business in your home make for great marketing tools!
HOME BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Avoiding Home Business Scams
How many times have you heard about a great home business opportunity? Probably more than you care to remember. But to go along with this how many of these home business opportunities ended up being a scam? Again, probably quite a few. Hopefully, you were never the victim of any of these scams. But unfortunately there are others who probably fell for these “opportunities.” The fact of the matter is that these scammers would not be wasting their time if they were not making any money. And as long as people continue to get mixed up in this business, these scammers are going to stick around to trick more and more people.
The best way to avoid a home business scam is to thoroughly research each opportunity before you move forward with it. This means doing much more than simply reading a bit about it online. You may get lucky and end up with a good home business opportunity, but chances are that you will not. Not only will you want to read what is available on the site itself, but you will also want to search for other information as well. Check with third party review sites and on message boards and forums. You may find out soon enough that a certain company has been reported as being nothing more than a scam.
You may also want to check with the Better Business Bureau if you are thinking about getting involved with a home business opportunity that you are not sure of. They will be able to tell you if they have any complaints on file. If they do, you will want to avoid the opportunity at all costs. But if it appears that a company is doing business the right way, you can continue your research.
Before you decide to do anything, attempt to get in touch with the company that you are interested in. Can you get them on the phone? Do they respond to your emails? If you cannot even talk to a company before you start, there is not chance that they will be around when you need them. This is one test that you can run early on in order to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable company. If you do happen to get an employee on the phone ask them questions in order to get some feedback on the company. Anything that will give you better insight into the home business opportunity is a good question.
Overall, home business scams are all over the place. Do your part in putting them out on the street by not falling prey. The best way to do this is through extensive research and questioning. If you do not feel comfortable about something – trust your instincts and pass. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Check out the resources on this blog and do some checking yourself.
To Great Success,
Joseph Demasi
The best way to avoid a home business scam is to thoroughly research each opportunity before you move forward with it. This means doing much more than simply reading a bit about it online. You may get lucky and end up with a good home business opportunity, but chances are that you will not. Not only will you want to read what is available on the site itself, but you will also want to search for other information as well. Check with third party review sites and on message boards and forums. You may find out soon enough that a certain company has been reported as being nothing more than a scam.
You may also want to check with the Better Business Bureau if you are thinking about getting involved with a home business opportunity that you are not sure of. They will be able to tell you if they have any complaints on file. If they do, you will want to avoid the opportunity at all costs. But if it appears that a company is doing business the right way, you can continue your research.
Before you decide to do anything, attempt to get in touch with the company that you are interested in. Can you get them on the phone? Do they respond to your emails? If you cannot even talk to a company before you start, there is not chance that they will be around when you need them. This is one test that you can run early on in order to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable company. If you do happen to get an employee on the phone ask them questions in order to get some feedback on the company. Anything that will give you better insight into the home business opportunity is a good question.
Overall, home business scams are all over the place. Do your part in putting them out on the street by not falling prey. The best way to do this is through extensive research and questioning. If you do not feel comfortable about something – trust your instincts and pass. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Check out the resources on this blog and do some checking yourself.
To Great Success,
Joseph Demasi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
