I. Introduction
There are a multitude of ways to promote an MLM opportunity, both online and offline. Each MLM method has associated with it its own intricacies, pros and cons. A detailed analysis of every nuance for each of these MLM advertising techniques would be beyond the scope of this paper. What this paper will attempt to do is identify a select number of MLM advertising techniques and provide a brief indication as to how such an MLM method operates, its complexity, its associated costs as well as both the advantages and disadvantages of each MLM technique. In doing so, where possible, we will alert the reader as to various important MLM resources which can be used to implement the various techniques.

II. Techniques
1. MLM Online Classified Advertising:
Description: There are literally thousands of places on the World Wide Web where you can place an MLM classified ad similar to the ones found in local newspapers. Many services offer free classified ads while others charge a fee. The key to this method is to write strong, attractive MLM ads. It is anticipated that a future issue of the Network Marketing Connections Newsletter will feature precisely this topic: Writing Order Pulling MLM Ads. Unlike newspaper classifieds, online classified services will, within the ad itself, allow clickable links to either your MLM website or email address. This is a hassle free way to get hits to your website.
Cost: Extremely inexpensive: Zero to minimal
Advantages: low cost
easy to implement
many services available

Disadvantages: time consuming since one must submit to literally hundreds of services to generate sizeable traffic.
hard to know which classified ad sites promote well and generate traffic


2. MLM Opportunity Seekers:
Description:



Many MLM marketers and home based business entrepreneurs resort to lists of MLM opportunity seekers for their prospects. The MLM entrepreneur will literally purchase a certain quantity of names from a company marketing such lists and then send these individuals their MLM sales material. Many of these companies offer very specialized lists geared towards MLM prospects. Most services sell mailing lists while a select few will sell email lists. A few will even give phone numbers at a premium rate.
Cost: Moderate to high
Advantages: targeted MLM audience.
little time spent generating MLM leads

Disadvantages: can't be sure how fresh your list is
many of the companies have email extraction software allowing them to generate literally thousands of email addresses. Often times, these "prospects" are not really prospects at all. Beware the companies selling huge lists for cheap prices. Real MLM targeted lists are small in number and are rarely cheap.


3. MLM Websites:
Description: It is the author's opinion that having your own website is absolutely essential to the MLM marketer. An MLM marketer without a World Wide Web site would be like a car dealer trying to sell cars without a car lot. A Website will literally give the MLM entrepreneur a home on the Net: A place where he can direct all his prospects, downline, etc. to find out about his MLM opportunity or current information. The presence of an MLM website will also open up other valuable advertising tools to the owner which he would not have if he did not own his own site. For example, only by owning a site can one use advertising media such as banner ads and exchange program, link exchange programs and most importantly, search engines and directory listings. This simple tool is so important for the network marketer that a whole series of papers is expected to be published in the Network Marketing Connections Newsletter.
Cost: Low to high depending on complexity, webspace required and a host of other factors.
Advantages: MLM'er has a home to "live in"
a place to send prospects
a place to display current information
creates legitimacy to what the MLM marketer is doing
allows the MLM marketer to use other advertising tools not available to those who don't have a website

Disadvantages: depending on the services one desires, can be quite expensive
if you cannot design your own website (see software section for great Website creation tools) it could get costly
time consuming, both in creating and maintaining your site


4. MLM Email Advertising Campaigns:
Description: It is the author's opinion that MLM email advertising can be one of the most effective ways to tell prospects about your MLM opportunity. By email advertising, what is meant is literally sending an email message to a potential prospect detailing your MLM opportunity. The key to the effectiveness of this technique is to build a targeted MLM customer email database. BEWARE: sending unsolicited email is considered a definite NO-NO on the Internet. For a more detailed exposition of this technique, see the January 20, 1998 issue of Network Marketing Connections Newsletter combining an article entitled "Email Campaigns: Do's and Dont's".
Cost: Essentially free
Advantages: very cost effective
large potential audience

Disadvantages: potential problems associated with unsolicited email
complexities of building a targeted MLM audience


5. Newsgroup MLM Promoting:
Description: Although not technically accurate, Newsgroups are discussion groups and mailing lists on the Internet. This method, while potentially a very effective advertising technique, is only recommended for the experienced MLM promoter. There are many pitfalls and traps which could get the uninitiated into some trouble. To avoid getting caught in some of these pitfalls, always check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) file in the newsgroup to find out that newsgroups policy on advertising and other acceptable behavior.
The entrepreneur using this technique will do predominantly one of three things: (1) Post a direct MLM ad in those newsgroups that allow advertising, (2) In those newsgroups that do not allow advertising, the entrepreneur will contribute a message or article with his "signature tag" at the bottom (See section on signature tags later), or (3) The entrepreneur will participate in newsgroup discussions and let people know who he or she is, make comments to other posts and offer to help others. Usually, to participate in a newsgroup, one must subscribe to that particular newsgroup.


6. Signature Tags
Description: This is one of the most underutilized MLM marketing techniques around. A signature tag is simply a short message which is tagged at the end of every outgoing email. This tag basically tells the recipient who you are, what you do and how to contact you. The signature file should be kept short, usually a maximum of four lines. Tell the reader who you are, your company name, your email address, your website address and a very brief description of your MLM offer. To give you an example, below is the signature tag used by Infinite Odyssey in all outgoing email:
_________________________________

INFINITE ODYSSEY

CYBER-CASH KNOWLEDGE PROVIDERS

Your Source for Network Marketing Resources, Tools and Opportunities.

http://www.infiniteodyssey.com

Signature files are a subtle cost-free way to let people know about yourself and your MLM business. How does one create a signature file? The procedure is slightly different for each email software program on the market. For Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer, the procedure is as follows:

Netscape Navigator:

Go "Options"

Go "Mail & News Preferences"

Click "Identity" tab

Select Signature File Window Browse

Microsoft Internet Explorer:

Click the "Mail" icon

Choose "Mail" on the menu bar

Go "Options"

Click "Signature" Tab

Choose "text" or "File" depending on where your signature file is

For other applications, a similar procedure will apply.

Cost: Free
Advantages: Every email you send out will have its own built in advertising message
very cost effective

Disadvantages: Hard to imagine any


7. Publish MLM Articles on the World Wide Web
Description: A great way to get free publicity is to offer to publish MLM articles or reports on other peoples websites, newsletters and magazines. You can always include a link in such articles to either your email address or website. Of course, to utilize this technique, you must become knowledgeable on your product or MLM business opportunity. Post the article in forums and text file areas of newsgroups and bulletin boards and other websites.
Cost: Essentially free
Advantages: can be extremely effective
potentially well targeted audience
establishes yourself as an expert in your field

Disadvantages: not everyone is keen or knowledgeable enough to be an author
can be very time consuming


8. MLM Forum Discussions and Chat Room
Description: Another technique which one can use to spread the word about one's opportunity is to participate in leading MLM forum discussions and MLM chat room functions. With respect to chatting, there are several business and entrepreneurial chat rooms throughout the World Wide Web. The idea here is to participate in friendly chats with others and offer insights and advice on MLM issues. When given the opportunity, let others know about your promotion or MLM opportunity. As to leading MLM forum discussions, the main conference rooms on America Online, CompuServe, Prodigy, Yahoo and other large services are always booked with nationally known celebrities. Special interest groups and forum groups, however, are always looking for experts in various fields who can speak to their audiences. You can be such expert.
Cost: Essentially free
Advantages: can be extremely effective
potentially well targeted audience
establishes you as an expert in your field

Disadvantages: can be very time consuming
not everyone is keen or knowledgeable enough to be an expert


9. MLM Newsletters or E-zines
Description: As with publishing your MLM articles on the Internet, another great way to utilize your writing talents is to actually publish your own MLM newsletter or E-zine. In a newsletter, you will publish industry specific articles on a monthly, bi-monthly, etc. basis. An electronic version of a newsletter, usually delivered via email, is referred to as an E-zine. As with publishing MLM articles on the World Wide Web, to utilize this technique, you must become knowledgeable on your product or business opportunity.
Cost: moderate to expensive for paper publications
nominal for E-zines

Advantages: can be extremely cost-efficient for E-zines
potentially large, well targeted audience

Disadvantages: can be expensive for offline newspapers
requires knowledge of your industry and writing ability
can be very time consuming


10. Offline Newspapers
Description: Like the free ads mentioned earlier, another option is to place an MLM classified ad in a local newspaper. As stated earlier, the key to this method is to write strong, attractive MLM ads. Again, the reader can look forward to a future issue of the Network Marketing Connections Newsletter devoted to Order Pulling MLM Ads.
Cost: moderate to expensive

Advantages: can be extremely effective if done properly
relatively easy to implement

Disadvantages: limited audience of readers


11. Advertisements in MLM Industry Magazines
Description: As opposed to advertising online or in local newspapers, another option is to advertise in MLM industry specific magazines such as Opportunities Magazine or Money Makers Monthly. MLM ads in such publications range from small relatively inexpensive text ads to large full page color MLM ads.
Cost: moderate to very expensive

Advantages: can be extremely effective
potentially large, very well targeted audience

Disadvantages: large ads can be obscenely expensive


12. Direct Mail MLM Postcards
Description: An alternative to sending out bulky, more expensive information packages about your MLM opportunity is to send an inexpensive postcard. Many MLM companies provide their distributors with postcards specific to that MLM opportunity. This method can be utilized along with purchased lists of MLM opportunity seekers.
Cost: minimal to moderate

Advantages: easily implemented
doesn't burden the recipient with voluminous information
can be relatively cost-efficient

Disadvantages: limited information can be squeezed on a postcard


13. MLM Press Releases
Description: New MLM opportunities or new developments in existing MLM opportunities can be announced via press releases. Traditionally, such press releases are done offline in newspapers, magazines and live media, however, there are now ways to issue such MLM press releases on the World Wide Web.
Cost: moderate to expensive

Advantages: potentially well large audience

Disadvantages: can be very expensive
audience is not well targeted


III. Conclusion
These are some of the most prominent techniques to promote an MLM opportunity. Not all of these methods may be available to every MLM entrepreneur. Depending on the nature of one's MLM opportunity, some MLM entrepreneurs may have more success with some techniques than with others. Future issues of the Network Marketing Connections Newsletter will feature articles elaborating upon many of the above techniques. If the reader has come across a successful technique which has not been mentioned herein, Infinite Odyssey would appreciate hearing about it.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is to be used for informational purposes only!!! No warranties or claims are made that the information herein will be applicable to any specific situation. The information contained herein should not be substituted for the sound legal advice of a competent attorney, accountant, or other business professional.