When I started my home business journey back in 1999, I had little clue as to what I was about to experience. Since I did not even know what to look for, I did not know what was legitimate, who to trust, or even what type of business I wanted to run. I had heard of people who had zero experience online breaking it into the big time, but was that really true? I found out the hard way that much more was going to be required of me than all of the websites claimed. Riches did not magically appear overnight.

I also learned something that turned out to be the most important bit of knowledge I had ever received. This was the knowledge of what to look for in a home business and why. This is really the missing piece of the puzzle. It is possible that you could join a very legitimate business opportunity, but that does not mean it is geared towards helping you make money. You need to be aware that this industry is filled with people who design their business models to squeeze every last penny out of their distributors and affiliates, not actually help them achieve success.

These “predators” use their legal business opportunities as a bait to suck up your hard-earned money and leave you feeling as if your lack of success is all your fault and that you just need to buy more training. I have been there and done that and I want to save you from this trap. First off, don’t let what I have said scare you. I just want you to move with caution and take some time reviewing various business models to see what is best for you and your current situation. You will need to be able to recognize the real business opportunities that can make you a realistic 6 figure income in your first year, from those who are created to suck you dry.

So, how do you recognize that six figure opportunity? Here are the 5 things I learned to look for and what you should be looking for too.

1) Product Review

Is the business based on a solid product or service? Is it a concrete product or service that can stand on its own in the marketplace? Is the product in demand? These are important questions to ask right away.

If the home business you are thinking of joining has hundreds upon hundreds of products, you may want to re-think your involvement as it is difficult to run a product focused business without a focused product! I recommend you avoid most multi-level-marketing companies such as Quixtar, Amway, Herbalife etc. They are just not designed to generate the kind of income I am talking about here.

2) The Time Factor

How long has the company you are looking at been in business? All current top companies and opportunities had to start at the ground floor and work their way into success, but that does not mean you should jump into something so new yourself. The fact is that over 90% of new network marketing and direct sales businesses fail within the first year of operation. Remember that when you get pitched on an opportunity that is in pre-launch or when someone tells you that you can get in on the ground floor of an exciting new company. The odds are not in your favor and you are best to avoid these.

My advice is to choose a network marketing business that is at least 3-5 years old. In the home business industry this is a good sign that the company is stable and geared for long-term success.

3) The Pay Plan

How exactly are you paid? This is very important. Although all 7 of these things are very important, how you are paid should be given special attention. It is so important I have an entire report written about this very topic that I will give you for free at the end of this article, but here are the basics for you right now.

Avoid what are called Australian1-up and 2-up plans. These are payment plans which force you to give up your first sales to your sponsor and they are not designed to help you build a business. They are inherently flawed as you are forced to actually create your own competition! Avoid multi-level marketing pay plans or forced matrix plans. They either limit your growth via their forced nature, pay very little for your time, or they contain special requirements you have to meet to even get paid, such as making sure 2/3 of your matrix is on one side and 1/3 on the other. That is just ridiculous!

If you are not being paid on your very first sale, and every sale after that, you are not in business. You are playing some sort of money game that is not designed with your best interests in mind.

4) Marketing Training and Systems Technology

Any legitimate company who is successful and who is interested in helping their distributors become successful will provide top training for little to no cost. In fact, most top-tier direct marketing companies do this for free, or make it part of your membership, and will make this a major part of their company via daily webinars and trainings. Many large scale multi-level marketing companies, such as Amway, make fortunes off of their distributors via self-help training tapes and seminars. This leaves one to wonder where the actual money is being made…with the opportunity or the sale of the training materials!

Your companies Marketing Systems should go hand in hand with the Marketing Training. You want to look for a company that automates the marketing and follow-up process so you can focus all of your time on actually building your business and working with your business partners. In other words, you want to look for signs that your company understands the power of leverage and duplication.

You also want the marketing training they provide to focus heavily on the correct operation of these automated systems. This is the 21st century so you should expect tons of training videos, training calls, webinars and even live seminars to be available to help you build your business.

5) Professional Staff

You want to make sure your company has hired or utilizes a professional sales staff whose sole job is to keep in touch with your prospects, help answer their questions and even help close the sale for you.

Any top tier network marketing company who is serious about your success will have a full-time sales staff working on your behalf.

Conclusion

There are hundreds of home based business opportunities out there to choose from, but very few of them meet all of the qualifications I mention above. Any solid and reputable network marketing company will at minimum, contain all of the above mentioned things because your success is directly tied into their success as a company. Before you decide to invest your time and money into a home based business opportunity, make sure your success is the companies top priority. This win-win situation is the root of all successful business, online or off.

And now I’d like to invite you to get Free Instant Access to my Coffee House Letter. Please read this report before you start a home based business or you will likely be joining the 97% in this industry who struggle and always lose money. You can also visit: www.UltimateWealthProject.com and review my personal business model of choice.