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[Gregory Elfrink Company: ViSalus Sciences Contribution Level: 3]

When you are looking for a network marketing company to join, what are the things you look for the most?

Is it the compensation plan? Products? The team? Your upline? Marketing style or culture?

And why do you look for that one thing, how do you go about finding it?

[Gregory Elfrink Company: ViSalus Sciences Contribution Level: 3]

Hey Abraham, good list man.

The only one I disagree with is the #4 with the high level bonuses. I believe those pools are better served to be handed out to the people lower on the pay-scale (As well as the people at the top) as I am a huuuuuuge believer in trying to make the part-timers the most money as possible.

After-all, our downline is built on a field of part-timers reaching for their dreams. So it is important they are compensated well for their work.

Some stuff I am really into looking at companies are these:

1. Is their marketing platform that can go viral (This takes culture and product into account, as well as marketing)
2. Does the comp plan promote the right behaviors
3. Is my sponsor and my team really there to support me, or is it hype to get me to join?

I find #3 to be huge. I couldn't ask for a better team than what I have right now. Can't tell you how awesome it has been to be able to travel for the last 4 months, and have my upline people handle some of my leads and 3-way calls for me haha. SOOOO convenient, and cannot wait to repay the favor!

[Gordon Attard Company: WorldVentures Contribution Level: 2]

First of all,

The most important thing to look for if you have the passion for the product the company you choose as your business. It is vital to select something that you like, this helps a lot in your business.

Compensation plan is another factor to look for. Is it what you expect? Do you understand it?

Another thing to look for is to make your own research... read, watch testimonials and then make a decision.

#1 Product (How much do you like the product?)
#2 Compensation Plan
#3 Your Own Research Online

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

I agree with you Gordon. This question has been asked several times in the past forums.
I could have chosen any number of MLM companies that are on the market. They are all good products to market for anyone.
When I got serious about MLM, I was referred to one company. I tried it and it did not work for me. I went to another MLM and tried the products. I liked the products and the training and the support that I suspected of a large company.
Most important about this company was that I like the products. It improved my health so well that I would continue to buy the products whether I sell any of the products or not.
There are a lot of things to look for in a company, but finding one that works for you is a lot better to stay with for the long time.

[Amberly Mauszycki Contribution Level: 1]

1) Company track record
2) Are they financially sound (no debt)
3) Strong management team with strong leadership
4) Unique consumable products people can save money on and need in a struggling economy
5) Wide market appeal
6) Competitive prices
7) High customer reorder rate
8) Low investment
9) Low monthly requirement
10) Rewards for leadership development
11) Risk free (100% guarantee on the business and the products if you decide it's not for you.)

Feel free to visit my site to learn more about how I chose the company I have been part of for the past 3 years. I also have great info. on how to build a successful business, and FREE marketing skills training!

[george Ruiz Company: Isagenix Corporation Contribution Level: 4]

I posted ths n another discussion, but I cannot post links, so here it is:

Hi,

I have been in the industry for 18 years, I have seen everything! I learned that the right company has to have a few "ingredients" to be a viable opportunity, as one of my mentors said long time ago, "if the company does not have a future, you don't have a future".

I was in another company for 8 1/2 years, it was a good one although I felt at the time that it had lost touch with the market reality. I did not have plans to change until a friend of mine and one of my leaders who was 74 year old told me he was leaving, I got upset, yet, I decided to take this company through my "test", it took me 10 months before I joined because honestly, I was still upset with my friend, but this was the criteria I followed:

1. Management, for me, this was very important, who was behind the company? Did they have the funding? Did they have experience in network marketing? did they have a short and long term growth plan? Were they flexible to adapt to change?

2. Product, Did they have a product that was consumable? Were results obvious? Was the product unique? WHO was behind the products? Future plans for the products? Was it cost effective? Were always researching for improving and increasing their product line?

3. Trends, Were they positioned on an economic trend? were they IMMUNE to economic changes?

4. Compensation plan, Is it simple to understand? Simple to build?

5. Technology, were they willing to invest in technology in EVERY aspect of the business? Products? Marketing? etc

6. Systems, they had to provide tools and marketing systems

7. Training, the company had to have training systems, not only on the product line, or the marketing side, but also personal development.

Well, it past the test, took me 10 months to join, yet, after 7 years the company has been able to prove solid in every area, and the management has becoming probably one of the most efficient in the industry by improving consistently in products, compensation plan, technology and training systems. I have earned several million dollars, and I have in my group several who are doing the same, most of my leaders are women, women are so busy with kids, husbands, home, etc, that they have a hard time going through all the hoops found in many plans, not in this one.

IMO there are just a handful of great companies in the industry, just do your homework, there are a few good leaders on this forum who also can guide you, companies are like flavors, choose the one that makes the more sense to you, but a caveat, DO YOUR HOMEWORK,

George Ruiz

Let me add one more thing about the payplan, I was earning in my previous company around $10,000 per month, good income but I wanted more, when I saw this plan, I knew I could earn at least $20,000 per month, it was my goal, twice what I was earning before! I like the plan because it was an "open plan" what I mean is very few qualifications! I also knew that I would have more people earning money because the nature of the product, people were having results in as little as 3 days! I built hard my business and in 12 months I was already reaching my goal of doubling my income, and since I have multiplied it many times! I know it works! I know the product works and our system when follow works!!

[Rob Fore Company: SendOutCards Contribution Level: 4]

I would agree with most of the criteria outlined in this conversation. However, let's assume you have found a few companies that meet most, if not all, of the criteria. Now I think there are two major questions you need to ask:

1. Would the AVERAGE PERSON buy that company's product or service at that price if there was not a compensation plan attached to it?

2. What is your PLAN to promote the products, service and compensation plan?

The first question is critical because, unfortunately, the majority of people who join your business will do very little... if anything... to build their business. So if they are required to purchase an unusually expense product on autoship that they could purchase elsewhere for less... your business will suffer a lot of attrition. One company we promoted has a 70% annual attrition rate BECAUSE they charged $200 a month for products people who buy a the store for $25 or less. Were the products better? Of course, but that doesn't mean anything. My current company... our attrition rate is less than 11% because you simply cannot purchase our products anywhere for less. Make sense?

MOST important - I would suggest everyone thoroughly research and draft a plan of action in regards to how they intend to build the business. Will you start by contacting your warm market? Then what? Purchase leads or place ads or? What's your budget? How much time do you have available. Will you use a funded proposal lead generation model. Which one? Domains? Branding?

BEGIN with the end in mind. Have realistic expectations.