Network Marketing and the 2009 Recession: Will the 2009 Recession Help Network Marketing?

Today everyone knows about the economic down-turn our nation and the rest of the world has been experiencing starting in 2008 and continuing  into 2009. Click the remote to any cable news network and the 2009 Recession dominates the news cycle. Though the current recession is now more than obvious, we are just beginning to see how widely it is impacting different groups of people.

I decided to write this article after hearing of a friend’s economic dilemma and how it lead to her recent entrance into the network marketing business arena. Nicole Cooper told her story of how a successful real estate business crumbled within a 6 month period due to the collapse of the housing market. As might be expected not only did her personal business crash but her personal financial situation fell right along with it.

In time, however, she discovered a network marketing business that appeared to offer a solution to her financial situation. By seizing the opportunity and working through the difficulties of building a new network marketing business, she mimicked the “Flight of the Phoenix” to rise from the proverbial ashes. The truly amazing part is the “comeback” happened during the time when the global economic situation slid steadily downhill.

Nicole used the network marketing opportunity to help elevate her family’s financial situation from a state of near desperation to one of growing prosperity. Anytime I read a story of someone’s triumph over extreme adversity, I find it both motivational and more importantly, extremely inspirational.

Though the inspirational moment arose instantaneously while reading her story, I also realized that with her back ground in real estate Nicole already had a mindset that served her well as she made the transition into a formal network marketing business.

Why would a background in real estate help in network marketing?

Simply because people in a real estate business are already used to employing traditional network marketing tools (warm market prospecting, cold calling, etc.) in their daily business practices. These same tools, however, fall well outside the comfort zone for most of us. Coupling her previous networking background with her business experience Nicole was well positioned to use many of the network marketing tools available and build a successful business.

Given the success of Nicole and others like her, many people impacted by the current economy believe network marketing should be the obvious choice when looking for alternatives to traditional employment. It is also likely that many people are drawn to these ventures due to the relatively low start-up costs associated with a network marketing business.

But is this a realistic answer to their problem?

The honest answer to that question is maybe yes; maybe no.

Thinking back on Nicole’s situation, though her initial financial situation may be similar to many people being impacted by the current economic upheaval; her professional background and experience are significantly different. I know from my own personal experience in previous network marketing business ventures, the lack of an appropriate background and experience often set the stage for a far less successful outcome.

In both of my previous endeavors, I believed in the products, opportunity, company and even that I would build a successful business. Each time, however, I ended up quitting mainly due to unrealistic expectations about how long and how much effort it actually takes to build a business. Additionally, I lacked experience using traditional network marketing tools further inhibiting any substantial progress when actively working those opportunities.

Does this mean that I proved that network marketing or MLM companies are hoaxes or scams?

Absolutely not! Both companies still exist today; have excellent product lines and many successful distributors.

What it does mean is that I wasn’t properly equipped to effectively utilize the available network marketing tools or posses the mindset to see those opportunities through and succeed. Even at the time I quit each venture, I never stopped believing in the companies, products or opportunities.

Over the last 15 years, however, I gained much of the missing background and experience that was previously missing. Today I know any future endeavor in the network marketing business arena will yield the success I always expected.

But what about those people who do not have the right skills or experience?

From my perspective, individuals impacted by or feeling at risk because of the current economic situation can look to network marketing and MLM being viable solutions to their personal economic problems if they understand and act upon the following:

1. It takes time to get the education in both the opportunity, business in general and marketing;

2. It takes time to acquire the appropriate skills with traditional network marketing tools and/or online marketing techniques; business operation, time management, etc.;

3. It takes time to address each of the daily tasks to run business operations (including marketing and sales);

4. You must be patient and persistent in working your business both through the good days and bad ones; and

5. You must maintain realistic expectations for the growth of the business.

Anyone either possessing the appropriate skills or who is willing to work to acquire them as well as adapt to a rapidly changing environment has the opportunity to leverage any of the quality network marketing business opportunities to their advantage. In doing so, they will begin creating a new, independent future for their efforts.

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