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Ok. I admit it. I'm a closet "junk mail" reader. Because I enjoy copywriting, I review a lot of direct mail pieces in order to keep up with trends in copywriting - particularly in alternative or naural health, since this is a field of great interest to me. I am also keenly interested in how truthful these mailings are - and even more importantly, whether they are advertised with integrity.
(Quick disclaimer: I have nothing against people making money. I have nothing against people making a lot of money. I just like to work honestly and with integrity - and I want to buy from people who value honesty and integrity.)
So - back to the topic at hand. I recently received a mailing regarding a particular superfood that - according to the copy, "leaves broccoli, blueberries, flaxseed, soy and salmon in the dust!"
I love hearing and learning about various high-octane superfoods, so I read through the mailing. It discussed this near "perfect food" which has so many benefits, one would think that there would never be any need to eat any other food again. Throughout the mailing (by NorthStar Nutritionals, Frederick, MD), this miracle food was first referred to by the name "Salvia Hispanica L."
It was the next paragraph that made me smile - "And when modern researchers ran tests, THEY NEARLY FELL OVER...They noticed that Salvia Hispanica L. came in two colors - black and white. The black ones proved unremarkable. But the white ones tested off the charts!"
(I have to chuckle when I picture researchers nearly falling over in their excitement over a discovery. It's a great image!) The mailing talks about about how scientists bred a strain of white seeds, and named this "supergrain" Salba.
Right there, my little spider senses began tingling, and I stopped reading and went to the computer and looked up Salvia Hispanica L. which was clearly identified as "chia" seed within about 3 seconds on my Google search.
So, now I felt forearmed, and read the rest of the mailing, which goes on to sing the praises of Salba for a good 22 pages.
I sensed that the writers and nutritional company anticipated people like me looking Salvia Hispanica L. up on the internet, because later in the mailing, in a shaded box at the bottom of the page, we are warned not to be fooled by "wanna-be" seeds - which are the common black chia seeds that are offered for sale to consumers.
There is no doubt that the company is warning us, because this little box begins with the word, "WARNING:" (it reminds me of the warning label one might see on packs of smokes or on bottles of liquor).
I am not going to get into the debate about the virtues of "white chia" versus "black chia." If you would like to read a lively discussion on this topic, there is a great forum at Wordpress, with a thread started by "LeisureGuy" - and I highly recommend visiting and reading this discussion. Let's just agree that chia is, indeed, an outstanding food. I use it nearly every day, and I love it - it's the primary ingredient in my breakfast drink.
What I want to bring to the reader's attention is that - as exciting as this mailing makes Salba sound - remember that it is advertising copy. If the copywriter did his or her job correctly, the company's phones are undoubtedly ringing off the hook. And, hopefully the copywriter made a bunch of money on the mailing.
The other thing I want to bring the reader's attention to is the price. You have probably already guessed that this product is not cheap. They didn't spring for more than 22 pages of advertising to sell you something you can buy at your local health food store or favorite online vendor for just a few dollars.
Here are your price comparisons: The product being sold as Salba is approximately $30/pound (plus shipping and handling).
To be fair to that company, if I purchased their product on their auto-ship program, they wouldn't charge shipping. If I purchase 6 bottles, they would only charge $159.70 with free shipping - which drops the price to only $26.66 per pound.
Anyway, if we mosey over to our friendly and nutty buddies at one of my favorite online stores - Nuts Online (Yes, I'm partial to them, and No, they don't pay me to advertise their name - they don't even know I'm doing it) we can buy white chia seeds ($7.99/pound at this writing) OR black chia seeds ($6.99/pound at this writing). Plus shipping and handling. But, I can guarantee that they won't be charging you $26 to ship it. I just experimented with purchasing 5 Yummy pounds of white chia seeds - which dropped the price to $7.75/pound. Then, shipping to my address was only $7.87 via either FedEx or UPS, 2-day delivery.
So, for whatever my thoughts are worth: At the end of the day, I did feel that the mailing regarding Salba was truthful overall - at least about chia seed's benefits as a wonderful food source. I don't know enough about the company to voice an opinion on whether or not they value integrity. My only misgivings - if they be called that - were about the "warning," which I feel was uncalled for, and the price, which seems extremely high for what the product actually is.
Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Law of Attraction and Attraction Marketing
Most people in the online marketing or home based business industry have probably heard of the Law of Attraction by now. And from the many forums and discussions I've seen surrounding the subject, it appears that a lot of people are looking to tap into this universal principle to help improve their business - and therefore, their cash flow.
Fair enough. After all, why be in business if not, ultimately, to earn one's daily bread?
It seems that a natural direction to take would be to figure out how to market in such a way that attracts the right customer or prospect to one's product and/or business opportunity. Hence, we can now find the term "attraction marketing" springing up everywhere.
Regardless of whether you own a bricks and mortar business on Main Street or your own a home based business opportunity that you are marketing on the internet - you need customers. The Main Street business - if you are selling something that a good number of people in town or passing by want and need - will most likely get buyers stopping in since they see your sign and store. Or, if you advertise in the local flyers, the local buyers will visit.
CAVEAT: We must hope that before you put up your shingle on Main Street, that you did some market research to ensure that there was enough demand for your product in your area. After all, if you absolutely love surfing, and really want to sell surfboards but live 4 hours from the coast in the mountains, would it make sense for you to have a surf shop?
It is not much different on the internet or in network marketing prospecting (Again, we must hope that you have done some market research to see what people are buying online before you start your business). We need to target our market. We need to learn how to attract the right people to our product, service, or opportunity. How do we do that?
Fortunately, this is a learned skill. You won't master it overnight, but you can - and should learn how to understand and use the universal principle of the Law of Attraction and how it pertains to business. I am not going to go into this here. There are dozens - if not hundreds of sites out there now who can teach you these principles. Just do a "Google Search" for "Law of Attraction."
However, 2 of my personal favorites include http://humanscience.wikia.com/wiki/The_Secret_Project, and http://mental-science.com/.
In addition, I'd like to turn your attention to a few other specific learning resources to get you started on some action steps that you can begin using the second you read them.
If you are of a spiritual temperament, you can learn a lot through a very interesting site called "Growth Online," which discusses "fundamental factors that enable an individual to grow and evolve." From my own experience, whenever I feel that I am "stuck" or otherwise not succeeding, I have found that 100% of the time it's because I have somehow hindered my success through limiting thoughts and behaviors - essentially, not being able to "get out of my own way" as the saying goes.
This extensive site uses a little different terminology than you might ordinarily hear in more mainstream Law of Attraction sites. But, Growth Online, run by an individual speeding on his way to true enlightenment (if he's not already there), discusses techniques to encourage positive "Life Response."
I have utmost respect for this individual, whom you'll meet at his site. He's taught me more about self and business growth in months than any number of other experts have in years. I'll not say more - just visit and decide for yourself.
Another site that has helped me understand at a very deep level that "people do not join a business - they join YOU," is Magnetic Sponsoring which offers a very inexpensive book on the subject. Also visit another one of my sites, http://www.truthtowealthonline.com/ to get a great free ebook on the subject of why a lot of folks just don't make it in internet marketing. It's no-nonsense, and no-excuses. All business. Again. See for yourself.
Finally - and I don't have a specific site to send you to on this topic - if people don't join a business, and they join YOU, then it stands to reason that YOU are also a good part of the reason someone may PURCHASE something from you. Those of you who know me know that I have a small commercial website from which I market Portable Garages and Shelters - hence the name, http://www.portablegaragesandshelters.com/ (pretty clever, huh? :)
Now... I won't pretend that these structures are something that everyone just can't live without - but a lot of folks can and do use them. There are also many, many dealers out there selling them, and also several manufacturers for them.
So, if a lot of us are selling the same or similar items, why should they buy from me? I employ what is (in the advertising copywriting lingo) a USP - Unique Selling Proposition. What is unique isn't the product. It isn't necessarily the price.
It is this: I make sure that my customers know that I CARE about them more than the average salesperson does (or at least appears to). I make sure they see it in my writing, when I answer the phone, or when I respond to an email. Do I get every order? No. Of course not. But I get the orders from people who want to know someone cares about them as a person, and not just the money I earn from the sale. After all, we are all one in this universe. If I show caring for others, I'm showing the same for my self and business.
So, at the end of the day, it comes down to this: We need to learn how to dissolve our self-induced limitations, and get out of our own way to allow the universal principles to work through us.
The concepts can be learned. Practice them consistently and with faith, and you WILL succeed.
Fair enough. After all, why be in business if not, ultimately, to earn one's daily bread?
It seems that a natural direction to take would be to figure out how to market in such a way that attracts the right customer or prospect to one's product and/or business opportunity. Hence, we can now find the term "attraction marketing" springing up everywhere.
Regardless of whether you own a bricks and mortar business on Main Street or your own a home based business opportunity that you are marketing on the internet - you need customers. The Main Street business - if you are selling something that a good number of people in town or passing by want and need - will most likely get buyers stopping in since they see your sign and store. Or, if you advertise in the local flyers, the local buyers will visit.
CAVEAT: We must hope that before you put up your shingle on Main Street, that you did some market research to ensure that there was enough demand for your product in your area. After all, if you absolutely love surfing, and really want to sell surfboards but live 4 hours from the coast in the mountains, would it make sense for you to have a surf shop?
It is not much different on the internet or in network marketing prospecting (Again, we must hope that you have done some market research to see what people are buying online before you start your business). We need to target our market. We need to learn how to attract the right people to our product, service, or opportunity. How do we do that?
Fortunately, this is a learned skill. You won't master it overnight, but you can - and should learn how to understand and use the universal principle of the Law of Attraction and how it pertains to business. I am not going to go into this here. There are dozens - if not hundreds of sites out there now who can teach you these principles. Just do a "Google Search" for "Law of Attraction."
However, 2 of my personal favorites include http://humanscience.wikia.com/wiki/The_Secret_Project, and http://mental-science.com/.
In addition, I'd like to turn your attention to a few other specific learning resources to get you started on some action steps that you can begin using the second you read them.
If you are of a spiritual temperament, you can learn a lot through a very interesting site called "Growth Online," which discusses "fundamental factors that enable an individual to grow and evolve." From my own experience, whenever I feel that I am "stuck" or otherwise not succeeding, I have found that 100% of the time it's because I have somehow hindered my success through limiting thoughts and behaviors - essentially, not being able to "get out of my own way" as the saying goes.
This extensive site uses a little different terminology than you might ordinarily hear in more mainstream Law of Attraction sites. But, Growth Online, run by an individual speeding on his way to true enlightenment (if he's not already there), discusses techniques to encourage positive "Life Response."
I have utmost respect for this individual, whom you'll meet at his site. He's taught me more about self and business growth in months than any number of other experts have in years. I'll not say more - just visit and decide for yourself.
Another site that has helped me understand at a very deep level that "people do not join a business - they join YOU," is Magnetic Sponsoring which offers a very inexpensive book on the subject. Also visit another one of my sites, http://www.truthtowealthonline.com/ to get a great free ebook on the subject of why a lot of folks just don't make it in internet marketing. It's no-nonsense, and no-excuses. All business. Again. See for yourself.
Finally - and I don't have a specific site to send you to on this topic - if people don't join a business, and they join YOU, then it stands to reason that YOU are also a good part of the reason someone may PURCHASE something from you. Those of you who know me know that I have a small commercial website from which I market Portable Garages and Shelters - hence the name, http://www.portablegaragesandshelters.com/ (pretty clever, huh? :)
Now... I won't pretend that these structures are something that everyone just can't live without - but a lot of folks can and do use them. There are also many, many dealers out there selling them, and also several manufacturers for them.
So, if a lot of us are selling the same or similar items, why should they buy from me? I employ what is (in the advertising copywriting lingo) a USP - Unique Selling Proposition. What is unique isn't the product. It isn't necessarily the price.
It is this: I make sure that my customers know that I CARE about them more than the average salesperson does (or at least appears to). I make sure they see it in my writing, when I answer the phone, or when I respond to an email. Do I get every order? No. Of course not. But I get the orders from people who want to know someone cares about them as a person, and not just the money I earn from the sale. After all, we are all one in this universe. If I show caring for others, I'm showing the same for my self and business.
So, at the end of the day, it comes down to this: We need to learn how to dissolve our self-induced limitations, and get out of our own way to allow the universal principles to work through us.
The concepts can be learned. Practice them consistently and with faith, and you WILL succeed.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Poor Economy? Who Says So? And Why Do You Listen?
I was just on the phone with one of my business partners. We got into a great conversation about how awesome our Global Resorts Network (GRN) business is, and how our product (the luxury vacation memberships) is truly changing the way the world looks at travel.
One of us (I don't remember who) mentioned something about how some folks really believe that "the economy is poor." We both kind of chuckled - we are both into practicing the principles expounded in what is commonly referred to these days as "The Law of Attraction," and my business partner said something to the effect that he sees this as a time of fantastic opportunity - and I fully agree!
Whenever I think of the Law of Attraction in terms of society and what the media report, I always go back to "you bring about what you think about," and if people are stuck on listening to reports that boo-hoo our economy, and if these same people complain to others about their finances, and then everyone at the party starts boo-hooing the perceived woes of the economy, well... Guess what?
So, as we were chuckling over the perception of "poor economy" he went on to say that:
1) People want to SAVE MONEY - which means they don't want to WASTE it! And our product SAVES people money on things that they really love to do - and they can do it totally without guilt! Kind of like eating chocolate, now that we know it's good for us. :) Besides, there are PLENTY of people who have the money to go on vacation. Ever been to the beach in summer? Ever visited New England during Leaf-Peeping time?
2) People are looking for ways to earn a few extra dollars. And we so happen to have an exceptionally sound, exciting, and even prestigious way to do so (if you're into the prestige of selling high end stuff)!
None of these ideas has "worry about the economy" attached. Instead, we are attaching "think about the opportunities" to our business and strategies to grow it.
By the way, it helps to stop watching so much TV. :)
One of us (I don't remember who) mentioned something about how some folks really believe that "the economy is poor." We both kind of chuckled - we are both into practicing the principles expounded in what is commonly referred to these days as "The Law of Attraction," and my business partner said something to the effect that he sees this as a time of fantastic opportunity - and I fully agree!
Whenever I think of the Law of Attraction in terms of society and what the media report, I always go back to "you bring about what you think about," and if people are stuck on listening to reports that boo-hoo our economy, and if these same people complain to others about their finances, and then everyone at the party starts boo-hooing the perceived woes of the economy, well... Guess what?
So, as we were chuckling over the perception of "poor economy" he went on to say that:
1) People want to SAVE MONEY - which means they don't want to WASTE it! And our product SAVES people money on things that they really love to do - and they can do it totally without guilt! Kind of like eating chocolate, now that we know it's good for us. :) Besides, there are PLENTY of people who have the money to go on vacation. Ever been to the beach in summer? Ever visited New England during Leaf-Peeping time?
2) People are looking for ways to earn a few extra dollars. And we so happen to have an exceptionally sound, exciting, and even prestigious way to do so (if you're into the prestige of selling high end stuff)!
None of these ideas has "worry about the economy" attached. Instead, we are attaching "think about the opportunities" to our business and strategies to grow it.
By the way, it helps to stop watching so much TV. :)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Decisions...Decisions...How to Decide?
In my last entry, we discussed finding legitimate home based businesses.
I also mentioned my own preference for marketing online versus home meetings - again, just my personal peference. There IS another reason for this preference, apart from my aversion to rejection. :) This other reason is that the internet gives us a far wider customer and prospect base than say, a community of 200 people might give us. Note: This is NOT to be used as an excuse to not join an opportunity. I personally know people who have made a LOT of money in Network Marketing (MLM) who started in their own little towns. So, don't use "I don't know a lot of people" as an excuse. I've used it myself. No more. Be done with excuses! Remember the old saying: "You can make excuses or progress, but you cannot make both."
That's not to say you should join an opportunity just because you feel you might be the only one missing the boat if you DON'T join - Your opportunity MUST resonate with you - of course, this is my opinion. My reasoning is this: If you do not just love the product, how excited do you think you will be when it comes time to share it? Hmmm.
Ok... Back to the subject at hand.
While you are searching for the right opportunity, here is another thing to consider:
DEMAND: What is the demand? What are people searching for on line? Example: A lot of people are looking for ways to recruit others to their opportunity. This is a biggie. There are ways to capitalize on this need. I don't know about you, but I have a strong dislike for prospecting. I say that prospecting stinks, and if I need to prospect (and who doesn't), then I need some help. You can become an affiliate of a few different prospecting and marketing programs, and advertise these to earn some cash. I personally use a few of these.
DETERMINE THE MARKET: But, how can you determine the market? How do you know whether people are looking for a particular item or not? If you sign up for an account at www.WordButler.com, you can use their reverse keyword search tool for about $20 per month or so. You can also get these tools if you sign up for Yahoo Sponsored Search or Google Ad Words.
There are other places to get reverse keword search tools, too. I am a Stores OnLine customer, and have a few websites hosted by them - and one of their tools for merchants is a Reverse Search Lookup - where we put in a keyword and we get a report on how many people are searching the internet for that particular term. Pretty valuable stuff! Search the internet for "keyword research tools" and you'll find something that can help you.
COMPETITION: Then, of course, you need competition. If no one else is selling the thing that you're interested in, chances are good it's not a strong enough product to sink your teeth into.
BACK TO WHAT INTERESTS YOU: I do think it's important to stay within your range of interests. For example, I mentioned that I don't particularly care for jewelry - but one of my friends does, and is a representative for a jewelry company that markets via home parties - and she's earning a nice chunk of cash doing so. She's not earning it from me - but evidently a lot of people like jewelry out there!
In my case, my husband and I really enjoy travel. So, that's why we market for Global Resorts Network (GRN). We love it! And some of the reasons we love it so much is because:
1) GRN's travel partner has more than 22 years experience in customer satisfaction;
2) We get paid fairly ($500 - $1,000 per sale before our expenses);
3) We had experience with some of the resorts even before we joined and they are top-notch; and
4) We can market the memberships without EVER having to tell someone that there is a business opportunity attached to it. Talk about a true stand-alone product. We have a retail-only site - where there is NO mention whatsoever of a business opportunity. Let's face it, not everyone who travels or loves to vacation is necessarily interested in going into the business end of things. It would be like trying to sell a car to someone who doesn't have or want a driver's license.
And YOU may not be interested in travel at all... So let's move on.
STAND ALONE PRODUCT: So... that's another thing you might want to consider - marketing a product that does not require that you build a sales organization. In our case, we welcome both aspects, as mentioned above. If you have a strong interest in natural health products, study the business model and see if you can market the product without the need to market the opportunity. Same goes with any area of interest to you.
Well, that's about all I have today on this topic! I'll write more as I become inspired.
I also mentioned my own preference for marketing online versus home meetings - again, just my personal peference. There IS another reason for this preference, apart from my aversion to rejection. :) This other reason is that the internet gives us a far wider customer and prospect base than say, a community of 200 people might give us. Note: This is NOT to be used as an excuse to not join an opportunity. I personally know people who have made a LOT of money in Network Marketing (MLM) who started in their own little towns. So, don't use "I don't know a lot of people" as an excuse. I've used it myself. No more. Be done with excuses! Remember the old saying: "You can make excuses or progress, but you cannot make both."
That's not to say you should join an opportunity just because you feel you might be the only one missing the boat if you DON'T join - Your opportunity MUST resonate with you - of course, this is my opinion. My reasoning is this: If you do not just love the product, how excited do you think you will be when it comes time to share it? Hmmm.
Ok... Back to the subject at hand.
While you are searching for the right opportunity, here is another thing to consider:
DEMAND: What is the demand? What are people searching for on line? Example: A lot of people are looking for ways to recruit others to their opportunity. This is a biggie. There are ways to capitalize on this need. I don't know about you, but I have a strong dislike for prospecting. I say that prospecting stinks, and if I need to prospect (and who doesn't), then I need some help. You can become an affiliate of a few different prospecting and marketing programs, and advertise these to earn some cash. I personally use a few of these.
DETERMINE THE MARKET: But, how can you determine the market? How do you know whether people are looking for a particular item or not? If you sign up for an account at www.WordButler.com, you can use their reverse keyword search tool for about $20 per month or so. You can also get these tools if you sign up for Yahoo Sponsored Search or Google Ad Words.
There are other places to get reverse keword search tools, too. I am a Stores OnLine customer, and have a few websites hosted by them - and one of their tools for merchants is a Reverse Search Lookup - where we put in a keyword and we get a report on how many people are searching the internet for that particular term. Pretty valuable stuff! Search the internet for "keyword research tools" and you'll find something that can help you.
COMPETITION: Then, of course, you need competition. If no one else is selling the thing that you're interested in, chances are good it's not a strong enough product to sink your teeth into.
BACK TO WHAT INTERESTS YOU: I do think it's important to stay within your range of interests. For example, I mentioned that I don't particularly care for jewelry - but one of my friends does, and is a representative for a jewelry company that markets via home parties - and she's earning a nice chunk of cash doing so. She's not earning it from me - but evidently a lot of people like jewelry out there!
In my case, my husband and I really enjoy travel. So, that's why we market for Global Resorts Network (GRN). We love it! And some of the reasons we love it so much is because:
1) GRN's travel partner has more than 22 years experience in customer satisfaction;
2) We get paid fairly ($500 - $1,000 per sale before our expenses);
3) We had experience with some of the resorts even before we joined and they are top-notch; and
4) We can market the memberships without EVER having to tell someone that there is a business opportunity attached to it. Talk about a true stand-alone product. We have a retail-only site - where there is NO mention whatsoever of a business opportunity. Let's face it, not everyone who travels or loves to vacation is necessarily interested in going into the business end of things. It would be like trying to sell a car to someone who doesn't have or want a driver's license.
And YOU may not be interested in travel at all... So let's move on.
STAND ALONE PRODUCT: So... that's another thing you might want to consider - marketing a product that does not require that you build a sales organization. In our case, we welcome both aspects, as mentioned above. If you have a strong interest in natural health products, study the business model and see if you can market the product without the need to market the opportunity. Same goes with any area of interest to you.
Well, that's about all I have today on this topic! I'll write more as I become inspired.
Finding Legitimate Home Based Businesses
I have been receiving a lot of emails and ads lately from people who know that I have some history in network marketing and home based business in general. I guess up here in New Hampshire, where the area boasts beautiful scenery - but not a whole lot of diversity in employment options - a lot of us are attracted to the idea of working at home.
Naturally, when someone gets involved with a network marketing group (aka MLM), the phones begin ringing while new representatives call up the top 10 people on their list (MLM folks, you know what I'm talking about!) :) and give invitations to their various home meetings.
I cannot tell you how many of these meetings I have been invited to - and how many times I have personally invited people to my own meetings. There is nothing wrong with this - many fortunes have been made in this way!
If I do not join a particular organization, it's not necessarily that I'm not interested in selling the product itself - in my case, it's just that I do not want to have to contacta network of people I know. I think I'm pretty much done with that method of marketing (I don't have a very thick skin for rejection).
But, because I do love selling, my own preference is to market via the internet.
Ah. Usually, when I'm having this discussion with someone about internet marketing, I get this question, "But Kathy, aren't there a log of internet scams out there?"
My answer is: "I don't know. I don't look for internet scams. I look for legitimate products, legitimate companies, and legitimate home based businesses." Kind of using the Law of Attraction... If I were thinking about being scammed, I'd probably find all sorts of ways to be scammed. Personally, I find lots of terrific products, and equally terrific companies.
As an aside: Because I enjoy copywriting, I do tend to look at my daily direct mail pieces I receive here at home (aka "Junk Mail"). And, because I do look fairly carefully at this stuff to see how other writers are promoting products and opportunities, I have to say that the ONLY time I have personally seen MLM or Network Marketing organizations that are scams or untrustworthy are some of the "Get Rich Quick" schemes, chain letters or astrology reports (from psychics who tell me that they are sincerely alarmed about what is about to happen to me - and that they can help me, but only if I respond to their offer) I've received via Direct Mail.
Most of the programs I've been involved with or invited to view are all high class, first rate programs with excellent products. It's just that a lot of them don't resonate with me on a gut level.
As an example, I love candles in my home - but I'm not interested in selling them. The same goes for jewelry. I just don't really care about it.
Now we can talk about selling things via Internet Marketing though! I love internet marketing. Again, I prefer to see the positive, real products and opportunities - and not spend my time looking for scams.
So, how can a person find a great internet marketing opportunity? Well, for starters - ignore all your spam emails. If you don't know the person writing to you, or it's just an advertisement for the latest "get rich quick" scam - just delete it. Don't spend any of your time or energy on it. None.
When you are searching for a product, check out the scam or ripoff websites to see who is saying what about a product or company (keep in mind that there will always be people who are merely complaining - ignore them. Go for the well-balanced, well-thought-out responses.
Check out the Better Business Bureau Online - and again, keep in mind that no one is perfect. Even the best business opportunity or product will have someone who is a detractor or has a complaint. Hey, it's a big world out there, and lots of people having lots of reactions to things. So, look for balance. If it seems like there is a heavy leaning towards problems with a company, and not a good enough rating, then keep on searching.
That's good for starters... I'll write again on this topic, because there is a lot to say! Suffice it to say that doing your due diligence BEFORE you join an opportunity is the prevention that is the best medicine!
Naturally, when someone gets involved with a network marketing group (aka MLM), the phones begin ringing while new representatives call up the top 10 people on their list (MLM folks, you know what I'm talking about!) :) and give invitations to their various home meetings.
I cannot tell you how many of these meetings I have been invited to - and how many times I have personally invited people to my own meetings. There is nothing wrong with this - many fortunes have been made in this way!
If I do not join a particular organization, it's not necessarily that I'm not interested in selling the product itself - in my case, it's just that I do not want to have to contacta network of people I know. I think I'm pretty much done with that method of marketing (I don't have a very thick skin for rejection).
But, because I do love selling, my own preference is to market via the internet.
Ah. Usually, when I'm having this discussion with someone about internet marketing, I get this question, "But Kathy, aren't there a log of internet scams out there?"
My answer is: "I don't know. I don't look for internet scams. I look for legitimate products, legitimate companies, and legitimate home based businesses." Kind of using the Law of Attraction... If I were thinking about being scammed, I'd probably find all sorts of ways to be scammed. Personally, I find lots of terrific products, and equally terrific companies.
As an aside: Because I enjoy copywriting, I do tend to look at my daily direct mail pieces I receive here at home (aka "Junk Mail"). And, because I do look fairly carefully at this stuff to see how other writers are promoting products and opportunities, I have to say that the ONLY time I have personally seen MLM or Network Marketing organizations that are scams or untrustworthy are some of the "Get Rich Quick" schemes, chain letters or astrology reports (from psychics who tell me that they are sincerely alarmed about what is about to happen to me - and that they can help me, but only if I respond to their offer) I've received via Direct Mail.
Most of the programs I've been involved with or invited to view are all high class, first rate programs with excellent products. It's just that a lot of them don't resonate with me on a gut level.
As an example, I love candles in my home - but I'm not interested in selling them. The same goes for jewelry. I just don't really care about it.
Now we can talk about selling things via Internet Marketing though! I love internet marketing. Again, I prefer to see the positive, real products and opportunities - and not spend my time looking for scams.
So, how can a person find a great internet marketing opportunity? Well, for starters - ignore all your spam emails. If you don't know the person writing to you, or it's just an advertisement for the latest "get rich quick" scam - just delete it. Don't spend any of your time or energy on it. None.
When you are searching for a product, check out the scam or ripoff websites to see who is saying what about a product or company (keep in mind that there will always be people who are merely complaining - ignore them. Go for the well-balanced, well-thought-out responses.
Check out the Better Business Bureau Online - and again, keep in mind that no one is perfect. Even the best business opportunity or product will have someone who is a detractor or has a complaint. Hey, it's a big world out there, and lots of people having lots of reactions to things. So, look for balance. If it seems like there is a heavy leaning towards problems with a company, and not a good enough rating, then keep on searching.
That's good for starters... I'll write again on this topic, because there is a lot to say! Suffice it to say that doing your due diligence BEFORE you join an opportunity is the prevention that is the best medicine!
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