13 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF
WHEN CHOOSING AN MLM PROGRAM (PART 1)

by Rok Hrastnik

 

In today's world of eCommerce, business online, every choice we make can deter or enhance our business success, and joining an MLM (multi-level marketing) program is no different. A few years ago, the choice was easy with only a few MLMs available, but today is different. Every step of our Internet road we are bombarded with hundreds of MLMs and other affiliate programs that make our choices and chances for success extremely difficult.

But all is not grim. If you look at most recent MLMs, you can see that only a few are worthy of your attention. I'm certain that at least 50% of all current on-line MLMs will go under in less than a year simply because they are either illegal or have not developed a business plan or compensation plan that will sustain long-term success. Their business decisions will affect the outcome of your income and growth.

So how to make the correct choice?

The only person that can make the final decision is you, with a little help from us, of course. The purpose of this article is to raise your awareness and thus assist you in making an "informed" decision and the best possible choice for you. In order to do so, there are some questions you should ask yourself, and answer, before joining a specific MLM. Write your answers down for every MLM you are considering, compare the results, and then make a sensible choice you won't regret. Trust me, it's worth the extra effort in the long run!

There are no absolute right or wrong answers, you have to choose the MLM that is exactly right for you! If you answer in complete sentences and then compare your responses - you'll have an easier time seeing what is the "best" choice and this will help make your final decision easy!

The questions in the first part of this article relate directly to the MLM program itself. The second part of this article will show you questions you should ask yourself that directly relate to you and what you can and should expect from an MLM program.

Question 1 Does the MLM program look trustworthy?

- Is their concept truly ethical or are you just being paid to recruit other people?

- Is this an MLM you would recommend without regret to one or all of your friends and associates?

- Does their promotional material give the impression they will treat you as a person, and that they will treat you fairly?

- Do they strike you as honest and are willing to list their real names and contact information, or are they just an Internet address?

- Is their philosophy close to your own?

- Do they seem reliable or are they promising more than they could possibly deliver?

Question 2

Are their products compelling and will you be comfortable selling them?

- Are their products what they say they are and will they let you try them?

- Can you truly recommend their products to other people without feeling uncomfortable or foolish?

- Do their products offer real solutions to real problems, or are they just products to draw money out of people's pockets?

- Is there a real market need for the products the MLM offers?

- Does the MLM offer a full money-back satisfaction guarantee?

- Would you buy the products they are selling if there was no affiliate program attached?

Question 3

Is this MLM truly legal? Can they prove it?

- This is a crucial question, because if they just "look" legal then eventually they WILL BE shut down, and where will that leave you and all your hard work?

- Joining an MLM that is not legally constituted is a "temporary" business and you should not make long-range plans for residual income.

Question 4

What about reputation? Have you ever heard anything about this MLM before?

- Do they have any posted associations with reputable businesses? Like the Better Business Bureau icon, etc.

- Have you read any articles by the Officers of this MLM? Do they strike you as professional, helpful and ethical?

- What do others say about this MLM?

- Have you heard any bad criticism of this MLM before?

- Does the MLM have a solid reputation?

- Do the owners of the MLM have a good reputation and are they experienced business people as well as marketers?

Question 5

Will they offer you the help and support you need to achieve success with their MLM?

- Will they provide you with all the promotional material you need to generate sales?

- Will they teach you how to market on-line?

- Will they provide you with the necessary technical support that will make marketing their products easier for you?

Question 6

What are their Customer Relations like?

- Do they take care of their customers and have a Customer Service area?

- Does the business support Customers, or are the only Customers also Distributors?

Question 7

Does the MLM have an obvious business and marketing plan?

Do they plan their future?

 

© 2000 Rok Hrastnik
Assistant Director for Marketing,
Internet Musketeers Incorporated.

 

Take me to PART 2 of this Article

 

 

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