Prequalifying for Network Marketing: the 21 Questions You Need to Ask

MLM companies play this little game of your " prequalifying for Network Marketing ".  The little game says that if you jump through their hoops then they might let you join.

Balderdash.

You shouldn't be prequalifying for them.  THEY should be pre-qualified by you.

Okey dokey.  So just waht questions do you ask for prequalifying for network marketing?  Try these:

1. Do you honestly understand the compensation plan? 

If not, turn around and walk away.  Now.  Do not pass GO.  Do not collect $100.

2.  Does the compensation plan involved commission from more than three levels of sales? 

If so, get away from it.  You are not selling product.  You are selling down lines.

3.  How much are you required to buy?  Do you buy your own "starter kit"?  Do you have to buy a certain amount of product every month? 

Monthly quotas can be real killers.  Be careful.

4.  Does your network marketing upline receive commission from your payment for the "starter kit"? 

There should be no commission for starter kits, only for real product sales.

5.  How much do you pay for the "starter kit"? 

If it is more than the actual cost of the kit, plus shipping, watch out.

6.  Do you have to purchase a minimum amount at full cost each month? 

Companies should not be allowed to set these minimums, nor pay your upline commissions on these minimums.

7.  Is there a way to join the company without making a purchase? 

There should be.

8.  Is the network marketing product priced higher than the market price for similar competing products which are not sold via network marketing?

Then why would anybody buy it at all, except that your upline (and you) are getting commissions.

9.  Can you purchase product for resale in small quantities, or are you forced to buy cases at a time? 

Why buy huge amounts?  Is this the only way the company can move its product?

10.  Are you asked to purchase large amounts of product prior to having orders for the products from customers not participating in the network marketing company? 

If so, don't.  This is one of the big ways of prequalifying for network marketing.  The more product you are required to buy, the less likely it is that the company is a good one.

11.  If you cannot sell product, will the company buy it back from you? 

If they won't, don't buy it.

12. Is the company's "network marketing opportunity" being more prominently promoted than the company's product? 

This is the common denominator of lousy companies.  If they haven't got a great product, you don't want them.

13. Do the network marketing company's products seem relatively irrelevant compared to the company's "network marketing opportunity"? 

How were you approached?  As a purchaser, or as a sales person.  That's how they expect you to approach others. 

If all you are selling is "opportunity", that "opportunity" isn't there.

14.  Do you actually use the products? 

If not, why not?  If you can't prequalify for network marketing on this issue, this isn't your company, even if it is otherwise a good company.

15. Is the company training you on how to sell the product or on how to build your down line? 

Actually, if they really train you to do anything, you should be grateful.  The overwhelming number of "training" programs are totally worthless.

16. Are the network marketing company's previously recruited participants left to go it alone after their initial recruitment and purchases? 

There should always be someone you can contact for questions and assistance. Don't depend on your "upline" -- it can go away at any time.

17. Can you determine who is buying product in your down line?  What are the reports really like? 

You should be able to see names and amounts, and know who these people are.

18.  Can you determine who has joined your down line?  And who has left? 

With 2 or 3 levels of downline, you can track your commission.  With more than that, or with no reporting mechanism in place, it is impossible to track.  It's like giving your commission away.  If you can't prove that you've earned it, you won't get it.  This is one the real essential steps for prequalifying for network marketing.

19 How will you make the most money:  by selling product, or by getting others to join the down line? 

If it's through your down line, forget it.  With my companies, about 90% of my earning (which are substantial) come from my own sales.  Only 10% comes from my downline.  Translate those figures into the company you are looking at.

20. Regardless of what all the paperwork says, do people working with the company promote the product, or do they promote the "wonderful sales opportunity"? 

Get a reality check before proceeding.

21. How valid are the income figures the company provides to you?  Who compiled the figures?  Who audited them?  Can you keep records of your own downline sales and product commissions? 

If not, walk away.

Prequalifying for network marketing is not always easy.  These are not questions you will hear in the "breakfast meetings" your sponsor drags you to.  But if you are serious about having a profitable business, spend all the time you need prequalifying for network marketing.  It will be time that will pay you back again and again and again.

Back to top of Prequalifying for Network Marketing

 



If you find this website useful, please recommend it to a friend.
 
.

Hot Topics

An MLM Application Isn't What It Appears To Be

8 Lessons in Network Marketing Training Skills

The Most Important Network Marketing Tip You Will Ever Get

 

.
 
"What I wanted was to be allowed to do the thing in the world that I did best -- which I believed then and believe now is the greatest privilege there is.  When I did that success found me."
Debbi Fields,
Cookie Maker and Businesswoman Extradorinaire
 
.


 

 
Advertise on this Site   |   Contact Your Network Marketing Coach

(c) 1998-2008 BusinessFinance-One Inc.  All rights reserved.