Does Online Network Marketing Really Work?

Well, the economic situation is grim for many people—and this is why so many are turning to the opportunities offered through online network marketing.

While we are in no way in a “Depression”, we may be in for a prolonged “Recession”.  In fact, our current recession in the United States is about to match the record for the longest recession since the nation entered WWII (15 months in the mid-1970s), and it’s likely to surpass that record before things get better. So, let’s face it: with the loss of jobs and rising costs, many are really caught in a bind.

But, can online network marketing really make a difference? Is this one of the few keys to financial success and independence in these economically troubled times? The answer is a resounding – YES!

When we talk about internet and network marketing, many people conjure up some very unwelcome images in their heads: prospecting, talking to family members, friends, long lost acquaintances, your mechanic, your doctor, the check out girl at the local supermarket…and using anything from pleading to badgering to get them to check out your product and possibly, join your business. Of course, who really likes being badgered and the people you are inflicting yourself upon, often start avoiding you.

Anyone who is successful in traditional network marketing doesn’t use those type of tactics to grow their internet marketing business. They use much smarter (and much less offensive) methods for MLM lead generation and now, with the power of the Internet at your fingertips, you can apply their trade secrets yourself; and, you can do this in a way that’s easier and less expensive.

Online network marketing requires no face-to-face prospecting, no driving all over God’s earth spending tons of money on fuel and take-out foods to go to appointments in the hopes of making a sale, no cold-calling (smile and dial club). You don’t even have to buy expensive clothing, or wear shiny shoes, and you don’t have to stuff mailboxes.

Now, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to work this business. Online network marketing requires plenty of work, especially in the first year. You may not make much money the first year, so keep your dreaded day job while you get things set up. But once you do have things in place, you can achieve financial heights perhaps you have been afraid to even dream of before now.

WHY ONLINE NETWORK MARKETING WORKS

Online network marketing works for one reason: the Power of leveraging:

• Knowledge

• Outreach Using the Internet

• Efforts of Other People

Leveraging means you get big results from small actions. When investors leverage money, they make small investments or pay small fees to have the possibility of making large sums of money. That’s similar to what you’ll do with online network marketing.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ONLINE MARKETING

Only a small percentage of the people are going to buy from you and/or join your business. So what this means is, this is a numbers game. You need a large percentage of people visiting your site and making contact with you online.

You need to work with qualified leads – people who are already predisposed to having some interest in what you have to offer. Qualified leads are people who are more likely to visit you over and over again; refer your business to others; buy from you; and join your business. And by using the righ tools, you can draw qualified leads to yourself without any “hard selling” or “cold calling”. You might need to have a telephone conversation with people now and again but this will be easy, because they will already be interested in what you have to say.

HOW TO GET QUALIFIED LEADS AND BUILD YOUR ONLINE NETWORK BUSINESS

Create and keep updated a website that markets a very specific product or service or markets to a very specific niche of people. Never try to be all things to all people. This is the first and most important step in your business. If you join an established online network marketing business, they will probably have tools and guidance to help you with this and the other steps.

Be as knowledgeable as possible about your product/service/niche. Never stop learning about it.

• Write articles related to what you do, showing your knowledge. Publish them at content websites, and use social bookmarking to get them out to as wide an audience as possible.

• Create online videos about your business and place them on sites like YouTube and Video Jug.

• Have an opt-in e-newsletter list. This is where people who visit your website can choose to receive your latest e-newsletter, which you will be writing and sending on a regular basis.

• Use podcasts and webinars.

• Use an auto-responder
  

• Consider using Google AdSense or Yahoo’s similar online Pay-Per-Click advertising program. You only pay when somebody clicks your ads.

LEVERAGING OTHER PEOPLE’S EFFORTS

Now…some of the people who become your customers will also become your affiliates or your downline. Teach them how to duplicate your business. It’s like having one “office” turn into 50 offices…and every office is bringing in money for everyone.

PERSISTENCE AND PATIENCE

The reality is the vast majority of your downline will be ineffective. They’re just along for the ride. That’s okay. Recognize the 10% or so who really care, and train them thoroughly. They will not only make a lot of money but they will be able to realize their dreams.

And remember: getting set up is everything. Don’t expect big results the first year. Work your business and constantly create and disseminate new content about it.

The day will come when it was all worth it—and you become financially free!