Jon Roussel
 
 
 
What You Need To Know To Choose Your Home Based Business
Perhaps you are in a situation similar to mine five and
half years ago.
 
At that time, I worked as a technical recruiter for a
company that paid me $28,000 per year.  I had three major
responsibilities and often felt overworked, overwhelmed and
unsupported.  I thought the way to solve these challenges
was to work harder, network more and to find a better job.
 
I was wrong.  One week after I helped some interns I had
hired, I was let go.
 
A few weeks later, I received an email inviting me to join
a traditional MLM company.  I listened to a few
testimonials, looked at the website and then joined without
doing any research or due diligence.
 
Although I did not accomplish my goals with that company, I
have since gone on to build another business with a non-MLM
company.  I have accumulated knowledge about the MLM and
home business industries.
 
If you are evaluating home based businesses you may be like
I was five years ago, not sure what is real and what is a
scam.
 
There are many ways that you can make money from home...
If you are looking to join a home based business company,
here are the factors to look at and for:
 
Here are some tips for investigating home based business
opportunities:
 
1. Do your homework.  Get the facts by researching
objective information.
 
2. Look for news about the company.  Bad news travels fast,
be careful if you find any news about complaints,
investigations or questionable claims about products.
 
3. Ask someone you trust and respect to also evaluate the
information you are looking at.  Do not ask them to join
with you, just to help you with your decision.
 
4. Make a thorough list of the apparent strengths and
weaknesses of the company.  Get the facts from those people
who have approached you.
 
5. Company reputation.  Do your homework here and get the
facts.  Read reports from the Better Business Bureau,
Chamber of Commerce and directories.  Find out how long the
company has been in business.  Find out the background and
accomplishments of the management team.  Do news search and
if you find even one bad piece of news that may be a red
flag.
 
6. Product.  Do they manufacture and distribute a real
products that real customers order and use every month,
even if they do not get a check. Is the product reasonably
priced and can its quality be documented?
 
7. Start up costs.  What are they and how much will it cost
to get started?  Are they refundable?  If inventory is
required, this may be a traditional MLM company.
 
8. Monthly sales quota.  Is there a monthly requirement to
get a check?  Ask to see it in writing.
 
9. Inventory.  Do you have to keep inventory, sell
products, deliver, and do collections?  Do you want to?
 
10. Support.  Ask to see a real, live example of what
support and training you will get.
 
11. Risk.  What is the refund policy?
 
12. Reorder rate.  What is the documented month after month
reorder rate.  Avoid anything where business builders are
just getting in for a check.
 
13. Compensation.  How will you make money?  Is it based on
the purchase of real products by real customers?  If it is
not, stay away.
 
14. Passion.  Speak with others in the business to see if
they are passionate about the products, company and
compensation plan.
 
Do your homework.  Speak with others in the business.
 
Here are some websites where you can get some information:
 
N Pros has been around for a while.  You can find a lot of
resources here. http://www.npros.com/
 
You will find some distributor listings here so be cautious
 
There are some threads in the forum about MLM companies.
 
There are some threads in the forum about MLM companies.
You need to get a free membership to post.
 
MLM-The whole Truth by Lou Abbott
 
 
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About the author
Jon Roussel is a five year veteran of the home base
business industry.  He owns a business in Beverly, MA and
teaches business owners and others how to start and success
with a home based business that will generate a long term
reliable leveraged residual income.  Learn more at
 
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