You may have been approached by an acquaintance, friend or family member with a ‘business opportunity’ that sounds appealing. After all, the thought of having a flexible job that provides an ongoing income and can be done flexibly around other commitments would appeal to many people. And you wouldn’t be alone – the Pandemic has resulted in more people looking for alternative means of income generation, with reportedly 631,000 direct sellers now active in the UK.
Intrigued, you may have researched the organisation, their products and their starter pack for new distributors, and it all sounds great – but how do you really know if it’s right for you?
Here are some questions to ask yourself before signing up
- Are you passionate about the product or service?
This is an absolute must. Genuinely believing in the product or service will shine through when trying to attract new customers or team members. Prior to signing up it can be beneficial to thoroughly experience the product which will help you really get to know the advantages and disadvantages. This will in turn help you relate to your future customers’ pain points and enable you to offer the right solution for them.
- Do you have the drive and energy to run your own business?
As with any type of business, you do need to put in the time and effort to run and grow your business in order to make it a financial success. With many distributors having another type of employment – at least in the beginning – it can be a challenge to dedicate as much time and energy to the Network Marketing business as you would like to. There is also a certain amount of business admin to consider, such as filing an annual self-assessment tax return, although this should not take up too much time.
- Do you have the right skills and personality?
One of the great things about Network Marketing is that it is accessible to all, regardless of background and experience. Many of the skills needed can be learnt, but a predisposition to being determined, hardworking and good with people can certainly help. Your upline i.e. the person who recruited you into their team, will be able to help with tips and tricks of the trade, and there is no shortage of inspiring personalities in the industry to help you.
- Do you have realistic expectations?
Despite what some organisations may have you believe, Network Marketing is NOT a way to get rich quickly. A recent independent seller survey by the Direct Selling Association showed that the average monthly earnings are £481 – although many of our clients have built their businesses up to provide them with a more substantial income that enables them to live very comfortably.
If you have answered yes to most or all of the above questions, why not give it a go? Our experience of having worked with the sector for over 30 years has shown us that Multi Level Marketing is a legitimate business model that can provide a sustainable source of income.
If you’d like to find out more about how to make money in Network Marketing, you can read this blog.