There are a number of factors right now coming together to create the perfect storm of opportunity. Anyone of these factors by themselves could open up a tremendous number of doors of opportunity, but when you have them coming together almost at once it will create a storm of opportunity.

Paul Zane Pilzer talks about this in his article "The Perfect Storm"printed in Success From Home December 2005. In the first part of his article he talks about Network Marketing and the Wellness industry. He discusses the Wellness industry being fueled primarily by Baby Boomers and by those that are experiencing new found wealth. He talks about the new wealth that was created in the 1990 was "mainly by people who distributed things rather than people who made things".

He then goes on to say "that opportunity has come and gone. The fortunes to be made today and in the years ahead will be made by those who are involved in teaching people ..."

In these tough economic times Countries and individuals around the world are scrambling to adjust and do what they can to survive and make it through. This is not just situation that affects a few individuals but is having an impact on the world. We all have read of the mortgage situations, bank closures, bailouts and economic stimulus plans, layoffs and shutdowns. This has and is touching all of us in one way or another.

It is during such times that the home-based business or network marketing experience real growth. Housewives, husbands, individuals all looking for ways to help keep the wolf at bay.

Pilzer said in his article (quoted above) that "..as impressive as this is, it's not hard to see that the real growth in this business model has only just begun". And so it is, we see this happening already. NBC recently did a little video clip "People turn to 'Network Marketing' in a soft economy"

It is possible for a person sitting in their living room equiped with an internet connection to create a message that is seen by millions of people.

Never before in the history of man kind has it been possible to contact, inform, teach and educate so many people in so little time as today. The Internet, Web 2.0, text messaging etc. all make it possible to almost instantaneously reach people around the globe 24/7.

Never before in the history of mankind has it been possible to put together your thoughts and ideas, your information and publish to the world for all to read, listen to, or watch 24/7.

The advent of Web 2.0 has made it possible for the common person to publish their material in all manner of media. The printed media via content sharing sites like Hubpages, Squidoo etc. Audio Visual media via podcasting and Video in such places like YouTube and Metacalfe, just to name a few. All this is much simpler to do than many can imagine.

The X and Y generation are tired of the Rat Race and climbing the corporate ladder. They watched their parents working hard for 60 or 80 hours a week, sacrificing health and family time. They want nothing to do with that - they want to make more and do it in less time. They want not only to make the money but also to have the time to enjoy it, and rightly so.

This phenomina is not just limited to the X or Y generation but more and more Baby Boomers and Seniors are finding things like Facebook, and YouTube a great place to stay in touch with family and friends and even make new friends around the globe. With extra time on their hands are looking for ways to make their life meaningful and to contribute something in life. Many who have had their retirement plans cut back or even disappear are looking for ways to supplement. With tought economic times people at all levels of the economic scale are looking for ways to keep afloat.

The demographic possibilities are numerous. Many are just looking for someone to show them how to do it.

As with any naturally occurring phenomena the storm can work for you or against you. Water sustains life but water unharnessed can destroy, fire and energy warm us, cook our food, give us transportation but fire and energy unharnessed destroy. The wind (storm) is a benefit to us in many ways but if unharnessed will destroy.

A recent research report stated that 25% of the people they studied said they had cut back on watching TV so they could spend more time on the Internet.On top of that 18% said they were reading newspapers less and getting their information on the Internet instead and over 70% of Americans used the Internet to research their option. Because the Internet has become so quick and there are so many options it has become the primary source for research and making purchasing decisions.

If you don't learn to harness the power of the Internet it could hurt you, possibly even destroy your business. How is that you ask. Well if you carry on with traditional forms of marketing, meeting people at the store, handing out fliers, ads in newspapers, doing hotel meetings, diseminating information about your company, product or service (even in the traditional business model) guess what is more likely to happen these days? Your potential customer who might be very ready to purchase ot join you is going to go to the internet and do his/her research. If they find more valuable information and assitance but don't find you there it is a very good chance you are going to lose out. They will come across someone who has offered them a free report, free training and they are willing to exchange their name and email for that information.

But you say "the Internet and TV are loaded with all kinds of websites and sales pitches, how is anyone going to see my message? How can I learn to harness the power of the internet and the coming storm of opportunity?"

The best way to stand out from the crowd is to become a friend, a trusted advisor, someone who is willing to teach others. Become the person who others will turn to for information and know how about a particular subject, product or service, not just being there to make the sales pitch and get your money.

You can go from being anonymous to an authority almost overnight simply by sharing valuable ideas with others. The Internet has made it possible to get your valuable information to literally millions of people at no cost or very little cost.

Peter Drucker said in a Forbes Magazine Article the "The USA now spends around $1 Trillion on education and training. Triggered by the Internet, continuing adult education may well become our greatest growth industry"

People are willing to trade their name and email address in exchange for the valuable information and advise that they are looking for. Once you have the email address the Internet has given you an extremely inexpensive way to keep in touch with your contacts. Giving you the ability to continue providing them with valuable information and tips. The ability to continue cultivating valuable relationships.

The combing of value published in articles, podcastes, videos and in emails has an exponential growth factor. Each article produced does not just add to the equation but adds an exponential growth factor to it.

The Internet has and is changing the marketing scene today. Gone are the days of "sales pitches" and "hard closes" People are too suave for that, too cautious for that. People to day are looking for value and substance. With so many claiming to have the newest, best, greatest, hottest product, service or opportunity people are looking not only for "something" but also "someone" they can trust and like. By becoming a provider of valuable information and service before the sale you will build that trust and confidence and reap the benefits of it.

As Ann Sieg puts it in her new Ebook "People are attracted to value (content) not sales pitches."

Learn more about harnessing the storm and prosper during the coming bad years