By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Bourne]Stephen Bourne

When trying to select which network marketing company to join, you should not just look at what they sell nor should you just look at what they pay. What you should look at is… the Package!

After all, their products / services may be the best of their kind in the whole world but if:

the commission is lousy, or
there is no demand for their products, or
the management screw everything up, or
your upline are not interested in you

…you will not see the company around for long!

When I look at companies, I always use the following seven criteria to determine the worth of the Package:

1. Trading In A Huge And Expanding Market

The network marketing company must be trading in a HUGE and EXPANDING market if it is to give itself every chance for success. As an example, music is a huge market but with the advent of CDs and DVDs would you now want to be setting up a new music business based on vinyl records? Of course not … it’s a huge but shrinking, not an expanding, market! On the other hand the anti aging skin care and nutritional supplements markets are huge and expanding ones as the baby boomers want to look, feel and stay younger.

2. Products / Services

I personally prefer to deal with consumable products such as anti aging skin care and nutritional supplements. Consumable products are bought, used and then replaced on a regular basis … normally monthly. If you are going to deal with a consumable product, always check the potential for repeat orders from your customers.

If the products are not consumable, make sure that there is a way to receive further income than for just a one-off sale – otherwise it is more a form of Direct Selling rather than network marketing.

Look at what the company is selling and ask yourself, “could I be proud to build an empire with these products / services?”

If not, keep looking!

3. Fair Pay Plan

Now, do not expect to FULLY understand all aspects of any network marketing company’s pay plan the first time you are shown it – some (most actually!) are complicated and need time to absorb. Having said that, DO expect to be able to understand it after a little while.

There is really only one thing you need to know about the company pay plan and that is – does it work?

Does it give you a fair return for the effort you are going to put in? Is there any proof of substantial incomes being made by distributors who have been working the business for two or three years?

4. Experienced Management

If you are going to invest your future with a network marketing company, it is only prudent to make sure that they are `healthy’ and under control of an experienced and capable team. Do as many checks as you can on the company and even ask the company if they will make information available to you. They will probably say, `No’ but if you do not ask… you do not get!

If the company you are looking at has been around for more than 10 years, and is continuing to grow, it would appear that the management is capable of successfully running a business.

If you are looking at a newer company, you will definitely want to research the experience and successes of the management team. Just because a person was a great network marketer, does not mean that he or she will be a great businessperson – failures by such people in this industry have proven this point.

In fact, most owners of successful network marketing businesses have never been network marketers themselves. They are entrepreneurial business people who saw a need in the market and the power of network marketing and had the confidence to put their money where their mouth is and use their skills to build their businesses.

5. Support Team

A well-used acronym in Network Marketing is T.E.A.M. – Together Everyone Achieves More. It is very suitable for our industry because the people in your Upline Support Team truly have a vested interest in your success.

Your Sponsor may be new to this business, too, so ask him or her to introduce you to, or 3-way you into, members of your Upline Support Team. Ask questions:

How successful are they
How long have they been with this company
Did they have previous experience
Did they bring in people from their last company
What support will they be giving you

Here is a good place to remind you that the ONLY way to be successful in this business is to help others become successful. Your Upline Support Team has a very strong vested interest in your success.

6. Training

There must be a commitment to training, support and communication. Find out how the company puts this commitment into practice?

When and how will you receive training, and how much will it cost you – if anything.

Many leaders (like myself) have their own separate distributor training systems in place and if there is one in place for your team, find out how much it will cost.

7. You MUST Be Passionate About The Package

As I have already said, it is the package that you must look at not just the individual components.

Once you have reviewed the company package, you must decide whether it is the right one for you. You must feel comfortable with it as it is going to be the vehicle that will carry you forward to your goals.

One thing to remember is that no company will be absolutely perfect and never have problems – ALL companies have problems, as do those in all other industries. I like this titbit from Tom Schreiter (Big Al) fortunenow.com:

“Amateurs look for the perfect business with the perfect product, with the perfect timing, with the perfect price, with the perfect management, with the perfect plan, with the perfect support team…

Well, you get the picture. These people are always frustrated and switching companies, looking for a business without problems.

News flash: All businesses have problems.

Professionals know all businesses have problems. They simply choose the business they wish to have their problems with.”

You cannot at this moment fully understand the business – it takes years to gain knowledge and experience. What you can understand is the way you feel about it. Does it feel right? Do you believe that all of the criteria are in place for you?

The most important question is, “Do you really feel that over the course of time you could become passionate and excited about the package?”

If “Yes” – great, you have found the company for you.

If, “No” – keep looking because without passion and excitement you will not succeed.

After all, if YOU cannot feel passionate and excited about the company, why would you expect others to feel any different?

Stephen Bourne has over 14 years experience in building hugely successful [http://www.agelesstopteam.com]Network Marketing and MLM businesses. He is now working alongside many other top leaders and helping thousands of people build [http://www.agelesstopteam.com]successful MLM businesses from home. Check out his website now and find out how Stephen can help you finally succeed in Network Marketing!

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