The network marketing industry is slowing moving towards using social media and in most cases the reason for a company moving in that direction is usually due to the persuasion of top leaders within the company itself.

Many long-time distributors within a MLM company find themselves asking if using social media can really add value to their business and generate cash flow. It is an understatement to say that social networking is very confusing to the new person just entering and trying to figure out what to do and how to do it.

The average person has a goal of learning the critical elements required to effectively leverage social media for specific gains within their businesses. There are a few major areas to consider to meet these goals.

Attention: Here I am, this is WHO I am, where I have been, and what I am doing. Attention to oneself does not come about from advertising but rather by growing an audience of people who can relate.

Attracting: Network marketing and affiliate programs are best marketed by first showing people your content, photos on your site, videos, building up a following, e-mail list building, audio tools, and of course networking. Low cost lead generation can be had by taking the time to build content long-term.

Community: Show me someone who is trying to build a business on their own and I can safely predict their failure. Being involved in online communities specific to your business creates attention, builds relationships, and engages yourself and everyone in the community.

There is an abundance of social media to use. It's always best to find the ones that best fit your personality. Many network marketing companies are now coming around and have fantastic social marketing training communities withing the company itself.

The learning curve for most people comes over time by jumping in feet first and taking action. Unless you are actively involved, engaging the audience, and experimenting you cannot learn what gets their attention and attract the right people to you.

Think a past family reunion. If you've ever attended one, you will likely remember people you knew very little about, but found them interesting. These were the people who engaged others at the event. The ones that will be remembered. The quite ones on the sidelines you likely have very little memory of.

Building a business online cannot be achieved by sitting quietly on the sidelines. It may be comfortable to do so, but not very profitable. If you take a look around the social networks, the people who are the most engaging are almost always the most successful ones.

A very positive by-product of engaging others in the networks is not just creating cash flow but also personal growth by receiving the knowledge that others have to share and by sharing your knowledge with them as well.