Interview With An Internet Expert

As Printed in Harmony Major's Newsletter, Fall, 2000 -

ED. NOTE: This isn't a regular feature, but it will replace the
Q&A this time to add some spice to your life ;-), and to help
dispel the myths about the "dangers" of Network Marketing. I
hope you enjoy it.

Jackie Ulmer is a 7-year veteran of the Network Marketing
industry, with a background in Airline Marketing. After searching
for the perfect home business to allow her to stay home with her
children, she found that Network Marketing offered the income,
flexibility, and personal growth that she desired. Although
Jackie built a $1.5 million business offline, she is now building
a new business from scratch, and is using the Internet almost
exclusively.

HARMONY:

Thanks for joining us, Jackie. Although some online marketers have grudges against this business industry, I know that you feel otherwise, and for good reason. Why do you feel that the Internet is so perfect for Network Marketing?

JACKIE:

Harmony, the Internet is perfect for Network Marketing if

used CORRECTLY. More on that in a minute! The reason

it is so perfect is that it levels the playing field and opens up

a tremendous opportunity for everyone. It doesn't matter if

you live in a big city, small town or out in the forest.

With dial up access, you can find people who are right for

your business, introduce them to your company, train them,

communicate daily and support them just as well as if

you lived next door. And, you can do it from home and

at a fraction of the cost!

HARMONY:

Which mistakes do you see most Network Marketers making in
their online marketing efforts that prevent them from succeeding
at Network Marketing?

JACKIE:

Very few Network Marketers are using the Internet CORRECTLY,

and it's hurting the entire industry. There is way too much hype,

promises of "welfare to millionaire overnight", too much SPAM,

too many scams and people marketing online offering only

a freebie email address as their contact information. I would

not do business with just an email address and I'm guessing

that most people feel this way.

HARMONY:

Along those lines, what are the keys to success for building
a business in Network Marketing on the Internet?

JACKIE:

It's a pretty simple formula, but it WORKS! First, be yourself

and be genuine. Establish yourself with credibility by building

a web site that has your picture, contact information (including

a street address) and your background information. It must tell

your story because stories are what sell, not statistics. Don't

hype your opportunity. Network Marketing is good and there

are those making a tremendous amount of money. But, it

typically doesn't happen overnight. It usually takes several

years of consistent, persistent effort to build up a significant

income. Don't tell people it's easy and they don't have to do

anything. Make sure you are with a solid company by doing

research. Train, support and mentor your partners. Share

your system with them. And never, ever SPAM.

HARMONY:

In order to have a successful Network Marketing business, a
sort of system needs to be developed to get information into the
hands of your prospects. Can you briefly explain what that system
is, and also, how it works?

JACKIE:

Many people are afraid that the Internet takes the human interaction

out of the business, but that is incorrect. Although much of

the initial interaction is electronic, the system is the beauty of it.

The system consists of the following components -

A detailed web site with information about you and the company.

An autoresponder series that allows you to capture and maintain

the email addresses of your prospects. This is the IDEAL way to

follow up regularly and catch people when the timing is right.

An interactive, preferably FLASH, business overview is helpful.

And, finally, an automated training series that allows the newbie

to access information whenever and wherever.

HARMONY:

That sounds wonderful. Network marketing doesn't seem to be
"all bad," but it's got a bad rep. That rep, though, comes from
people that have been burned in the industry, and have started
spreading negativity about the entire field.

So, how does a person choose the RIGHT company with whom to build a Network Marketing business online? And, what are the warning signs of "Network Marketing schemes" that we hear so much about?

JACKIE:

First of all, sending $6 to 5 names on a list and then adding

in your name is not going to get you where you want to go!

And, it's part of what gives the industry that "bad rep."

Research very thoroughly. Start with the Direct Selling

Association at www.dsa.org Make sure you have full

contact information and a live conversation with your

potential business partner before you hand over your

credit card number. Ask questions and find others within

that company who are having success. Trust your gut

feelings. If it sounds way too good to be true, it probably

is. Network Marketing is a great business system, but it

takes work and a tough shell!

HARMONY:

 The "new" concept of InterNETWORK Marketing is to have a
fully automated business online. Can you explain the benefits
of the new concept compared to the old one? And how is the new
concept so much better?

JACKIE:

InterNETWORK Marketing is ideal in the 21st century. Many people

can relate to the old way of doing business - making a list of everyone you know and have ever known, calling them all, dragging friends and family to boring hotel meetings, calling them repeatedly to beg them to join you, etc. It was not fun....for anyone!

Now, with the Internet, I only talk to people that have come to me

looking for a business they can do from home and online. I don't go

to hotel meetings, I don't bug everyone I know and my costs of doing

business are almost nothing because everything from company

information, to the compensation plan, to the sign up and training can be done online. And, with text and live voice chat available, I can build an International business from home while in your PJ's! Anyone can!

HARMONY:

 In what ways is Network Marketing different from online
affiliate programs ... or are they one and the same?

JACKIE:

Affiliate Programs are similar in that you are paid for marketing

the products and services of another company, and, in many

cases, you are paid on the efforts of a team of individuals

you bring into the affiliate program. This is the case with

two-tiered Affiliate Programs.

In most Affiliate Programs, it is a one time pay out on an initial

purchase, whereas in Network Marketing, you develop an

ongoing monthly payout on the continued use and re-ordering

of products and services. You are also paid on many more

levels and have full training and company support. Affiliate

Programs are great, but Network Marketing, over the long haul,

has much more income potential off the same amount of effort.

Harmony, thanks for the opportunity to "dispel the myths" and present the  upside of Network Marketing Online!

ABOUT THE INTERVIEWEE:

After building a $1.5 million business offline, Jackie Ulmer
began searching for a system and a company that would allow her
to market almost exclusively online. After only a year, business
is booming on the Internet. One of her primary goals is to raise
the level of integrity and awareness of Network Marketing online.

Jackie Ulmer has worked from home for over fifteen years, coaching and training thousands on the secrets to success in a home business. Contact her through her website at http://www.streetsmartwealth.com 

and sign up for her newsletter and learn what it takes to "Profit in Your PJs, Online!"