What is Web 2.0? Moreover, Why Is It At The Core Of Network Marketing (MLM) Today?

The premise of this article is to  chronical the growth of web-based technology</a>

and its impact on the changing marketing landsape and strategies of todays successful Network Marketing companies (MLM)

• Web 1.0 was the platform from approximately 1996 to 2006...Web 2.0, 2006 to the present.

Here's a good question...what was Web 1.0?

And the answer is...straight from Wikipedia;

Terry Flew, in his 3rd Edition of New Media described what he believed to characterize the differences between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0.

"move from personal websites to blogs and blog site aggregation, from publishing to participation, from web content as the outcome of large up-front investment to an ongoing and interactive process, and from content management systems to links based on tagging (folksonomy)"

Here are some comparative facts between the two:

Web 1.0

• Mostly read only websites.
• Approximately 250,000 websites.
• 45 Million global users.
• About 93% Published content.
• About 7% User generated content.

Web 2.0

• Mostly read write websites.
• Approximately 80,000,000 websites.
• 1 Billion+ global users.
• About 66% Published content.
• About 34% User generated content.

There you have it!

• 1.0 is mostly viewing, and 2.0 is viewing , using, interacting, contributing, and collaborating.

Real "hands on" sociability.

We are at the very tip of the "iceberg" as it relates to where Web 2.0 and social media are headed. It is building as we speak to a massive world wide person-to-person communication system.

A perfect example of its global reach is the recent situation in Iran, where the only reporting and communication able to escape to the west were person-to-person media sites such as twitter and facebook, that were able to "leap-frog" the governments' locked down traditional reporting mechanisms.

It dramatically demonstrated how individuals are starting to control the flow of information.

To further illustrate how social media is changing the media landscape with the tranference of information person to person;

From, Institutional Control of Traditional Media, such as:

• Television
• Radio
• Print
• Movies

To, Consumer Controlled Social Media. such as:

• Content Sharing
• Video Sharing
• Blogs
• Social Networks
• And many others

These facts are just a snapshot of the large on going migration from other media sites to the social media sites.

As outlined above about the tremendous positive impact the changes from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 have had on the media they have perhaps made an equally positive impact on the Network Marketing (MLM) industry.

With the use of Web 2.0 coordinated with the expanding lists of Social Media sites, has allowed a huge paradigm shift from the old marketing platform…that is chasing prospects, to “attracting” them.

The Network Marketing and Multi-Level Marketing Industry started a long time ago and the most recognizable company still around today is Amway.

Amway’s model has since been imitated by thousands of companies worldwide, with varying results. Today, approximately 34 million people are engaged in Amway-type direct selling worldwide.

The industry has grown into an estimated $82+ billion.

Today most Multi-Level Marketing companies still use this model with a few new wrinkles...however the premise is still about "chasing prospects"

Many veteran network marketers have been through a multitude of “opportunities”, using the same old marketing platform.

Many are attracted with visions of get rich quick opportunities by just networking with family, friends, and anyone within reach, they soon realize these same family and friends all run and hide when they see them coming.

Typically when Agents/Associates are hired and promised they could make a lot of money if they follow the company training…that is, network with family, friends and anyone within shouting distance…attend training meetings regularly, Local, Regional, and National

In reality the training at these meeting consists of nothing more than “pep rallies”, parading out all the top dogs and let everyone know how successful they are and you could be to, if you follow the plan, blah, blah, blah!

While many worked very hard to follow the instructions of their uplines,...many entered this field with a winning the lottery mentality...regardless, both strategies resulted in the same conclusion…the model just does not work.

Regardless of these Network Marketers effort or motivation for leaving their “opportunities”, most of are disillusioned and many disparage the industry.

However, we believe this industry has received a bad rap, not because of the motivation of the people entering this field, or the products, pricing or service but simply because of its marketing model.

And now the big "paradigm" shift with Web 2.0:

All the traditional media , TV, Radio, and Print, that was essential to drive the big marketing numbers was extremely expensive an out of reach for the average little guy.

Utilizing Web 2.0 technology and connecting to the social media/networking sites costs virtually nothing, and targeted to perhaps millions “attracted” by what you have to say.

To emphasize this further the Web 2.0 tools are extremely “user friendly”. You absolutely do not have to have any computer expertise to start a business and engage in a great profitable enterprise.

Its’ user friendly technology has changed the passive functionality of the Web and allowed users to not only consume, but contribute and connect within a true social media environment. It essentially allows people to interact and communicate with others of similar interest and values both socially and for enterprise.

Because of its functionality, Web 2.0 technology is the “how” at the core of the "Attraction Marketing” model that is "attracting prospects and customers rather than chasing" them.

The premise of which is social networking…sharing common interests and values. To post and develop content on these various social media sites is remarkably easy it isn't just the latest set of toys for geeks, it's the beginning of a new era in technology.

Because of Web 2.0 Social media, average people, in a diverse and endless list of ways, can attract large numbers of people to them, monetize their business for much needed cash-flow, all while building their network marketing opportunity in style.

Developing marketing strategies with Web 2.0 are available and very easy to learn…the process of prospects and customers coming to you.

There is an abundance of excellent training platforms available that will allow you to “jump start” a real Internet business

There are also some click-by-click tutorial courses available that are very inexpensive. These have some advantages for newbies because you're able to simply follow along and watch on screen as you learn to set up your own marketing at the same time.

If you are just contemplating a new career in Network Marketing or already a Network Marketer and have a great product but are having a problem getting new associates and/or customers...prior to embarking a new venture or giving up on your current opportunity, you owe it to yourself and take a serious look at what "Attraction Marketing" is all about.

If you would like more information on how you can learn more about starting a new home based business and attract prospects …you are welcome to contact me for a free consultation and I’ll be happy to explain how it works.

There are several good books that do a fantastic job at getting you started in this new model. my recommendation is your start in the order below;

The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing Free E-book http://bigguy.the7greatliesofnetworkmarketing.com

The Renegade Network Marketer E-book Edition
http://bigguy.therenegadenetworkmarketer.com/

The Attraction Marketers Manifesto Free E-Book
http://bigguy.marketersmanifesto.com/

Renegade Professional - Prior to opening a Renegade Professional account or RenegadeUniversity account
http://bigguy.marketersmanifesto.com/renegadepro/