The Home Biz Network

Forget the hype. Forget that you owe your cousin Lisa a favor. Forget what they tell you about the business being as easy as recommending a movie to a friend. Forget all that.

Ask yourself this.

Is Network Marketing really for you?

Do you have what it takes to have your own home based business?

Some people do and some don't. Either way it's OK. Here's some things to keep in mind when you're considering starting your own business.

Are you a self starter or do you need someone to tell you what to do and when to do it?

Anyone who is an entepreneur, who runs their own business needs to be able to see what needs done and then do it. Having a home based business means you have the freedom to do what you want, when you want. That can also be a drawback when you know you have to do those follow-up calls or write that next article, but you reeeeeally want to go to the mall instead. The temptations can be great. It's best to map out your business plan and stick to it. Do that and you'll have plenty of money to go to the mall.

Have you found a product you love and are proud to represent?

You've probably heard about being a product of your product. Do you use what you're about to market? This is critical from a credibility standpoint.

How does the product work for you? For those around you? Do you have a great story to share? Share it. People don't care about the latest microsphere technology thing-a-ma-jig. They just want to know that the darned thing works.

Are you willing to invest in your business and most importantly, yourself?

This doesn't just mean investing money, but also time. Are you willing to put in the time it will take to be really good at your business? Some people give it a go for 90 days and if they're not making $10,000 a month, they call it quits.

Being your own boss (successfully) means sticking with it even when you're not seeing great results yet. It means getting to training when you need it. It means listening to training calls when you'd rather be watching football. It means sacrificing in the short term for the major benefits in the long term.

Investing in your business will take money as well. Do you have a specific place in your house for a home office? I highly recommend one. Why? Well, for starters you can write it off on your taxes. (disclaimer: please see your tax advisor about this one. He or she knows all about the legal stuff).

For another, you'll never feel like a true professional if you have to sift through grocery bags of "stuff" to find a customer's invoice. You need your own business space and equipment. The list can include a dedicated phone line, filing system and in my home, I can't live without my computer.

Another worthwhile investment is in books, e-books, training CD's and DVD's, personal development programs and trips to your company events. It's very hard to stay current with your industry if you don't stay plugged in to training.

Only you can say if Network Marketing is for you. Whether you treat it like a business or like a hobby, it will pay you according to the amount of time and effort you put in. You can cash a paycheck or create your own paycheck. The choice is up to you.