While many of us are examining possible business
opportunities, especially on the Internet, we have
traditionally given a wide berth to anything that
looks like it might be called 'network marketing.'

But you may be missing some really valid money-making
options, and it may be time to take a second look at
that bad first impression.

In many ways, owning your own typical business - whether
it is a traditional 'brick-n-mortar' company or an online
enterprise -- has become complicated and expensive. The
owner often ends up with a low paying job and long,
thankless hours. I've heard it said that the average
entrepreneur earns about three dollars an hour, on
average. Is that what you want for yourself?

Yet 185,000 people in North America are joining the
networking movement every week. Can that many people
be that wrong? According to a recent article in Time
Magazine, "Network marketers will make more money in
the next two years than in the auto, travel and computer
industries COMBINED!"

Hmmm... what are we missing here? Let's take a look at the
'upside,' the positive aspects that may be inherent in
network marketing opportunities that may not be present
in traditional business start-ups.

First of all, there's usually a minimum of paperwork. In
traditional business, many of us are drowning in paper, in
spite of all the claims that we are nearing a 'paperless
society.' Just the state and federal licenses, applications,
and tax forms we have to fill out, alone, can be pretty
daunting!

Secondly, in many network marketing opportunities,
particularly online, there is no inventory that has to be
tracked, stored or shipped - traditionally a headache for
many offline businesses. Even if the business doesn't
involve an information product (for example, an ebook), many
are set up now so that any product shipping is done directly
from the manufacturer, or from one source - while the
distributor (ie., the 'network marketer') gets the credit.

Can't beat that!

The next benefit worth considering, when it comes to looking
at potential network marketing opportunities, follows on the
last. If you don't have to deal directly with inventory
management, you also don't have to worry about 'handling'
headaches, or returned merchandise from an inevitable
unhappy customer. In many cases now, these problems are
dealt with directly by a head office or warehouse, leaving
you free to do what you do best - the sales and marketing
aspects.

Even those tasks seem to be getting easier in network
marketing circles. Many companies now provide their
distributors, or 'downlines,' with substantial leads -
whether they employ lead generation software, or simply have
others making the 'front-line' contacts (phone calls, etc)
first. This means that you no longer have to spend hours on
the phone, cold-calling prospects, or harassing your friends
to sign up.

An additional benefit of some networking opportunities
includes the company back-up and support that is so often
missing in the fast-paced environment of corporate business
today. Many network marketing companies have learned the
hard way to make outstanding training opportunities and
myriad resources available to folks who sign up, in order to
keep good sales people.

In short, the next time you hear or read about a 'network
marketing' opportunity that seems like it might suit you,
don't dismiss it out of hand. There may be more advantages
than you thought -- so give your first impression a second
look.

About the Author
Richard Gunter has built a successful career in
network marketing, and you can learn more about the
secrets of his success at http://www.nflijapan.com/192808