Network marketing success comes from a representative's ability to work smart, rather than an ability to work hard. So how exactly does a representative work smart in this industry?

It boils down to two basic words: sales, and marketing. These are the keys to taking your business to the next level. Most people assume that these words mean the same thing. However, successful representatives know the true meanings behind these words, and they succeed by saving themselves a lot of confusion, and grow their businesses enormously.

'Sales' is about the PUSH. Sales are about convincing, or pushing, a product to a customer. When you do that, you are convincing another person to take on your opinion - even if they don't agree with your opinion. You can work as hard as you want to persuade the customer to take your option. However, no matter what, you can't convince someone else against their will.

'Marketing' is about the PULL. Rather than forcing your product into someone else's life, try something different. Get the customer to become interested in what you are offering. You can market your product, like a weight loss aid, by showing the benefits through different marketing channel. When your prospects see your market effect, they will in turn come and ask you how your product works.

The dynamics of this type of conversation are completely different when someone is coming to you, rather than you going to another person. It is so different that the success or failure of your business rests upon it.

You have got to identify your target market for your network marketing opportunity. Your target market is the prospect who either wants to increase his or her income or someone who is looking for the benefits that your product offers.

There's a reason why a lot of network marketing representatives seem like the shady used car salesperson. It's because they were taught that everyone is their target market.

This is totally wrong.

Not everyone is in your target market, because not everyone is interested in your business opportunity, and not everyone is interested in using your product! Treating every single person you meet like they are in your target market wastes your network marketing representative time.

For example, think about yacht. If you are selling yacht, would you go to a group of low income workers to sell your yacht to them? Of course not. You would go to people who have the money and would be interested in your product.

Once you strengthen your ability to seek out your target market, you can market your product to them and achieve success. When all is said and done, your ability to market, rather then sell, will determine your effectiveness in network marketing. You will be successful in your business with this knowledge and this skill.