Self replicating websites - an important tool for the success of MLM marketers

People are looking for ways to earn extra dollars. They are examining various opportunities to work from home to supplement their income.  MLM is not a new term for those looking for home based business opportunities or for part-time income (in addition to their regular job). Often the word “scheme” is used after MLM and that is misleading.

MLM is not a scheme, it’s a marketing strategy and there are several companies that have followed this strategy for their success. Some of the biggest businesses in the country like Tupperware and Avon followed this business strategy and they are extremely successful in their line of business.

What is MLM Marketing?

It’s a marketing strategy where the sales force is compensated not only for sales they personally generate but also for the sales of the distributors that they have recruited. Hence this marketing model created a downline of distributors and a hierarchy of multiple compensation levels.

Relationships, replicated sites and word of mouth marketing - these are the three most important tools of a MLM marketer.  He needs to build relationship with his visitors, inspire them to join his network and spread the news of his business through word of mouth marketing.

Here are a few things that a MLM marketer must do before he joins a networking business:

Things to Do:

Evaluate Yourself

Before joining a business, a MLM marketer must evaluate if he is really interested in joining a MLM business. A network marketer needs to perform the dual role of a salesperson and a recruiter simultaneously - he has to sell the product and recruit distributors into his network. Self replicating websites can help him in attracting visitors to his site and building a business network.

Replicating websites are easy to use and are an important tool for establishing a marketer’s online business identity. Marketers can link their social networking sites to the replicating sites to make their online business presence more credible and customer friendly. Replicated sites are usually infused with autoresponders.

A marketer must believe in the product he is selling

Thorough knowledge of the product is not enough for a network marketer. He must believe in the product and its merits. A marketer must put himself in the shoes of his customers and think will he really buy this product/service? Why? How’s the price? A marketer must do this before joining a MLM business. The success of a MLM business is largely dependent on the product/service it is offering. So a marketer must evaluate the product/service as well before joining a business.

Be Prepared for Some Training

A network marketer cannot expect to start his business right away. He has to spend some time understanding the product/service that he has to sell. He also needs to spend some time getting accustomed to the replicated websites and its features. Once a marketer joins an MLM business, he must also be prepared to devote some time training new distributors who join his network. 

Replicating Websites can accelerate an MLM business process

MLM business is not easy and only the strongest, most diligent and dedicated people can achieve success in this form of marketing. The success of a network marketing business is largely dependent on the product or services it’s selling. If a marketer is selling a product/service that his consumers need to buy once in their life time, then his chance of success in MLM business is rare. An MLM marketer must sell items that consumers need to buy again and again. Following are a few important items that a networker must have for his success:

Good Networking Capability

Networking is crucial in any business today. But for a network marketer, networking is his lifeline. Networking is the real investment an MLM marketer must make. While not all of his contacts are his potential customers or distributors, there may some that are. To succeed in this form of marketing, he must keep meeting people and network with them. An MLM marketer must try to expand his network - induct new people to his network and tell them about the great features of his product/service.

A Good Replicating System

For success, a network marketer needs to have a good replicating system consisting of replicating websites, autoresponders and other advanced back office features like a good contact manager. A replicated system should also be easy to use, reliable and user friendly so that a large time investment is not needed to train distributors.

Autoresponders are an important tool for marketers. Usually autoresponders are integrated with replicated websites. They are automated email messages that are sent at regular intervals to keep customers updated about the products/services and to maintain regular contact with them. They can also be used to make important announcements within the team.

A good replicating system must also be customizable. A distributor must be able to add links to his social networking sites or upload his photo or video. This makes distributors more comfortable using a replicated site because he can customize it the way he feels will help him get more leads.

Accessibility of a Replicating Site

A networker must be able to access his replicated system on his smart phone, desktop or laptop. This enables him to stay connected with his distributors and customers 24x7. This also ensures that he does not need to stay glued to his desk or have to be in the office in order to work.
A replicated website is an integral part of any MLM business and the success or failure of a business is dependent on the system to a large extent. A good replicating system helps a marketer by accelerating the process of attracting new customers and distributors. 

Website Duplication - for the success of network marketers

Network marketing is a form of marketing and so their strategy for success is more or less similar to common marketing strategy. But network marketing or MLM marketing has a separate need as well. Let’s take a look at some of the successful strategies of MLM businesses:

MLM success strategy #1: Get a business domain and a lead generation system

First, a networking business needs to have a business domain and a lead generation system. In today’s time the online presence of a business is crucial. Website duplication is an important tool for any MLM business. Network marketers must get a customized business domain for them, which should be related to the primary business website. Replicated websites are branded and contain a lead capture form that is used to collect information from the visitors. Replicated websites usually work as an extension of the primary business website. A replicated website is also generally infused with autoresponders.

MLM success strategy #2: Try hosting a blog

Providing important information to your readers can help in building a credible business image. Try hosting a personal or a marketing blog and share some important business information with the readers. Marketers can use platforms like word-press or blogger to host their blog. Marketers should also make sure that their blog is optimized for the search engines so that they can be easily find by the readers.

MLM success strategy #3: Try to build a list

For a network marketer, his list is the main source for his customers and business partners. Marketers can use autoresponders to manage their customers and also to send them important information about their business from time to time. MLM marketers can also use other tools like webinars and eBooks to attract their prospects’ attention and make a list of them.

MLM success strategy #4: Using social networking sites

Technology and social media is now thoroughly integrated with any marketing activities. If a marketer is not using social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Google+, he is surely missing out a lot. An MLM marketer must link his replicated site with his social networking platforms to draw more visitors via social networking sites.

MLM success strategy #5: Become a good source for quality content

One of the important strategies a network marketer can adopt is to become an avid and prolific content creator. A marketer must try to create quality content and share it with the readers via blogs, articles, videos, webinars and eBooks. An MLM marketer can also ask his readers to subscribe to his online content. Subscription can also be good sources of information that can help MLM distributors build their list of contacts.

MLM success strategy #6: Brand yourself and also your business

Branding and value-driven marketing can also prove useful in generating leads. Network marketers must concentrate on creating a brand that is trustworthy and credible. It is quite likely that people will feel attracted to brands that are popular and will wish to have business relationships with them. 

MLM Businesses and Replicating Websites

With tons of MLM companies proclaiming the success of this business model and pushing to sell everything from cosmetics to home utilities, using this business model, MLM businesses need some serious attention.   What’s the real picture of MLM business? Is it a scam? Or has some truth. Jon M. Taylor conducted research into a few MLM businesses and published his findings in an e-book “The Case (For and) Against Multi-Level Marketing.” Let’s take a quick look at some of the figures he has shown in this book:

MLM Dropout Rates v/s the Failure Rate of Small Businesses

One of the primary features of a networking business, Taylor shows is that it does not qualify for any small business loan or assistance program. This is because of networking businesses’ dismal failure rates.
Taylor showed, a networking business loses about 50% of its representatives in the first year of its operations, 90% of its representatives within five years of its operations and by 10 years at least 95% of its representatives have dropped out.

Taylor showed one can easily compare this with the traditional small business failure rates in the US. According to The Small Business Administration, in 2008 44% of US small businesses survived at least four years and 31% of US small businesses survived at least 7 years. Only 64% of small business failed in a decade.

MLM success correlated with mentorship

But despite all these facts and statistics there are MLM companies that are hugely successful. What’s the secret of their success? According to Jody Greene, the CMO and co-owner of Chic CEO - a free, online resource for female entrepreneurs, the success of a networking business is correlated with mentorship.

A multi-level marketing business model starts with a product/service that one person is selling and a team of people earning commission from that sale. A MLM marketer also needs to concentrate on building a team under him. The cycle continues until there are multiple levels of people benefitting from a single sale. Mentoring or coaching plays an important role not only for the top-tier sales people but at every level of MLM.

A network marketer needs to be mentored on using MLM marketing tools like lead capture forms, replicating websites and auto responders, and the products/services he is selling and also on the networking business structure in general. Moreover, a marketer also needs to know a little about the company that he is joining.

It is also important for a network marketer to develop his own team. Often people join MLM business as a part time opportunity and most of the MLM networkers work from home but a network marketer must make efforts in developing his team. Like any other business, team work is important for the success of MLM businesses as well.

Though MLM businesses are often confused with get-rich-quick schemes, it’s far from that. It’s a proper business that has its own needs and demands. Though some of these are similar to traditional small businesses, there are a few that are quite different and unique.

Replicating Websites are important to build an online system for MLM networkers

Network marketing is not new. In fact, there are a few major brands that have long been practicing this form of marketing for selling their products. People often confuse this business with get rich quick schemes, but the fact is multi level marketing is a serious form of business and one needs to work hard to succeed in this form of business. To succeed in network marketing, one needs to consider a few things. Here’s a list of things that one must check before joining a networking business:

Check the Company

Gather information about the company before joining it. One must know the following facts about an MLM company before joining it:

 How long has the company been in business?
 How is the financial condition of the company?
 How frequently does the company pay its consultants - monthly or weekly?
 What is the commission structure?

Be Ready to Give Your Time

MLM businesses need time and dedication. A network marketer must be ready to dedicate his time and energy in selling his products and building his network. Successful network marketers are not made in a day. It needs time, dedication, energy and proper training.

Create a Game Plan

It’s a serious form of business and you must have a game plan to succeed. A network marketer must have a written game plan from the day he joined. This will keep him ahead of his competitors.

Consult Others 

It is also a good idea to read books by those who have already been successful in his form of business. One can derive important tips, advice and suggestions that will help him to succeed in developing his MLM business.

Know the Products 

A network marketer must have a thorough knowledge of the products that he is selling. He must be aware of the benefits of the products and must also know who his customers are. An MLM marketer must sell a product that consumers need to buy regularly so there’s a constant demand for the product. A constant demand for your product is important for the success of an MLM business.

Set Goals

Like any other marketer, a network marketer must set realistic, achievable and measurable goals. For example, a network marketer should define the number of leads and conversions that he wants to achieve each month. Properly defined goals help to channel his efforts in the right direction. Without defined goals, it can be difficult to measure the success of an MLM business.

Try to be a Part of the Company

Although marketers often join MLM businesses as a part time opportunity or to work from home, it is important that they work as a part of the business and not in isolation. They should try to attend conference, sales meetings and conference calls to stay updated about the products, services and company strategies and policies.

Use a System for Networking

A network marketer must have a good online system that will help him build his network and sell his products. Replicating websites are especially helpful in developing an online identity for a network marketer and attracting leads.

Why you should opt For a Webinar service

Webinars can be one of the most effective ways of sharing your company news, latest product/ service update or for training purposes. An auto webinar service allows you to access the latest specialized communication tool that helps to spread your business message worldwide.

Automated webinars allow you to use the latest technology for the benefit of your business. It also helps you to save time and money. You simply record and upload an auto webinar and it will be played automatically at dates and times you decide. You neither need to conduct the same webinar again and again nor do you spend money arranging for its presentation time after time. The auto webinars are usually hosted by the service providers who are responsible for the maintenance of the servers, etc.

Unlike a general webinar, the number of audience members in an auto webinar is not usually restricted. Visitors can simply register and when the scheduled day and time arrive, they click on a link and enjoy a virtual seminar.  Sales presentations can also be converted into a webinar. A single visitor as well as a group of people can enjoy an auto webinar service. Depending on the webinar, you may not need to pre-register as there is often a link to replay the previous night’s presentation.

An automated webinar service is an excellent way for promoting your existing products and services. It is an important tool of internet marketing. No matter the industry, product or service you offer – ultimately it boils down to your efficiency of creating and promoting the right business message to your customers and prospects. Auto webinars provide better visibility, awareness about a product/service and finally sales. These are easy to use and are ready within few minutes.

A webinar service can make a significant contribution in your marketing and sales efforts. You can upload a sales presentation and hope to attract more customers. You can also upload flyers, brochures and allow visitors to understand the service you provide and its advantages. An auto webinar easily entices visitors more so than a normal text presentation. While uploading sales presentations or flyers make sure to include a toll free number towards the end. This will help visitors contact you easily, if they are interested in your product/service or if they wish to get more information on it.

Not too long ago, email was considered as the most important component of internet marketing. If you do not have the emails of customers and prospects you lose out on both profit and growth.  Today the perfect device for ensuring better growth and profit is automated webinar. It is capable to bring in more profits to a business and also better growth. This is because of the fact that it engages visitors easily and effectively. Auto webinars can be scheduled according to the flexibility of the visitors and can be re-played. This is another factor that has contributed immensely to its success.

Website Duplication helps Distributors to run their Business

Website duplication is the modern Internet tool provided by MLM companies to their distributors.  With the help of this tool distributors can update their accounts and attract more customers without ever stepping out of their home. A company develops a website that gives visitors information about the company, its products and services, compensation plan and provides a form where they need to put in few simple information either to purchase a product or to a join the company online, without ever talking to a live person. MLM companies understand that if they allow visitors to sign up directly on their site online, they will violate one of the basic philosophies of MLM marketing - allowing distributors to go out and build their own leads and prospect list.

Website duplication allows MLM companies to maintain a perfect balance of MLM philosophy and modern technology. It allows distributors to make more sales using their website without stepping out of their home or talking live to any visitors while maintaining the philosophies of MLM marketing.

Works like a fully branded website

Each distributor gets his own replicated website that is linked with the robust company site. It’s just not getting a brochure with your name and contact information attached to it – it is a fully functional website with lead capture pages. A distributor can include his name, contact information, links to social networking sites and can also upload video to personalize a replicated site and attract more customers. A replicated website is usually branded so it fits in with the main company website.

Distributors can Customize the Website

A distributor can personalize a replicated website with his unique information. This makes it easier for distributors to communicate their messages to the visitors. A replicated website also presents a form that a visitor has to fill in to get more information, make a purchase or to join the team as a new distributor. Autoresponders are also integrated with a replicated site. As soon as a visitor fills out a form and submits it, an autoresponder is immediately sent to the email id entered in the form.

Use Autoresponders to follow-up

Instead of individually answering each visitor that filled in the lead capture form, an autoresponder email is automatically sent to the lead. These are pre-drafted emails to visitors and prospective customers and distributors do not need to invest much time in drafting and sending email. Distributors also do not need to draft emails every time there’s a new sign up. He can create and save drafts of email for repeated future use. An autoresponder helps distributors to maintain regular contact with a lead until it is converted or has opted out of the loop.

Creates a Sense of Uniformity

A duplicated website creates a sense of uniformity among distributors while allowing each of them to maintain their own identity. It usually includes a wide range of features to help distributors prospect, present and follow up with their leads and also to manage and optimize their website effectively for more conversions.