All MLM (Multi Level Marketing) companies are scams right? Well no, certainly there is and there always will be scam artist out there, but you simply need to do your homework before joining a Network Marketing company. So be smart and learn everything you can about the company you want to do business with. Because if you are serious, you will be in business with that company for a long time - hopefully.

When searching online for information about your future business partner, you will definitely find a lot of information on both sides of the fence because some comments will be from people who are representatives of that particular company and won't have anything bad to say while others will want to criticize everything in order to make themselves feel good due to a previous failure or simply an unsuccessful attempt at Network Marketing.

What to look for?

1.) One of the first thing would be to check the company's track record. How long have they been in business for? It doesn't mean that a new business venture is automatically a scam, it just proves that a company with a long tracking history is doing something good to sustain many factors that keeps a business on its feet.

2.) The products & services. Some people don't see a difference here, but personally I see a BIG difference. A product is something physical that you can buy and enjoy right away while a service, you still pay for, but it provides a more continuous form of enjoyment. For example, you buy a TV (product) and get yourself the local cable (service) that you pay every month for your entertainment. Or buy a computer once (product) and get the internet (service) every month. Do you see the big difference, I am personally involved in a "Service" Network Marketing business, which I won't promote on my personal blog, but those who are interested can contact me directly using my contact page.

3.) There are also some associations that you can check if the company you are researching is part of. One of the most recognized in the industry is the Direct Selling Association (http://www.dsa.org) which you can search from the directory list for a particular company and also learn about the "code of ethics" those members are following.

4.) Leadership. Who is governing this company? Do they also have a track record and success building companies? Their vision and mission statement should be clear and for the long run.

By learning more about a future business partner just makes since. You will be in a long term relationship with that business if you decide to join them so might as well be one that you know about and try to understand where they want to bring their own business. So as a quick resume, the more you learn, the less you'll find unfortunate surprises.

• Track Record of the Company
• Products & Services (BIG difference)
• Members of Associations (Direct Selling Association)
• Management Leadership