Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Market America - 2 months later

So, let me tell you how it's going.

First:  I entered Market America as an apprentice.  That means, that without spending any money I can reserve my place in the bonus earning hierarchy.   As an apprentice, the profit from retail sales goes into an account that accumulates AND when I am able to activate myself, I will get that money. 

My plan was simple.  Earn money to go towards a fast track startup. roughly $399.00

If you've spoken to or have been doing research on Market American, the initial expense may seem daunting.  Honestly, I'm living pay check to pay check, and during the summer some paychecks are leaner then others because the kids aren't in school and the child care expenses increase.  SO, having an opportunity to start my own business and work towards a "quick buy in" were key.

Here's the thing.  I could have started the business, but without have two people below me  (which means recruiting two people) I wouldn't have been activated.  With the fast start, I can buy (3) of my own businesses, which automatically activates me. :)  So, once activated I start accumulating points.  It's quick, it's easy, it's just a little pricey...  That's why I chose the Apprentice option. 

Turns out it was the best choice... because my sponsor has told me that there are already 2 people registered under me. :)  YEAH!

Second:  My next challenge is to find THE product in Market America that I can really rap my arms around, something that I can believe in wholeheartedly.  Personally, I'm a solutions person.  I'm not a sales person. I like to see problems and find solutions so when I started looking at the Market America products, I had to think about things in my own life that I wanted to solve. 

The first thing I tried were the Isotonix multi-vitamins, they ROCK.  I have never felt so good in my life.  Then I tried the OPC-3, now, while I can't really notice anything different, I'm told that I will fare much better this flu season then previous years... so while the jury is still out on my personal OPC-3 benefits, I can tell you without a doubt that the Isotonix Multi-vitamin has made a big difference in my life. I feel great, I have more energy.

The second thing I tried (and am still doing) is the TLS Slim Fit program.  It's a 12 week weight loss program. I happen to join during the weight loss challenge, which actually has a monetary prize.  The first prize team will will 25K and the first prize individual will win 5K... that's awesome.  As if I needed any other motivation to lose the "baby weight" which I've been dragging around with me for 8 years ('cause that's how old my youngest baby is) ...  So far, I'm into week 2 of the program and I've lost a solid 10 pounds.  I'm onto the second phase of the program and remarkably still losing weight!  LOVE THIS PRODUCT.

Back to the Plan.
Network Marketing is about the story... but not the "story" like a political campaign story... it's about ... a real story told by someone whose character and values are trustworthy and not because they sound good... but because they are good.

No one, no matter how much they want to lose weight, is going to buy something from me because I tell them that it works.  However, I can show them that it works.  I can lose 30 pounds and demonstrate in the simplest way, that if I can do it... you can do it...   I can support them.   I can help them.  I can provide them with a solution... and that's what I love. Solving problems.

My weight loss challenge is over in 10 weeks.

My goal is to get 1 new preferred customer a week, in those 10 weeks.  I'm not saying I'm going to sign up 10 distributors, no, I'm saying I want 10 new people to register on my Market America Website as preferred customers.

I'll let you know how I do.


Monday, September 3, 2012

Focus Focus Focus - Create a Plan... Make Goals.

Wow... the summer is finally over.   On the one hand I'm excited for the kids going back to school and for me being able to work full time again... I can honestly tell you I missed the cash!

Today I'm going to write about THE PLAN.

In order for anything to be a success ... it has to be measurable.  Right?  Think about it... how else are you going to be able to determine if it's a success unless you can measure something.

Everyone's idea of success is different... You're idea may be and extra $1000.00 a month or maybe your idea of success may be making the same amount you are now, but working less hours.

My point is... unless you have a goal and a plan you will have no way to measure that success, and I think setting yourself UP FOR SUCCESS in measuring your goals... is the best way to start.

The other reason you want to have a plan and a goal.... probably the most important reason you want a plan and a goal (are you ready?)........... drum roll please.........

THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON TO HAVE A PLAN AND A GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE YOUR EFFORTS.

think about it.

The WHOLE reason we are going into Network Marketing is so that we can create a network or like minded people who are all working towards each other's success... right?

If I keep all of my success to myself... I'm not helping myself.

The ONLY way to succeed in Network Marketing is to build a business that continues and repetitively recreates itself successfully.

Having a written plan with goals and measurable success is going to be the easiest way for ME to know that I'm gaining on my ultimate goal and for YOU to know how to do the same.

Since I'm new to this... I'm going to start with some END GOALS and work my way back.

Let's say I want to earn $100,000.00 a year, let's work it backwards
100K a year = $8333.33 a month
100K a year = $1923.08 a week

Now, I need to know what I need to do to make $1923.08 a week... and set my goals to earn that income.

My ultimate Goal is 100K in 2-3 years.

OK, I'm going to work this out....
Here are the commission volumne designations so that when I start referring to BV and IBV you know what I'm talking about

-Business Volume (BV) is the unit value (points) assigned to exclusive MA branded products
-Icentive Business Volume (IBV) is the unit value (points) assigned to any of our partner store products

The way's that I'm told I can earn these things are through:
Personal Use
Transfer Buying - I need to look that one up
Retail Sales - self explanatory
Preferred Customer Auto-ship - self explanatory
Social Media  - I need to find out more about this... because I think that's more of a way to advertise or local potential partners
Marketing Systems - Again, I have to see what they mean, maybe it's a way to advertise, 'cause I believe these are just methods of purchasing
        -shop.com
        -printed material
One to One Marketing - This is definiately just marketing.

So, here's the list.... but I think I can really weed it down by saying the following:
I earn IBV and BV if I buy something, whether or myself or a customer and if my customers buy something directly from my site.
I also earn if my team mates under me sell something, (although I don't see that specifically stated here)

OK...
and I need 3600 BV  and IBV on my left and right to earn the $1800.00 a week that I want to earn.

YES, there are other incentives and there are other ways to make money... but my entry today is about FOCUS and the PLAN and GOALS.

Now, I just need to find out, in real terms what that's going to take.

I think I'll have to look around, I'm not sure I've ever seen anywhere where the BV and IBV are published, but I'll look!

I need to move 240 of the shape-up kits a week!  HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

That my friends is the beauty of Network Marketing. because... if I have (10) groups under me... then WE... only need to move 24 each.

That's why a plan is so crucial, it will help you understand what your goal is... and how to measure your success and I may find, that in my efforts to work with kids through the Shape-up program that I am actually really good at that AND the parents end up becoming TLS customers.

So... Today I am going to work on my plan!   Enjoy your labor day!

Learn more about this opportunity on www.shop.com/bestbonus