Network Marketing, also known as MLM (multi-level marketing) or Referral Marketing, is expanding at a rapid rate. Starting in The United States in the 1930's, and gaining momentum in the 1980's and 1990's, MLM is now seen by many mainstream companies as an extremely cost effective method of marketing.



What is it exactly? MLM is basically a means of distributing products through recommendation, without the need for advertising. By investing in such a company, Network Marketing allows the average person to build themselves a part or full-time business.

One of the main reasons for its ?rise and rise? is this: an increase in the number of people wanting a better lifestyle. Concerns about health, crime, traffic and the safety of our children have made people rethink their priorities in life, and consider alternatives to the demands of the ?rat race?. Aiming for a better work-life balance, people are realising that working for yourself might provide a solution.

Another reason is that many people are starting to understand that

?working a job? will never make you wealthy. It only makes someone else wealthy. So, one of the best ways to wealth is to have your own business.

So, why not go for a traditional business? Or buy a franchise?

Well, setting up your own business is far from easy, and many people don't even know where to start.

What options do you have? You could start from scratch or purchase an existing business.

If you start right at the beginning, what line of business would you choose? The logical choices are as follows: to specialize in your area of expertise (according to your job/ profession) or you could turn your hobby into a business. Whichever you decide, you'll have to find some premises, suppliers, reliable staff, etc, and buy stock, advertise for clients, and so on. It comes with a risk and it may take years to get established.

Not only that, you'll need a large sum of money and a lot of time to make it happen, and you'll probably have to give up your day job.

If you buy an already established business, you'll have certain advantages such as premises, staff, and paying customers (regular customers who are already buying from the previous owners), but you'll probably need tens of thousands for this kind of investment. And let's be honest, not many people have that kind of money lying around!

So, what about investing in a franchise? The franchise industry has also boomed in recent years and although they offer less of a risk than traditional businesses, they do come at a price. Franchises normally cost thousands of pounds, and come with a set ?post-coded? area, meaning you can only operate within that post-code area! This might not be a problem for some business owners but for the more ambitious out there, it could be a restriction on growth.

So, the costs associated with traditional businesses and franchises put many people off. This alone is a major factor in not starting a business. The cost is way out of the reach for the average person.

So, why Network Marketing?

In comparison, the initial start-up costs for Network Marketing businesses are extremely low. So if the cost is low, the risk attached to it is also low. The unusual thing is though, the potential for you to build a substantial income is extremely high, and that's due to the MLM business model.

In addition, most people who enter the industry do so on a part-time basis, while still working a part or full-time job, a business or even a career. So, there is no need to give up your day job. This means you can be building your dreams as well as sleeping at night!

So, if you can commit yourself to a 4 or 5 year plan, to improve your circumstances, Network Marketing is probably your best option.