Do you want to expand your influence and become a leader in your MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) business? Of course you do. There are many benefits to doing so - you can have better relationships, you can make more money, and you can make a difference in the lives of others.

When you apply the following principles to your life you will see yourself become a better and more highly skilled person, and that will cause you to see your influence in your network marketing business grow exponentially. So let's take a look at these three basic principles of influence:

1) Character does indeed count. I always find it interesting when there is a discussion on whether or not character matters in leadership. Of course it does! You simply cannot become a person of long-term influence if you lack good character. Of course, the obvious questions are "What is character?", "What does it consist of?", "What are people looking for in character?".

Character is an issue of trust. People want to be able to trust you. They need to know that what you say is true. They need to know that when you say you will do something, you will. What makes people trust others? Honesty. Do you tell the truth? Always? If you do, you will greatly enhance your ability to influence. People will listen when you speak. They will know that what they hear is what they get.

Honesty is being the same personally and professionally. You don't act one way in one situation and another way in a different situation. When people see you tell a "little white lie" in one situation, it is only natural that they will wonder if you are eventually going to tell them a "little white lie" as well.

If you want to influence others, first and foremost make sure that you are a person of character and integrity. This is a central issue of influence.

2) To influence, you must also be great at what you do. The last in the class is not usually the influencer, right? Right! Who is usually the influencer? The first in the class. People look up to those who produce the best results. People want to see that those they listen to have already achieved a certain level of success. So if you want to influence, develop a reputation for excellence. By continually sharpening your skills and knowledge, by improving your relationships and your finances, you will more easily position yourself to be an influencer in the lives of others.

3) Influence is based on helping others. One of the most influential quotes in the arena of personal and professional development in the past fifty years has been Zig Ziglar's quote about how you can achieve anything you want in life if you will help many others achieve what they want out of life. It has been so influential because of its innate truth.

True influence is about serving and helping others. Do you want to be the "go to" man or woman in your network marketing business? Then be the best helper or servant in the group. Do you want to be connected like no one else? Then be the person whose name comes to mind when people ask themselves, "Who could help me with this?" If your name pops into their mind, that is influence! Why, because they will call you and you will get the opportunity to influence. And if you can deliver the goods, your reputation will grow even more!