•         Duplication

If you have done any type of research on the internet regarding a home-based business, you have surely run across the term "Duplicatable System".  Everyone says they have one and it will show you the road to success and riches.

I want you to think about this for a few minutes...

        If a system was truly duplicatable, then why are there not more success stories in the home-based business arena?

Here's the definition of Duplication:  a copy exactly like an original.  It is more likely that what you need is a system that is customizable.  Customizable to suit your personality and the needs of your business.  The two concepts are quite different.

The ability to take information in a format that is already available and customize it for yourself is a much more reliable way of making sure that your system is reliable and produces the desired effect.

Let's take a look at web sies or splash pages that are a duplication site.

When these sites are put out in large numbers where the only information on the page that changes is the contact information, you can be assured that the only way these sites will ever see any traffic is if you send it there.  Now there's nothing wrong with sending traffic to a site, but you also want to have a page that generates it's own traffic based on good keywords and content.

A site that contains the same information and is a duplicate of other distributors' sites has little chance of ever seeing the light of day, let alone, show up in a search engine search.  Avoid using them unless you understand how to drive traffic to your site.

You also need to have access to change these types of pages on your own or a guarantee that the person administering these pages will do so responsibly.  If you lack this guarantee from the administrator of the site then you should not buy into that system.

And most important, if there is an autoresponder attached to the page, test it with your own email address so you know exactly what your prospects are getting.

If you want a splash page or web site that you have control over check this out  Ad Free Web Page and Other Internet Tools

This free resource will do many things for you.  First it saves you money at a time when you need to be careful with your finances.  If you have never built a website (and many of us still haven't) then it's a great primer for a new comer or first timer.  It will allow you to do a 'what you see is what you get' (WYSIWYG) as well as be a great introduction to HTML editing.  A great learning resource for anyone.

Tools

You have to understand that the sooner you have your business into profit, the stronger your business will be.  That's not to say that those who start slow won't have success, because I'm a slow starter and I have had great success.  However, profit is the desired result of any money making opportunity and that's what we are here for.

Don't be fooled into believing that once you join any program, that is all you need to build your business.  You will need to have access to tools to help you get going in the beginning.  These tools need to be usable and they also need to be affordable!

One of the most important tools you need access to is information.  While no sponsor is going to "give it up" before you are in their downline, you should be able to ask about the type of tools they are using and find out if those tools are standard within the company or exclusive for that team.

Don't misinterpret what I'm about to say, you need to understand this so as you make your final decision you are doing so with as much information as possible.

It's ok to use company tools, however, tools you need to realize that company tools are used by the masses.  Look for someone who has tools that take company tools a step further.  Someone who develops their own tools.  If the company tools worked as well as you may be led to believe, again, you have to ask, "Why are ther not more people on the top?"  Most company tools are not focused on the most important aspect of the business.  Instead they focus on the opportunity.  If you are consistantly hearing about the opportunity and nothing else, you may want to rethink your choice in sponsors, because they are still using the "Old School Marketing Tools".

Are you being offered the same tired roadmap everyone else has, or a GPS system?  If you are looking at the same web pages we discussed earlier then you know that there isn't much difference in the tools that are offered by those distributors.  Your individuality needs a place to be seen and heard and if what your potential sponsor is offering is the same thing that everyone else offers, you can just put their names in a hat and pick one.  Your chances of getting someone extraordinary to guide you through the maze of building a hom-based candle business is slim.

The key is finding something that you can customize and someone who is willing to help you along the way.  Cooki cutter business plans aren't something that anyone should buy into and I would advise against those type of sponsors.  While some aspects of a business may be duplicatable, your best bet is to find the distributor who stands out, not only on the phone, bu in their web presentation.  That is the person who took the time to build a foundation for their business and takes the time to share that information with not only their team, but their prospects.