MLM, Multi-Level Marketing, or Network Marketing is an incredible industry, and yet it is also one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented industries.

You're searching for top MLM companies. Why?

Is your goal to find a great company you can join? Looking for the top MLM companies might not be the best way to make this decision.

Before we talk about anything else, let's talk for a minute about MLM. What is Network Marketing all about?

The concept is simple. Instead of setting up retail stores in multiple cities and towns, a company contracts consultants or distributors to market and sell their products and/or services .

This way, they don’t have to pay for retail space and other expenses including utilities, insurance, employees, etc. Having to spend money on marketing to gather customers can also put a dent in the budget.

Enter the network marketer. We, as network marketers are responsible for producing our own leads and prospects for whatever product or service we are selling. Then we are compensated by the MLM or network marketing company we have a contract with. This is the money they would have otherwise spent on retail space, utilities, advertising etc.

Through effective marketing strategies, we are able to find customers for what we are offering. Many times, these customers decide to become distributors because it seems like a great opportunity.

Here’s the problem. It is a great opportunity, but being successful at network marketing has little to do with joining the top MLM company.

Being successful at network marketing is about taking ownership and responsibility over your own business. Taking that responsibility is important because after all, you are starting your own business when you join a network marketing company.

Is Looking For Top MLM Companies A Bad Idea?

No. I’m not saying it’s a bad idea. I’m simply saying that there are many other things to think about when making a decision to get started in this industry.

Here are some examples:

Are you passionate about the product line? This isn’t a retail job where you just sell what you are told to sell. If you aren’t passionate about the product, people are going to see right through it (and you). Hint: You want a product that you care about and believe in. You want to be marketing a product you'd want to sell (and be able to), even if there wasn't a business opportunity attached to it.

Does the network marketing company provide you with the proper tools, training and leadership? Quite possibly this might be the first time you have started your own business. You want to be sure that you will be provided with the necessary tools to be successful. Hint: This is as much for you as it is for your future team members. If there isn't any training in place, you are going to be solely responsible for training your new members as they get started.

How are the orders processed? Will you be responsible for any monthly costs or overhead? Will you have to take the orders or will they go directly through the company? Hint: You want as much of this to be automated and handled by your company for you as possible!

How will you be compensated? Will you be able to make the type of income you desire on your own personal efforts or will it take a team of thousands beneath you to reach that goal? This is definitely something worth considering and is one of the reasons why we chose the company we did. Hint: making a bunch of small ticket sales isn't necessarily easier than selling just a few big ticket items.

Who will your sponsor be? In MLM or network marketing, you sign up under a current distributor who in turn becomes your sponsor. It's an added bonus if you can find a good sponsor. Someone who is invested in this industry and in your success. Hint: You want to join someone who will be there to help you with questions, and share their experiences and successes.

Ultimately, your success will be up to you, but having a good sponsor and mentor to guide you can eliminate months or even years off of your learning curve.

What is the leadership in the company like? Do they have high morals and the utmost integrity, or do you even know who they are and anything about them? Are they just pictures on the company websites or are they invested in the success of their business? Hint: You want to be involved in a company that has the kind of leadership you can look up to - people who you could almost see as your friends, people who you can trust and respect.

You see, joining the top MLM company may not be the most important factor in your decision. After all, being the top MLM company isn't the end-all be-all and that company may be nothing more than a passing fad-who knows?

These are just a few things to think about when it’s time to make this important decision. Remember though, you are starting your own business so there is going to be work involved.

However, that day job may soon be just a faded memory if you remember to work harder on your business than you do on your job!

Good luck with your decision and welcome to a wonderful community of entrepreneurs!