There is only one blog I read on a regular basis (4-5 times per week). I think you will find it a helpful resource as well. Go to: General Site: http://www.business-opportunities.biz - There are several subcategories with a ton of information. - By Dane Carlson MLM Blog Posts: http://mlm.business-opportunities.biz - By Ty Tribble and Dane Carlson I would add one or both of these sites to your favorites and refer to them often. I must admit, and I'm sure you will agree with me, most of the MLM Blogs out there are worthless. They are "spammy blogs" - also called splogs - that are just there to promote their own product, busienss, or opportunity. That is one reason I like Dane's Blog. If you know of another "generic" MLM Blog, post a comment and let us know. I hope you find it helpful!

One of the things that many people allude to (and some come right out and say it) is that they have tried everything to get their business to grow, and nothing seems to work. They've tried online and offline systems, genealogy leads and biz opp leads, hotel meetings and home meetings, but things just aren't working. I want to take a few minutes and give you some advice, some thoughts, and my personal experience that may be able to help you (or those you know going through this) have success in our the NWM industry. Let me begin by telling you my personal story. I've actually never told this before, but it applies to this subject. I joined my first company back in 1997. In fact, I am still with that company using their products every day. I tried for nearly six years to build that business, but I never had any level of success. In fact, I think my spending to earnings ratio is at least 100:1 (maybe 1000:1). Now, it wasn't that I wasn't passionate about the products. It wasn't that there wasn't a system that worked. It wasn't that I didn't have successful mentors. It wasn't because I didn't have prospects to talk to. After about six years, I began working with another company. By the end of my first year in business I had earned $60K After 18 months, I was on track to surpass $100K annually. What was the difference? Well, it wasn't because all of the sudden I had a good batch of leads. It wasn't because all of the sudden I now had a patented, proprietary, first-to-market, ground floor, doctor approved, miracle product. It wasn't because I now had an upline that could do killer 3-way calls with me. The difference was - it was the right fit for me. I believe (and you may not agree) that there are some companies and segments of the network marketing industry that are harder to build than others, for some people. The playing field is not level in all arenas. While one person may thrive and flourish with one company, another person may flounder and falter with the same company. It doesn't mean the second person is a moron. It may mean that there is another company out there somewhere that is a better fit. Now, before I go on, let me say that I am not advocating for people to quit their company and jump ship to another company. I believe in perseverance, overcoming, and breaking through those barriers that can help you become a greater person. I am advocating that a person needs to be realistic and not blame the leads, the system, the upline, etc., and take a hard look at what is happening. You cannot blame the leads. There are too many people that have had incredible results to blame the leads. You see, in my first company, there are people who are making six figures a month. There are still people who are recruiting 20+ people a month. In fact, one guy recruited 110 people in one month, a few months ago. It isn't as if the company isn't successful. In fact, they are currently experiencing record growth after 12+ years in business. Look at the corporate world. People change jobs all the time. I'm not talking about the person who can't hold down a job. I'm talking about the person who changes positions because as he matures he comes to discover what brings him the greatest fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction. While there isn't a job that can provide all that 100% of the time, there comes a time when a person knows what works and what doesn't work for them. For example, my favorite restaurant is a Mexican place called Abuelos. It doesn't mean I want to work there or even own the place. But, I'll recommend them all day long for someone who wants a great meal. I still believe in the products of the first company I joined. But, it doesn't mean that company is the best place for me to work and build a business. I'll recommend their products to someone, but the company just didn't fit. Here's the bottom line. I believe in our industry as a whole. I don't believe every company is for every person and that every company is an equal fit and opportunity for every person. I believe it is time to stop blaming the leads, the system, the products, the upline, the leadership, etc. for one's lack of success. There are way too many people around us who are successful to disprove the blame game. While it may be in someone's best interest to persevere, break through, and achieve success with their current company, there also comes a point when it's time to admit, "this is just not on me." Maybe, just maybe, this resonates with you. While I know I'll receive a certain level of criticism from some for advocating it's time to switch companies, this article was written for those who can "hear" what I am saying. There is a verse in the New Testament that says "To him who has ears, let him hear." You see, many people are bombarded with guilt because they are told that if they can't make it with "ABC" company, then what makes you think you'll make it elsewhere. Finally, let me say this. This article is not all about finding a new company. If that is what you've concluded, then you've missed the heart of what is being said. This article is a response to people who have been complaining and blaming, and for those who have been working hard and working smart, but making very little progress. This article is bigger than the promoting and advocating of genealogy leads. It is about finding success within our industry.

Let's deal with the "Yes" first, then we'll deal with the "But." With email filters, blockers, and simply tons of unsolicited email, is email marketing still a viable option to build and grow your network marketing business? The answer to this question, in my opinion is "Yes, but." I remember about 5 or 6 years ago putting about 400 leads into my autoresponder and enrolling about 8 - 10 people a month into my nutritional program. Today, if you had 10 times that many leads, you may get a couple of prospects, and maybe, maybe, one enrollment. It is true that times have changed, but that doesn't necessarily mean that email marketing is dead. Let's look at a couple of examples. One colleague of mine from California literally cannot keep up with the large number of prospects inquiring about her program. She is signing up 10 - 15 people per month into her program which costs about $1300 to start. Eighty percent of her efforts are wrapped up in email marketing. She has gone through the learning curve and is what I would call, a professional email marketer. How many emails does she send? About 1 million per month. To read the whole story, go to: Email Marketing

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