Most marketers don't realize that they can promote their products and/or business opportunities on leased access cable TV at incredibly low rates. The U.S. government requires cable companies to make available a portion of their air time at these special rates.

(PRWEB) June 2, 2004 -- Few marketers realize that by U.S. federal law, cable TV stations must allow for leased access cable time with special rates set by the government. Anyone can approach his or her local cable station and request this time. All of the rates are unbelievably low. Depending upon the number of subscribers in a particular market, the rates vary. Rates posted online are as low as $1.50 - $11.00 per 30 minutes of cable time.

In addition, you control the content (no obscenity allowed) and can resell parts or all of the time. This could be a great addition for a multi-level marketing ("MLM") company that has a lead generation program for its networkers. Networkers who work in any type of co-op lead generation programs with their downlines could also benefit from leased access. Because the rates are so low, even individual networkers could profit from taking the initiative to test this marketing tool.

As a networker, you must first check with your MLM company to see if you can get approved to utilize your proposed leased access campaign. Most companies do not allow any advertising without receiving written approval from the company. Typically the company will ask to view the entire ad, infomercial, etc. before giving any approval.

Make sure that you check out the best times for your campaign. Yes, there are lower rates available for certain times at night but if few people are watching, it may be worthwhile to spend a few more dollars to get a better time slot. In addition, ask the cable TV reps about the demographics (age, sex, income, location) and any other profile variables relating to the station's subscriber base such as whether many are business opportunity seekers, health oriented subscribers, etc. Then see how the profile matches the profile of the target audience you wish to reach.

Conduct a test first to see what kind of a response you receive. Only after receiving a satisfactory result do you want to consider contracting on an ongoing basis.

Network marketing companies must be careful when any TV ads are used whether by the firms themselves or by their networkers. If used improperly, networkers complain that only certain people get approved to use these promotions and thus, it does not create a fair, level playing field for all of the networkers in the program.

Some companies will have qualifiers that must be achieved before receiving consideration for approval for such ads, infomercials, etc. In other words, anyone has the right to apply for approval if they have fulfilled certain production qualifiers or have advanced to certain ranks. Companies feel that by doing this, only dedicated, proven leaders who will follow up on the leads will be involved in the various marketing campaigns. They also feel that this helps to overcome the "level playing field" issue since anyone can work to qualify to have his or her proposal considered.

There are MLM companies that will allow networkers to do this only in the firm's beginning launch stage. Others who are in a slump and are introducing a new product to stimulate interest and sales will allow such a campaign. Initial approvals are usually given only for a certain number of airings. Then the networker must seek approval once again for additional airings.

Debbi A. Ballard, owner of an MLM consulting firm, International Network Liaison Corporation, and an MLM consultant for twenty years, says that, "It is far better for a company to limit the use of such campaigns either by itself or its networkers. Although such campaigns can be profitable, they can undermine the relationship with various networker segments if used improperly and excessively. Yes, explore the possibilities of how you can profit from leased access cable time but like any other medium, understand that it must be used with prudence."

(To learn more about the leased access mandates, go to www.ftc.gov and type in "leased access" on the site's search engine. In addition, to get various rates, type in "leased access cable rates" on google.com or other search engines. Add your city or state to narrow the search.)

International Network Liaison Corporation, an MLM/network marketing management consulting firm, is based in Mesa, Arizona. Its president, Debbi A. Ballard, is well known in the MLM direct selling industry. An expert witness in court cases, she has done consulting for MLM/network marketing firms in the U.S. and abroad for twenty years. You can find out more about her credentials, services and her report on MLM compensation plans at www.mlmcompensationplans.com. Ms. Ballard also serves as president of a non-profit trade association for the industry, the Professional Association for Network Marketing (PANM).

You can email her by clicking on the contact section on the navigation bar of the aforementioned website. If you own or manage an MLM company and need consulting, you can also contact her by emailing e-mail protected from spam bots. You can subscribe to her free e-newsletter on MLM, MyNetBrief, by sending a blank email to e-mail protected from spam bots.

In addition, at the website you can learn how to receive more information about marketing, legal, and other major issues attached to MLM opportunities. She wrote "SIXTY Things You Should Know About MLM Compensation Plans" to help educate distributors and companies about the critical variables relative to these plans.

www.mlmcompensationplans.com.