30. November 2008 by Pat.

There are several distinct advantages to being in a direct sales opportunity vs. a multi-level marketing opportunity. 

First one must know the difference between the two.  In direct sales, one profit from the sale of one product pays one person.  In MLM, one profit from the sale of one product is split numerous ways between the person making the sale and that person’s upline.

Immediately, you should be able to see the disadvantage of the MLM system.  When you make a sale, you only get a portion of that sale.  Therefore, in order to earn a significant income, you must build a downline of several hundred or even several thousand (depending on the profits and the compensation plan of the company) individuals each selling the company’s products. 

The order of the day here is duplication and if you can’t get your downline to duplicate your efforts, you might as well stand facing the wind and urinate on yourself because that is the reward you are going to get.  This is why the failure rate of MLM home businesses is something like 95%.

With a direct sales business model, you are primarily dependent on your own efforts to generate the bulk of your income.  If you get the sale made, you get the commission.  Period. 
 

Now, with that said, the best direct sales companies build duplication and residual income into their compensation packages to “sweeten the pot”, so to speak. 

In these instances, you get the best of both worlds.  You get the total profit from your own efforts and if you are a great team leader, you will also get some of the duplication efforts from your team and residual income as your team grows.

When you are looking at a network marketing opportunity, keep these two very distinct differences at the forefront and you will ensure that you find the best opportunity for you to reach your financial independence.

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28. November 2008 by Pat.

In a world so full of “me first” attitudes, it is no wonder we see so much turmoil and dysfunction in the world around us. The financial fiasco being played out on the national stage is evidence that something is seriously wrong. Day after day, words of disaster come at us from all directions — words that instill fear, panic, and negativity. News of foreclosures, more bank failures, bailouts totaling billions of dollars…it is no wonder the confidence level of people in our country is the lowest it has been in 28 years. That has to change, and it can if we commit ourselves to changing what “we think about” and “what we say” to ourselves and others!

Anybody living in Atlanta since Gustav hit the gulf coast has seen evidence of what happens when people get themselves into a place of panic and fear. Gasoline was in short supply here, and the result was closed stations and long lines at the pumps of those stations that had gas. We also began to see evidence of what happens to people’s behavior in times of stress. People trying to cut in line, fistfights and angry words at the pump, and a general attitude of I’m going to get mine first.

In Corporate America, we see people suffering from a severe affliction that I like to call the “corporate coma.” People aren’t walking through their work lives with joy and ease or a sense that they are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Instead, a type of malaise has settled over employees in companies everywhere. Today’s economic fears and negativity, encouraged all too frequently by the media, only adds the proliferation of “what’s the use” attitudes. The result is an apathetic, largely checked out workforce who up to go through the motions in order to take home the paycheck.

Those of us working outside those corporate halls are not immune to feeling invisible, unappreciated for our gifts and talents, or feeling just plain beaten down by the constant demands of business and life. The constant barrage of negative information coming at us can erode our confidence, if we let it.

Big change is sorely needed in our world, and it starts with each one of us. What’s happening nationally doesn’t have to be our world locally. We have all heard it said that we are what we think about. I’d like to take that a step further and say that we are also what we “talk about.” What we say — the words we use — largely determines our success or failure.

What are you saying right now? Are you complaining about what you don’t have or what you do have? Are you blaming the economy or others for what’s not working in your life right now? If you are, that’s an attitude that will get you nowhere and it never will. James Arthur Ray in his book “Harmonic Wealth” says, “Energy flows where attention goes.” Whether you realize it or not, our words are powerful, energetic forces that have the power to harm or heal. They can either empower or disappoint. They can lift up or drag down. Choose your words carefully. Ask yourself if they help you or harm you. Banish words that keep you and others rooted in mediocrity. Commit to yourself that you will not be one of those people who use “the economy” as an excuse for not accomplishing your goals. Have a positive mental attitude, plan what you want to accomplish, develop your skills, use positive words, and stay focused on the action you need to take to achieve the success you desire.

Finally, remember to maintain an “attitude of gratitude.” If you find yourself sinking into feelings of fear and worry, I encourage you to stop for a minute to take stock of all the gifts you have in your life right now, because I’m betting there are plenty of them if you just take a minute to look around. Create a gratitude list and refer to it often. Remaining grateful for what we have is a surefire way to keep us on a positive track. And remember to say “thank you” to others around you for a job well done, a business connection made, or a helping hand offered.

A positive mental attitude backed up by positive and inspiring language is one of the single biggest determinants of success. So shut out the noise. Ignore the negativity. Stay focused on your goals, speak positively to yourself and others, and watch your success soar!

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26. November 2008 by Pat.

It is no secret that America is facing its biggest financial crisis since the great depression. Companies are closing their doors and cutting jobs by the tens of thousands each month, hundreds of thousands of people are becoming unemployed each month, and currently millions of people without jobs. As it stands, Corporate America is no longer a viable and reliable source of security nor has it ever been.

Do You Have A Way Out?
I was speaking with a friend of mind just the other day that is from Detroit about the auto industry and how it will affect that city. Come to find out his parents are both retired from one of the BIG THREE (Ford, GM, Chrysler) and they are highly concerned about what happens to their pensions if those companies fall.

There is a since of concern, urgency and desperation on the faces of people nowadays to find other sources of income to gain that financial security. The buzz has been home businesses that have very low risk and very low financial commitment like MLM, Network Marketing, or Direct Sales. This is a $105 Billion industry with approximately 175,000 people joining per week in the U.S and 495,000 people joining per week world wide.

So what’s the deal behind this type of home business that people are flocking to during this time of financial crisis?

Robert Kiyosaki, a self made millionaire and author of best selling book Rich Dad, Poor Dad says, “Network Marketing gives people an opportunity, with very low risk and very low financial commitment, to build their own income generating asset and acquire great wealth”.

Warren Buffet, the world’s richest individual and owner of 3 direct sales companies says, “One of the best investments I’ve ever made”
Donald Trump, a self-made millionaire says,” It has proven itself to be a viable and reliable source of income”.

Network Marketing has changed the lives of people all over the world who have decided to take on the opportunity presented to them. You hear testimonial after testimonial about rags to riches stories and how great wealth has been achieved. It’s really pretty simple, there is nothing magical about it, and these are ordinary everyday people who decided to take ownership of the financial security and gained the freedom they’ve only dreamed of.

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11. November 2008 by Pat.

There is a new kid on the block and it’s called Click2Sell. Click2Sell is similar to Clickbank, but has more features and options for sellers and affiliates.  It’s a complete all-in-one system for merchants to sell products online (mostly digital products such as ebooks, software, etc.), run affiliate programs and recruit affiliates. It’s also an affiliate programs network for affiliates to select and promote products from Click2Sell Marketplace and earn affiliate commissions.Click2Sell is a merchant platform, affiliate marketing portal, and online payment processor transaction coordinator.  Really, it’s an easy to use, all-in-one solution!According to various super-affiliates like Rosalind Gardner, Allan Gardyne, Zac Johnson,

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