MLM Success Requires Passion For Product

Filed in archive MLM Success Stories on February 18, 2010

(Susan Anderson advises those seeking MLM or multi-level marketing success to first and foremost find a product and company they can feel passionate about. In the interview below, Susan talks about how she got started in her netrwork marketing business Usborne Books.)

Tell us how you got started with Usborne Books?

I was invited to attend an Usborne Books home show by a friend. I had been to several different home shows for other products before, but was intrigued by this product ... books! And not just any books ... educational books for kids! My own children were young, and we loved to read. I knew the value and importance of reading to children from a very young age. I had been intrigued by the idea of a home-based business before, but could never see myself representing any of the other products. At the show, I could see there were so many books that I wanted, but I didn't have the funds to buy them all, so I decided to host my own show. As a hostess, I received lots of free and discounted books ... but there were still MANY more I wanted to have for my own children. So I decided the best way for me to get all those books was to become a consultant and get those books at a discount! Plus I decided I could use the commission I was earning by doing a few shows to pay for those discounted books. It wasn't until later, after I discovered how much fun it was sharing these wonderful educational books with others and what a difference great books can make in a child's life, that I realized I could actually make money doing this and use it to buy something other than books! My four children have a fabulous home library and I am able to work my schedule around our family time. I am earning meaningful income that pays for family vacations, car payments, and more. I have earned and taken my husband on two exciting company incentive trips to Italy and an Alaskan Cruise. And I just earned a Hawaiian Cruise and will be taking my entire family with me! It is truly rewarding to get these books into the hands of children in my community, into their homes, their classrooms, and libraries! Nothing could be more rewarding than to love what you do and to know that it makes a difference!

Can you tell us a bit more about the product and what you like about it?

Usborne Books are award winning educational books for kids of all ages. Their intent is not only to entertain but to educate children, to make learning and reading fun! They have great books for babies, toddlers, beginner readers, middle readers, all the way through older kids (and even great things for adults)! I like that I can not only share these great books with families through home shows, but we have many other sales avenues as well: great programs for schools and libraries (including book fairs and reading incentive programs), booths at educational conferences, craft show booths, web sales, direct sales, monthly book clubs, etc. I also like that they have no ongoing monthly or quarterly minimums for being a consultant (your ONLY requirement is that sometime during your first 12 weeks you will submit orders of at least $125). So you can do a little or a lot depending on how much money you want to make and the other demands on your schedule. You can take a break from Usborne and come back without any penalty. Also, practically everyone has a child in their life that they would like to see succeed, thus practically everyone has a child they could give a book to! Another thing I really like is that our product is not over-priced. Even the family on a very tight budget can get several outstanding books for very little money.


What would be your top piece of advice when seeking the right business opportunity?

Find a product that you feel passionate about! I think that is key! Also be sure to understand what the company expects of you as far as sales quotas. Many companies have quarterly or monthly minimums you must maintain in order to continue to be a consultant. Also when looking at a company's commission structure, be sure you look at all the elements not just the amount of commission you would earn, but if you need to purchase a minimum amount in order to get that commission, any bonuses available, and also what the company gives you as far as hostess benefits. Some companies provide the hostesses free and discounted books (Usborne does), while some companies expect you to provide that. Also I would be very weary of any company that requires you to keep an inventory of products on hand especially as a brand new consultant.

How do you market your business and what tips do you have for others?

I work my business in a variety of ways: home shows, direct sales, booths, and with schools and libraries. Word of mouth from satisfied customers is key. Also contacting groups who would be interested in your product. Having a booth is a great way to expose your product to whole new group of people. But the best way to begin any home business, is by holding a "kick-off" of "introduction" show where you invite your friends, neighbors and family ... so they can learn about your new business and see the products that you have to offer and how they might benefit them. If they can see the value for themselves and the value they would have for their friends, they will want to book their own show so their friends can see the products, but also so they can get free and discounted products for themselves! One of my favorite parts of my business is helping other women (and men) get started as reps and training and supporting them!

What other advice would you share for others seeking to start and operate their own business?

Get as much information as you can about the company and the product. Do your research. You want to be involved in an ethical company that does business in an ethical way, and one that will be around for years to come. I think variety in marketing venues is an important thing to look at, different ways and places to sell the product. But mainly, look for a product that you can be proud to represent, one that you feel has great benefits, and one that is not over-priced.

(Susan Anderson began her career as a Usborne Books consultant in 2001 and became a "supervisor" for the company in 2002. In 2008, Susan got honorable mention for both the Acheivement Award and Supervisor of the Year Award by Usborne Books. Check out Susan's full story on the Usborne Books main site and visit her personal Website or e-mail her for more on her products or about getting involved with Usborne books.)