MLM
Woman Issue 53
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From the Desk
of the Editor
Welcome to the 53rd issue of the MLM Woman Newsletter.
This month, I've selected articles to help you make the most of your
business and your life.
It's hard to believe that summer is just around the
corner. I hope you will take some time to slow down a bit and spend
some quality time with family and friends. Your business will always
be around, but your family and friends won't. Being in business for
yourself can be a blast, but make sure that your business doesn't
take over your life. Set some priorities and boundaries by setting
up a schedule and putting in lots of time to nurture yourself and
to have fun with family and friends. The whole point of having your
own business is to create the life you want. Take some time to think
about the life you really want and then make it happen!
Linda Locke, Editor
MLM Woman
6
Ways To Build
An MLM Website That Works
By Linda Locke Editor, MLM Woman Newsletter
The Internet is the best thing that has happened to
the MLM industry since the 3-way call. Unfortunately, with all the
thousands of sites out there, how can one lone distributor ever hope
to stand out from the crowd? Well, fortunately, it’s not that hard,
if you take the time to build your site using these 6 guidelines.
1. Tell your own story.
The web can be an impersonal place. People can't see
or hear you. All they know about you is what you include on your website
about yourself. The only personal information most people include
on their MLM website is their name, phone number and e-mail address.
That's not much to base a relationship on, is it? So one obvious way
to differentiate your site from all the others is to include more
personal information about yourself -- in other words -- tell your
own story. After all, people do business with people who they like
and trust.
So go ahead and include a picture of yourself on your
site. Tell them why you chose your company, what you like about the
products and the results you've had using them. Be sure to include
personal information that people can relate to -- if you are a stay-at-home
Mom, for example, tell them about how your business helps you stay
at home or helped you to quit your full-time job. If you have recently
escaped your corporate job because of your business success, share
that. If you have an extensive MLM background or professional credentials
be sure to include that information too, along with anything else
that is special about you, about the services you offer or about the
system you use. The main idea is to personalize your website and help
people to get to know a little more about you.
Special Tip: If your MLM company only allows
you to refer prospects to the company site, you can still put up an
Introductory Profile page of your own and link it to the company site.
Just include your personal information and keep it generic.
2. Use a theme or target a
niche market.
Using a theme or targeting a niche market as a foundation
for your site is another way to make it really stand out. What’s a
good theme or niche? Here’s some ideas to get you started. Some niche
markets are: stay-at-home moms, downsized middle managers, women,
men, generation X’s or Y’s, baby boomers, seniors. Some themes are:
boating/sailing, auto-racing, mountain-climbing, sports. Use your
imagination and come up with something that is truly unique and reflects
you and your interests. Chances are you’ll find others on the web
that will be interested in it too.
Special Tip: Pick a niche that you are passionate
about - this will make it easier for you to figure out what that group’s
needs and wants are and also make it easier for them to identify with
you through your website.
3. Publish a regular newsletter
or e-zine with valuable information.
Offering a free newsletter or e-zine is a great way
to keep in touch with people who visit your site. Make sure your newsletter
has a good focus and theme, and excellent content. Make it clear to
your visitors that you are offering more than just a sales pitch.
Make it easy to subscribe and be sure that you stick to a regular
publishing schedule.
Special Tip: If you need a list service for your
newsletter check out the free ones on: egroups.com and topica.com.
4. Use a dot.com name.
There is no doubt that using your own dot.com name for
your site will increase its effectiveness. Using a domain name makes
your site look more professional and is easier for people to remember.
Unfortunately, a lot of people on the net have a perception that people
who use free websites to host their site are not as professional or
as credible as those with a domain name of their own.
After all who would you have more confidence in: someone
with a site named yoursite.com/~sites/10666 or one called toyourheath.com?
Unfair as it might seem, this is not a image that you want to project.
People will wonder why you can't afford your own domain site. Also
free sites often require you to host banner ads for other companies
on your site and have annoying popup ad windows that open on top of
your page which distract from your marketing message.
Special Tip: Be sure to pick a name that is
easy to say and understand over the phone.
5. Do some market research
and check out the competition.
Take the time to go to your favorite search engines
and search for as many MLM websites as you can find. Then visit each
site and look it over and write down what you like and don’t like
about it. Is it easy to navigate? Does it look professional? Does
it make you want to do business with this person? Is the site attractive
and does it load quickly? What kinds of information do they offer?
Do they offer a secure way to order products online? Then can use
this short list to create and/or modify your own website. You can't
copy sites of course, but you can get good ideas that you can improve
or change and make your own.
Special Tip: Use a service like dogpile.com or
askjeeves.com to locate websites on lots of search engines at one
time.
6. Get the Word Out.
Now that your site is ready, you need to tell people
about it. Be sure to list your site with all the major search engines
-- yahoo.com, excite.com, altavista.com. webcrawler.com, etc. Participate
in online discussion groups and bulletin boards. Become a regular
on several boards you like and be helpful and answer questions and
share good information with the other board members. Build a reputation
as someone who is helpful and knowledgeable and people will come to
you. Write articles and get them placed in other e-zines. Buy paid
ads in popular online e-zines and online MLM publications. Set up
a consistent marketing plan for your business and stick to it. Building
an MLM website that works is not easy, but once the hard work of construction
is over, your business will reap the benefits for a long time.
Linda Locke, Editor
MLM Woman
Thinking of Network Marketing?
Find a Product That
Speaks To Your Heart
By Debbie Budesky
I know you've thought about it. Who hasn't? Who among
us hasn't dreamed of owning our own business, working at home to have
more time with our families, or spending our energy working to build
our own business rather than to make someone else rich? I know that
I personally looked for the better part of two years for a good home
business opportunity that would allow me to make a living doing something
that I enjoy, while offering the flexibility to work from home.
I investigated scores of "opportunities" that I saw on
the Internet and spent hundreds of dollars in the process, only to
be disappointed by what turned out to be either scams or companies
offering services with no real value. Nothing that I looked into really
grabbed me; nothing really made me sit up and take notice and say
"Wow." I figured that if I couldn't get excited about a company, how
on earth was I going to get anyone else excited about it?
So I gave up my dream for awhile. I continued on in my
career as a recruiter. It was a job that required me to commute an
hour and a half daily from our home in Marshall, Michigan to the company's
office in Kalamazoo, 45 miles away. I was gone 11 hours a day. My
husband and I had only been married for a few months. This is a second
marriage for both of us, and we've blended our two families; I brought
my two sons, ages 12 and 9, into this new family with my husband and
his 14-year-old daughter. Even in the best of possible circumstances,
I'm sure you can imagine how stressful forming a new step-family can
be!
We were both working full-time and were spreading ourselves
pretty thin between our jobs and the kids, and in the process our
health started to take a back seat. We weren't eating right and we
weren't getting enough sleep. Stress levels were climbing. We both
had recurring bouts of flu and bronchitis, and almost daily headaches.
It seemed as though on any given day, one of us was sick (if not both
of us). I was depressed about having to work so far away from home
at a job that I wasn't happy in, leaving the kids on their own after
school at a time in their lives when I felt they still needed supervision
and the benefit of having a parent at home for them.
Does any of this sound familiar? I know my story is not
all that uncommon; I know there are hundreds of thousands of working
parents in America who run themselves ragged trying to give 100% to
their job, 100% to their kids, and 100% to their mate. In the process
of trying to be all things to all people, we forget about ourselves
and the first thing to suffer is our health. The key to what turned
this picture around for us, however, lies in the product and the company
that would eventually change our lives -- both from a health perspective
and from a business perspective.
As I mentioned before, I'd investigated dozens of other
business opportunities, but I couldn't really get behind any of them
because I didn't believe in their products or their services. I will
tell you right up front that I'm an extremely skeptical person by
nature and come from a long line of skeptics. So, when I was first
introduced to the person who is now my "upline," I was not at all
interested in getting involved with another network marketing company.
But I WAS interested in feeling better.
As I age (I'll be 40 next year), I see the effects of
growing older all around me. My parents are getting older. My friends
are getting older. People who were once young and vital now suffer
from illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
I hadn't been taking very good care of myself, and I knew that I couldn't
take my health for granted any longer unless I wanted to end up in
the same boat. I decided to give this product a try, and if I personally
liked the results that I got from it, then I'd determine whether or
not to become a distributor.
I figured it would take a few months for me to really
be able to see any difference in my health, but I was amazed when
after only 2 days I felt noticeably more energetic! (Again, remember
how skeptical I am). But it's absolutely true. When my husband and
I both experienced such positive and literally astonishing improvements
in our health after we started taking these products, I knew I had
to look into the company a little further.
I could go on and on about my company's products and business
opportunity. It's obviously changed my life. But my point in telling
you about my experience is to illustrate how important it is to REALLY
BELIEVE IN YOUR PRODUCT. Regardless of whether your interests lie
in nutrition, consumer electronics, party supplies, prepaid legal
services, kitchen gadgets or whatever other network marketing opportunities
might come your way, find something that speaks to your heart. Find
something that you sincerely believe will help people simply by being
made aware of its existence. If you believe in something, you'll be
enthusiastic about it, and this enthusiasm will carry over to your
customers, potential customers, and ultimately your potential distributors.
Let's face it -- it's pretty tough to sell something you
don't believe in. If you intend to gain the attention and interest
of others in order to not only get them to buy your products but ultimately
to join your business, you'd better believe in the products and the
company with all your heart and soul. If you are going to invest your
time and energy getting involved in a business, make sure it's something
you have a passion for. After all, when you're building your network
marketing business, initially you're going to eat, sleep, and breathe
that business...shouldn't it be something you love?
About the Author
Debbie Budesky is an Independent Distributor with Reliv
International, a leading food science company which Success Magazine
rates as "one of the top business opportunities available today."
She lives in Marshall, Michigan with her husband, Bob, and their three
children. For more information about Reliv products and/or the Reliv
business opportunity, visit www.relivcentral.com
or email Debbie at dbudesky@relivonline.com.
How Do You Know
When You're Really Ready
By Robert Imbriale
Recently, I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon
with Les Brown, one of the world's most prominent motivational speakers.
I had flown out to Phoenix, Arizona to see Les and several other speakers
share their knowledge in a one-day seminar put on by Summit Seminars
(http://www.summitseminar.com).
Les Brown had this powerful little thing to say. "Go
BEFORE You Are Ready."
When I heard that message, it caused me to stop and
think about my own life. I remembered earlier this year having the
opportunity to take over the second floor of the office building we
lease for my company. At the time, I really had no need for this extra
space. I declined the offer even though I knew how quickly my company
was growing.
Well, 6 months later I am now looking for more office
space! Just as I had felt, my company has grown and I have completely
outgrown our current location! It's too late to take over the second
floor. It's been rented to somebody else and they will be there for
the next 5 years!
Often in my coaching sessions, I am asked about how
to know when you are really ready to take the next step. In other
words, is there really a "right" time to make your move, to take on
a new challenge, to grow your business, to launch your new web site,
or to propose marriage to your significant other?
Are there signs, or do you just get a "gut" feeling
around about the time you need to take the next step. For many of
us, we get those gut feelings, and often times, we'll simply rationalize
them away. We'll tell ourselves how many other things have to be lined
up first before we can take that next step in our lives.
For some people, they may never take that next step!
Instead, they tell themselves again and again how "someday" they will
have what they want; yet they do all they can to avoid moving even
one step forward. Are you starting to see why so many talented people
never become the successes they could be?
I believe that what Les Brown was saying is that if
you have it in your mind that you are going to take the next step,
don't wait for all things to be perfectly lined up, get out there
and take that next step now! When you stop to consider it, you and
I are never really ready for the next step. We can always find reasons
to put off taking the next step, or making the next move. We are experts
at procrastination!
The reality is that opportunity will only pass you by
once. I procrastinated. I wasn't totally "ready" to take on the second
floor of my building. Now, that opportunity has come and gone and
it will cost me much more to move my entire organization to a new
location in order to keep up with our rapid expansion. It's sometimes
a little daunting to make a move without really knowing what to expect
on the other side, but listen to this. All growth happens in the unknown!
It's not our place to know what's next. It is our place to stand up
and be ready for that next step, wherever it may lead us. And, from
what I have experienced in my life, it's exciting to see what happens!
It's interesting to note is that when you do make your
move, things happen! For instance, had I moved into the second floor
office, I would have seen an even faster increase in the size of my
business. It's simply a matter of being brave, getting out of our
comfort zones, and taking action on the things we already know will
move us to where we want to be.
So, instead of fearing the unknown, be curious about
it. Approach it with positive expectation and be ready to be surprised,
thrilled, excited, and moved! After all, life is an adventure and
adventures are most fun when we show up excited, right? This is your
life... and what you do with it is entirely up to you. Choose well.
About the Author
Robert Imbriale is an internationally known Internet
Marketing Expert who has written several books including, "Internet
Marketing Secrets" which you can get FREE by going to http://www.ultimatewealth.com.
Robert is personally responsible for more than $100 million in Internet
sales and holds seminars nationwide where he teaches entrepreneurs
how to make money on the Internet.
Make Time
For Family
Copyright
2001 Terri Seymour
As I sit here thinking about my two boys, Jesse who
is 16 and heading to college next fall and Dustin, my baby, who is
almost as tall as I am, I realize that no matter what happens in our
lives we have to make time for the most important thing that we have.
We all know that I am talking about family!
These days, our daily lives can become so hectic and
overwhelming that sometimes we forget what is truly important. Especially
if you are trying to build your own home business. Our business becomes
our life and other things get pushed to the side.
I recently was in a state of confusion about my own
Web Success. Although I love my business, I felt it was taking over
my life. I felt so overwhelmed and in over my head. I thought my life
would be so much simpler without having to run Web Success. I actually
considered quitting.
Well, thank goodness, after much contemplation and a
couple of chats with a good friend, I knew I could never give up Web
Success. I worked too long and hard and made too many friends to just
quit!! Web Success is and always will be a part of my life.
Here are some things you can do to prevent your business
from taking over your life:
1. Set aside some time every
day for family.
Having a little time with your family is very relaxing,
invigorating and refreshing. Have a family movie, play board games,
take a family walk or bike ride, or have a picnic. There are so many
simple things you can do with your family that do not require a lot
of time and/or money.
2. Set aside some time for
yourself.
This is something that we all need sometimes. Just site,
relax, read a good book, listen to music, watch TV or just relax with
a cup of coffee. Whatever it is that soothes you and refreshes your
mind. Taking a little solo time will make family and work time much
more enjoyable.
3. Organize your time.
This simple yet effective task will enable to do much
more work and have more family time than just going from one thing
to another, trying to figure out what to do next.
4. Exercise.
This is another thing you can do with family or solo.
Go for a nice brisk walk or hop on your bike and go for a ride. Exercise
is a great stress reducer and it also helps refresh your mind.
5. Get involved with your
kids lives.
Talk to them. By doing this you will feel much more
in control in your personal and work life. This will give you a stability
you might not feel otherwise.
6. Have a date night with your hubby/wife or sweetheart.
Sometimes we get lost in our lives and don't take time to really be
with each other. To do this is extremely important because if we are
happier and more relaxed with our mate, that feeling will spill out
into other areas of our lives, making us more productive.
7. Take a day off from your
computer.
Go out for the day with your family and do not even
think about email or websites or business of any kind. After such
a day, you will be refreshed and ready to get back to work.
You can find more info and ideas here:
http://www.family.org/
http://www.familyplay.com/
http://family.go.com/
http://www.familylife.com/
Besides many other things, having Web Success has instilled
in me just how important family is. No matter what life throws at
you, always make time for family!!
About the Author
Terri Seymour is the publisher of Web Success Ezine
and owner of Web Success Central. Contact her at ter02@newnorth.net.
Subscribe to Web Success web-success-subscribe@egroups.com
Visit Web Success Central at http://www.websuccesscentral.com
for resources, ideas, guidance and more for your Web Success.
Back to the
MLM Woman Newsletter Index
We want your feedback! 
Send e-mail comments to Linda
at: regent@west.net
Copyright 2001, Regent Press
http://www.mlmwoman.com
