When I first got into Network Marketing, I was like a kid in the candy store, so many systems, so many offers, traffic exchanges and business opportunities. I listened to so many comp plans that my eyes glazed over. I literally spent thousands of dollars trying out systems, buying leads that did not work for me. Did you know that 97% of people who start a home based business fail?

If you spend enough time on the Internet, you will see the same names pop up over and over again, The Internet Marketing Guru's and we all know their names. You will see lots of testimonials from appreciative clients telling you how they struck it rich utilizing whatever the Internet Guru is selling. But if you look really close, you will see that the people giving the testimonials show up on all of these Internet Marketing Guru's sites, it is like a little club that they have going. They all give testimonials for each other. They all offer a money back guarantee, but they are banking on the fact that you will be too embarrassed to ask for a refund. And unless those leads are 24-48 hours old and are highly targeted, they are not going to be worth what you paid for them.

What makes these Internet Marketers so successful is that they have branded themselves and you've bought into them. You bought the name. You may think you've bought a great lead generation system but what you really bough is John Smith's lead generation system. That is what the Internet Gurus know that they are not telling you.

You buy their systems because:

*You think it will work because it has their name on it

*You will become as successful as they are if you use it

What they know that you don't is that they've sold you on:

*a dream

*a sense of belonging

*a connection with richness and success (themselves)

Here is the lesson to learn from them; BRAND YOURSELF!

You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to advertise. There is so much you can do for free! This is a people business. It's time to adopt the Barbra Streisand School of Marketing, "people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world" and successful too.

Spend your time on the Internet building relationships. There are so many free social networks that you can work in. Make videos, host your own radio show! When people trust you, they will follow you into any business venture that you have. But the key is building a relationship with people. It's that simple!

Instead of wasting money on useless, expensive systems that spam people, put your money towards hiring a mentor. A good mentor will help you learn how to build relationships with people, how to use the existing systems that are out there and how to make money on the Internet. Many years ago, Zig Ziglar, one of the world's most famous salespeople and motivational speakers said, "You can have anything you want, if you just help others get what they want".

You too can brand yourself. Find something you are passionate about and go for it. Make a business plan and mission statement. If you can meet people and help them feel loved, needed and a part of something, they will join whatever your business opportunities are. You will make your own success but only if you take action and step up into a leadership role.

Don't wait for anyone else. This is your year! Your time is NOW! And in the words of the Star Trek Captain Jean Luc Picard, "Make it so!"