Starting a home business through network marketing can be rewarding and fun. Having control over your work schedule, not having a boss to answer to (unless you have a wife…lol), and doing something you really enjoy are all great incentives to work from home.
But being your own boss takes a lot of work, discipline, and patience. In this article we'll cover five mistakes you definitely don't want to make if you want to continue working from home.
- Not taking it seriously - it's easy to get started in network marketing. You simply choose a company (hopefully after doing some research), pay the required fee (all legitimate network marketing businesses will require a fee), and you're ready to go.
No experience needed.
Because of the ease of entry most people find it difficult to take their business seriously. They're often lured in by overzealous representatives promising huge rewards for minimal effort.
It's an enticing offer for a better quality life but not a very accurate one. Success takes time, discipline, and effort.
You have to be disciplined enough to dedicate yourself to doing what has to be done rather than what you'd like to be doing. This means turning off the television during the day, putting off running errands until your work is done, not taking a nap…you get the idea. Treat it like a business and it will pay you like a business, treat it like a hobby and it will cost you like a hobby.
It's just as important however, to reward yourself when completing a task as it is actually performing it. Giving yourself an incentive for completing a task is often motivation enough to do it.
- Neglecting Personal Development - most people aren't mentally prepared for the adversity they'll face when they try to build their business. If you want to grow into the leader you were meant to be you'll need to learn to discipline your disappointments.
Friends and family that aren't supportive, prospects who say they're interested in your business but don't show up for your meeting, and team members who quit are just a few of the disappointments every network marketer faces at some point. How you respond to those disappointments will determine the type of leader you will become.
The foundation of success is found in your mind. You must initiate a paradigm shift in your thinking that will help you create new habits and behaviors and there are several easy ways to do that:
• Start associating with positive, successful people
• Read 10-20 pages of positive, inspirational material every day
• Listen to 15-30 minutes of positive, uplifting audio each day
Developing into a leader takes time but it's necessary if you're going to lead your organization. Others will be looking to you for guidance and direction and if you're not able to provide what they need they'll look elsewhere for it.
- Expecting overnight riches - we want it all and we want it now. From instant coffee, to instant messages we've become a society intolerant of patience.
All too often we impart that same level of impatience to our home business. We want success, riches, and time freedom and we want it now!
It's not entirely your fault though. With ads such as, "I made $15,000 my first week and you can too!", or "Easily make $100,000 a year with my proven system!", it's easy to see how a person can be lured into thinking the money comes easy.
News Flash! The money doesn't come easy. Sure, there's the occasional, rare individual who makes that kind of money but it's comparable to winning the lottery. The vast majority of the time it simply doesn't work that way.
Rome wasn't built in a day and your fortune won't be either. That's not to say however that you can't be successful. Riches can be yours but you must first master discipline and patience.
- Not having a website - we live in the information age. People now have the ability to research anything they desire simply by going online. That includes your business opportunity. Having a website allows them to connect with you and your home business without making a commitment.
Working from home is no longer limited by geographical location. Through the internet we now have the ability to conduct business globally and there's no faster way to share your business with the world than through a website.
Having a web presence is also the most affordable way to market your opportunity. Your website is up 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year communicating your message to the world for very little cost.
And finally, your website adds credibility to your business in the eyes of your customers. Even if you're just starting out, having a website can give your potential prospects the perception that you're much bigger than you are.
- No marketing plan - now that you've started your home based business how do you plan on getting the word out about it? Many businesses, both traditional and home based, fail due to lack of planning and goal setting.
Simply put, if you don't have a marketing plan, you don't have a business. It's the foundation on which your business is built. It means the difference between success and failure.
A good marketing plan defines your target market and proper execution of the plan allows you to build a list of quality prospects for your business. Without the means to attract a targeted audience you will find it extremely difficult to make a living regardless of the company you represent.
Your marketing plan should also be flexible. Flexibility allows you to keep up with changes in technology, society, fashion, customer and market demands, etc. It's also a good indicator of whether you're on target and if you're capable of reaching your goals. If not, adjust your plan accordingly and if you're on target or surpassing your goals you can adjust your plan to meet the increased demands on your business.
Stay focused on why you started your business. Distractions will come often and in large numbers. If you're aware of them it will be easier for you to keep your mind on the task at hand.