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I try to warn people that are choosing the best network marketing business for them, to check out their potential upline.  You want to be sure that not only the person who sponsored you, but the people above them are going to be good leaders and provide you with what you need to build your network marketing business. 

If you don't, you might get stuck. 

Once you have signed on the dotted line, you usually cannot change sponsors.  The only way you can is to be completely inactive in your business for 6-12 months.  After that, you might be able to resign under someone else depending on your network marketing company's policies.

I was writing an article on this subject and it made me remember the exact moment I lost my drive in my first MLM.  I loved my sponsor and our director.  However, my director was closely associated with another director who was the one in the driver's seat.  This woman is very successful and I learned a lot from her.  But it was her way or nothing.

I was attending a weekend network marketing training seminar and was seated for dinner with several directors, mine and her associate included.  I was the only person at the table who was on the bottom rung, so to speak.  I don't even remember what they were discussing, but I chipped in with an idea of my own.  This woman looked at me, and before I could finish my sentence said, "When you are a director, you are welcome to contribute.  But right now this conversation is not for you."

I had been put in my place.  A lowly consultant.  My own director was very excited about me because she could see that I had the drive and initiative to succeed in the network marketing business.  Yet in that moment, she lost me. 

I didn't realize how much it had bothered me right away.  Over the next few weeks, I wondered what had happened to my enthusiasm.  It's not just that I had been embarrassed or that the comment was inappropriate.  What bothered me was the attitude that just because I had not yet achieved a certain level, that what I had to contribute had no value.  What if my idea had been brilliant?  I'm sure it was, even though I can't remember what the heck I was going to say!

Fast forward to yesterday, as I was writing my article on choosing the best network marketing business opportunity.  In the middle of writing, I got an email from my current upline.  She and several key team members are putting together some training sessions for the group. 

In order to avoid burdening any one person with too much to do, she sent out an open email to all team members asking for volunteers to train in one of several potential topics.  The email said, "Even if you are brand new to the team, you still have something to contribute.  If you feel you can put together a training session on business organization, the consultative approach, etc., we need you!"

Wow.  What a difference.  I immediately signed up for one of the topics.  I will now be conducting a training session once a week on  this one topic.  And I've only been in this particular business about a month!  But I know my topic well, nevertheless, due to my experience elsewhere. 

Our team is growing like wildfire.  That's why my sponsors need help in conducting the ongoing training for new mlm team members.  When you have good leaders, they will make it easy for you to be a good leader as well.  In the end everybody benefits.

If you have had any similar experiences, please feel free to share them here.  I'd prefer you not mention names or specific network marketing companies - just your thoughts on this or other topics related to business building!

To Your Success!