As a reluctant network marketer, I have attempted to get excited lately as my “present” network marketing company has gotten geared up to add cellular phones and cellular service to their product offerings.  While this may sound like a fantastic opportunity (who wouldn’t want to make money off of having a smart cell phone and off of their friends having a smart cell phone?), the events of the fall have made this “extraordinary” opportunity something that I am finding very hard to pursue.

1. As mentioned in a previous post, my son joined another network marketing organization that does similar things.  Although he has since “closed” the virtual doors of this dalliance, I was quite possibly seeing my early adult years being relived in my son’s life.
2. I did some research on cellular reseller services.  There are MANY out there!  Which one is really best?  Which one offers the best phones?  Which one is best for individuals or which one is best for families?  I decided all they were really buying is “me”.  Out of obligation someone might choose to get a phone or service from me.  But, I have to ask for their business.   Because I am very conscientious, I would discuss details with our plan over their plan.  The “new” plan may be better, but I am not supposed to care about that.  The only thing I am really supposed to care about is getting enough lines to get promoted to the next level.  You can be a network marketing with a heart, but if you allow money to be a strong incentive (why would you give up time with family and friends if it was not?) then selling yourself for just the dollars, is not good.  If you work hard enough, you can succeed.  But, once you do all that, what family memories will you have?  If you succeed, does money really make it all worth it?
3. I love my wife dearly.  She has struggled from early on to be supportive of anything network marketing.  And, I can’t blame her.  She makes a good salary, and we have our needs met.  I have heard the line, “Nobody says you have to keep all of the money you make.”  I recognize why they say it.  If/when your network marketing business starts growing, there has to be a carrot to dangle.  If someone needs to work this business to support their families, the objections I listed really don’t matter.  It is this type of person I really want to succeed in network marketing!!
4. When I was younger and piddled with different network marketing organizations, I thought, “If you were older they would listen to you.”  Now, I am older.  I have been contacted by different network marketers who are mostly older.  Frankly, now that I know what to expect them to say, it is a little creepy.  I have developed a paranoia about network marketers.  If someone seems excessively interested in what I am doing (at the store, at a fast food restaurant, at the rec center, at the library, etc.), I seem to smell them.  Yes, I have smelled them before when they weren’t there, too.  Too many of the “be my friend and be a network marketer” have many people (at least me) adopting an about face whenever their spidey senses detect a network marketer in the room.

If anyone is a network marketer with a good product, feel free to contact me.  I might buy the product, but I might not.  To pay everyone’s commissions, the pricing is sometimes over inflated.  I won’t be an easy sell.  And, if you are on the fence, know the odds are against you.  You can defeat the odds, but don’t succumb to distractions.