Billionaire Blowups of 2008

Forbes just ran a story about how all the billionaires lost a lot of money in 2008. Here's a quote from the article:

"Dozens of the world's wealthiest lost billions in recent months, but these 10 distinguish themselves for some of the biggest flops. It was a dreadful year for the world's wealthiest as markets and currencies around the world tumbled. More than 300 of the 1,125 billionaires we tallied on our annual list last March have since lost at least $1 billion; several dozen lost more than $5 billion. The 10 richest from our 2008 rankings dropped some $150 billion of wealth, dragged down by steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, estranged brothers Mukesh and Anil Ambani and property baron K.P. Singh, who together dropped $100 billion. America's 25 biggest billionaire losers of 2008 lost a combined $167 billion." You can read the whole article by clicking HERE.

We are heading into a new year and it's time to start thinking about what we are going to do in this new year. The economy will not likely get any better. In fact it may never get better. So, it's going to be important to your financial future and mine for us to develop multiple streams of income.

From 1995 to 2001 I built a large international network marketing business and then retired. I've been enjoying time and financial freedom for the last 7 years, but am now reconigizing that the future is going to require more and so I'm back building another huge network, which will generate another stream of residual income. I'm also working with a few affiliate programs and doing some distribution of books, that will add more streams of income.

I hope you have plans to do the same in 2009. This is going to be a difficult year for those who are steeped in the current economic system. However, it's going to be a very prosperous year for those of us working outside the box. So, get out of the box and let your creativity go wild. You're going to need it in the coming years.

Have a safe and blessed New Years! See you next year.

Rod

Goal Achievement

The first of the year is always a time when people evaluate their lives and plan changes. As a network marketer, it is important to set your annual goals and develop a plan to reach them. Here is a system that I learned many years ago, that has helped me achieve many of my lifetime goals.

The first step is to have a PURPOSE. Purpose is the reason you are striving toward something. It's the why for "why" for what you do. Your overall purpose is what God intended you to do here on earth. For instance, my purpose is to help people live happier, more fulfilling lives. I know this because I was given the talents to write and speak effectively. I also get a great deal of enjoyment out of helping people, even when there is no financial remuneration. You can also have a purpose for your network marketing business. For example, your purpose might be to achieve time and financial freedom.

Once you have determined your purpose, you should write it as a statement: My purpose is . . . at the top of a piece of paper.

Now you're ready to set some goals based on this purpose.

Goals are really the stepping stones on the way to your purpose. All your goals should revolve around and contribute to your purpose. Plus, there are some rules when setting goals. First, they must be written. Goals in your head will never be achieved. Goals on paper have a fighting chance. Second, your goals must be S.M.A.R.T.

S = Sincere. You must believe in your goals and they must fit your purpose.

M = Measurable. Your goals must be measurable in order for you to know when you've achieved the goal.

A = Accessible. Your goals must be achievable under your current circumstances, knowledge, and abilities.

R = Realistic. Your goals must be realistically achieved within the time frame you have.

T = Timely. Your goals must all work together and not conflict with each other. Goals must have the right timing in your life.

You should start the year by writing SMART goals for four areas in your life: Spiritual, Family, Business, and Personal. If you don't have much experience with goal achievement, I would suggest that you set no more than 2 goals in each area. Each goal should be written in the present tense, as if you had already achieved it and should contain as much detail as possible.

For example, if you're business goal was to recruit 50 people by December 31, 2009, you would write: "It's the last day of December and I have achieved my goal of recruiting 50 new distributors this year. Many of them are very motivated and have already built networks of their own. It's fun to have all these new friends helping me build my business, while I help them build theirs." Write these goals on your piece of paper (the one you wrote your purpose on) under your purpose statement.

Once you have your goals set, it's time to develop a plan to achieve the goals. The first step is to determine the steps or activities necessary to achieve the goals. In our example above, recruiting 50 people this year, some of the steps would be: make up a list of prospects, prepare an information package, mail the information package to the first 20 on my list, call to let them know the information is in the mail and to set up a follow-up call, do the follow-up call, sign them up or provide more information, follow-up until the sign up. Write the steps under each goal on your piece of paper.

Once you have the steps written for each goal, then start to plan these activities into your daily schedule. The best way to do this is to review your purpose, goals, and steps each day. Determine what time slots you have available, prioritize the steps/activities and fill the time slots with your highest priority steps/activities.

Then complete these steps/activities every day. If something of a higher priority comes in during the day and you can't complete a step/activity, transfer it to the next day. Make sure you re-prioritize each day to ensure that you are working on the most important things at all times.
Do this activity, follow these steps throughout the year and you will achieve the majority, if not all of your goals for the year and next year at this time you will look back on an awesome year.

Secrets of the Greatest Network Marketer

The greatest network marketer was born into extreme poverty. His parents were very young and had little in the way of material wealth. However, they were loving parents. His father was the carpenter in their small town and so as the greatest network marketer grew, he learned the trade. When his father died at a young age, the greatest network marketer took over the family business and excelled. He was very good with people and produced excellent work. People traveled from far and wide to see his work and to hear his great wisdom. This young man captured the hearts of many.

As time went on, he discovered another calling – networking. His Upline taught him the true art of networking and very quickly he had recruited twelve front line people. Most of them were truly diamonds in the rough, so the greatest network marketer had to spend many hours teaching them the fine art of networking that had been taught to him by his Upline. Each day he would go out to the common areas of town and conduct an opportunity meeting to attract new people. He was so on fire with enthusiasm that people came from miles around to learn from him. They loved to hear him speak and he loved to teach them about networking. Many joined his network and it began to explode into momentum.

The greatest network marketer understood that he could not possibly train all these new people, so he continued to meet with his twelve frontline people and taught them how to train the others and how to train them to build a network and train their people. By this time the greatest network marketer was traveling from town to town doing opportunity meetings and training those who joined. One of his greatest attributes was the ability to quickly develop leaders who could carry on the work when he was not there.

The greatest network marketer had achieved great success and was reaping the benefits. Unfortunately this attracted the regulators, who were very much like the regulators of today and did not understand networking. In today's world, the regulators just fine people and force them out of the networking business, but back then, if they didn't like what you were doing, you were jailed or executed. The regulators were jealous of the greatest network marketer’s following and great wealth and so they sought ways to trap him into making income or product claims that were against the law. However, the greatest network marketer always operated with the highest level of integrity and never made any claims. This frustrated the regulators and so they plotted to sabotage his work through false testimony. They paid people in his downline to say bad things about him and claim that he was breaking the law. These false claims enabled the regulators to finally arrest and eventually execute him. They thought that with the greatest network marketer gone, his network would quickly fall apart and their worries would be over. However, the greatest network marketer had instilled a great sense of purpose in his leaders and so they continued on with the work. Today the greatest network marketer has millions of people in his worldwide network.

This fictional story is loosely based on the greatest network marketer ever, Jesus Christ. During this CHRISTmas season when we celebrate His birth, we need to remember that we are celebrating the birth of the greatest network marketer ever. There is much we can learn from the way that He built his worldwide network - his loving nature, patience, persistence, focus, and ability to build strong leaders. I built my last network based on the principles that Jesus teaches in the Bible and it has stayed strong, even though I haven't worked my business for 7 years. I encourage you to study the life of Jesus in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Bible. If you don't have a Bible, pick one up at any Christian bookstore - I recommend that you start with either the New International Version or the New Living Translation, as they are easier to read. I know that you will be surprised at how much you can learn from studying Jesus and your life (and business) will never be the same.

I'm Filling the Funnel

Well Christmas is almost here and as a network marketing business owner, I'll be glad when this season is over. I'm looking forward to January and February, which are traditionally the best months for network marketing. People start making those resolutions and setting goals to make more money, enjoy more free time, and so on. I'm going to have a tremendous couple months and if you do some things now, you will too.

The holidays are a great time to fill your funnel - that is get people interested in your business, pass out information, mail out letters, give out samples, and build relationships on all those social marketing sites. If you fill the funnel in December, you'll see a bunch of those people join your business in January and February.

So, don't give up on your business in the next two weeks - fill your funnel.

Treat Your Business Like an Investment

We all know that the real estate market is down, the stock market is unstable, and so the typically reliable places to invest money are no longer reliable. However, there is one place that you can invest your money and control the return and that's in your own network marketing business.

In 1994 I invested six weeks to thoroughly research the top 100 network marketing companies and chose the one I felt was the best for me. From 1995 to 2001 I built a large, multi-national network and a six-figure residual income. I then retired to help a friend plant a new church and became a full-time pastor. For the last 7 years I have received a full-time income from that business, even though I've done nothing in it. Now, that's a good investment!

Three months ago I launched a new business and will build another network and another stream of income, which will enhance my investment situation and prepare my wife and I for the upcoming years.

Did you know that if you build a large network that generates an income of $100,000 a year, you have the equivalent of a $1,00,000 investment portfolio producing at 10%. How long would it take to save up $1 million for an investment portfolio? For most people, it's not even possible and yet, with the right company and upline team, you could build a network marketing business that produces a $100k income within 5 years working part-time.

So, if you don't already have a network marketing business, you should start doing your research to find the right one. If you already have done the research and found the right company, then get to work and build your financial future. Pour investment money into your business and yourself and watch that investment grow!

Business Promotion Ideas for the Holidays

As I mentioned in my last post, the holidays can be a very slow time in your business, but that's really up to you. If you slow down, your business will slow down. However, if you promote throughout the holidays, your business will continue growing. Here are some simple ideas for promoting your business in the coming month:

1. Annual Christmas Letter - if you send out an annual Christmas letter, mention that you've started a new business and that you are helping other people earn extra money, replace jobs they hate, and enjoy tremendous tax savings. If you don't already send out a letter, this might be a good reason to do so.

2. Christmas Cards - include a note in your Christmas cards about your new business. If you had just opened a restaurant, you would proudly announce it to all your friends and family, so it shouldn't be any different with your network marketing business.

3. Christmas Gifts - if you have something that your network marketing business offers, use it as your Christmas gift to co-workers, neighbors, people you attend church with, etc. Many companies offer Christmas packs that are decorated and at a special price. Often, they will even ship it for you.

4. Christmas Shopping - whether you like Christmas shopping or not, it's something we all have to do. Dread the mall? Well, now you can use this time to promote your business. Bring along a bunch of business cards that direct people to a web site and as you encounter sales people at the various stores, give them a card and say something like: "You're sharp and I'm sure that (name of the store) isn't paying you nearly what you are worth, so I'd like to talk with you as soon as possible. Call or e-mail me as soon as possible." If they ask what it is, give them the company name and direct them to your web site. Let them know that you don't want to take up their work time, but would be happy to answer questions when they call. The less you tell them, the greater their curiosity and if they are curious, they will call or e-mail. Not many will, but this is a sifting process, so those who do are your best prospects.

Hope these help you have a happy and prosperous Christmas season.

Growing During the Holidays

Most network marketers go into mental hibernation during the holidays, but the top income earners know that this is the best time to build. Think about all the Christmas parties you will be attending and all the potential distributors/associates you will meet. If you are prepared, you will discover that there are a lot of people looking for a way to make some extra money during the holidays.

Okay, so here are some tips:

1. Start conversations - have some ready questions such as: "What do you think of this crazy economy?" "I never thought I'd see the day when financial institutions were failing - can you believe it?" "Have you been affected by any of that?" "And can you believe all the layoffs?" "There are going to be a lot of hurting people out there - are you facing layoffs in your company?" "This is the toughest holiday season I've seen in years - most people are scrapping by and don't have extra money - you probably know people who are really struggling?" The idea behind the questions is to help them see the pain in their own lives and others, so that later you can bring them a solution - your network marketing business.

2. Use F.O.R.M. in your conversations - The F stands for Family - so ask questions about their family. The O stands for Occupation, so ask questions about their work. The R stands for recreation, so ask about traveling and hobbies. The M stands for Money, so ask about how they are feeling about the economy, good investments they have found, and their feelings about the future. Again, you are stirring up pain areas that can be alleviated by your business.

3. Have samples and marketing materials in your car - Be ready at all times. You never know when you are going to meet your next top distributor. If you find that they are interested, run out to the car and bring them in some information and then set up a follow-up time by phone or in-person.

If you do these things during this Christmas season, even if people don't join you until after the first of the year, you will have a great launch for the new year and be way ahead of all those people who took a break. Remember that if you don things now that others won't, you'll be able to do things later that others can't!

Have a great and prosperous Christmas season.

Rod

Are Your Protecting Your Future?

In a Business Week article published today (21st), Dell is praised for laying off over 8900 people, asking people to take unpaid holiday leave, and accept severance packages for leaving the company early. You can read more about it here.

We've got an acquiantance who's husband just got laid off after 32 years with the same company. No severance package - Just a we've used you enough and now we don't need you anymore attitude. His family is devastated.

I mentored a 62 year old man who had worked for the same company for over 30 years and was 3 years from retirement with a nice pension that would take care of he and his wife the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, the company went bankrupt and he lost all of his pension.

Are you protecting your financial future by building a network marketing business? If you aren't, you should and if you are, I commend you. Network marketing is one of the few industries that will thrive in this economic downturn. Plus, it's just about the best investment out there. You invest your time and money into building a business over the next few years and you can live off the income the rest of your life. That's the power of residual income and you don't have to worry about whether the stock market is going up or down - you decide how big an income you want.

I've been in this industry for 29 years and I've never seen a better time to build a network marketing business. Everyone is looking for something - a way to make more money, a way to recapture the money they've lost in the stock market or their retirement program, a way to secure their financial future, so that they don't have to work at McDonald's at age 70 just to pay the bills. Now is the time to build. Put the blinders on, get out of your comfort zone, and build a big business. A few years from now, you'll be glad you did!

Have a great weekend!

Rod Nichols
www.RodNichols.com
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and articles.

Two Types of People

Hello Friends,

In my 29 years of network marketing, I've found there are two types of people - those who make excuses (or blame) and those who make money. Network marketing creates an equal opportunity for everyone. The circumstances of your life don't matter, as I've met network marketing millionaires from 18 to over 80, both men and women, all ethnic groups, college educated and didn't finish high school, business background and no business back ground, and all walks of life. Anyone can be successful in this business.

The key to success is you. Are you going to make excuses - not enough time, not enough money, don't know enough people, aren't good with people, can't do presentations, need to be home with the kids, afraid of what people will think or say - those are just a few that I hear regularly and when I hear them, I immediately know that those people are not going to make money. I also hear a lot of blame - no upline help, sponsor didn't put anyone under me, company doesn't supply training, system doesn't work, blah blah blah. Again, I know that this person isn't going to make any money.

My first 10 years of network marketing I was a miserable failure. I did everything wrong, but I learned from each experience and then used what I learned to build bigger networks each time. For the last 7 years I've been retired and living off the residual income from my last venture. I never made any excuses or blamed anyone and the result was that I made money. Now, I didn't have any upline support, no one sponsored anyone under me, there wasn't a training system, and at the time I was working a full-time corporate job and had five children at home. There were plenty of opportunies for excuses and blame. Now, don't get me wrong, I did plenty of blaming and making excuses in the past, and I didn't make money, but I learned and I hope you will too.

I'm now excited to be back in network marketing and building another large network and stream of residual income. In these crazy economic times (and it will get worse), it makes sense to have multiple streams of income. I've learned to watch my tongue, as it can get me in a lot of trouble. There is a great little book called Hung by the Tongue that every network marketer should read. I believe that more businesses are destroyed and dreams dashed by the tongue than for any other reason. There is power in what you say. The Bible says that there is life and death in the tongue. Are you speaking life or death to your business? If you're complaining all the time, then you are speaking death to your business. The Bible also tells us that we should speak things that are not, as though they were. So speak about your business and future as you want them to be, not as they are now. Your mind will move toward that dominant thought and the coordinating actions will take you to success.

I want to see everyone of you succeed in network marketing. It doesn't matter to me whether you are with my company or on my team; I just want you to succeed, so feel free to e-mail me by clicking HERE to ask questions or get some minor coaching. Also, please share with me your network marketing success stories. I'll share some of them in my blog.

Have an awesome day!

Rod

I'm Baaaaaaack

Just back from sunny California (I live in rainy Washington State) where my wife and I were attending a large network marketing conference. Over 2000 people traveled from all across the country and paid $150 per person to attend the conference. In the world outside of network marketing, people are barely leaving their homes to go get a gallon of milk. Because of the doom and gloom in the media, they are operating in fear, but those who are in the know are joining network marketing companies and investing in themselves. Network marketing is going to be one of the few industrys that explodes during this economic downturn. Tens of thousands of people are going to make a fortune, while the rest of the people are home watching Dancing with the Stars or Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. We decided to come home, cancel our cable, and go on a sponsoring rampage. How about you? Which group are you in - the one who is operating in fear or the one who is stepping out in faith?

Watch

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny.

It’s Finally Time to Vote

I don’t know about you, but I’m really tired of the endless political commercials, the speeches, and the media coverage. I’m glad that tomorrow (Tuesday the 4th), we finally get to vote. This election, as all before them, will have a huge impact on our future income. But did you know that you have the ability to vote every day and have an impact on your financial future?

Since you are in network marketing, you have the opportunity every day to vote to give yourself a raise. You can look in the mirror and say, “I vote to give you a raise!” Then you go out and make it happen. What impact would it have if you went out today and sponsoring one new person into your business? What would happen if you did that for five days a week during the next year? You’re network and income would explode. Okay, so let’s say that you only sponsor 1 person a week; that would still be 52 new associates in your business in the next year. If each of them just sponsored 1 a month during the following year, you would have another 624 new people join your team. What a huge impact, by just sponsoring 1 person a week.

Okay, I can hear you saying, “But, how do I sponsor 1 person a week?” The key is to fill the funnel. Think of your business like a funnel. There’s a big opening at the top and a little opening at the bottom. You have to put a lot of people in the top to get a few coming out the bottom. Your company may be different, but industry averages are about 10% of the people you present to will join. The better you get at presenting and follow-up, the higher the percentage of people joining. However, let’s just work with the 10%. If you’re going to sponsor 1 person a week, you’ll need to present your business to at least 10 people. You can present to those people one-on-one or in groups or use tools. I recommend using tools like web conferences and DVD’s. If you have a really good web site, you can use it as well. The key is to get the person to commit to looking at information and then set up a time to follow-up. Remember that the odds say that 1 out of 10 will join, so don’t be concerned about those who say no. Just keep following up until you find your yes. There will be times when you even run through 10 people without a yes, but in the next 10 you’ll sponsor 2, so keep contacting people, asking them to check out the information, and then following up.

Once again, I hear you asking “where am I going to find all those people?” Another good question; with an easy answer. They are all around you. Some will be people you know well – relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers, people you go to church with, people that are in organizations with you, etc. Others will be people you see on a regular basis – bank teller, grocery clerk, owner of the dry cleaners, people at the quick lube place, people at the tanning salon, people at the club where you work out, your attorney, accountant, insurance representative, etc. Then there will be people you encounter in your every day life – strangers who are just waiting for you to come along and present them with the solution they’ve been seeking and even praying for. How many people do you encounter every day – probably more than you are even aware. The key is to have a way to engage them and here are some ideas that work:

Hand out samples – if you have a product that can be sampled, offer samples to people like they do at Costco. People flock to free samples. If they respond favorably to the sample, give them some information and set up a time to follow-up (which means you need to gather their contact information).

Questions – asking a quick question will help you get them engaged. How about “Have you ever heard of (your company or product name)?” They say no and you give a quick explanation (30 to 60 seconds at most), followed by another question like, “does it sound like something you’d like to know more about?” If yes, then provide them with information and set a time to follow-up. Another great question is, “do you keep your eyes and ears open for ways to make additional money?” If yes, provide them with information and set up a time to follow-up.

DVD/CD handout – ask “are you interested in a free DVD/CD?” If yes, explain that it shows them a way to make some extra money and ask if they are interested in that. If yes, exchange the DVD/CD for their contact information and set up a time to follow-up.

If you consciously work your business every day, you should be able to get information into the hands of at least 10 new people and through effective follow-up you will recruit your 1 person a week and watch your business and income absolutely explode!

Kiyosaki Helps You Generate Leads

In today’s market place it seems that thousands of people are trying to get your attention, screaming that they have the BEST BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY IN THE WORLD!

Who should you believe?

The simple answer is look for CREDIBILITY!

Unfortunately the internet is full of scammy programs and people that are trying to teach you how to do, something they have never done.

I can count on one hand the number of true, credible experts, that I buy into 100%. On that short list you will find the name Robert Kiyosaki. You probably know him as the author of the Rich Dad Poor Dad series. Walk into any bookstore in the world and you can find an entire section of Rich Dad Poor Dad books. You may have seen his popular Cash flow TV show.
Today I have a very special offer for our readers. I am very excited to be able to offer you Mr. Kiyosaki’s best selling full length audio cd “The Perfect Business” free of charge.

You can get all the details on this credible cd right here:http://www.automaticprospectingsystem.com

You don’t want to miss out on this extraordinary offer click the link below, right now!http://www.automaticprospectingsystem.com

J.O.B.

Today's AP Headline: Chrysler slashing 5,000 jobs as sale talk goes on.

Are you relying on a job to secure your financial future? Better think again. JOB stands for Just Over Broke or Journey of the Broke. AND in these current economic times, jobs are even less stable than they've been in the last few years.

It's time to take control of your financial future and the only way you can do that is by starting your own business. If you have a lot of money, you could invest in a proven franchies like McDonalds, Burger King, or Wendys, but most people don't have the multi-millions of dollars it would take to do that. If you have $20,000 to $50,000 you could start a more traditional business, open a restaurant or retail store, but again, most people don't have that kind of money just sitting in the bank. Plus, the difficult part is that all of those businesses are going to be affected by the down turn in our economy.

Your best choice in business is network marketing. It is one of the few types of business that isn't impacted by a negative economy. In fact, it actually prospers during recessionary times. Why? Because, when times are tough people are looking for ways to make extra money and network marketing is a great way to do that.

Your investment to get into a network marketing business is likely going to be under $500 and that will include some product that you could use yourself or sell for a profit. If you are with a good company with a responsible upline, you will have excellent training and support available to you, so you don't have to try to figure it out yourself.

There are over 3,000 network marketing companies out there right now and more emerging weekly, so your first task is to find the right company for you. Click on this link to read my article How to Choose the Right Network Marketing Company. There are lots of good companies, a few rather risky ventures, and a bunch of really bad companies that you want to avoid like the plague. Reading my article will help you find that right company for you, your personality, and your budget.

Next, you need to do the things that the top income earners do. Now, you could spend hundreds, maybe thousands of hours interviewing top income earners and studying how they do business or you could invest $20 in my book The Twelve Power Secrets for Network Marketing Success. This book is the culmination of nearly 30 years of research. I've interviewed and worked with hundreds of the top income earners and have gleaned from their wisdom. I've also built very large networks myself, so I include some of the wisdom I have gained as well. This book covers everything you would need to know to be successful. Click HERE for more information or to order the book.

Network marketing is truly the ideal business, so no need to keep looking around. This is the answer you've been looking for. Secure your financial future today, by either starting a network marketing business or building the one you are in. Truly, your future depends on it.

How to Build Your Business Right Now

If you haven't figure it out yet, this is a great time to build a network marketing business. Daily, the media is creating fear about the future of the stock market, retirement accounts, money in banks, and the economy in general. Many top economists are forcasting bad times for the next couple years at least. Although this is bad news to most, it's great news for those of us with network marketing businesses.

All that fear is sending people looking for solutions. They're trying to figure out what to do to secure their financial situation or make up for lost retirement funds. People you know are looking for what you have right now. So, here are a few tips for building your business during these crazy economic times.

First, I would send out a letter to everyone you know. In the first part of the letter, recount the media headlines and stir up the fear. Next, inform them that you have a way that could help them generate more funds, recoup retirement funds, offset stock loses, enjoy tremendous tax benefits, and secure their financial future. Finally, ask them to get in touch with you if they would like more information.

Second, start up conversations about the economy and how it is affecting their lives. Stir up the fear and then ask them if they are interested in a potential solution. If they are, schedule a time to present your business or arrange to provide them with information.

Third, start contacting those professions that have been the hardest hit: car sales, realtors, mortgage reps and brokers, and anyone selling a big ticket item to consumers. Talk with them about the economy, stir up the fear, and then present a solution.

There are some ways that you can benefit from our current economy and help others do the same.

Secure Your Financial Future

Today's Headline: Retirement accounts have lost $2 trillion — so far

Are you relying on the 401k, retirement account, or Social Security to take care of you in your old age? Forget about it! Take control of your financial future with a network marketing business.

First, network marketing businesses are a lot more fun than just sticking money into an account.
Second, network marketing businesses have a much greater potential for return.
Third, network marketing businesses give you the opportunity to help others too.
Fourth, network marketing businesses provide you with much better tax benefits.
Fifth, network marketing businesses create opportunities for your to travel and meet new people.

There are five great reasons to utilize a network marketing business to secure your retirement.

Let me tell you a sad story. A number of years ago I met a man who had worked for the same company for 30 years and socked away a large sum of money into the company retirement account. He was 2 years away from retirement when the company went bankrupt. He lost everything and was devastated. "What could I do in 2 years that would enable me to recreate my retirement fund," he asked me and I told him there was only one thing - network marketing. I then helped him research the industry to find the right company for him and 2 years later he had built a business that generated far more than his retirement account would have.

Think about it this way. If you have a network marketing business that generates a $100,000 a year income, you have the equivalent of $1,000,000 in an investment that yields 10%. How long would it take you to accumulate $1,000,000 doing what you are doing? Whereas there are many people who work part-time and within 2 to 5 years have a network marketing business that generates a residual income of $100,000 or more (much more). Beyond the financial side, a successful network marketing business will give you free time to enjoy life, opportunities to travel and make new friends, lot's of cool contests and awards, and amazing tax benefits. So, if you have a network marketing business, get busy and secure your financial future. If you're looking for a business and would like to work with a proven leader, e-mail me by clicking HERE.

Recession Proof Business

Today's Headline: Stocks decline amid global worries credit crisis is spreading; Dow falls below 10,000.

With banks and other major financial institutions failing around the world, we are clearly heading into a major economic crisis. Whether it is a recession or depression, the key is to be self-employed and one of the most recession-proof businesses is network marketing. Why? Because when times get tough, people look for ways to make money and network marketing offers the idea business. It doesn't cost much to get started; you don't need any employees or leased office or warehouse space; and it's a simple business that anyone can do from home.

Even in the great depression, there were still people who had money, but they were the smart entrepreneurs of their day. Now is the time to get smart and build a network marketing business. If you already have a network marketing business, then build it fast and hard so that you are prepared for the coming economic crisis. If you are either looking for a business or are not completely happy with your current company, e-mail me at Rod@RodNichols.com and ask about my #1 rated company. In either case, quit messing around, get busy and build. As things get worse, you will be a shining light on a hill that people will flock to.

Invest in Yourself

With the stock market going crazy, banks and financial institutions failing left and right, isn't it great to know that you can invest in something solid - yourself. That's right, when building a network marketing business, you are it's greatest asset. The number one reason that people join a network marketing company is because they like and trust their sponsor. You are why they join, so doesn't it make sense to invest in yourself.

There are three ways to invest in yourself and see a huge return in your network marketing business. The first is to build your belief in the network marketing industry. You can do this by reading everything you can find on network marketing. A couple great tools to build industry belief are The Network Marketing Magazine and my book The Ideal Business. The more knowledge you gain about network marketing, the greater your confidence in the industry.

Next, you need to build belief in your company. You can accomplish this by looking at the corporate web site, listening to CD's and watching DVD's, attending meetings and conferences, and talking with staff and upline leaders. If you have confidence in your company, it will be easy to tell people about it.

Finally, you have to believe in yourself. Invest in books, CD's, DVD's, and classes that will help you build confidence. Practice your presentations, handling objections and questions. Work with your upline and observe everything they do. If you don't believe in yourself, any negative word will set you off course and cost you dearly.

Forget about the stock market and the financial instruments. Invest in yourself and build a lucrative network marketing business. If you do, you won't need any of those investments; your business will take care of you for the rest of your life.

I'm back!

After 7 years of retirement from network marketing business building, I'm back. Seven years ago I retired with a very nice full-time residual income to pursue my goals in ministry and writing. I'm still very happily pursuing those goals, so what could possibly attract me back into the business building. Only the most amazing product and opportunity I've seen in 29 years!!!

I'm excited and ready to build another large network and residual income stream, primarily through the internet. I've already recruited a friend of mine who is a top internet marketing guru. We are in the process of developing a team marketing and training system. What I'm looking for now are people who are serious about making money in network marketing. If you are finally ready to make some very BIG money in network marketing and help a bunch of other people do the same, then e-mail me by clicking HERE to learn more. Please, no lookie loos. Only the serious need respond.

Make Money Prospecting

Over the last 29 years in network marketing, I’ve used just about every possible method of prospecting. I’ve worked my warm market, cold prospected, purchased leads, advertised in the newspaper, mailed letters to business people, passed out videos and audios, placed opportunity cards on car windows and handed them to people, posted flyers with tear off strips, and advertised on the internet, just to name a few. In every case, it cost me both time and money to prospect, but if it produced results, the investment was valid. However, recently I’ve discovered a way to have my cake and eat it too. I’ve found a system that pays me to prospect for my network marketing business. Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ about!!!

It’s called a funded business system – meaning that the system funds itself (and you). Here’s how it works. You create a book or e-book that every network marketer would want. If you have the idea, but not the writing abilities, e-mail me and I’ll write it for you. Next, you set up a web system that teases the reader about the book and offers a 5 to 10 day free training, which is delivered by autoresponder. In this training you give the reader some of the key ideas from your book and then sell them on the benefits of buying the book. Each e-mail should include an ordering link. The system will take the order with payment (by credit card or PayPal) and instantly deliver the e-book or promise delivery of the book.

Here’s the exciting part – each person who subscribes to the free training and purchases a book is someone interested in network marketing. They are typically in one of three places: (1) Looking for a company – in which case, you could present your network marketing business; (2) Already with a company, but not completely happy and would be open to looking at alternatives – in which case, you would present your business; (3) Already with a company and completely happy – in which case, you would keep them in a database and revisit every 4 to 6 months (as the average network marketer will change companies every 6 to 12 months until they hit it big or quit the industry). The book and autoresponder training will position you as an industry authority, which sets you apart from other network marketers.

All you have to do is get the word out about your book. You can advertise on the many free classified sites, post information in the various MLM forums, start your own blog, or write articles like this one and submit it to network marketing resource sites. Once you’ve put the system into action, it will produce for you – both leads and income, which you can then use to fund other sources of marketing for your business.

This almost seems too good to be true and if I hadn’t seen the results with my own eyes (and bank account), I’m not sure would believe. A funded business system is a great way to build a network marketing business and make some extra money on the site. It’s particularly good for the person who has just joined a company, as it typically takes a few weeks to a few months to start making money in a network marketing business. By using a funded business system, they can generate leads and a quick income, which just might be what they need to stay in business.

Now, if you don’t want to go through the hassle of developing your own funded business system – writing the book or e-book, developing the web system, writing all the autoresponder trainings, securing a merchant or PayPal business account, and then monitoring the system to make sure that it’s working – then you can use an already established system, such as Magnetic Sponsoring. This system offers a power-packed e-book I’ve written and a powerful marketing system. You pay a one time fee for the book and get the marketing system for FREE.

I started using some of the elements of a funded business system back in 1995 and they helped me build a large and lucrative international organization in a short amount of time. However, I was disappointed as there were still some missing pieces to the puzzle. Magnetic Sponsoring has pulled all the pieces together

So, whether you develop your own funded business system or utilize Magnetic Sponsoring, your marketing life will change. Instead of paying for all those overpriced leads or advertising that may or may not produce, you can now get paid to prospect.

Training Yourself for Success

As Denis Waitley puts it, we are all born winners and then trained to fail. If you want to break that failure chain that binds so many people, you'll need to train yourself for success. Why would you want to do this instead of staying in your nice cozy comfort zone? How about, more money, better relationships, more friendships, better health, more fun!

Sound good? Here are the steps you'll need to take to train yourself for success:

1. Prepare Your Mind - your mind is like a garden. You can either grow beautiful flowers or weeds. Either will grow just fine. If you prepare your mind, plant good seed, fertilize and water, weed your garden regularly, and then harvest at the right time. Whatever goes into your mind willdictate what comes back out.

An old biblical principle that has been used in the business world for years is, as a man thinketh, so is he. What this means is that you will become what you think about most. If you think you are fat, you will get fatter in order to fulfill the picture in your mind. If you see yourself as a financial failure, you're mind will continue to recreate that picture in your life.

So, what you are going to need to do first is to quit putting garbage into your mind - newspapers, radio, television, trashy books and movies, etc. You're mind stores it all and it affects your ability to succeed.

Instead start putting good stuff in - motivational and inspirational books and tapes, classes at the local community college, seminars, teleconferences, bible studies, church, etc. If you put good stuff in, you'll get good thoughts back out. My books, The Ideal Business and The Twelve Power Secrets for Network Marketing Success are perfect for building belief and becoming confident in what you are doing.

Next, you need to change your mental picture. Take a piece of paper and describe in detail your perfect life. When you're finished, read the description out loud and picture it in your mind. Feel the emotions of excitement, fulfillment, accomplishment, and so on. Now, when you start each new day, read your life description, so that your mind can work that day to move you closer to fulfillment of that mental picture. Take a little time each day to close your eyes and visualize your perfect life. By doing this you make it reality in your mind. It has been proven through many scientific studies that the mind cannot tell the difference between reality and a vivid mental picture.

By preparing your mind for success, you are about 90% there. A properly prepared mind will enable you to focus on your business, family, health, spiritual life, with incredible clarity. You'll be amazed at what happens.

2. Prepare Your Body for Success - success takes time, energy, and brainpower. It's not going to be possible if you are tired and worn down. Make sure that you are eating a healthy diet, exercising daily, and taking good nutritional products. It's time to develop a lean, mean fat burning success machine.

3. Prepare Your Business for Success - make sure that you have received the training that you need in order to succeed. You should know what to say or ask in order to get someone interested in your business. You should be able to handle the basic objections - network marketing, time, money, sales, etc. You should be able to answer common questions about your company, the products or services, compensation plan, getting started, etc. You should have in place a system that generates leads on a weekly basis. You should have a list of at least 100 people you know and be contacting them regularly via phone, mail, e-mail, fax, and in-person.

You should be able to do a 3-way call with both your upline and downline. You should know how to train a new downline distributor. You should know the difference between a legal network marketing (or multi-level) company and an illegal pyramid. You should have a strong enough belief system in your company and it's products or services that people who say negative things about your business, don't bother you.

You should be able to give a presentation to one person or a large group.

In this new era of network marketing, it would also make sense to become internet savvy and have a internet prospecting system. I just introduced a great new system, The 2 Percent Plan, that will help you generate leads, get paid to do it, and learn how to build a large and lucrative network marketing business.

If you can't do these things, you need to immediately contact your upline leaders and have them coach you.

Next, you need to have the tools necessary to succeed. You will need a telephone with a flash key, 3-way calling and call waiting on the phone, if you have a family (particularly teenagers) you should have a separate line put in for your business, voice mail or answering machine, company voice mail (if available), Internet access, company literature and marketing materials. If you are part-time (under 20 hours a week), you should have enough supplies on hand to hand-out or mail at least 20 new information packets per month. Keep a small portable filing system in your car, filled with marketing materials, so that when you encounter a great prospect, you'll have what you need.

Every day treat your business like it were a multi-million dollar company. Set up a work schedule at the beginning of each week and stick to it every day. Consistency is one of the major keys to success in network marketing. Treat your business like a BIG BUSINESS and it will eventually pay you like a big business. Treat it like a hobby and it will pay you like a hobby. It's your choice.

Work through fear. When you run up against fear - making those initial contacts, follow-up calls, public presentations - run over it! As Nike says, Just Do It! and the fear will go away. The more you do what you fear, the more fearless you become. Soon, nothing will get the way of your success.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare - your mind, body, and business. The better you prepare, the greater the success. The quicker you get started with the preparation and resulting action, the quicker you will start seeing the success you seek - checks, bigger checks, pin levels, awards, and rewards.

FREE Network Marketing Leads

How many times have you seen FREE leads advertised, only to find out that they aren't really free or if they are free, they are worth what you paid for them? The difficult part is that if you are going to build a large network marketing business, you must have leads.

Back in 1995 I pondered this exact issue and began developing what is now referred to as a funded business proposal. There are several popular funded business proposal programs - Magnetic Sponsoring, Renegade Marketer, and others. The idea here is that you market an informational product (book or e-book) that is attractive to people interested in network marketing. If they purchase the product, you (as an affiliate) earn a commission, which can then be used to offset your network marketing business costs or for additional marketing.

The best part about a funded business proposal is that you generate your own leads and they are all people interested in network marketing. The key is to learn how to convert those leads into distributors or associates in your network marketing business. That's how you use a funded business proposal to build a massive network.

Although I think that Magnetic Sponsoring and Renegade Marketer are excellent programs, I felt that they did not have enough emphasis on building a network marketing business, so for the last 6 months a business partner and I have been developing a new funded business proposal called The 2 Percent Plan. This program has all the features of a standard funded business proposal, but also has extensive training for converting leads and building a large and lucrative network marketing business.

So, if you want real FREE leads and the opportunity to get paid to generate them and solid training from a seasoned professional network marketer, then check out The 2 Percent Plan.

The Power Question

I run into so many network marketers who tell me that things aren't going very well. They can't find any prospects. I think, "What are you crazy? There are 300 million people in the U.S. alone!" So, I teach them the "power" question and send them out into the world. Amazingly, most come back and tell me how well their business is doing now that they are using the power question. So, now I'm going to teach it to you too.

Here it is: "What do you do for a living?"

Powerful isn't it? Actually, it's simplicity does give it power. People will always respond. They will never say no. Plus, they will give you useful information. Knowing what they do for a living tells you what might motivate them.

Next you could say, "Wow, you probably make a lot of money doing that, don't you?" What are they going to say? What would you say? Probably something like, "I do alright" or "not really."

Then you ask, "If I could show you something that would enable you to make double or triple what your making now and enjoy more time freedom, would you be interested in taking a look?"

They will either reply "yes" or "no" or ask "what is it". If "yes" or "what is it", say "That's great. It will take some time to explain, so do you have a business card?" If not then ask them to write their name and e-mail address, so you can send them some information and their phone number so you can call to answer questions. Let them know that there will never be any pressure, just a great opportunity for them to gather information and make an educated decision.

It's powerful and it works!

Why Network Marketing?

When I was a kid growing up in Colorado, my Dad worked and Mom stayed home with my brother and I. Dad would go off to work at 8 and leave work at 5. At night he would spend time with us playing games or watching T.V. Later in my life, they both would attend my football, basketball, and baseball games. We were kind of the typical "leave-it to Beaver" family.

Today, things have changed. There are very, very few of those families left. Now Dad works two jobs and Mom also works full-time, just to stay ahead. Credit cards are maxed. Most couples are two paychecks away from bankruptcy. Careers are no longer secure, even with the top companies like IBM and AT&T, who have both layed off tens of thousands of people. The economy is so unstable that it's even hard to invest for the future anymore. Stress is at it's highest. What is the answer to this terrible downward spiral? There are probably many, but one is definitely network marketing.

Let's look at the benefits. First, it is a business that can be operated in a person's spare time, without jeopardizing their full-time job. Second, it can build a residual income that grows without increasing the labor hours. Third, it can be a family business where everyone participates. Fourth, it can eliminate the need for a second job or for both spouses to work. Fifth, it can develop into a residual stream of income that will secure a person's financial future and retirement years. Sixth, it can provide for more time freedom to truly enjoy the finer things in life. Seventh, it can result in wealth. Eighth, people in network marketing make a lot of really great friends. Ninth, people experience a great deal of personal growth. Tenth, there lots of great tax benefits (talk with your accountant about this).

Network marketing is the perfect business for this time in history and particularly for this economy. It offers a person the opportunity to own a piece of the American Dream without a huge up front investment, without a big downside risk, without the need for offices or warehouses, without employees and complicated bookkeeping, and with the potential of developing a permanent residual stream of income. A network marketing business is home-based, which allows people to avoid traffic jams, weather, pollution, and the stress of the daily commute.

It also, enables people to be at home, closer to the kids. Network marketing is the answer to many people's prayers. They just don't know it yet! It's up to all of us to spread the word about network marketing. Find those poor souls who are suffering through life, hating their jobs, working long hours, neglecting their family, and fighting traffic, in order to earn just enough money to stay ahead of the wolves. Introduce them to network marketing. Show them a path into a new world filled with hope for the future. Network marketing is truly the light at the end of the dark tunnel. All you need to do is show them that it's not another train.

WOMEN IN NETWORK MARKETING

Are there differences in the way men and women approach network marketing? Yes. Is one way better than the other? Probably not. However each could learn from the other. All you guys out there, listen up. We can learn something from the women about how to succeed in network marketing.

First, networking requires building rapport and trust quickly. Women are generally much better at this. Some of you men are getting in touch with your feminine side and are becoming better at this. Women tend to be more emotional and can touch another person's emotional side quicker. This builds a solid bond that is hard to break.

Men tend to be like a bull in a china closet, powering in for the close. The key here is to understand the primary reason why a prospect might be interested in network marketing and then cater your approach to that emotional need.

Second, women are better encouragers. They make great network marketing leaders, because they understand what motivates their distributors and uses that to keep them excited. Also, they have a softer approach, which tends to appeal to people better than a man's harder, less caring approach. Also, women are better at nurturing relationships. Men are more into competition and winning, while women are into creating win-win situations. In each situation, evaluate how you can create a win-win situation with yor prospects.

Third, on the whole, women bring a higher level of integrity to network marketing. Without their influence, this industry might be an "anything goes" business. Men would focus on conquering and winning. That's contrary to the networking principle. Here we want to share, nurture, and encourage people to success.

There's no glass ceiling in network marketing and there is plenty of room at the top for all of us, both men and women. Let's learn from each other, become better people, and build the greatest industry in the history of the world!

Use E-Zines to Expand Your Business

According to Wikipedia, an e-zine is a “periodic publication distributed by e-mail or posted on a website. E-zines are typically tightly focused on a subject area.” Just to immediately clear up the pronunciation issue, e-zine is most widely pronounced like “ee-zeen” rather than “ee-zyne or ee-zign.”

It is widely believed that e-zines have been around since the 1980’s, but really gained wide-spread attention in the mid 1990’s. Quite simply, an e-zine is just an online newsletter. You can use it to provide valuable information, thus establishing yourself as an authority and also giving you the welcomed opportunity to present your network marketing business.

If you are serious about using E-zines to promote your business, then we highly recommend that you use Charlie Page’s Directory of E-zines. You can find this by clicking HERE (link to http://www.realworldtactics.com/cmd.php?af=742346). You can also visit http://www.e-zine-list.com and search for mlm, network marketing, or home business, to find other e-zines.

There are two ways to use e-zines to market your business– you can write content for other e-zines or publish your own. If you enjoy writing and time allows, do both. If not, your best results will come from writing for other e-zines, as they have already created the readership.

If you want to publish your own, the key is to find a niche – something that isn’t covered or at least not widely covered. Next, send your e-zine out weekly, as it will keep your name and information in front of people, creating front of the mind awareness. Don’t use the e-zine to purely promote, rather use it to inform and create a reputation as an authority. You can include advertising after the information in your e-mails. If you want to see an example of this, go to www.RodNichols.com and click on Newsletters. There you will find a free network marketing E-zine that will show you how to do this.

If you’re not really a writer, you can hire a ghost writer. E-mail me at Rod@RodNichols.com for rates on writing articles you can post on web sites and submit to e-zines or send out to your own e-zine list.

Some e-zines also offer advertising. If you have a budget, you might consider doing this. With this type of ad, you need a great attention grabbing headline and then 3 or 4 benefits (what’s in it for them?). Show them the pain and how to get rid of it and you’ll have plenty of people responding. Placement of ads is critical. Only go with ads that are placed at the top of an e-zine. Better yet are solo ads.

If you are considering advertising on e-zines, contact the owner and ask the following questions: How many subscribers? How many new subscribers per month? How many mailings per month? Do they have advertiser testimonies? Is there an advertiser waiting list? (this is actually a good sign) Will the owner give you an endorsement?

Here are some things to look for in a good e-zine:

1. Mailing to your target market (people interested in network marketing, mlm, home business, making money, etc.).

2. Issues are packed with great information and value for the reader.

3. There are long-term subscribers and testimonies from subscribers.

4. The e-zine looks up-to-date, organized, and easy to read.

5. The subscription process is simple.

6. They don’t send out more than 2 e-mails a week.

Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate. It never hurts to ask for a free month or a lower cost for a longer term commitment.

Many top network marketing income earners have added to their massive networks through e-zine articles and/or advertising and so can you. It just takes time and commitment.

Really Good Entrepreneurs - This is funny!

Really Good Entrepreneurs! Funny Jokes at JibJab

We're Back!

The reason you haven't seen any blog entries since last Wednesday was that Karen and I were in Dallas, TX. We appeared on the Daystar Celebration show to talk about my book, God's Prosperity Plan. If you're intersted in watching the show on the internet, click HERE and look for the Celebration show on 8/29/08.

We also attended an international house church conference, while we were in Dallas. Over 400 people from around the world who all operate churches in their home or have networks of house churches (as we do - The Open Door). Paul Young, author of the massive NY Times Bestseller, The Shack, was our keynote speaker. If you haven't read this book, click on the title and order it from Amazon or pick it up at your local bookstore. It will rock your world! To date, over 3.8 million copies have been sold and it is radically changing people's lives.

I know that all this doesn't have anything to do with network marketing or does it?

We have found the similarities between network marketing and Christianity* to be quite interesting. Let's look at a few of those.

Christianity began because of one man - Jesus.
He found 12 men and began to share his message.
3 of those became his primary leaders.
They met individually and in groups to share their message.
As the group grew, the spread the responsibilites for training to others.
The message was spread totally by word of mouth, person to person.
As they worked together, friendships grew.
The government and naysayers often spoke against them.
Their message radically changed people's lives for the better.

Now, let's look at network marketing:

Network marketing started with one company some 60 years ago.
We build a network marketing business by sponsoring people.
Some of those people become leaders.
We meet both individually with people and in groups.
As the group grows, you have to train others to teach and train.
We don't have any major advertising campaigns, NM is a word of mouth business.
As we work with people, many of them will become life long friends.
The government and naysayers have been trying to shut NM down since the 70's.
Our business radically changes people's lives.

If you've ever questioned whether network marketing was a good thing, knock it off. I've been in this amazing industry for nearly 30 years and there is no other business model that even comes close to comparing, in the impact it has on people's lives. It is truly The Ideal Business! You are doing a good thing that can dramaticaly impact people's financial futures for the better, so get out there and spread the good word about network marketing!

Have an awesome Labor Day!

Rod

*P.S. Although it is categorized as such, Christianity is not a religion. Jesus didn't come to earth to create a religion or to build churches. He came to give us the opportunity to be in right relationship with God and who wouldn't want to be in relationship with the creator of the universe? God has been an amazing business partner in my network marketing business and other businesses. He wants to be your business partner too. If you have questions about any of this, feel free to e-mail me at Rod@RodNichols.com.

Great Teleclass Last Night

We had a great 2 Percent Plan affiliate teleclass last night. I talked about how to use the new lead generation system to increase their income by at least $100 a month, generate enough leads to sponsor 2 new people into their network marketing business every month, and how to build a six-figure income with in the next 2 years working part-time.

If you aren't part of The 2 Percent Plan, then you missed out on this call, but we are going to have a recording in the exclusive back office in the near future and there will be at least monthly calls of this nature. You can join by going to www.the2percentplan.com. You'll get a copy of my dynamic new book The 2 Percent Plan, the rights to re-sell it and earn $20 commission on each sale, an awesome marketing system to help you do that, a fantastic lead generation and conversion system that will help you build your network marketing business, and a bunch of free reports that will shoot you to the top of your company. Click on the link above and start using The 2 Percent Plan to build your network marketing business. Teach it to your downline and watch your network explode.

Build Your Network Marketing Business with You Tube

You Tube was founded in 2005 and is the leader in online video and the premier site to watch and share videos worldwide. Now, you can produce your own training or promotional videos and have them available to millions of people in just minutes.

Visit http://www.youtube.com/ and take a look at what people are putting up on the site. You can search by topic, for example mlm or network marketing or home business or The 2% Plan (my new lead generation system) and see how many videos are up under that topic.

Your first step is to record a video. Determine what topic you are going to cover and then write a script or some notes. You could do the video yourself or have someone interview you or have a discussion with another person. Next, you’ll need a digital video camera that will allow you to upload the video clip to your computer. If you don’t have a camera, we recommend Flip Video (http://www.theflip.com/) which you can buy online or at local retailers. You’ll also find them on E-bay.

Here are some video strategies from Andy Jenkins, owner of StomperNet and also an Oscar winner: Shoot your video in three parts:

Part One – establish a problem the viewer is dealing with. Then begin by telling a story that leads the viewer to a powerful solution. Make the story personal and provide a testimony of fixing the problem and if possible show them the financial or physical result.

Part Two – go over the personal benefits of your solution (in other words, what’s in it for the viewer). Give them bullet points from actual experience. Cover the how and why this will work for them. Generate a high level of interest by reminding them that they can do it. Then walk them through the simple steps to success.

Part Three – conclude with an urgent call to action. Tell your viewer exactly what they should do next. Reiterate the problem, solution, and benefits. Help your viewer envision themselves after achieving success and you’ve got yourself a hot candidate.

Make sure the video is no longer than 10 minutes or you won’t be able to upload it on to You Tube. If it must be longer than 10 minutes, break it up into multiple parts and load the videos separately. As you are filming, look directly into the camera, relax, and have fun. Video is a great way to meet your prospects face-to-face and make a great first impression.

Once you have a completed video, you can also load it on other social networking sites, such as Plaxo, MySpace, Bebo, and MetaCafe. If you are really serious about this and your budget allows, you can use Traffic Geyser (http://www.trafficgeyser.com/) to submit your videos to social networking, social bookmarking, and search engine sites. The service is only $97 a month and will save you many hours.

So, if you’ve always wanted to be in the movies, this is your chance and use it to build a massive network marketing business that will provide you with the lifestyle of your dreams.

*This training is in the back office training system of my new funded business proposal The 2 Percent Plan. It is just one of many great internet and network marketing training pieces you'll find in the back office as an affiliate. For more informaton click HERE.

Still time to join

I'm doing my first training call for The 2 Percent Plan affiliates tonight at 6 pm Pacific Time. I'm going to be talking about how you can use The 2 Percent Plan to attract quality leads for your network marketing business, convert those leads into distributors/associates, get paid to do it, and build a massive network marketing business that will result in total time and financial freedom. If you are an affiliate check your e-mail for the call instructions. If you aren't an affiliate, but have been thinking about it, click HERE to join.

New Network Marketing Videos

I just shot three new network marketing training videos. They're FREE and you can view them by clicking HERE.

Decisions . . . Decisions . . . Decisions . . .

I joined my first network marketing company in 1979 when there were only a handful of companies. The only solid method of marketing was home meetings or one-on-one napkin presentations. We didn't have the internet, CD's, DVD's, cell phones, voice mail, e-mail, teleconferences, web conferences, flash presentations, video cameras, web cams, or mp3 players. Choices were pretty easy back then, because there wasn't much to choose from.

Today it's much different. There are so many methods of marketing and mutiple choices within each method - do you market to your warm market by phone, e-mail, mail, CD, DVD, opportunity meeting, web conference, teleconference, etc. etc. If you are marketing on the internet do you use pay-per-click, ezines, classifieds, funded business proposals, social networking sites, forums, etc. etc. AND so on. And so on. It's tough and I feel bad for all those who are just joining the network marketing industry.

Here are some keys that might help you.

First, always check with successful upline leaders to see what they are doing. If the methods they are using fit your personality, time commitment, and budget, then duplicate. If not, then move on.

Second, decide on a single marketing method for your warm market (people you know) and no more than 2 or 3 internet marketing methods.

Third, stay focused on those methods for at least 3 months to determine their success rate. The biggest mistake you can make is to use different methods every month. Find something and get good at it.

During my early years in network marketing, I was always looking for the magic bullet - that perfect thing that would make me a millionaire. I did discover it - consistent, and persistent effort in prospecting, presenting, and follow-up.

So, find something that works for your personality, schedule, and budget; then stick with it, making slight modifications for improvement and you will begin to see greater and greater success.

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Get Paid to Prospect

You can either pay to prospect, by purchasing leads, placing classified ads, using Google Adwords or other pay-per-click programs, paying for banners, or any number of other paid methods of prospecting OR you can get paid to to generate leads for your network marketing business. Learn how to attract people who are already interested in network marketing and earn money to do it by clicking HERE.

Just Do It!

Nike made the phrase popular and it is perfect for network marketing. Having been in the industry for over 29 years, I've had a chance to work with tens of thousands of network marketers and have found there are many reasons why people fail, but the consistent number one is lack of productive action.

To build a large and lucrative network marketing business, you need to do X things:

1. Learn - gain knowledge about your company, products/services, and compensation plan. You don't have to know everything, but at least know where to get the answers.

2. Prospect - talk with people about your business. There many great methods for prospecting. Make sure you talk with your upline leaders about how they are doing it. The key here is to think of your business like a funnel. You place a lot of new prospects in the top (which is wide) and a few come out the bottom (which is narrow). The more you put in, the more will come out.

3. Sponsor - the key here is to sponsor people correctly. Most network marketing businesses have a starter kit that costs under $50. This is the cost to join a company. However, if you are working with a legitimate product company, you will want your new recruits to understand the products and that requires them to use them. So, typically there is a starter product pack that you should recommend. Also, they will need a web site and marketing materials, so make sure you include all those things in their starter pack. If you start people out right, they have a much better chance of success. You should also work with your upline leaders to set goals for the number of new people you will sponsor monthly. In the beginning, you should invest 90% of your time to prospecting and sponsoring. Once you've built a good size network with a number of solid leaders, who are building on their own, then you can back off a bit, but you should never go below 50% of your time dedicated to prospecting and sponsoring.

4. Train - poor or lack of training is another primary reason for failure in network marketing, so make sure that your new recruits get good training. Check with your company and upline to see what is already offered. For the first 30 days, you should stay very close to your new recruit. Your goal should be to help them recruit at least a couple new people in their first month and to get them earning $500 a month as quickly as possible. If a person is making $500 a month, they will stick. Offer yourself for personal meetings and 3-way calls with prospects. Then help your new recruits train their new recruits.

5. Support - once your downline members are up and running on their own, continue to support them through encouragement, contests, advanced training, gatherings - meetings/teleconferences, etc. Your job is to build a cohesive team that is all striving toward success together. TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More.

Determine how much time you can commit to your business every week and then do these five things. If you do this consistently, you will be successful and enjoy the fruits of your labor - time and financial freedom.

Breaking News for Network Marketers

Rod Nichols' Breaking News for Network Marketers:

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5 Ways to Work Your Warm Market

As every network marketer knows, the best place to build a business is in the warm market. You know them; have rapport with them, and possibly a high level of mutual respect. The close ratio is at least triple that of the cold market.

Here are 5 ways that you can use to contact your warm market without jeopardizing your relationships:

1. In-home Business Briefing

This is the quickest and most effective way to build a network marketing business. People have been building large networks using in-home briefings for over fifty years. To conduct an in-home, you will need a place in your home where you can comfortably seat the number of people you would like to attend.
You will also want to have a TV and DVD player, plus a place where you can display products (if your business is product-based).

The key to an in-home is to make it appear duplicable. You want the people attending to see a way that they too can do the business. So, the best way to do an in-home is to tell your story (how you discovered your company and got involved).

Next, play a DVD that tells about the company, products, and the compensation plan. If you have a product-based business you might add a demonstration or give your prospects samples.

Take time to answer questions and then ask for those who want to order the products or become distributors to stay around to complete the paperwork. (See the complete in-home script later in this section)

The first step is to establish a day and time for your in-home. Second, make up a list of people you want to invite. Third, practice the inviting script that follows until you feel comfortable making the calls. Fourth, call your prospects and invite them. Invite twice as many as you would like to actually show-up, as 50% will say no when you call and 50% of those who swear they are coming will not.

It¹s a very good idea to work with your sponsor or an upline leader on an inviting script. Also, practice dealing with possible comments like "What¹s this all about?" or "Is this network marketing or multi-level marketing?" or "Is this Amway?" or "I¹m too busy to add anything else." or "I¹m busy that night."

If you are not comfortable doing the business briefing, invite your sponsor or an upline leader to help out. If they are not available, just tell your story (how you got involved, why you are excited about the company, and what you are expecting as benefits), play a company video, and answer questions. If you have upline leaders who are long-distance to you, arrange to have one of them available toward the end of your briefing. Call the leader and put him/her on a speakerphone for all your guests to hear. Your leader will do the final close.

2. Information Approach

Many a new distributor has been concerned about contacting their warm market, because they didn¹t want their friends and family feeling like they were selling them something. The information approach is a great answer.

Let¹s say you had opened a restaurant. Would you keep it a secret from your friends and family? Most likely you would call, tell them all about the restaurant, and invite them to come down and eat. Use this same approach with your network marketing business. Instead of calling them with the idea of sponsoring or selling them products, instead approach purely with the idea of informing them about your business.

Call up your warm market, tell them about your business, and invite them to take a look if they want. If they are not interested, don¹t pressure. Always let them know that it isn¹t important to you that they join or buy products, but rather that they take the time to look at the information and understand your business. If they are interested in getting more involved that¹s great too, you would love to work with them.

3. Opinion Approach

If you have people in your warm market who are somewhat intimidating due to their level of success, then this is the approach to use. Everyone loves to give their opinion, so you will rarely find people in your warm market that will reject this approach.

Contact your warm market candidate and say something like this, "Hi John, this is Bill, how are things? (continue after a little natural chit-chat) The reason for my call is to ask your help. I have just started a new business that has me more excited than anything I have ever done. The potential is incredible, if I do this right. That¹s where I need your help. I’ve always valued your business experience and knowledge. Would you be willing to take about an hour of your valuable time and review this business for me? I’d like to know how you would build the business, if it were yours. I¹m also going to be looking for some strong partners, so as you are reviewing the business; I¹d like you to think of anyone who might fit. Will you do that for me?”

If they say yes, get them an information packet including printed materials, a DVD, CD, web site address, teleconference or web conference, etc. In the packet, remind them that you would like them to give their opinion on how to do the business and who might make good partners. That way you won’t get a bunch of their negative misconceptions.

This is also a great approach for young network marketers to use with parents and older business contacts.

4. Introductory Letters

Many network marketers have large warm markets, numbering into the thousands. It would take far too long to call and arrange to meet each one. Particularly since many of them may be out of state. So, a good, quick answer is an introductory letter. The key here is that if you don¹t let your warm market know that you are involved in network marketing with your company, someone else will and the next thing you know, you¹ll be getting an introductory letter or phone call from your best friend, mother, father, sister, or brother.

An introductory letter should be limited to one page. People are busy and they already get too much mail. Make it easy on them.

In the letter you want to let them know that you have started a new business with a network marketing company and give the name. Explain that you had some reservations about being involved in network marketing until you discovered the tremendous potential to develop long-term, walk-away, residual income. Let them know that you are working your business part-time (10 to 15 hours a week) and that your support team has supplied excellent training and marketing programs.

Inform them of the tremendous benefits ­ tax deductions, time freedom, control over your financial destiny, helping others improve their lives, self-improvement, etc. Let them know that the up-front investment is low, as is the risk. There is no need for an office (outside the home), inventory, employees, or sophisticated bookkeeping systems.

Tell them that you would enjoy working with them toward the ultimate goal of financial and time freedom. Explain that you do not want them to feel pressured, so you will not follow-up on this letter. If they would like to know more, they can call (a hotline, conference call, or your voice mailbox with a 2-minute informational message) or visit your web site and provide the URL.

5. Product Demonstration

If your company is product-based, another great way to build a business in your warm market is to do product demonstrations. This falls back to the old and very successful party-plan concept. Companies like Tupperware and Discovery Toys have built mammoth businesses using this approach.

First, arrange a day and time for the demonstration. Determine whom you are going to invite and send out invitations. Indicate that you will be serving light refreshments at the demonstration. I would suggest coffee, water, punch, and cookies or light finger pastries.

Remember to invite twice as many people as you want to come. If you want to improve your attendance, do a follow-up call a few days before the event.

Start your demonstration on time. Tell your story about how you found the company, why you are excited about the products, and a brief overview of the company. Next, give them some logical justification for why they would want to purchase the products from the company and you ­ superior products, convenience, monetary savings, etc.

Now, begin through the key products ­ describe them and their benefits to the attendees. If you can sample the products, do so during the demonstration. After covering each product ask if there are any questions. Answer those before moving on to the next product. Limit the number of products so you can keep the whole demonstration to an hour to an hour and a half. When you have completed all the products, again ask if there are any questions.

After answering questions, offer a special product package or special pricing on the products demonstrated, if they purchase or order at the demonstration. Take orders with payment.

Then indicate that there is also a way that they could make money, if interested, they should ask you after the demonstration (show them the business opportunity). Also, that they could earn free products by allowing you to come in and do a demonstration in their home (offer them 10% of the profits from the demonstration, in the form of products). Try to book at least one demonstration from each one that you do. Make sure that everyone walks away with literature.

Demonstrations are a soft way of building a business. It¹s slower, so keep that in mind if you are anxious to replace your current income and gain more time freedom.

If you cultivate your warm market properly, you may never have to enter the cold market and will build a large and lucrative business with all of your friends and family members.

Do You Want FREE MLM Leads?

Through the 29 years I've been involved in network marketing, I've purchased thousands of leads of all types. I've paid anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars for each lead. Honestly, I can't say that I've every sponsored many people from those leads. Yet, I know other network marketing leaders who have built massive businesses on purchased leads, so perhaps buying leads will work for you. But, wouldn't you rather get your leads for free. Better yet, wouldn't you like to get paid to generate your own free leads.

The truth be known, all the lead companies attract leads in the same way. They create a compelling information capture page, then they drive traffic to it. That becomes the lowest form of lead and the least expensive. However, some companies will interact with the lead to make sure they are truly a lead - that may be by e-mail or phone - interviewed leads are the highest quality and most expensive.

So, you could do the same thing as the lead company - create your own capture page, drive traffic to it, then interview the leads to find those who are serious. If you're an experienced internet marketer and web designer, you could do the work yourself. If not, then you'll need to pay someone to do it - probably a $1,000 or more. Then, if you know how to drive traffic, the right kind of traffic - people interested in network marketing, you can do that yourself. If not, you'll need to either learn how to do it or pay someone to do it - again, probably a $1,000 or more. Next, you can interview the people, which I know you can do, so no need to pay anyone for that part.

So, for a minimum of $2,000 your in the lead generation business. Another option is a funded business proposal. This is where you offer an information product that would attract people interested in network marketing. They pay for the product, providing you funding and then you interview them to see if they are a quality lead for your business. Here again, if you are an experienced copy writer, internet marketer, and web designer, you can do all the work yourself. If not, then you'll need to pay between $5,000 and $10,000 to put together the system.

The best option is to use an already established funded business proposal. There are several out there, but only one designed by top network marketers specifically for network marketers and that's my new system, The 2 Percent Plan. Now, you can generate your own free mlm leads and get paid to do it. Go to www.the2percentplan.com/plus to see the system in action. Order my dynamic new e-book and get the lead generation system for FREE. Use the simple step-by-step marketing system and in no time you'll have an endless supply of free leads, new people joining your network marketing business, and an extra income stream of hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars. He who hesitates loses, so go to www.the2percentplan.com/plus today!

The 100% Principle in Network Marketing

Do you know that there is a 100% chance that someone you know is thinking about or wishing for more money or more free time. The unfortunate part is that you don't know who those people are, so you must sift for them. It's like the old card trick - there are 52 cards in a deck
(54 with the jokers and there are always a few jokers in the crowd, so you better leave them in) and 4 aces. The 4 aces represent your four front-line people, your gold nuggets! If you pulled up the first 10 cards without an ace, would you quit? Of course not, because you know that the 4 aces are there. In fact you could probably pull up 50 cards (including those 2 jokers) and still not quit!

4 aces out of 54 cards is about a 7.5% close ratio. Think of your recruiting efforts in the same way. You have a certain number of people in your circle of influence or warm market. Let's say it's 100 people. That means that there is 100% chance that 7.5 of those people are looking for what you have to offer with your company. You may be lucky and find that there are more than that, but at least you know that there are 7.5 out of every 100.

Start sifting through your warm market to find your 7.5 aces. Don't worry about the rest of the people who say NO. They aren't aces and all you're looking for are aces.

Leaders Are Found, Not Made

Some people have it and some don't. Unfortunately, a small percentage - probably under 5% have it. What is it? Leadership!

Every person who has been in network marketing for awhile knows what I'm talking about. You've seen that person who does his/her due diligence prior to joining you, then takes off like a rocket. They make up their list, they call you for help, they set up meetings and ask you to speak, they are at every group presentation and training. They are leaders. They will make or break your business.

If you have leaders in your business, you're business will grow on its own. They will find other leaders, who will find other leaders and so on. This is what makes a successful network.

So, how do you find leaders? They are pretty easy to recognize. Here are some characteristics to look for:

1. They are probably already a leader in the community, at their job, at church, or in sports.

2. They are successful at work.

3. They truly care about other people and show it.

4. They are active in their church. Not just Sunday attenders.

5. They go above and beyond the call of duty when necessary.

6. They are friendly and fun.

7. The have an extremely high level of integrity.

8. You can count on them to do what they say.

9. They lead by example.

10. They are organized, structured and goal oriented.

These are just a few characteristics that you can look for. Now, where can you find these people? Look for them at work, the PTA, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, church, sports, non-profit organizations, clubs, etc. You will recognize them quickly, as they are the leaders in those organizations.

Your job is to show them how they can be a leader in your organization and help thousands of people improve their lives. If you do a good job of presenting your case, they will join and you're off to the races.