Let the Good Times Roll!

It is used so often in network marketing presentations that it has indeed become a cliche. It goes something like this: "With layoffs, corporate downsizing, and low wages, everybody's looking for another source of income."

The poor economy is a standard part of our "sales pitch" for the opportunity that is network marketing. Well, that tends to work well when times are indeed bad, but what about in the good times?

I live in Austin, Texas, which right now is the 9th fastest growing city in the *WORLD*. The unemployment rate is an astonishingly low 2.9%. Economic growth is, in fact, being limited most by the lack of available workers. Here in Austin, the "times are bad" argument just does not wash. The situation is the same in many places -- the economy is robust, the stock market keeps on hitting record highs, things are good.

So what's the alternate approach for network marketers when times are good?

First and foremost, in my opinion, is product. Get people interested in and committed to your products. If you have to depend on the opportunity to get people interested in your company, then perhaps you should find another company. If you have a compelling product, then you can attract people, even the ones who are not looking for an opportunity. That's really how network marketing should work anyway -- primarily through product recommendations.

Another selling point is lifestyle. Sure, people are doing great financially, but are they able to make it to the PTA meetings? Can they take off on Wednesday afternoon and go to the lake? What about job stress? What about job satisfaction and a feeling of truly making a contribution? People may be killing themselves making a lot of money doing things they despise. These people will appreciate the lifestyle offered by network marketing. Recently I've been reading about the "simplicity" movement -- professionals who have given up high-paying careers in order to live less stressful, more meaningful lives. These people have bought it all, and have found abject materialism to be empty. They're looking for something more.

Because so many things in our lives revolve around money, we sometimes forget that there is anything else that matters. When you think about it, though, money is simply a tool that we use to live our lives. It is a very powerful tool primarily because of its extraordinary flexibility and universal acceptance. If there's something that you want to do, with enough money it can often be done.

Money, in and of itself, however, is nothing. It is what we do with money that makes it attractive. Many people have begun to realize this and to even transcend some of the concepts of money. They have found that they can do the things they really want to do without having to first get the money.

In many cases, network marketing offers just such a way out of the rat race. It can give people the opportunity to live the lifestyle they desire -- working at home, having flexible hours, not having a boss, doing something meaningful -- without having to first make a financial killing.

Many people have gotten into network marketing after a job loss or other financial setback. And that will continue to happen. What we need to be constantly aware of is that there are many other great reasons that attract people to the business as well.