I received this ad in my inbox today:

'"NY Times Best Selling Author Robert Kiysoki says "Choosing the right sponsor is one of most important decision you will ever make in Network Marketing" Everyone talks the talk, but do they walk the walk? Everyone says their products, company and comp plan is the best in the industry? I have been the top sponsor in the USA for 3 years in a row and full time for over 7 years working with a a 15 year old publicly traded company. I have built my business 100% online without doing a single face to face or hotel meeting. I have shared the stage with Denis Waitley, Robert Allen and Mark Victor Hansen. I would like to personally invite you to attend my Radio show tonight live and see if I am the sponsor you are looking for? After you listen feel free to call me directly at XXX-XXX-XXXX about joining my team PS. don't delay I personally choose only 3-4 people a month to personally train."'

That ad brought me again to the oft-asked question: What makes a good sponsor? This is a burning question for anyone contemplating network marketing.

I have been a network marketer for over 7 years. I even make money at it. I often meet prospects who choose a sponsor based on that sponsor's rank rather than the direction of the team they are going to join. They listen to their sponsor's promises rather than look at their sponsor's track record.

Network marketing is a tough business. It is tough because anyone can join regardless of previous business experience, achievements or personal development. It is tough because the rewards are not instantaneous. It is tough because it really demands that a person maintain their vision at all times. Success in network marketing really demands that a person have an unshakable belief in their destiny and are truly willing to accept the journey. This unshakable belief must be in place no matter the sponsor.

All network marketers must pass through series of trials, just as any entrepreneur does, and have their beliefs challenged before they earn any consistent income in the industry much less rise to the top of their respective companies.

Remember, your sponsor's check will never end up in your bank account and their achievement pin will never be on your trophy shelf. Neither the rank nor the achievements of a sponsor guaranty the success of the person they sponsor…far from it…the rank and the achievements only signify how far down the path of success and personal development a person has traveled. The truth is that if your sponsor is a Diamond Director, he or she is most likely looking for a way to retire and will only spend personal time with the fastest moving people in his or her organization. They may personally sponsor you, but they will place you in a portion of their organization under one of their leaders. You are on the clock for their personal time. If you are slow out of the gate, you will get left behind.

At one of our corporate training sessions one of the Diamond Directors said that he personally gives people 90 days. They plan out their business for the next 90 days…meetings, expectations, etc. If a person drops out of the training sequence at any time during that first 90 days, he will not work with them. Sounds harsh, but for people who value their time, this is the way it has to be.

The majority of people that I know who are at the tops of their companies do not have a sponsor, because, usually, their sponsor quit. Mine did, 60 days after I joined. I was the last person he sponsored. Fortunately I had a team to tap into so that I could continue to grow my business in spite of the fact that my sponsor quit.

When considering joining a specific team it is important to consider two key terms: Sponsor and Recruiter. Sponsor: Webster's dictionary defines sponsor as someone who "assumes responsibility for some other person or thing" Recruiter, according to Webster's dictionary, is one who "fills up the number of with new members: to replenish".

A sponsor must be able to recruit but a sponsor and a recruiter are not the same thing. Anyone familiar with network marketing knows the person who posts the large numbers, has the great promotional volume but no recurring income. The recruiter is looking for the person who will "do it without me" the sponsor is looking for a worthy business partner to train.

Here are key questions to ask and issues to consider to help you get through the hype before you get started with any team

1) Are you working with the lone ranger?

If the person you are working with appears to be working alone, "ask are you by yourself or do you have a team?" At that point they should put you in touch with team members. If they cannot…you should not join with them. Remember they may quit and leave you without resources.

2) What is the training program?

If the person you are working with cannot point you in the direction of a set training format, move on. This is where the definition of sponsor is most important. The "thing" that your sponsor takes responsibility for is your training. You have to show up for it, but there must be a training program in place.

3) Is it duplicable and can it be duplicated by you?

Ask yourself if you can duplicate what the person you are working with is doing. You must be honest with yourself here. If your sponsor works leads, can you work them? Will you want to spend and hour or two per day 5 days a week doing it? Do you need to work with a group with your warm market? Though your sponsor works leads, can she support you as you work with your warm market or can she put you with a local group? If not move on.

4) What are the sponsor's expectations of you?

A worthy sponsor will have some and should not be afraid to share them. If they don't have any, you are dealing with a recruiter who is looking to post the numbers while looking for someone who will "do it without them".

5) How long has your sponsor been with their company?

Generally, the longer the better. During your due diligence phase you should have found a company to be with long term. If your sponsor has been with a company less than a year that is okay, but you must be sure to meet other members of the team.

Learn to separate the hype from the substance. When you are looking at a company, sponsor or team you are looking for a good fit. Do you like what you see, do you like the culture and feel? Use the questions to separate the wheat from the chaff, do an honest self inventory about your honest intentions when getting started, then get started. The rewards of network marketing are there and are there for you!