I am a Part Time Networker, and I don’t apologize to anyone!
There, I said it.
In the Network Marketing industry, there seems to be a stigma about being a part time network marketer, about not having the guts to throw everything to the wind, quit your job and pursue your new business.
But I have a secret for you, and its one that no one in the industry is talking about:
Most Networkers are Part Time Networkers!
That’s right, the majority of Network Marketers out there also hold a full or part time job while trying to grow their home business.
And here’s the really funny thing…. THEY TRY TO HIDE IT!
They try to pretend to the world that they’ve quit their job, are a full time entrepreneur and the newest rising star.
Why? I mean, really…. WHY?
Our Story
Many of you already know parts of our story, but let me give those new to our blog the benefit of the “Readers Digest” version.
My wife Rosemary and I are Part Time Networkers. We both work full time as Senior Specialists in an Infertility Laboratory in NYC. It keeps us really busy. It’s pretty darn stressful. But it pays the bills.
A couple of years ago, we decided that it would be smart to have an “exit strategy”, something to go to when we were done working. We always dreamed of having our own business, and Network Marketing was the perfect business model for us — something we could do from home, a business we could grow into, and required very low start up capital compared to other businesses like franchises.
It’s not that we don’t like our jobs – we do. But the job is very stressful – after all, mistakes are NOT an option. Let me tell you, that stress can wear on you after a while.
You also need to be really steady with your hands, and we all know that hands shake more with age!
All good reasons for an exit strategy, don’t you think?
But we’re not ready to give it up yet.
We have 2 kids on college, one just finished, and one will start next year.
Yeah, we need to keep working until we can get them all through. We are committed to getting each of our children the education they desire.
We are Part Time Networkers with a plan… and we wear our badge proudly!
Let’s dispel a few of the myths out there about Part Time Network Marketers.
Part Time Networkers are NOT as dedicated as Full Time Networkers
One particularly irksome myth out in the Network Marketing industry is this — if you don’t work your business Full Time, you just aren’t dedicated to it’s success.
What a bunch of bull! We are no less dedicated to our business than the most successful Marketers out there.
Sure, there are those that are just “playing around”, just dipping their toes in the water to see how things go.
But more Part Time Networkers are deadly serious about ultimately quitting their job and growing their business full time.
But you know what?
Sometimes life just gets in the way.
It’s much easier for a younger person with no family and few financial obligations to “chuck it all” than say a somewhat older family man with a huge mortgage and kids to support.
I’ve said this to some of the younger Network Marketing leaders I know and there response is usually something like, “If you were deadly serious, you’d find a way to quit your job.”
And to that I say… talk to me when you have 4 kids to support in an “iffy” economy.
Part Time Networkers are NOT serious about their business
Serious? Yeah, we are serious.
We HAVE to be serious, because we have far less time to build our business than our full time counterparts.
You see, they may be able to cruise the social networks and spend hours on a landing page. We can’t.
We just don’t have the time.
What time we have to build our business, after working, taking care of the kids, eating, and.. oh yeah… sleeping.. this time must be well planned out and used most effectively to get results.
Part Time Networkers are quite possibly even more serious than Full Time Marketers. We just don’t have time to fool around!
Part Time Networkers CAN’T compete with Full Time Network Marketers
Of course you can compete… in fact, you could easily outperform those in your busieness who are Full Time Marketers if only you knew how.
- If you knew how leverage your time to work smarter, not harder
- If you knew how to leverage your money to get maximum results
- If you knew how to leverage the knowledge and skills of others, and when to do so.
These are just some of the things I cover in our Five Day Crash Course.
Wear Your Part Time Networker Badge Proudly
The next time you talk to someone about your business and they ask you if you’re still working, say YES!
And say it proudly.
Tell them that you are learning, growing and building… and you can show them how, too.
You see, chances are they will also be building their business part time, and they’ll need you to show them how!
To your success and happiness!
Dr. Bob
Creator of The Part Time Business Blueprint
Email: bob@bobandrosemary.com
Skype: drbobclarke
P.S. If you want more FREE Tips and Strategies for Building A Successful Business with Limited Time, check out my flagship training…
28 replies to "Part Time Networkers: Can You Compete?"
Thanks for sharing your story! It’s very encouraging… I often find myself saying, “ugh, it’s so hard to network when I work full-time…” but you’re right, it takes some dedication and having an end goal in mind.
Glad you found our story inspirational, Ami.
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Dr. Clarke,
I was beginning to feel down on myself because of people’s reactions when i say i am a part time networker of my own business. If i said, “Part-time i run my own business” and left out the word “network” or “networking” i’d get goo-goo eyes all the time. But people assume that because it is a network business that i don’t do anything to maintain it. How wrong they are. I am competing with full-time marketers and like you say, it’s a lot of work. Great to hear that there is hope for those of us that don’t have the time or money to drop our full-time jobs. Thanks Bob!
Hi Traci! Great to see you here!
I read a quote by Courtney Houde over at Better Networker where he said, “The only difference between full and part time marketers is TIME, not success. That tells me that, with the right leveraging tools and focusing on the right things, Part Time Marketers can DEFINITELY compete with their full time counterparts. It’s just a matter of deciding what actions will give you the most benefit.. and then taking action.
As far as people’s reaction to the term network marketing, that’s simply a matter of lack of education.
I am going to place a really great video on this blog in the next few days that will nail down the network marketing misconception and how people react to it. You’ll love it, so stay tuned.
Thanks for your comment, Traci!
Hi Dr. Bob,
I LOVE this post! You’re so very right that being able to build a business alongside a job and a family is what makes network marketing such a brilliant business model. Part time work can result in full time income.
It’s my goal to retire my husband to bring him home so he can be a stay at home dad with me, but right now, we’ve got 3 kids, ages 3-13 with the mortgage, car payments, and debt that comes with it. We’re all going to the dentist on Monday which alone will cost about $800-$1,000. My son has speech delays, so there are therapy costs to cover. And my husband’s car just had a $900 repair bill last month.
To put it simply, raising a family isn’t cheap, and even though I’m getting closer to my goal, the thought of continuing to have both of us work to save more for college, pay down the house, and prepare for retirement feels like it’s more a necessity, than it did 6 1/2 years ago when I started my network marketing business.
I absolutely love that I can build my business part time on the weeks that are hectic (like this past week for me) or I can put in more time when the family needs are quieter. It doesn’t mean I’m not serious about my business if I’m not putting in 40+ hours a week!
Your post really touches a core belief with me that we get into our business what we put into it and by taking advantage of the ability to leverage our time, money, and the power of teamwork, we can build that full time income without giving up our day-jobs. Jim Rohn said it best, (not an exact quote) “I’m making as much working part time on my wealth as I am working full time in my job.”
Hugs,
Heather
Hi Heather,
So happy to see you here! I really love your blog and your dedication to teaching and helping others. Thanks for your leadership!
Great comment… I agree wholeheartedly that NM is the premier business model for the part time business owner. The flexibility of working part time from home is unique and amazing… and by leveraging online tools and trainings it makes it that much easier.
Appreciate the comment!
Thank you so much for this post! I am constantly having to tell my team that its ok to be part time. Don’y listen to those who say otherwise. As you said most are part time.
Thanks again for such an informative post!
Gary
Thanks, Gary, great to have you here!
Yeah, there seems to be a stigma against working a business Part Time although, like you said it’s pretty ridiculous when the majority of people ARE part timers. But anyway, I agree that you should embrace it and work with your strengths: having enough extra income to put back into your business (marketing) and learning new skills (education and training).
Thanks for the comment.
Bob
Dr. Bob,
This article is bold and genuine (sorry, that sounds like a beer ad). Very good.
I’ve met more than a few people who started a business halfheartedly and I watched them fumble around a while before burning out and abandoning their concept. There are few lazy marketers in our midst. Maybe undecided is the term.
You have to know why you’re setting out to do anything above the minimum. You’ll need a plan and you know what? Leveraging time, money, and the knowledge of others is a skill set that you’ll develop strategically. Leaving your job as your younger fellow marketers suggest simply puts you in a reactive position.
Life will throw you curve-balls and you’ll be so busy trying to hit anything and everything that you won’t take or have the time to correct your swing. Working a job while building your business gives you the cushion and comfort to look at things with sustainability in mind. Much less of the knee-jerk reaction approach of “diving in” and making things stick.
Thanks for a great read – keep spreading the good word 🙂
Jon
Hi Jon, welcome back!
Hmmm, I never thought of leverage as a skill set, but you’re right, it is! And it’s one the more crucial ones to master as a Part Time Networker or business owner.
I find the having a full time job allows me to continue to pay for courses that will help me improve myself and become more valuable to my prospects. Without this source of income and if sales are slow, I wouldn’t have this opportunity to grow.
Thanks for the input, see you soon!
Hi Dr. Bob… I don’t think you have said one thing that I disagree with here! In otherwords the only thing that surprised me is hearing that some people ‘say’ they are full time, but aren’t… but perhaps I have never thought about it before to be honest.
I Understand all about STRESS at work… I remember it well from holding a full time busy job, then I had my own offline business for 15 years and there was stress there. To be honest you are knackered by the time you get home to managing your time wisely is not an option.
I also understand that you do need to build your business in this wisely managed time… how the heck else are you going to do it.
I think it’s fantastic to be working with your wife and planning so well for the future. I am sure it will pay off bigtime! Good for you. What an interesting Day Job you have too. I will bet there are times it’s very rewarding… as well as stressful.
Thanks
Jayne
Hi Jayne, thanks for stopping by.
Yes, our day job as Infertility Specialists is very rewarding, but the stress level is very high and we fear that burnout is not too far away. Its always great to have an exit strategy, right?
Part Time business building has its own set of obstacles, not the least of which is finding the energy to pull it off after working a long day on the job or chasing the kids around all day! You really need to be at the top of your game, physically and mentally.
Appreciate the comment!
Bob
I love the way you two hold the bar of respect dignity for the AVERAGE marketer that is actually a part timer. Often times the part timers has more financial leverage to invest in the tools needed because they still have external income coming in. Burning the boat can be a very stupid move yet many do it and hamstring themselves and six months later are looking for a new JOB when things didnt go as fast as they thought they would!
Thanks for the reminder Bob & Rosemary!
Kimberly
PS: You have two different subscribe to comments options running, may want to log out to see what visitors see and figure out which plugin you want to remove/disable
Hi Dr Bob,
First of all, I am thankful to know you and Rosemary more through the CM forum. There’s so much to love about your blog and what you do – the part-time networker niche, your heart-warming story, and of course a no-holds-barred writing style! 🙂
I love everything you said on this post, especially the part – “Part Time Networkers are quite possibly even more serious than Full Time Marketers. We just don’t have time to fool around!”
I will be proudly wearing my part-time networker badge soon! I am still looking for a part-time job now, but I have definitely identified my direction now. Since my husband and I don’t have kids yet, he supported me 100% around mid of last year with my online journey. As I learn more about our profession, I totally see that this is something that is done for the long-term, so I finally decided to get a part-time job.
Thank you so much. I will definitely be following you on your journey as I know I’ll be inspired and empowered!
– Rowena
I admit it – I am a part time network marketer!!! I have the 2 small kids so even though I don’t have a “real” job as well I sure don’t have the time to do this full time – LIFE is more important!! I love your new blog header too!
YAY! Stand tall, Elle! Be proud of who you are!
Although I often refer to Part Time Networkers as having a full or part time job, the reality is that this refers to anyone who has other priorities in their live, whether it be caring for kids, elderly parents, etc. When you’re really busy, you need to leverage your resources to survive!
Thanks for the feedback on the header! And thanks for visiting!
See you again soon!
Bob, aloha. First let me applaud you and Rosemary for joining the industry. In my opinion, it is the best Plan B and route to generate extra money in whatever amount a person chooses.
Having been in the industry for almost 20 years, both as part time and full time, let me add my 2 cents.
Statistically, 95% of people in NWM are part time; only 5% are full time.
If people work the business effectively, they can generate what is considered “full time” income while working only part time. It is not the amount of hours invested, it is how the hours are leveraged. Bob, with your backgrounds, I suspect you do and Rosemary do it quite well.
Also, of course, people join NWM to earn different amounts of money. Some want a few hundred extra while others want mega money. Most are in between and in the 4 figures monthly.
Personally, I would just as soon NOT have team members go full time unless they are making significant and stable money. If they quit their jobs too soon, they put too much pressure on themselves. Also, of course, they move away from a source of connections.
Quite honestly, I know numerous individuals who make high 5 figure and 6 figure monthly incomes who still work their other “day” jobs. If you were to ask them, they have varying reasons for doing so.
The beauty of a NWM business, Bob, is that each individual is 100% responsible for their business. Their business truly does start with them; they make the decisions.
Please, please, please don’t ever think that those of us who do it full time “look down” on those who do it part time. While maybe some do, there are people like that in any industry.
Bob, if you had an organization of thousands of people making $500 to $1,500/month, you have a much more solid organization than if you have some superstars making the big bucks. The people making the $500-$1,500 who now have that extra bit of money, are much more apt to stay than the superstar who will leave to join another company.
Since this has all the makings of continuing on to a soapbox speech, I will step down and say “the industry wants and needs people exactly like you and Rosemary.”
Best wishes for a terrific week, Bob. Aloha. Janet
Janet, aloha!
You make some great points. I wasn’t aware that 95% of people in NWM are part time marketers. That’s an interesting statistic and one that is not divulged by many of the top income earners. But it makes perfect sense, since the majority of network marketers are in the beginning or intermediate stages of success. And I agree, I would much rather have a large organization of those making moderate income than one or two superstars.
Thanks so much for your comment. I love your blog, everyone should visit!
Bob
Hey Bob!
I believe that networkers are networkers, everyone is really the same – it boils down to a matter of how much desire one has rather than how much time anyone has. If you are truly passionate and determined – you will find a way to make time, or you will come back.
I must admit that sometimes I lose touch, but I always come back to what I’m doing and that I must say is where my passion lies. I am really surprised if the “younger” networkers out there are telling you to quit your job just so you have time to fully commit into this business. It’s obvious that they need time to mature in their thoughts.
Even in a conventional business, one may not quit their job and go full time into working on their business as there is a probability that you may fail. (This probability is lesser with network marketing of course). Everyone has their priorities in life and I dont think that anyone should be told what should be prioritized over another.
I wouldn’t want my mother quitting her job and putting herself on the line on being able to support the family and the household bill. It’s really about building your business and letting it grow till you are earning much more than your job, that it’s the right time to quit.
I say ignore their comments and stick with your priorities. If you believe in this industry and are determined to succeed, you will. 🙂
Regards,
Darren Spruyt
Hey Darren, thanks for stopping by.
I believe you’re right, we all need to develop our own plan. And I also agree that belief is key to success! Very good point.
Great to see you here Darren. See you again soon!
Hi Dr Bob!
I glad you wrote this. It’s an issue that seeps through the Network Marketing industry, and you’ve successfully dispelled some myths here which undoubtedly chip away at the confidence of some who chose not to become full time networkers.
The fact is that not everyone wishes to commit all their time to networking, whether by choice or not. And even more importantly, their success is not necessarily dependent on whether they are full or part time in the business.
Personally I work my business part time, because I have other areas of my life I wish to invest my time in. As you said (and this is the key take-away for me) Knowing how to properly leverage your time, people and resources is the key – not the exact number of hours you spend working.
So to all those who think that part time networkers aren’t ‘real’ networkers – read this and rethink…
Great post Bob, thanks for sharing!
All the best,
Jym
HI Jym… you’re absolutely right. The number of hours one devotes to their business has nothing to do with how much actually gets done. If you work smart and leverage your resources, you can out-produce many of the full time marketers.
Thanks for your comment!
Hey Bob,
Wonderful post! We all like to believe that the category we are is the best, but if we take a look at it critically we see it for what it is.
I like the way you have dealt with this objectively and it really shows that the news making the rounds about part time networkers holds no water.
Being a part-time networker myself, I identify with it.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful insight, Bob!
Tosin
Hi Tosin! Glad you found this post useful.
Thanks for your comment… I look forward to getting to know you better!
Congratulations Bob for telling it like is is. More people need to be like you, stating the truth, being honest about what they are doing and why. That’s how people connect with them and that’s how relationships are built.
Stop “faking it until you make it” people. But true to yourselves and the rest will come in time.
I think you are being extremely wise about your plan and I wish more of us had that opportunity. But we can all learn from this experience and I have no doubt that plenty can definitely learn from you.
Keep up the great work. Your honesty about what you are doing will make me want to come back for more.
Adrienne
Thanks for the kind words, Adrienne! It means a lot.
I truly believe that the only way to be truly successful is if you’re transparent and let people know you’re human, with flaws just like everyone else. People are looking for solutions, true… but they are also looking for real people who can help lead them to new areas in their life.
All the best to you, Adrienne!
Bob
Hi Folks,
I can’t agree with you more, as I am a part time blogger myself. I have less time for the neccessary things I need to do, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do them, it just takes me longer than someone who has six hours a day more to work on his blog than I do. I certainly don’t feel bad about making sure my responsibilities are taken care of by not quitting my job. Thanks for your post.
Lou Barba
Hi Lou,
You’re right .. if you can identify the important “money making” tasks in your business and concentrate first and foremost on getting these done, you can compete with anyone. In fact, I’ll be you get far MORE done than a full timer who is careless with his time!
Thanks for coming by!
Bob