The best network marketing companies are not always the ones that are the most heavily promoted. If you are looking for a new network marketing or MLM (multi level marketing) opportunity, don't just go for the first one that you see. Here are 10 points to consider when judging your possible new biz opp.

1. Do not join anything where no product or service is offered and you are being asked to pay for a place in the matrix only. That is a pyramid scheme, and they are illegal in most countries.

2. Stay away from companies that require that you pay excessive amounts up front for marketing materials or product samples that you will not use, especially if you are being asked for a lot more than the items are worth. This could be an attempt by the company to get around the pyramid scheme laws.

3. Avoid programs that say you will make money without doing any work. In some plans you can earn something from people put in under you by your upline, but a legitimate scheme will always expect you to do some work by bringing in and supporting some of those people yourself. Most people joining network marketing programs leave in the first 3 months without having sponsored anybody, so to make any serious money from your downline you will have to be constantly replacing the dropouts. At first, expect most of your income to come from promoting the product, not the opportunity.

4. Do some thorough research on the company. Is it well established? If it is a new start-up, it may still be a good opportunity, but check who the directors are and what they have been involved in before. New MLM companies can be lucrative if they become popular and you are in near the top, but there is also a bigger risk that they will fail.

5. Do not get involved with 'miracle products' where the claims seem unrealistic. For every customer who claims to have had amazing results, there could be 100 others who thought it was useless.

6. If the product is a good one, does your local drugstore sell something similar to it? If it does, is there a good reason why your prospect should buy from you instead of their drugstore? And if the drugstore doesn't sell a similar product, why not? Is it legal?

7. If you could use the product yourself, ask if you can try it before you commit. If not, can you talk to people who have used it, so that you get a clear idea of its benefits? You will find it much easier to sell something that you genuinely believe in.

8. You may be shown testimonials from people who are earning a lot of money with the program. Remember that those people may be founder members or have years of network marketing experience and thousands of contacts. Understand that it will probably take you a few years of hard work to reach that level.

9. Do not sign any contracts at the first meeting. You need time to research the company for yourself, and probably discuss it with your spouse, lawyer or accountant.

10. When you have found a company with a good product and a solid multi level marketing plan, remember that you will need to invest both time and money to build a business, even with the best network marketing companies.

About the Author

Discover the secrets of the hugely successful network marketer Rachel Long: http://www.mwpmarketing.com/recruitlikerachel