If you're a serious entrepreneur considering a home based business in network marketing, you're most likely in one of two camps - those who can upload, download, and create hyperlinks with ease....and those whose head starts to THROB at the mention of domains, Hubpages, and Squidoo.
Marketing guru Greg Arnold said that "All greatness is achieved while performing outside your comfort zone." This new Web 2.0 wave that is about to hit is for those who want to position themselves to have massive online success. For those who don't jump on this opportunity now, compare it to what happened with Microsoft...you'll miss the boat and be kicking yourself years from now.
Just What is Web 2.0?
Simply put, Web 2.0 is not a thing; it's a state of mind...a reflection on the changing state of the web in comparison to how things used to be. The term was invented by Tim O'Reilly and Dale Dougherty at a conference brainstorming session in 2005, and since it is a catchy term, it caught on and stayed with us.
The general idea within Web 2.0 is user generated and owned content, collaboration, and enablement. Web 2.0 represents a market shift in consumer attention from expert-generated content (Yahoo) to user-generated content (Google). Social networking using MySpace, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, and Blogger are examples of this. It's given everyone a voice that can potentially be heard from all corners of the world.
To most people and companies it is a buzzword. People use it in any way that is advantageous to them. Businesses use it to great advantage as a marketing tool. And in the network marketing industry, it's a way to advertise your home business using free websites.
The Secret to Success
The key to any new venture is to expect that there will be a learning curve: Set small daily goals, don't be afraid to ask your sponsor for help, surround yourself with positive people in the business, and celebrate each accomplishment.
I would recommend examining any network marketing business before you join. Do they offer an arsenal of marketing tools and training? This is essential for success, especially for the newbie in internet marketing. Education doesn't happen overnight, and it's ongoing if you want to stay on top of your game.
Being part of a company that will help you advertise effectively using Web 2.0 strategies is a key component to your success. Simply put, without getting the word out you have no business being in business. If it's direct sales you are considering, the company and sponsor must be able to have many effective avenues for advertising and offer all the help you need to get started: the use of an auto-responder, pay per click with Google and Yahoo, MySpace, YouTube, blogging, article marketing, magazine advertising, press releases, etc.
Being successful in anything takes time and effort, but the payoff here is enormous: making money from the comfort of home without all the hassles of commuting, dealing with a boss, working pre-set hours, taking vacation when it was approved by 3 different managers, and making the money they determined I was worth.
