If you’re like me, you’ve tried network marketing… and it didn’t work.

You didn’t get the multi million dollar home, the yacht, the financial freedom that you were promised.

Yet, here I am, writing a blog about making money in Network Marketing?!?

As I said, I’ve tried network marketing… I was in the toy business, make up business, and I even tried to sell phone services!!  I made a little money at each of these, but within a 1-2 years, I lost interest.  The BIG money was not materializing as I had envisioned.

Was I doing something wrong?  Did I not have enough support from my upline?  I finally decided I wasn’t cut out to be successful in network marketing.

I can look back now and see all of the mistakes I made.  And that is why I’m writing this.  If you’re in a network marketing company and having some of these thoughts, read on!  I want to share 4 mistakes I made so you can know what NOT to do, ultimately have success, and actually make money in network marketing.

Mistake #1 Being a part of the wrong company.

First of all, are you TRULY PASSIONATE about your company’s products?  If not, think twice about selling it.  I am not a technical person, and for me to get in the business of selling phone services was somewhat ridiculous.  But at the time, it made sense to be able to sell something that everyone has.  Regardless, it was not a good fit for me, and it didn’t last.  Having that passion to share a product or products that you want EVERYONE to know about will carry you through those days when no one will even respond to you!

All the passion in the world will not matter if you’re in a company that is not STABLE.  How old is the company?  Any company less than 5 years old is more risky since there is a greater chance of failure in those early years.  What is the Compensation Plan?  Can you make money AS you are growing?  Is your product a gimmick that will not last, or is it something of significant value that will continue to be value for many years?  What is the start up cost, and what kind of training does your company provide when you getting started?  Do you have to order a BIG volume monthly or quarterly in order to remain active?  If you have to spend more than you can earn, you obviously won’t make any money for awhile.  Anther thing to think about–selling a consumable product means that your customers will reorder month after month instead of once every year or so.  Is your company embracing the new GIG economy with online ordering?  Subscription businesses are growing 9 times faster than any other business.

Mistake #2  Not taking Responsibility for MY business.

Network Marketing is a great business model… IF you do it right!  “Doing it right” takes time and practice.  I have to admit that my current success in my home based business is due in part from the tough lessons I learned in my previous businesses.  But guess what?

I AM LEARNING EVERY DAY.

Personal growth and development are crucial to being successful in network marketing.  One book that opened my eyes to taking this business seriously was Eric Worre’s book Go Pro.  He legitimizes this business and tells you the necessary skills/tools required to get to the top.  One of the most important lessons I learned from him is to TREAT your business LIKE A BUSINESS, not a hobby.  It’s not something you can do here and there, when you don’t have anything better to do.  Just like any business, to make money, YOU HAVE TO WORK!  I think that network marketing companies like to promote the idea that If you work a little, you will make great money because your down line will make the money for you.  IT DOESN’T WORK THIS WAY.  Your down line needs your skill and motivation to be successful!  Taking time to work with them is one of the keys to success.  And this leads to my next mistake…

Mistake #3 Not creating a Duplication System.

OK, we all have seen the diagrams of how you sign up 3 people, and these 3 people sign up 3 people, and so on until you have hundreds of people that are working underneath you, right?  I don’t know about you, but I have NEVER seen this actually happen in real life!  The people at the top are STILL working, recruiting, but mostly TEACHING their down line how to be successful!  Big wealth happens when you teach your business partners to DO WHAT YOU’RE DONG TO BE SUCCESSFUL!  Mentoring and coaching are a major part of your network marketing job.  Having a company who has a good training program in place, and tools that will assist you with ongoing training is essential!  This is one area that I continue to struggle with.  I love to sign up new distributors, and my philosophy is that they will be independent and motivated to be successful, and will do everything I advise.  It doesn’t happen as often as I want this way.  I’m still learning how to help my down line more!

Mistake #4  Not Growing My List.

Your contact list is a valuable commodity in the network marketing world.  But face it, EVERYONE’S list is finite!  What happens when you go through your personal list of potential customers/business partners?  This is the transition I am in right now.  Being open to MAKING NEW FRIENDS is one solution!  If you are more of an introvert, working on creating connections online can be easier, choose your social media platform.  I have learned SO MUCH about social media and how to do things the right and wrong way…but that’s another blog!  My recommendation is to make this a priority, even if you’re still in your “warm market” because creating new relationships takes time.  I kind of love this part of my job.  Gee, to make more money, I have to make new friends!  Just make sure you’re making new friends not because you HAVE to, but because you truly WANT to, and not just to make money!  Your attitude towards this is felt, even on social media.

This is truly the tip of the ice berg on tips to grow your network marketing business; these shards of information are what helped me grow my current business like I never thought possible.  One more tidbit of information that transformed my network marketing disbelief was this:

BEING SUCCESSFUL TAKES PERSISTENCE AND TIME.

If anyone tries to tell you this is a way to get rich quick, don’t believe it!  Like most legitimate business ventures, growing your network marketing will not magically happen over night…but it will happen!!

There is a WEALTH of knowledge out there, and you don’t have to spend a boat load of money to get it.  Whether you’re in a network marketing company already, or thinking about starting a side gig to earn some extra cash, I hope the above information is a spring board to dive into learning more about this insanely growing industry.  I am always looking for motivated friends that WANT to do the work and make money…go to my WORK WITH ME page if you’re interested in learning about the company I work for now, and why I am so excited about this opportunity!