Network Marketing is not what it was ten years ago.  Quite frankly it’s not what is was five years ago.  I am going to go over the pros and cons of building your business online vs. offline and you can make your own determination of what makes more sense to you.

After doing both, I know the answer.  You will have to make the determination for yourself, but I think once your done, you will see things in a whole new light.

Getting Leads

Offline – You are going to build your list manually through making lists of friends and family, talking to strangers in malls, stores, Barnes and Noble, gas stations, etc. This works awesome if your a type “A” personality. Most people don’t. This takes a lot of time.

Online – Traffic is automatic, once it’s built.  Your going to build your list online through a lead capture page or “squeeze page”.

Connecting With Leads

Offline – You have to physically call every one of your leads.

Online – Your going to use an email auto-responder in which your going to add value to them.  You are also going to call your leads, but by the time you call them, they know who you are and are interested in your offer.  After all, they opted in for more information.  Your not having to bring them up to speed like you would in an offline scenario.  Your system does the sifting and sorting for you so all your left with is a qualified lead.

Business Presentation

Offline – You have to physically show up to show the plan. I personally remember when I first got started in network marketing showing 1 hour plans.  Can you imagine? And I drove all over my state doing it, sometimes out of state. WASTE OF TIME. Why? Because they were not pre-qualified and I was just using the plan as a filter to check their interest.

Online – How about a webinar or video doing the presentation.  How about a PowerPoint presentation or a Bamboo drawing session to explain your business plan online?  You can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Follow Up

Offline – This sometimes can be done on the phone, but most of the time it’s in person. Once again, leaving your home, spending precious time away from your family.

Online – We use email, the phone, Skype and other online communications.

Sign Up

Offline – Traditionally to sign someone up your going to have to give them a number or a specific website to send them to.  You have to guide them through the process.

Online – Your sales funnel will sell almost everything for you if it is set up correctly.  Sign-ups are automatic and there is little effort involved.

Training

Offline – You have to meet weekly in hotels, homes, etc. to do training with your team.

Online – You can automate your training through videos and teleconferences.

Conclusion Offline

Pros: Offline business building in the network marketing industry is more stable and you can create real long term relationships with people.

Cons: Very time intensive and it is limited to what you can do on a daily basis.  It’s solely up to you.

Conclusion Online

Pros: You can reach way more people in a shorter period of time.

Cons: Will dissipate if you don’t build relationships

As you can see, there are pros and cons to both ways of building your network marketing business. There is no right way or wrong way, there is just quick and slow.  With that said, how long do you want to wait to build your business.  Are you on the 6-12 month plan or the 3-5 year plan?

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