The Biggest mistake people make is that they believe all the hype.

Maybe the home-based business industry is to blame. After all, you can't open up a work at home magazine without seeing "Make $10,000 this month!" or "I made $5,000 in one day, and you can too!" All of these ads make it seem easy to make money instantaneously with little to no work or training.

I love the ad that pictures the guy with several exotic automobiles and a plane in front of a mansion. He looks so average and ordinary, so you think to yourself, if he can do it, so can I -or can you?

What you don't know is if the person in the ad who supposedly made all this money was willed or sold that distributorship (i.e. business). A lot of companies allow you to will or sell your distributorship. So maybe that guy or gal got a "head start" by being given a successful business to begin with.

Then there are people who have been in this industry for over 30 years. For them, achieving great wealth is easier because they have a lot of experience doing so under their belt. A newbie coming into the industry with no experience or training cannot expect to be on the same level playing field as a veteran network marketer.

Some people come from other companies and bring their entire downline with them to the new company. They immediately jump to the top of the pay plan. It happens all the time. Look closely at the top income earners in your future company or any company. You'll find a few people who have done this.

Another thing to consider is that some of the top income earners in these companies have big advertising budgets. If someone has a budget of $5k per month, for example, you can best believe that they have a better chance of growing their business faster than if their budget was only $300 per month.

As you can see there are so many variables to consider when you find yourself staring starry-eyed at all those hyped-up ads. Keep in mind seeing isn't always believing. Get the story behind the story.

Granted there are "one hit wonders" in every company, but that isn't the norm.If you want to make the big money, you have to know what it really takes to succeed. You should know how much product you have to be sell, how many recruits ordering product you have to sponsor, and most importantly, what skills you should possess or be willing to learn.

It's good to have a marketing system already planned and in place when you start your business. Be realistic and make out a list of criteria you want your future company to have -and stick to it if it's important to you.

Choosing a business doesn't have to be difficult, but it can be if you believe all the over-the-top ads!