MLM Articles

The speed at which technology moves is frighting at times and exciting at other times.  Here at YourSolutions.net, llc we are committed to keeping pace by integrating the latest technologies into our companies Direct Selling / MLM Software.

We’ve recently started test marketing (with an unbelievable reception) our QR Code, SMS, Facebook Ap, and Branded Tool Bar technologies.

QR CODES:

A matrix bar code originally created by Toyota in 1994, and now becoming a ubiquitous viral marketing and informational tool.  Open any magazine and thumb the pages and you’ll find advertisers with QR codes.  The full application is yet unrealized, however, consider the following possibilities.  A rep sitting on a buss could either A- give the passenger next to them a business card  B- verbally give them a website address to write down or type in C- display their own personalized QR Code encoded with their replicated website from within the MLM / Direct Selling Software  on the screen of their mobile device and allow the ‘prospect’ to take a picture or use a QR ap to get the embedded replicated website address directly into their mobile browser through their camera.  C is obviously the quickest way to get the prospect into a video or website.

SMS:

Text messaging is becoming a central method of communication within Direct Selling and MLM.  The latest version of xFlow our core software technology allows broadcast SMS to reps, or clients alike.  Imagine sending a personalized SMS to your reps notifying them of how close they are to their next title or qualification, how much commission they have earned so far this month, that a new person has enrolled in their downline with the new enrollees phone number and encouraging them to call right then to congratulate the sponsor and welcome the new enrollee to the team.  SMS will become a vital tool for all Network Marketing companies.

FACEBOOK Ap:

Imagine that you could take control of your brand image in Facebook, that you could provide pre-written informational pieces to generate interest in Facebook, imagine you could reach the Facebook friends of all your reps… What you are imagining is available from within the xFlow Network Marketing Software platform available from YourSolutions.net!

Social marketing is the core of what Network Marketing / MLM is. Most companies struggle with effective Facebook policies, they often loose control of their brand and message.  NO NEED!  Ask us how we can connect your MLM Software with Facebook.

Branded Toolbar:

WOW!  One of the most exciting tools available to companies is a centralized communication, reporting, and branding tool bar.  Reps download and install a tool bar for their Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Safari BRANDED with your Logo… tied into your communication system with simple links to the reps back office and reports.

Keep your brand in front of each  new rep. Every moment they are browsing Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, or Google… your logo and immediate access into their back office is front and center keeping them engaged.

March 9, 2011



Tweener [tween-er] n. — A company too big for affiliate marketing and too small for network marketing.



Smart companies know the future of marketing includes “social selling”, tapping individual social networks with a great product and story. Direct selling is an optimal way to do this, only most companies who see promise in the model do not necessarily need the infrastructure of a full-fledged direct selling company.



Recently, demand for a deeper social selling has attracted to our industry a new kind of company, the “Tweener.” No it’s not a new juice product aimed at 9-to-11 year-old. Rather “Tweener” refers to a company seeking to leverage the deep incentive selling of network marketing while remaining light on their feet like an affiliate marketer.



This concept could vastly extend our industry to products that would never have been viable for us before. In my opinion, no industry is better suited for person-to-person selling (digital or otherwise), than network marketing. We invented social marketing, if only the analog kind. Mainstream companies are indeed recognizing this, thus the new wave of interest in the industry is emerging will likely have a huge impact on us in coming years.



Industry experts are aware that a majority of products that might be a fit for the direct selling model can’t sustain an actual network marketing company. To fit into the model, a product/service must meet a fairly rigid set of criteria such as product line expandability, price and margin parameters, etc., and must meet more subjective requirements as well. Some products are fine in and of themselves but are either a one-off or just don’t have enough momentum-building fuel to power a full-fledged company.



Let’s say you’ve developed a diamond-encrusted golf ball you KNOW would be a hit with golfers. But to sell the ball, you need to be able to tell the story of why the diamonds will improve your golf game, difficult to do on a retail shelf. You’ve determined direct selling is the best way to get your story told and incentivize multiple levels of members. Yet you don’t possess the substantial knowledge (or substantial cash) it takes to start an MLM company, and anyway it seems overkill to build a national selling force to sell a little ball.



Several companies using this “tweener” model have launched their platforms, and demand is growing. Right now the focus is on retooling currently available solutions; admin back office, simple generational incentive/commission payouts, ecommerce shopping carts including subscriptions and autoship/continuity orders, and affiliate and replicated websites. All delivered without the extra baggage of operating a full-bore network marketing company.
Technology for Tweeners



I have been talking with industry technology consultant Mel Atwood (who first alerted me to this trend) about how the industry can capitalize on this this opportunity. We agree the answer lies in an incentive commission structure to make sales work at multiple selling levels.



The software used to manage the commissions is key. Software systems are widely available for companies for both MLM and affiliate marketing, but none that we have found are built for these Tweener models (what Mel dubs “Social-driven Marketing”). With network marketing, software is all or nothing and with affiliates it’s nothing much at all.



For your diamond-covered golf ball you’ve considered affiliate marketing, say, offering a $10 commission for each one sold. But it’s difficult to be heard above the noise and the affiliates don’t seem to care about your super cool golf ball. They just want to make a buck and move to the next product. And you can’t incentivize affiliates beyond one level of sales.



E-commerce is another channel. But online advertising can get very expensive and is cost-prohibitive in competitive markets like golf. Some golf equipment companies spend hundreds of thousands a month on pay-per-click ads and search for a few crumbs of online leads and sales. This may shut you out at the start.



So, the opportunity for direct selling is in flexible commission models that work with surface-level social selling, where a simple transaction is afforded easily and multiple layers of recruiting and selling can take place.



This software adopts the most compelling aspects of both selling models, leveraging the fast-and-easy commissioning of affiliate marketing and combining it with the levels-deep army-building of network marketing.
For your golf ball marketing, the end result of all this is a motivated field sales force, with multiple ways to make income, who are excited about your product and are paid well for recommending it to others.



We are putting together a white paper on this subject for presentation at industry conferences. If this category describes your company or product, I’d like to talk with you.



Jonathan Gilliam is President of Momentum Factor LLC, a marketing consulting firm for direct selling companies and corporate clients. He works to improve marketing performance and momentum for his clients by building and protecting their brands and engaging their field and customers. http://www.momofactor.com/

<strong>YourSolutions.net Adds Len Clements as Executive VP of Client Strategies</strong>

SANDY, UTAH, Feb. 18, 2011 — YourSolutions.net announced today that it has added MLM mentor and visionary Len Clements to its executive team.

Bringing decades of additional multi-level marketing experience to the YourSolutions team, Clements has provided mentoring, coaching, consulting and leadership to network marketing and direct sales companies throughout the world. As an accomplished writer, business owner and strategist, Clements’ influence has reached the ears and actions of many executives and business builders in the industry.

Clements has been classified as an expert witness on MLM. He was the top distributor seven of nine years at Longevity Network. Clements is a former Board of Directors member for the MLM International Association and the Association of Network Marketing Professionals. He also is the former chairman of the Advisory Board for the DSRA and has consulted with a myriad of high profile companies including Amway, NewVision, FreeLife, Trump Network, Franklin Quest, Cell Tech and Yoli.

Based in Sandy, Utah, Clements guides critical decision making for YourSolutions’ client strategies efforts. These efforts promote the network marketing industry’s leading enterprise MLM software, xFlow, and development of a new cross-industry platform software serving the emerging Social Driven Marketing space.

YourSolutions’ CEO Mel Atwood said, “Len Clements has been admired and trusted by business owners and business builders alike. His vision, leadership and influence in the MLM and direct sales space is unparalleled. YourSolutions is shaping this space through technology, and by the promotion of ethical leadership and profitable business models. We do this through our consulting and the many services we provide. Len is a strong advocate of our core principles and he will be expanding our reach in the world through the strategies and efforts he provides.”

<strong>About YourSolutions.net</strong>

YourSolutions.net (YourSolutions) is an independently owned one-stop resource for technology and consulting in the network marketing industry and the emerging Social Driven Marketing space.
YourSolutions is unique in that it is led by former and current network marketing company owners and distributors. New and existing companies look to YourSolutions for MLM software technology, legal, marketing, merchant accounts, payroll, and international expansion services.

Additional information is available at <a href=”http://www.yoursolutions.net”>http://www.yoursolutions.net</a>.

Contact:

Lonny Stanford
CMO
Tel: +1 (801) 601-8925
lonny@yoursolutions.net

# # #

SANDY, UTAH, Feb. 8, 2011 — YourSolutions.net announced today that it has continued the expansion of its core team with the addition of Moy Chambers, an experienced technology development executive.

Bringing over 30 years of development experience to the YourSolutions team, Chambers has provided leadership for top-tier network marketing companies, like Agel and Xango, and has worked for the White House receiving the “Excellence in Recognition” award from the Executive Office of the President of the United States. His experience spans the globe, providing solutions and implementations in over 30 countries throughout the North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

Prior to joining YourSolutions, Chambers was the Director of IT and Director of Software Development for Agel, a worldwide direct sales and network marketing company. Through Chambers’ leadership, top MLM distributors and corporate executives came together to improve company technology to meet the needs of both critical sides of the business. Chambers also has evaluated and developed best practices for the network marketing industry through his international assignments and work as lead developer of network marketing software systems.

Based in Sandy, Utah, Chambers leads YourSolutions’ IT and software development efforts, which includes support for the network marketing industry’s leading enterprise software, xFlow, and development for a new cross-industry platform software serving the emerging Social Driven Marketing space.

YourSolutions’ CEO Mel Atwood said, “We are excited to have Moy Chambers join at this time of growth. At a time when other software companies are reducing their talent base, YourSolutions is reaching out to give creative professionals an opportunity to provide value-added technology to new and existing markets. Our team is actively involved in finding solutions for simple-to-complex industry needs, while saving customers money and reducing their time to market. Moy brings the leadership and experience we need to speed our efforts to provide leading edge technology to meet those needs.”

About YourSolutions.net

YourSolutions.net (YourSolutions) is an independently owned one-stop resource for technology and consulting in the network marketing industry and the emerging Social Driven Marketing space.

YourSolutions is unique in that it is led by former and current network marketing company owners and distributors. New and existing companies look to YourSolutions for technology, legal, marketing, merchant accounts, payroll, and international expansion services.

Additional information is available at http://www.yoursolutions.net.

FINANCING NOW AVAILABLE ON MLM SOFTWARE
Your MLM Software Solution is now more obtainable than ever.

SANDY, UT –March 3, 2010– YourSolutions.net, LLC is now offering the option to finance the licensing on all Enterprise Software Packages through strategic partnerships with financing companies.

Clients of YourSolutions.net, LLC will now be able to secure monthly payments, rather than have a large capital outlay up front. Companies that want to apply will be subject to credit approval like all financing. However, because of YourSolutions.net, LLC’s industry experience, reach, and years of advocating for standards within the network marketing community YourSolutions.net, LLC has multiple channels for financing, including private funds as a final option.

“We’re very excited about the new possibilities that financing options will offer our clients,” said Jim Kitchen, vice president of operations, who oversees project development. “Many solid companies have found it difficult, in these economic times, to get the proper expert technology they need to run their companies.”

“Access to capital has been increasingly difficult to find over the last 18 months,” said Mel Atwood, CEO of YourSolutions.net. “Well, companies need look no further. The financing options we have will make it easier for start-up MLM companies to stretch their start up dollars, while not compromising the future of their company by selecting inadequate technology and consulting partners.”

YourSolutions.net, LLC is an innovator in the Multi-Level Marketing Software space who has pushed the envelope and developed powerful, robust, and saleable technology. Their technology has been the platform used by several thousand network marketing companies to track and operate a sales force of independent contractors marketing and selling products or services directly to consumers. This new wave of innovation by YourSolutions.net, LLC is just another indicator of the positive influence they will have for years to come within the Network Marketing community.

By: Steve Jankowski

The Arbonne Bankruptcy of January 2010 is a real blow to people in the MLM world. It is a shocker for the members of that long time business. The economic conditions today have made it very difficult for people to survive in the MLM world. The attrition rate in most businesses
that cater to people’s wants and not needs make it very difficult to maintain a business. Clearly, Arbonne found it difficult to rise above the failure of people to stay in their program.

The real key to survival in the home business
world is to learn how to market affordably and to have a product that people really need. As an attorney, I totally understand the travails of a large business like Arbonne, and Bankruptcy is often a necessary way for a large company to make it through difficult financial times. It is somewhat encouraging for Arbonne members that the company filed for reorganization and not liquidation, but oftentimes companies are not successful in coming out of such reorganizations. (more…)

By: Dr. Jim Morris

Yesterday, Michael was going to be debt free. He just knew that this opportunity was the right vehicle, and now was the right time. Today, Michael sits at his desk starng out the window, frustrated and depressed. Today, the dream seems so impossible. “Maybe,” he thought, “I just got caught up in the hype; I will never get out of this rut, and really make something of myself.” Tomorrow, Michael will either join the ranks of wishful thinkers, or he will shake off the dream demons, and start fresh at making his dream a reality.

Much of the decision will have to do with his inner resolve and the retaining wall built by his new company. There are six key areas that a company or upline can strengthen to ensure that new Associates find the resolve to continue their quest for success. These six areas can be identified with the word, R.E.T.A.I.N.: Relationship, Empowerment, Training, Affiliation, Inspiration, and Nurturing.

* Relationship – Building a deep commitment based on need fulfillment.
Relationship begins when two people connect based on mutual need fulfillment. The relationship deepens as the connection is reinforced by people being there for each other. It is imperative that we realize that relationships only deepen with continual connections as simple as just keeping in touch by making a personal phone call. When things get tough or discouragement sets in, without this vital relationship, people often just give up. (more…)

7 Simple Marketing Tips
By Bob Leduc

Here are 7 simple marketing tips to help you boost your sales and profits quickly. All are easy to use and work for any business.

Tip 1:

You can constantly improve the effectiveness of your advertising by allocating 80 percent of your advertising budget to proven promotions and 20 percent to testing new things. When something new works better than your proven promotions, move it to the 80 percent group and start testing something else in the 20 percent category.

Tip 2:

Customers are usually receptive to more offers from you immediately after they buy. Follow up every sale with another offer for a product or service related to the one they just bought. Many will accept your offer …producing an easy sale for you.

Tip 3:

Make your sales presentation more believable (and more effective) by converting general statements into specific descriptions. Instead of “quick and easy”, explain exactly how quick and how easy. Also, reduce round numbers like “15 pounds” into specific odd numbers like “13.7 pounds”. It sounds more authentic. (more…)

An MLM Recruiting Article by Doug Firebaugh

There are many people out in the MLM industry that are having some real struggles in their recruiting efforts, and it seems to be something that is industry wide.

Many people are saying it is the times. The economy. It was September 11. It is harder than it used to be. People have changed.

Many reasons I have heard… over and over.

But in reality, people are people, and always will be, and few things ever change. There seems to be something I have noticed though that is happening that can KILL your recruiting in MLM.

It seems to be happening more to the folks that have been in MLM for a while, than the new folks, and it is hurting a lot of paychecks.

There seems to be a poisonous lack of belief in what folks are doing.

And this had me puzzled, as it seems stronger than usual. And today I felt lead to write about this, and why I believe it is happening. (more…)

February 1, 2010

ADA, Mich., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ — Amway Global is proud to announce that ARTISTRY® Skin Care and Cosmetics, beauty power brand of Amway Global, is the Official Skin Care and Cosmetics Provider of the Miss America Pageant. Artistry will hold the title for both the 2010 and 2011 Miss America Pageants. The sponsorship will also give the Miss America Organization the opportunity to work with the entire Amway Global family of brands.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/amwayglobal/41976/ (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100126/MM42510 )

“Partnering with the Miss America Organization is an incredible opportunity for us,” said Jori Hartwig, Vice President of Marketing at Amway Global. “As a leader in prestige beauty, Artistry is dedicated to helping women of all ages feel confident that they’re putting their best face forward every day. We’re excited to introduce this brand to the Miss America contestants and look forward to showing them how it can let their inner beauty shine through on their big night. (more…)