A happy team is the key to being successful in network marketing. Two common problems in network marketing include 'retention' and 'motivation'. So how do you create a motivated downline?

The key to avoiding failure in any MLM is avoiding the unmotivated, lazy downline. Your success is dependant on the downline's performance, and your downline's performance in turn depends on the relationships you build. In short, strong relationships are the key to high incomes.

Of course, the success of your team rests on your shoulders. You need to teach them how to replicate your success. Like you, your downline is reaching for the same dreams of profit: the sports car in the driveway, the flat screen television, and the ability to help create the living situation for their loved ones that we all crave. However, no matter how strong their desire, their motivation will quickly fade if they don't see a direct path towards their goal.

In large part, the key to motivating your team is training them. This means more than telling them they can do it in CAPITAL LETTER TONES; it means education: giving those concrete skills that will lead to specific and measurable results.

And what are these skills? Like climbing to the next rung of a ladder, the skills one must next gain depends on their current level of experience. Your first task in assessing your team's skills is to survey your downline. Find out where they are, what their goals and challenges are in this field. On every team, there are always experienced members, and some who are complete neophytes in the world of multi-level-marketing.

Once you have done a thorough assessment, the next step is to use that data to formulate an easy-to-follow marketing system. The three most essential aspects of any MLM include lead-generation, follow-up techniques and conversion. Your system as a result must cover all three of these areas.

So now you have your system, what next? The next step is to show them how to effectively execute that system. Only by walking them through this map will they be able to duplicate your results.

Upon completion of this training, a large segment of your downline will be achieving good results, and very happy to be in the program. At the same time, you cannot allow them to rest on their laurels. Why allow them to settle for 125 sales each month, when they can just as easily double, or triple that number?

Of course, some people are more competitive than others. For your less competitive team members, you have the option to appeal to their ego. Every person has the basic need both to be successful and to be appreciated for that success.

So long as you've established e-mail communication with your downline--and if you haven't, you'd best start today--you can appeal to the need for recognition by featuring member's success stories in your monthly newsletter.

You even have the option to reward them materially. As an example, you can purchase a tool to help them in their own business, for example: a course on copywriting, and give it away to the 'most improved' or 'MVP' downline member.

There are unlimited possibilities.

Ultimately, keeping your network marketing team motivated means understanding and treating them as respected members of your team. They have to know that you care about their success. Remember their successes are your successes. The more you show this to your team through helping them achieve their goals, the more happy and productive your team will become, and the more wealth for all.