Network Marketing Success - It's All About the Product, Stupid!

In a previous article I outlined the five critical areas that we have to explore before taking that leap of faith to join the next Network Marketing (MLM) Company. These were:1. The Company Itself2. The Product(s)3. The Compensation Plan4. The Marketing Plan5. Your Upline SupportAll of these points are of great importance to make sure the Company you join has a better chance of making it in the long run and a quick and simple look in the back mirror will show us that the companies that did succeed over the long haul had positive check marks against each of these items. But I often get asked: Which of these five items would you say is the most critical for someone to be successful?That answer is simple: It's all about the products, stupid!After more than a decade in this industry and having been pitched hundreds of times about the next "sure thing", I have noticed certain patterns emerging. One stands out like a sore thumb and that is when the "pitch" is almost exclusively about all the money you can make in a very short amount of time with a limited amount of action. "All you have to do is sponsor three people and all they have to do is the same and you will be making a five-figure monthly income in less than six months".When the core of the story is only about the compensation plan, beware. "We pay out more than 72% of all income to the field". "There are seven ways you will get paid". "We have the most generous fast-start bonus in the industry". Even if these statements are true, if this is the main thrust of the person approaching you, success with that company will either be limited or short-lived, or both. It seems that the MLM industry has gotten off track in the past few of years and become solely a way to make extra money, fast.It's all about the products, stupid!The reason network marketing is so powerful is it utilizes the oldest marketing trick in the world - word of mouth. You come across a great product or service that you use and you share this information with people you know and like. A great movie, a fantastic restaurant, the church you belong to, the car you drive. As you pass on this information, the recipient can see that twinkle in your eye, your enthusiasm, your truthfulness. Some people call this your passion. In most cases this is the reason they may follow your advice and try the same product or service.So when you are evaluating any network marketing opportunity, focus first on the product(s). If you don't see yourself using them, and feeling passionate about it, then the remaining four checkpoints are meaningless. Don't bother. In fact you will be doing your potential business partners a disservice if all you can get excited about is how to make a quick fortune. These are the companies that come and go. The so-called MLM leaders will flit around different opportunities dragging their faithful with them but they are the only ones making the quick fortune. They only see this as "a numbers game" and not as a growing group of satisfied customers.Another test of the company's intent is to study the compensation plan. Is the mainstay of the income opportunity all about recruiting and fast-start bonuses or is there also an emphasis on the consumption of product? If it is all about recruiting for the income opportunity, then this will guarantee you will experience attrition with some unhappy, disgruntled people who never made the money you had promised them. On the other hand, if you have a bunch of teammates and customers who are excited about the products or services, this will ensure the potential viability of your company way into the future.You should be able to lead with the product. Get your potential team members to try the products first, knowing once they enjoy the experience, they will join you. Many people say that success in MLM is all about duplication. Well, isn't the easiest form of duplication simply the handing out of product samples of the product(s) you are passionate about? Anyone can do that. Sounds a lot easier than having to learn a new PowerPoint presentation or how to invite people to a meeting without telling them anything. In fact trying something first is the way most consumers buy anything.Did you ever buy a car before driving it first? How about a pair of shoes? This is why we have wine tasting events and food tasting kiosks in supermarkets. So why should it be different in network marketing? Make sure you try the product first. If this is not possible talk to a half dozen people who are users of the products or services you are investigating. Ask detailed questions about their experiences. Ask them if here have been any negatives, like poor customer service or delivery problems. Make sure the products are something you can feel passionate about yourself. Then network marketing will be less about selling and convincing and more about sharing. Why?It's all about the products, stupid!