| Q |
What network marketing (NM) are you currently involved in? |
| A |
I work as an independent distributor for ‘Herbalife’ an international company dealing with health and nutrition products. |
| Q |
How did you find out about it or get involved? |
| A |
Having spent most of my life in the shipping industry, I spent a brief period in direct sales and then unexpectedly fell ill, leaving a gap of 9 months in my working career. At the age of 50 it was very difficult to realise that due to the health problems I could not go back into my old profession and had to find something new. A very old friend suggested I use the products in my efforts to regain strength and in the process found a possible career path with the company. I then went to a regular meeting of the network group, which I found a very good way to learn about the products, and have any questions, doubts etc, answered.
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| Q |
What negative experiences did you have in the past with NM? |
| A |
This was the first time I had entertained working from home in network marketing so had no previous experience negative or positive. I suppose like most people I firstly was wary that this was a similar process to Pyramid selling, however this was soon dispelled by my mentor and at the initial meeting.
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| Q |
What investment did it take to get started? |
| A |
It cost me just over £100.00 to attend the meeting (including a meal) and purchase a business pack with examples of the products and an extensive manual, clearly showing exactly what and how to start. Within a week I was off the ground with the business. |
| Q |
Do you manage to keep your work and home life separate? |
| A |
I found it needed will power to avoid obvious distractions when working from home and a strict regime is the best way to dispel such temptations. Luckily my wife and daughters are out of the house much of the time, but gardens, TV’s and armchairs continually lurk in the background to tempt the weak willed. I personally use the radio in the background most of the time which I don’t consider a sin. The secret I believe to successfully homeworking is time management and setting specific tasks to be completed. However I want it to be fun and enjoyable so I allow myself lunch breaks etc much as I would if at my old office. An advantage in Homeworking in NM is that if Thursdays weather looks good and the weekend looks rough, OK make Thursday your day off and work on Saturday! The boss won’t mind – you are the boss. |
| Q |
What are the negative points about working at home and NM? |
| A |
The last question covered many of these. In truth I am enjoying the experience. The fact that some people working from home may miss the activity and comradeship experienced in a more formal place or work could be considered a negative factor but not in my case. You must be able to cope with rejection when dealing in NM , although in my experience so far, the friendly responses I get far exceed the rejections. |
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| Q |
Does your NM cover the cost of the time you put into it? |
| A |
Yes, I do cover the cost of my time and the graph is upwards after a few months. There is good returns to be made, but it will take time and effort like any sound business. Never believe that every pound made, is a pound you can spend, you need to re-invest! One advantage is that it is a business that can be part time or full time with the returns generally pro-rata to the time and effort. There is no such thing as a get rich quick scheme, you have to work for it. |
| Q |
Do you do your NM part time or full time? |
| A |
I decided to start full time as my previous illness had left me without a means of earning money. I suppose on average I devote some 45 hours a week to my business mainly in daytime, but devote an hour or so each evening to phone call etc, when people are home.
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| Q |
Where do you do most of your NM? |
| A |
Most of the work is at home on the computer and internet/E.mail, however I choose to see customers at their homes sometimes, although not essential and also spend about 1 or 2 hours every weekday marketing the business including distributing flyers posters etc. |
| Q |
Where do you work at home and do you need to store goods? |
| A |
Luckily I have an office, which was converted from a garage although you do not need special facilities. I keep a small amount of stock in my office but it takes very little space. |
| Q |
What sort of work do you also do (or before you did NM full time)? |
| A |
I worked in Shipping and Logistics prior to this business, I now work full time on a self employed basis. |
| Q |
What advice would you suggest to someone considering Network Marketing? |
| A |
- Find out as much as possible prior to committing yourself. I found the organisational meeting very informative. I had the chance to see the products I would be selling and meet people actually in the business. Write down questions you want to ask.
- Look very carefully at the returns against outlay with products and the network structure, I was lucky and found a very good proposition directly relevant to the effort. Read the small print on anything you sign!
- Try/experience the products you intend to sell etc, It is essential to find a product you believe in, or you will not be able to succeed.
- Enjoy what you do, you will always have moments of doubt, but if the business is structured well you can succeed. Make sure that full support from your upline is available and ask questions until you drive them crazy !
- One advantage of NM with the right company is that you will not be prejudged by your age, gender of status. You are self employed and make your own decisions.
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