First we have the traditional "mom and pop" type businesses. These are generally the smaller retail type of businesses that you find on the street. The sad part is that most of these businesses fail in 5 years. The reasons are often due to poor management in one or more of the areas that make up the business. Examples are accounting, management, advertising and purchasing.



Another type of business with a higher success rate attached is the franchise. A franchise already has a good business system in place that you simply need to follow and not waiver from. Although the start up costs can be astronomical, the franchise poses less risk than the smaller business one would start from scratch.

A third and often overlooked option is network marketing. They already have a successful business system in place that you can plug into. This is especially beneficial if you lack the funds to buy into a larger business or corporation with a proven track record.

The network marketing model basically has people recommending products to other people instead of large expensive advertisements. It has been proven that personal recommendations often provide the highest conversions.

With network marketing the start up costs are extremely low when compared to other types of businesses. Some companies will let you start for as little as $50 per month plus advertising costs. This figure is quite manageable for the average person looking to start a home based business on the internet.

You can also work the business at your own pace. As your skills, knowledge and determination grow your income will also grow with it. You don't have to worry about the pressure of failing because of hounding creditors.

With some hard work you can expect to have your network marketing business grow by itself after awhile. It will take less and less of your time because you are a part of a team. You can also perform at your best level without all of the jealousy and corporate backstabbing you find while working as an employee. In network marketing when one person benefits the whole team benefits.

The most important factor to consider is which company you choose to work with. All of the above only applies if you work with the right company. Below I have come up with a list of 5 tips that will not only help you find the right company, but also grow your business once you have found that company.

1. They must offer a marketing system that is easy to duplicate. The first thing that a potential marketing partner will ask themselves is "can I do this?" A great example can be found at http://www.listentoaudio.com You simply send people to an audio link that does the presentation for you.

2. A product that has real benefits that can't be purchased cheaper elsewhere. The company should not only be opportunity driven but also product driven. If the product is of inferior value you will have great difficulty convincing others to work with you because you won't be convinced yourself. People can often sense your enthusiasm when you correspond with them.

3. You need to find business partners who are accessible and offer great training and support. Once you identify a company you want to work with do your due diligence and start looking for not only a good sponsor but a good team as well. A good sponsor will keep you updated on the latest news passed on from their upline and they will also share marketing tips that are working for them.

4. Look for a company that is highly automated. This will leave more time for yourself and more importantly time to build your business. It will also be easier to explain how everything works to your prospects. Complicated things can often discourage people from working with you.

5. Learn to identify the right prospects. A good potential business partner should have time, interest, and money. If one of those 3 things is missing you should consider moving on. There are plenty of people out there who have what it takes and are sincerely interested in a genuine opportunity. Providing your company has a good compensation plan in place, the secret is training a smaller number of people and teaching them to do the same thing.

Copyright 2006 Randy McLean