Network Marketing. What comes to mind when you hear that? A scam? A pyramid? A get rich quick scheme? A,"one of those things, so and so tried, and it didn't work for them"? A real legitimate business?

I can tell you that it is definitely a legitimate business and one of the best in creating independent wealth.

But, Network Marketing has gotten a poor rap over the years. I think this is due to some of the techniques used to make a business like this successful.

Making A Names List

Some of these include the most used one of "making your names list". This is a list of everyone and anyone you have ever known in your life. There is even a memory jogger to help you remember even more people. It's great if your names list has 2 or 3 hundred people on it. This is a very good start.

Now you contact all those people one by one and let them know what you are doing.

Most will not be interested in the business, but some may become customers. A very small number will be interested in the products and even fewer in the business.

The Three Foot Rule

The next technique is "the three foot rule". This is where you believe that "everyone is a potential prospect". Using this technique, you come up with creative ways to meet people and bring up the subject of your business. This way you will find someone eventually with some interest.

These are two of the most commonly used techniques in the network marketing industry today and the most widely taught. These ways can work great for some distributors. Some people have the "gift of gab" and can meet new people everyday. There are people who know tons of other people and they have great influence in that circle of aquaintances. These people are great at recruiting in this manner, using "old school" methods and that is wonderful...but.

The majority of network marketing distributors struggle to get any type of growth in their business. There could be any number of reasons. They don't know many people. They are a "stay at home Mom" and don't get out much. They already work at home, (my case) and don't want to go out "prospecting" after a long day. Whatever the reason, many distributors are very frustrated with the growth of their business. This is when most quit. This is where network marketing gets its reputation. From the thousands of frustrated, ready to quit distributors.

If you find yourself in this majority, you are not alone. If you have struggled with these techniques for as long as you have been in this indusrty, there is hope. Don't give up yet. I have an idea for you.

Lets Do Network Marketing The "New" Way.

OK, lets talk about "the new methods" of network marketing. What I'm talking about here is finding a way to have prospects coming to you, rather than the other way around.

Some examples for generating your own leads is using, pay-per-click and search engine marketing.

There are people out there on the Internet everyday, looking for what you have to offer. Whether you are offering a product, service or opportunity, there are people interested in what you have to offer. You just need a way of getting them the information they are looking for.

Some methods of getting your information out on the Internet cost money and this is certainly an option. If, however, you are on a shoestring budget, there are many places where you can advertise for free. With some stradigy, which I would be happy to help teach you, you can rank on page one of Google, for free.

Another Idea Of The "New" Method

This is about something called "funded proposal". Using this technique, you are advertising and promoting a solution to an already existing problem in the form of an informational product. By using this method, you can make money while you are growing your primary business. This pre-qualifies people for your time and generates a nice side income.

That is what I'm doing in this hub. I'm using the "funded proposal" method to earn a little money on the side, at the same time that I am working on generating leads for my primary business. By marketing The Renegade Network Marketer e-book, I can make enough side money to then do even more advertising if I choose to get into the kind that costs. Or I can just pocket the money. Either way, by promoting The Renegade Network Marketer, I can keep my business in the black.

So, whichever method you use, whether the "old school" or the "new school', or maybe a combination of both, remember it's all about how many people you can talk to and how many of them join you in business. No matter which method you use, you must have people to talk to. No people, no business.

In closing I have found that a combination of all the methods works for me. Just remember, this all takes time and the best thing to do is whatever is working for you. If, however, it's not working, try another way. Remember the definition of insanity? "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". Take control of your business.