A Comparison
Multi-level marketing (MLM) is a business model that combines direct marketing with franchising. Multi-level marketing businesses function by recruiting salespeople (also called Distributors, Independent Business Owners, IBOs, Franchise Owners, Sales Consultants, Beauty Consultants, Consultants, etc.) to sell a product and offer additional sales commissions based on the sales of people recruited into their downline, an organization of people that includes direct recruits, recruits’ recruits, etc.
Affiliate marketing overlaps with other internet marketing methods to some degree, because affiliates are using the same methods as most of the merchants themselves do. Those methods include organic search engine optimization, paid search engine marketing, email marketing and to some degree display advertising. Affiliate marketing – using one site to drive traffic to another – is the stepchild of online marketing.
Most internet based and home based businesses are small businesses and as such have unique problems which only others who have a small business can understand.
Since there are such a variety of business ventures that rely so heavily on the internet today, chances are you can build a network of others who you can get advise from and you can share your knowledge with.
Since home businesses are typically (but not always) a one person operation, we don’t always know where to search (or how to search) for advise! There are thousands of people out there just like you!!
I’ve always been of the belief that in a global economy there are many ways we can work together (even in the same industry) and still get things accomplished. Networking is one of the biggest tools we all have in our toolbox. If we aren’t afraid to ask someone else for assistance in our business, chances are they might need our help down the line.
We don’t need to ’sell’ our business ideas to everyone in our network (or give them away for that matter) but if we can change the way we think about the people in our network. What if you have 3 people in your network who all do the same work you do?? And what if you have additional business that you know you can’t produce in a timely manner. Isn’t it a better idea to ‘contract’ that job out to someone so it can be completed in the agreed upon time than lose future business with that customer?
Business is all about relationships – those we have and those we come to have. Building a strong relationship (even with a competitor) can have advantages. What if you decide to take a vacation? If you’re a single person operation this can be difficult. Utilizing the relationships you have built in your business would allow you the luxury of that time off without having a negative impact on new business that might come in while you’re away. Brand building is one way to develop relationships. If your network is aware that your ‘brand’ is unique, they may be more inclined to refer you to someone if they have a task they’re not able to handle.
Don’t treat everyone as if they’re competing with you for the same market sector!! There are plenty of opportunities for you to grow your business and continue to maintain solid relationships with the people who today you may find competing with you. Most often you’ll find that sharing with others in your network will lead you to additional business.
No Internet Access No Land Line
When searching for positions to work at home you first need to determine what your workspace is going to be.
Though in this day and age I have difficulty imagining anyone without internet access, I suppose it’s not beyond the realm of possibility. As far as no land line, that’s not as uncommon as many of us now use our cell phones as our home phone (me included and I work at home).
Recommendations for possible jobs:
Pet Sitter/Walker: Find out who in your neighborhood works all day and offer (for a fee) to take care of their animals.
Sewing/Seamstress: Are you handy with a needle and thread? Take in sewing which can be very lucrative. Find out what seamstresses in your area are charging and charge just slightly less.
At home laundry service: Do you have a super heavy duty washer and dryer? Consider a ‘drop off’ laundry service – again advertising in your neighborhood. Find out what your local dry cleaner charges for this type of service and charge just slightly less.
Day Care: Since you already have children at home, find out about becoming licensed to do day care. Adding one or two children at home can be a very lucrative business.
College Papers: Do you have the ability to type? Do you have access to a typewriter or a computer and printer? Post notices at your local colleges and offer to type up term papers.
These are some of the options that might be available to you.
Most small businesses are run by entrepreneurs who are excited about going out on their own. The most successful entrepreneurs find a niche in the market – usually a service that hasn’t been met – and they offer it to consumers.
Not everyone is willing (or able) to ’strike out’ on their own. There are many considerations to look at.
First, you must honestly assess your ability to ’stick with it’ one you get started!
A) Are you willing to commit at least forty (40) hours per week to your new venture?
B) Do you have a business plan?
C) Do you have the financial means to attempt this venture (with no guarantee of income for the foreseeable future?
D) Do you understand the market for your product or service?
E) Have you developed a network of contacts that can assist you?
F) Are you aware that most new businesses fail within the first year?
G) Have you checked local zoning requirements (and if you’re working at home have you checked with your town to see if there are any special requirements)?
Once you have dealt with these preliminary questions, you will have a long way to go but this is a good starting point.
Self-employment can be referred to a person who works for himself/herself instead of as an employee of another person or organization, drawing income from a trade or business. This person may additionally be referred to as a freelancer or by other ‘common’ names.
Self-employed persons are sometimes eligible for more deductions than an ordinary employee. Travel, uniforms, computer equipment, cell phones, etc., can be deducted as legitimate business expenses. There are a number of tax laws that affect those who are self employed, contractors, freelancers – remember you’ll be responsible for paying all of your own taxes, paying your own medical insurance and you’ll have to be familiar with the tax laws that apply to you.
The advice of an expert may be worth the money it costs.
Recently I found a posting on Craigslist (and this is not against Craiglist as I’ve picked up some legitimate jobs there) only to find out that what I had run into was a MLM. The posting said they were looking for people to process insurance applications. No up front fees yadda yadda yadda. So, off my resume went and a few days later I got an email.
A woman emails me back – got your resume thanks for applying – the job is basically filling out these applications, take a look at our website. So, off I go and look at it and lo and behold I find the ‘classic’ MLM there.
So, I go to the Better Business Bureau (which by the way I’m told in this email how they’ve been members of the Texas BBB for ions of time) and what do I see – that the BBB has DROPPED them from membership for deceptive practices.
So, I email this lady back and I play stupid – and say – hey this sounds like an MLM to me – she assures me it’s not that she’s simply ’signing people up for insurance’. So, I asked her where she got the names – from my website she announces. OK so how do you get people to your website?? Well I have to advertise it.
Hey lady – if it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck – it’s usually a duck. She emails me back and advises me I have no idea what I’m talking about but if I go to the TX BBB website she’s sure my questions will be answered.
Yep – they were answered ok. Business Description: Multi Level Marketing
No Longer members of TX BBB due to unfair and deceptive business practices
Stopped doing business in Minnesota because the AG there sued and won.
So, I emailed her back and I suggested that before she refer people to the BBB website she might want to read it first since it basically said she was doing MLM and the ‘parent’ company was involved in litigation in several states. She had NO idea (and probably still thinks I’m an idiot) that most states have license requirements for insurance salespeople. She might not think that’s what she’s doing but it is!!
Stay away from this one!!
I don’t think there is a day that goes by that somewhere in my email I don’t see some great offer to work from home. They vary from filling out surveys, to working for Ebay, Google, you name it I get them. The one I love is mystery shoppers. Requirements like – you must be 5′10″ and shop in the big and tall department of Macy’s – right ok try someone else!
Anyway, it’s not easy to work on your own but for those of us who chose to do so we need legitimate sources for work.
As I have said before (and I repeat) ODesk so far has been for me the absolute best. For typing if you’re looking for transcription work, for ‘rewording’ articles, websites, etc., you only need identify the right buyers.
Don’t get frustrated – the jobs are out there and they’re legit, it just might take some time to find them.
Do a search on ODesk. They charge you no fees as a provider. You’re not going to perhaps make as much as if you were employed with a brick and mortar establishment, but you can make a good living if you are willing to stick with some of the ‘lousy’ assignments and do a good job regardless of how much you dislike that particular assignment.
For me, after a few short months I’ve been lucky to have 4-5 buyers that use my services all the time and are paying me good money to work 30-50 hours a week (depending on the assignments) and I’m very happy doing what I am doing which is all writing (articles and website content).
Good luck!
I encourage you to share links to other websites that offer freelance jobs. However, there are some items that will be immediately removed:
A) Foreclosure assistance - Foreclosure assistance businesses are sketchy at best. Companies that offer help and charge large up front fees are typically not companies that I would encourage anyone to get involved in. While I’m sure there are some out there that do their businesses legitimately, I prefer to have folks who are involved with government programs such as HOPENow and FNMA work to handle these.
B) Multi Level Marketing – MLM’s are hard to do and often require extensive up front money. While many exist that have great reputations, the purpose of this blog is to encourage folks to take up freelance pursuits making money on things such as writing, blogging, building websites, programming and more. There are hundreds of sites that offer MLM opportunities. This is not one of them.
C) Anything else we feel is not ‘kosher’. If you post a link you can rest assured that before your comment is approved we’ll go over your website with a fine tooth comb. Anything that looks like it falls into the categories above will be immediately deleted.
My best recommendation to avoid back pain at the computer is to invest wisely in a very good chair and watch your posture!
Contact some of your local companies and find out what type of chairs they purchase for their staff!
I was fortunate enough to be working for a very large company many years ago that started a ‘Work At Home’ program and I did exactly that.
While I gulped at the $900 price tag on the chair at the time (this was in the early 90’s) – the chair has been a wonderful addition to my home office.
This chair is now the main-stay of my office and while I’ve replaced desks, printers, computers, the chair is still here and still looks the same way it did when I purchased it more than 15 years ago! I think it’s paid for itself.
I also strongly recommend that you get up out of your chair at least every 2 hours and really stretch yourself out! Nothing is more abusive than those hours on end of pressure on your back when you don’t move! And, of course practice good seating posture, which can be different for everyone.
