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[Chris Mitchell Contribution Level: 1]

If you answered with a monetary limit, then you will fail. Everyday in your business you need to invest more and more into it. This is true in network marketing or in a brick and mortar business. The day that you say I have reached my investment limit that is that day your doors close.

Imagine that in your brick and mortar company, that you have reached the ideal inventory and you sell out of that inventory, do you just say "OK, well my business did good!" and close your doors or do you order more inventory.
Going on same thought, do you keep the same day in and day out stuff. Maybe, you place new merchandise to go on your shelves.

Same goes for that carpenter, who bought his hammer and nails. Then went on to buy that trim nail gun, and small compressor. Turned that investment into a bigger nail gun and larger compressor to maintain more guns operating off the single unit. Keeping his business growing.

I'm sure you got the picture by now.

Then why would you treat your network market business any differently? The more you invest into your business the more you will get out of it.

Advertising will pay off more if you know exactly how and when to do it. Make that investment into those books and/or programs.

Hits on your page will stay longer if you make the right call in the design of the site. Look like amateur did it or a professional. What site would you trust to buy from?

Now does your capture page have good copy writing?

What does your site offer that others do not? How are going to advertise your market?
Adwords, article writing, social networking, if so then do you know how to do so effectively?

Your time is not free, improper usage of it is money lost and potentially lose a good business opportunity by not investing in yourself and your business.

Number one mistake anyone can make is failure to act.

Chris Mitchell
http://tinyurl.com/nk86nv

[jamie Thompson Contribution Level: 1]

Hi Chris

This is so true, with all the hype on internet/online marketing with " make millions for free and no effort" a lot of people are getting this mentality of building their business for free. This is so far from the truth.

My online business did not start going anywhere until I started treating it like a real business and investing both my time and money.

Jamie

[Deborah Tutnauer Company: ViSalus Sciences Contribution Level: 4]

Chris...

Very important topic and often overlooked in the "get rich quick" "make money now'" internet hype that surrounds so much of the network marketing industry these days. Rather than rewrite something I just wrote the other day, Here's a link. This article is particularly relevant in the context of this forum thread, in that it focuses on a often misunderstood "cost of doing business" in network marketing. Helping people to perceive their investment in their network marketing business as a necessary part of achieving financial freedom and success, is crucial.

[Anthony Hosking Contribution Level: 1]

Quite right, Money does not come into the equation. Building a successful online business takes time and effort. The gurus have done a real number on so many people, thats why you have this apathic feeling amoung the internet marketing fraternity.

These is only one way to build, share hard work and doing whatever it takes to succeed. Stop lazing around leaving it all to other people, they will be the winners in the end. Got off it and really do something.

Anthony

http://motivational-radio.com

[Chris Tryon Company: Jerky Direct Contribution Level: 4]

More than you can afford to lose in any given month. I know that you have to treat your MLM like a business, but I also believe that you should not have to go broke before you see a profit. I used to buy into the notion that only "serious networkers" (i.e. people that already had money to invest in an MLM made money. Or if they did not have the money to invest they would find it, (max out their credit cards).... I have been burned too many times by that line. I believe a lot of people have been burned and that is why most people believe that network marketing is a scam.

The cost of your time is always a factor. There are a lot of free ways to advertise your business. Especially on the internet. Training is essential and having systems in place that can be easily duplicated are a must!

I will say this again. Most people join MLM companies to EARN money, not go broke in the process.

[Colin Durkin Company: Global Wealth Trade Corporation Contribution Level: 3]

I agree with you to a point, but there is one thing that you've neglected to mention. The question was how much money is too much to invest into your business. There is no right or wrong answer, it is situational. What you really want to be able to do is evaluate a business properly. If the business is a bad idea then $1 is too much investment. If you are going to treat your business like a real business you need to look at it much the same way a venture capitalist would. How am I going to make a return on my investment? What are the risks involved? Can I sell this product? What kind of market is there for this product? Is the gap in the market wide enough for me and a ton of distributors of the same product to still make money? What are the barriers of entry to this market? Is someone going to be able to undercut my margin and steal my business from me? These are all questions among many others that need to be asked when investigating a new opportunity. Here is a link to my favourite T.V. show called Dragons Den check it out and take notes.
* Especially take note of how they all question the people pitching, don't be afraid to ask questions. DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE.
http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden

[John Hinkle Contribution Level: 2]

I agree that even when the business is doing well, you need to invest to keep it up there or even better. When the business is self sustaining , this should not be a problem.

But when a business relies on more and more input from private resources or debt to run, then it's time to take a look at things from top to bottom. It's pointless to keep putting money into a bottomless pit when indeed the real issue may not necessarily be a need for more investment, but a change of strategy.

This where a business plan comes in. When business is clearly out of the plan without any major explanation, take a hard long look at things and take appropriate action immediately. If the problem is not addressed immediately, it may gobble up all business assets and probably personal resources as well.

[Daegan Smith Contribution Level: 2]

John,

A business is never self sustaining, it's always either in a state of growth or negative growth. There's always a "good" positive pressure to improve at all times, even in the most successful and seemingly self sustaining businesses.

[Mario Sanders Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 6]

When do you know that you are paddling in a sinking ship? When do you call it quits because you can't save a sinking ship? Let's put it another way. I owned a motorcycle. I worked on it and maintained it very well. Anything went wrong, I got it fixed. I replaced the motor before I put a trike conversion kit on it. I replaced everything on the bike a couple of times. How long will it lasts if I keep replacing everything that could go wrong? I kept the bike for over 22 years. And its still running, with someone else. Replacing another item was not worth the trouble of maintaining it for these many years. It was not cost effective.
Doing online marketing, I admit, am new to this field. I have not quit. I have set a budget to at least get things started in the online business. I am not used to getting this far in debt to continue like there is no tomorrow. Something will break and maybe I will be back on track.
When I was working a W-2 job, I could always take off a few days to rest and recoup. With this, there is no off days. I come to the BN to get ideas, methods and a new way of thinking to continue. You see that I am on the site every day learning and helping others to learn with me. How much is enough?

[Joyce Penner Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 8]

When do you know that you are paddling in a sinking ship? When do you call it quits because you can't save a sinking ship? Let's put it another way. I owned a motorcycle. I worked on it and maintained it very well. Anything went wrong, I got it fixed. I replaced the motor before I put a trike conversion kit on it. I replaced everything on the bike a couple of times. How long will it lasts if I keep replacing everything that could go wrong? I kept the bike for over 22 years. And its still running, with someone else. Replacing another item was not worth the trouble of maintaining it for these many years. It was not cost effective.
Doing online marketing, I admit, am new to this field. I have not quit. I have set a budget to at least get things started in the online business. I am not used to getting this far in debt to continue like there is no tomorrow. Something will break and maybe I will be back on track.
When I was working a W-2 job, I could always take off a few days to rest and recoup. With this, there is no off days. I come to the BN to get ideas, methods and a new way of thinking to continue. You see that I am on the site every day learning and helping others to learn with me. How much is enough?

Mario. First thing first. You MUST have balance in your life. Work 10, 12, 15 hours a day on your online business but TAKE TIME OFF. You will burn out, hate walking over to the computer, dread starting your day. I don't know what your personal life entails but if you have family, they are the most important thing. I don't work (usually) between the hours of 5 to 8 p.m. because that is family time. After 8 the kids are in bed and I can go back to work.

There is no sense neglecting your family, thinking they are going to be there when you are a success as they will grow up, they will find other interests without you and you have lost far more than you have gained.

No family? You still need to get out and stay connected with your friends, with your community.

Do you have to work hard on your business - YES BUT you still need to carve out time for you.

Do it knowing you have worked hard and you need a break completely away from the business.

And don't hesitate to talk to those who've been there, done that. You have people right here who can support, encourage and just be there for you. Heed their advice, use what works for you and go forth and build your business knowing you have made the right decisions.
Joyce