SabrinaCoffin.com

Posts Tagged ‘work at home’

• She PATROLS your home in search of products that are manufactured by ANOTHER company.
• She tells you to HIDE all other brands when you have friends over, because you really don’t believe in the products if you have OTHER products in your home.
• She tells your downline you aren’t a committed leader because you are tending to your dying grandmother rather than working your business.
• She yells at you for missing the Saturday morning call because you chose to go to your daughter’s wedding.
• She insists your company is not MLM, even though she is being paid on MULTI-levels.
• She believes your company is not MLM, because the company told her it’s not.
• She believes her company is the ONLY way to make a real residual income.
• She believes with all her heart that anyone who doesn’t join her is an IDIOT & will never make it.
• Her only friends are in her MLM company.
• She doesn’t call you anymore if you don’t make the autoship.
• She doesn’t have a life outside of her MLM.
• She eats, sleeps, drinks and breathes……her company.
• She goes to PTA meetings and soccer games with the intention of recruiting.
• Life outside of her MLM doesn’t exist.

Sound funny?  Think again!  It’s no fun working with someone who drank the MLM Kook-Aid.

There is FREEDOM in thinking outside the box of the traditional 9-5 and the people you partner with on your work at home journey are going to make all the difference in the world!

I’m here to have fun, meet great people, change lives and make a lot of money along the way.

How about you?

So, a friend of yours told you all the success stories of their company
and without much thought or research, you signed on the dotted line.

You’re now the owner of your own business and you represent XYZ Company
and you’ve just slapped down about $500 bucks to get started.

Your package is due to arrive any day now and while you’re waiting
you’re encouraged to share this great ‘opportunity’ to all of your
family and friends because they need to hear about this
incredible opportunity.

Your upline may even share this little secret with you….

“The smart ones will join you.” What?

Stop right there! Before you move any farther towards the cliff,
I want you to go find your little contract you signed and READ IT!

Grab those policies and procedures of the company and READ THEM!

It’s a MUST for anyone in this industry because once you read them you
just may discover that you don’t OWN your own business at all!

You should examined the integrity of the company.
This is by far the most important part of joining any business opportunity.
Most people don’t take the time to read a contractual agreement.
The companies realize this and perhaps that is why the really nasty parts
of the policies will be found in the middle to the latter part of the agreement.
When you are reading through your contract, take your time
and have someone assist you if necessary.

Here are some of the policies that were a red flag to me when
I began searching for a company to join.
These are copied directly from the policies and procedures
of a few companies that are well known in the industry,
however, I chose to use ‘representative’ instead of the title used
by the companies to identify those who were distributing their products or services.

1) If any member of the ‘representatives’ immediate household engages
in any activity which, if performed by the ‘representative’, would violate any
company policy or any provision of the agreement, such activity will be deemed
a violation by the ‘representative’.

Hmmmm…….I am penalized for my families activity? Yikes!

2) To qualify for compensation under the company compensation plan,
‘representatives’ have the ongoing responsibility to service, supervise,
motivate, train and assist their downline.

Hmmm……Okay…..so how can I retire if I have an “ongoing responsibility”?

3) During the period that the company agreement is in force AND for
a period of twelve months after cancellation, ‘representatives’ and
all members of their immediate household are prohibited from directly,
indirectly or through a third party (WHAT?????) recruiting ANY customers or
‘representative’ to participate in any other business venture.

Geez……this meant I wouldn’t own my list of people I brought into the company!

Anyway, I’m sure you see the point here. If I wanted to own my own business,
I had certainly better find a business that would allow me to retire,
pass it along to my children, offer other business opportunities to my downline
and keep my own list!

What about you? Have you taken the time to read through the contract?
Do you really own your own business? Let me know what you discover and
as always, I’m here to help you.

Well, I thought I’d step aside from Powerpoint for a while
and just do something I actually enjoy doing. Writing!

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy being creative with slide shows,
however, I’m not much for figuring out a program as complex
as Powerpoint for a just a few simple presentations.

In all honesty, I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the information
I’ve had to read to try to get it through my head how to
put a little 5 minute presentation together. Ugh!

It’s not really my thing….lol….but hey,
sometimes we’ve just got to put our head down and tackle it!

So that’s exactly what I’ve done.

Regardless of how much I dislike the task
and no matter how much of a chore it is at the moment,
I know there will be a moment where the light bulb clicks on
and all the puzzle pieces will come together.

Then, I’ll be able to help others with their presentations.

There is always a great reward that follows the intense effort.

Liken this to network marketing (or marriage, day-to-day living, our J.O.B.).
Nobody said it would be easy!

But for those of us who embrace the challenge….
great things will come our way.

I’m excited about the path I am on and can look back and see the beauty
of my hard work, determination and ‘bring it on’ attitude.

You see, even when things come our way that aren’t so desirable,
we should ask ourselves this one question.

“Is this going to sharpen me, build character, allow me to help others and
essentially bring value to those around me?”

If so….I say, “Go for it”!

We’re getting ready to head down to Sunny SoCal for our Christmas vacation! Can’t wait as it’s been a few years since I’ve been to my hometown of Huntington Beach and it’ll be great to see my sister and her family.

Anyone who’s ever been on a vacation knows there is a lot of planning involved. My husband and I do a pretty good job of sharing the responsibilities when it comes right down to it. We both get a bit overwhelmed because we are leaving the business behind us and have to make sure all our “ducks” are in a row before we head on out of here. But all it all, three out of the four kids can pack for themselves and it’s really nice to give them that responsibility. It’s always great when we’ve got everything packed up and we head out of here, ready for the FUN ahead of us!

Anyway, in the midst of all the little tasks that have to be completed I was thinking about some of the things that are really important when planning for a trip.

1) Family Planning: Where are we going for vacation?
2) Road Map: How are we going to get there?
3) Compass: We often take this for granted but aren’t they nice to have when we are lost?
4) Money: It’s a must for any adventure if we want to have a really good time!
5) Food and Water: Gives us energy and keeps the little ones happy.
6) Diapers: For when things get really messy. (Well, we’re past that but you get my point)
7) Luggage: Pack carefully and don’t bring along too much baggage!
Calendar: It’s important to plan out what we’re going to do on the trip ahead of time.
9) Phone Book: Call me old school but it’s always good to have one on hand “just in case”.
10)Good Company: Love who you are with and it will make all the difference in the world!

Apply that to everyday life and business.

Where are you going?
How are you going to get there?
Who are you going to turn to when you get lost?
Do you have money to play with to have a really good time?
What are your resources to give you the energy and stamina you need to keep going?
How do you respond when things get really messy?
Have you learned to get rid of the “extra baggage”?
How are you doing on your calendar of events?
Who do you call when you’re in a tight spot or need a little boost?
Have you surrounded yourself with good company?

These things are all important when we are in business for ourselves. Planning is key and if we are going to get to where we want to go, we better write it down, partner up with people we love to be with and get ready for the ride of a lifetime!

Dare to Dream, Work to Win!

Find out why community is so much more important than any product you will sell.

Need help with your MLM?

Download my FREE ebook,  ‘Success in 10 Steps’.

Perhaps you’re one of many self-motivated individuals investigating various home business opportunities. While there are a wide selection of products and services to choose from, careful investigation is key to your contentment and success.

The following is a series of questions I believe should be answered prior to signing any contractual agreement with any business corporation.

Is this a legitimate company?

Whether we like to believe it or not, there are businesses out there that are misleading. Protect yourself. Do your research ahead of time and find out if the company is a member of the Direct Sales Association or the Better Business Bureau. A little bit of homework in the beginning can speak volumes for your future.

Is there a demand for the products or services being offered?

Of course you are going to want to offer something that people want to buy. Look for quality and be selective in making your decision. We all know we can buy just about anything, anywhere. Look for something that is unique and of value. Consumable products are a wonderful choice because people will use the product and contact you for additional purchases once the product has been consumed.

Can you get excited about the products?

Don’t try to sell cookware if you detest cooking. Find a product or service that has changed your life and motivates you to announce it to the world. People will know when you are being genuine and if you can find a product that practically sells itself, that’s even better!

What are the start up costs?

I would suggest using caution with businesses requiring over $500.00 as an initial investment to start your business. This initial start up fee should always be in exchange for product and training materials. Look for businesses that require a low start up fee and do not require you to have a lot of inventory in your possession to be successful at sales.

Are there any established territories?

Some companies will set limitations on how far you can sell outside your home based location. If you are looking forward to being able to travel and sell your product without territorial limitations, then you will want to make sure the company will permit you to do so.

Is there a residual income plan established?

Team building and training can be one of the most rewarding and financially lucrative ways to establish a long-term residual income. Find out if this home based business offers a residual income plan and research the potential financial growth. Realistically, you can expect to invest 3-5 years if you are being intentional in your team building and training. Don’t fall for any ‘get rich quick’ scams.

Will the company buy back any unsold inventory?

This is a very important question to have answered if you are investigating a business that requires you to have a lot of inventory on hand to be successful. For those who are members of the Direct Sales Association, any resalable inventory will be purchased back from you should you decide to not maintain your membership. Be sure to research the specific terms and conditions.

Are there any monthly quotas?

Some companies will require you to meet a monthly quota in order to maintain an active status. Depending upon how much time you are able to invest in the business on a weekly and monthly basis, you may want to ask yourself if this sales goal is reasonable for what you are trying to achieve.

What are the perimeters for marketing your business?

Inquire as to how others are marketing the products and services. Are they limited to home shows and holiday bazaars? Does the company allow for the product to be retailed from storefronts? Does the company have a policy about online marketing and if so, do they allow their distributors to take advantage of one of the most effective ways to market today?

How do I opt-out should I decide to no longer be a part of the company?

Find out if there are any hidden costs or penalties involved in no longer being a part of the company’s distribution team. A clean and easy opt-out is always preferred.

Last but certainly not least…….

Who will I be working with should I decide to join the company?

One of the most important decisions you will make when choosing to work at home will be the person you choose to partner with. Make sure the person has your best interest in mind and is 150% committed to helping you succeed in your business!

The answers to these questions are critical and can greatly effect the outcome of your  success when paired with your vision for your future. Take your time when choosing the business that is right for your personality and lifestyle. Patience is a virtue.

It is important to have a realistic view of our business. Most importantly, we have to be honest with ourselves before we can be honest with others.

I truly love the network marketing industry and am saddened by the grim statistics of success. Unfortunately, 97% of those who choose this industry fail to even break even. All too often, we give up before we even get started. The question isn’t whether or not the industry is legitimate. Rather, why are we getting such poor results?

I believe the answer lies within each individual and our ability to have a realistic view of our business, how much time we are willing to put forth in consistent action, how willing we are to look in the mirror and face the person who needs to grow as a leader, and how much we are willing to give to others freely.

Building a successful business takes time and regardless of what some may say, we will most likely not become a success overnight. Daily action is necessary to achieve our goals and I encourage you to put together a 90 Day Plan. Every business, large or small, works from a 90 Day Plan whether we realize it our not. Why should our network marketing business be any different?

So here’s what you should do. Sit down and work up a spreadsheet that represents the next 90 days. Write down steps you are going to take on a daily basis that will help you achieve your goal. Blogging, writing articles, friend requests, videos, audios and emailing can all be a part of your daily routine. Have fun, be creative! Be realistic as to how many hours you want to work each day and stay on task. By the end of the week, you will be able to visually see how much you got accomplished. By the end of the 90 days, you should be able to see a lot of progress!

Long term results is key. Baby steps will lead to progress. Stay on task and you will be pleasantly surprised!

Social media marketing has become all the rage and if you’re not taking advantage
of this sizzling hot marketing medium, you’re simply missing out!

I’ll fill you in on the scoop, the whole scoop and nothing but the scoop.
Sites like Facebook, Better Networker, Twitter and Linked In are just a few of the
social media sites that can propel your business forward if used properly.

There are four major criteria that need to be looked at when marketing your business online.

Create an Online Presence- It is crucial that you brand your name and your story.
Every successful business does this, why should your business be any different?
You want to tell people about who you are, why you do what you do, how you got to
where you are at today and what your unique qualities are that separate you from the rest.
Be authentic! Show people your heart, strut your ‘stuff’ and let them know you’re special!

Build Your Permission Marketing List- When you are involved in social networking
sites there are certain activities that will make you or break you. You want to ‘make it’, right?
RIGHT! Adding friends should become a ritual for you. Introduce yourself, get to know who
they are and what makes them tick. You’ll also want to utilize an autoresponder to help you
stay in touch with the people who have given you permission to provide them with useful
information via email. Keep in mind, your friends will be watching you, following you and
receiving valuable information from you, their new resource.

Build Relationships- Remember, this is social ‘networking’. Don’t just love ‘em and leave ‘em.
Keep in contact. Drop your new friends a line once in a while. Ask how they are doing.
Engage in their lives and most importantly, be real.

Cashing In- This is the ultimate experience when you actually see the ‘fruits of your labor’.
It’s so much fun to be able to work with someone you have taken the time to get to know,
the trust has been established and now they want to partner with you in a business transaction.

Working online is an incredible experience that takes you from your immediate surroundings
and allows you to become ‘larger than life’ by being accessible 24/7 internationally. Go out and
have a blast and bless the socks off everyone you meet online!

With over 150,000 people joining another MLM every week,
it’s time we think about exactly what it is we are signing up for.

If you like what you hear, download my free ebook, ‘Success in 10 Steps‘.