If you've been involved in a Network Marketing company longer than a day, you've probably been told to make a list of everyone you know...your friends, family members, people you see every day at the bank and post office, etc. Then you were probably told to call every single person on your list to let them know you are in business.

How did that work out for you? Probably the same way it does for everyone else. Not so good.

There have probably been a few people here and there who became successful from it, but they mostly used this technique in the early 80's before Network Marketing got a bad reputation for draining people's savings accounts. For the majority of people it is an outdated technique that does nothing but black-ball you from annual Christmas parties and family reunion picnics.

The main reason sharing your opportunity with close friends and relatives doesn't work is because these people aren't your target audience. You might find that a few might be nice enough to buy products from you, or even sign up to get a discounted monthly supply...but there's little chance they will build the kind of business you are looking for.

Your target audience is the only group of people who will develop a passion for the product you (and they) endorse. Do you think your Uncle Fred really wants to get rid of those wrinkles around his eyes just because you tell him about a product you are trying to sell? If he really cared about smooth skin, he'd probably already have it.

Your target audience are those who have a want, need or desire for what you are offering. Your product might be able to help anyone on the planet lose weight effectively, but that doesn't mean everyone will want it. Not every overweight person has enough of a desire to lose weight.

There is nothing wrong with letting people know you are in business, but it will probably only generate enough business to get you a few sales each month. The high drop-out rate in Network Marketing is fueled by people thinking they are going to get rich off their friends and family. When they realize the technique doesn't work, they quit.

The reason why companies tell you this is because they know that no matter how many people quit, they will always leave behind a few loyal customers. Imagine 100,000 distributors who each convince 2 friends to buy products before deciding to quit. The company as a whole just increased in sales even though you are no longer using their products. It is a safety tactic designed to protect themselves.

Don't get me wrong, companies do not set out to destroy people. They assume people will quit because it really is hard work growing a successful home-based business. Imagine how much money it would cost them to individually train each and every person on proper marketing techniques. It takes too much time and effort. They wouldn't make enough of a profit right away to keep up with their end of the bargain.

The reality is that network marketing companies do not have any obligations other than providing you with product to distribute, and getting you a check on time. In order for them to do that, they do the best they can without losing money. That includes trainings and events based on inspiration rather than proper marketing training.

One of the most important things a marketer must do is develop the mindset of a leader. When you are told to get on the phone with your upline and call your friends and family members so they can introduce your business for you, you are doing nothing but positioning someone else as a leader. That winds up doing more harm than good.

In order to market properly, you must get the right person in front of the right message. There is an art and science to getting the right person, and you won't find them in your address book. Is your company teaching you to craft a script designed to help people with specific problems? Are they teaching you how to use the internet properly, so that people who want what you have are knocking at your door instead of the other way around? Are they teaching you how to develop the proper mindset like the Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey and Donald Trump?

If not, perhaps it's time to change your way of thinking and seek marketing education from an outside source. Otherwise you'll keep running around in circles wondering why things aren't moving in the direction you hoped they were when you first started your home-based businesses.