Network Marketing: How to make money and keep your friends

According to a Harris Poll, 72% of Americans are looking to start a home business. A 2006 Yahoo survey agrees and found that two-thirds of those responding wanted to venture out on their own and create a home based business.

You are not alone in your desire to leave your dreary day job and be your own boss.

The solution for many people is starting their own network marketing business. There are very few barriers to hurdle to start up a network marketing business. Low startup costs, very little if any inventory to buy, no franchise fee and no store front to maintain.

Most people are lured in by the dream of easy money and the promotion of a few people who have had extraordinary success solidifies their decision to jump in to a network marketing career.

The problem is once they join, most people are not told how they can make this job into a successful money making business. They are left behind as their upline moves on searching for the next signup. Hence, around 95% of all people who start a network marketing business fail. This has made network marketing one of the most maligned industries in the U.S.

Here are five tips that will help you make a meaningful career out of network marketing - without losing or abusing friends, family or neighbors.

1.Don't mislead your friends; warn them up front that you're selling what you're about to recommend.

For most new MLMers, the first thing they are taught is to just recommend the product and opportunity as if they were recommending a restaurant or a movie. This is good advice as long as the person you are talking to knows you are also selling what you are recommending. No one wants to be ambushed at the end of a recommendation with "By the way I sell this, how much would you like?" If you let people know up front and do it with sincerity and without apology, most friends will listen to what you have to say. Waiting until the end of a recommendation to drop the sales bomb is a guaranteed trustbuster. This leads into our second tip....

2.Don't ask your friends to buy or sell your product. Instead, ask for a referral.

It is very hard for a friend to say No, especially a good friend. They will either buy your product because they are a friend or give you a polite "Maybe...". But the next time you call, they check the caller ID and let it go to voicemail. The next time you were supposed to go out they suddenly get 'busy'.

Instead to putting your friends in such a tough spot, surprise them and ask for a referral instead. "I thought maybe you might know someone who would be interested in this", would be a great way to let your friend off the hook. They won't feel obligated to buy so the strain is now gone. In fact since you haven't abused the friendship or their trust, your friend will usually take some effort and think if they really know someone who could use this opportunity. Friends like to help each other out. Give them the chance to help by asking for the referral. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

3.Instead of trying to sell everyone you know, why not find those who might already be looking for what you sell? No need to persuade anyone.

Rejection is hard to take. But if you ask people who are standing in line for chocolate if they would like some chocolate you will get a lot of acceptance and not much rejection. The same goes for whatever you are selling. If you find people who are looking for it, than selling it becomes so much easier.

Live what you do and show enthusiasm for your product and company. Put out there what you do and what you have to offer. People who want that same opportunity or who are looking for your product will find you. It's like introducing yourself at a party to someone who has the same name. You instantly have something to talk about. You don't have to force anything or fake it.

Not sure what you should be putting out there - think back to your why. Why do you keep doing this business? Why do you use these products? These are your HOT buttons. They are who you are. Let them show and wear them proudly.

4.Learn to talk about your product the way you would if you were not selling it.

People can tell when they are being sold something and at the first hint of salesman speak they are gone. Even if they can't walk away, they tune you out.

Don't slip into your marketing sales jargon whenever someone mentions a topic that fits your opportunity. "Our product ABC is the most amazing patent pending product ever produced - it will make you look younger and live longer guaranteed. Blah, Blah, Blah...

Instead, tell your story and how the product has really helped you. "I was always so tired. I could never seem to get anything done or stay awake. But look at me NOW! I feel like I have renewed energy and life. I finally found something that works. I can really tell when I forget to take my ABC."

Which story would you rather listen to?

People want to hear good stories not memorized medical facts.

5.Recommend the smallest package, like a good advisor would.

Once you find someone interested in trying the product or maybe starting up their own business you should listen to what their goals are and direct them accordingly. Don't try to squeeze every last drop out of them. Tell them the truth, whatever it might be. Surprise them; "You don't have to start with the biggest plan or the largest bottle. Maybe the smaller package would work to get you started and once we see if that works then you can always buy more later."

What do you think they expected you to recommend, the biggest or the smallest package? Your recommendation tells your friend that you are still a friend and you are looking out for them. You are a trusted advisor and not a salesman preying on them.

These views are not new, but they are not always followed. A good Network Marketer and a good Friend will want to tell their friends up front what they're doing the same way a newly graduated lawyer might announce what she's doing. They don't ask for a sale: they ask their friends if they know anyone who might need what they have to offer.

Tell your story, make no promises, don't hound anyone, and never tell lies or half-truths.

Announce who you are - what you do and let genuine word-of-mouth among friends do the net-WORK for you.