If I walk down the street today, telling people about my network marketing opportunity, and someone asks me "Isn't that a pyramid scheme?" that guy is bound to get a hard knock on the head. Network marketing, since many years ago, has come out of the closet and (dropped) its somewhat 'shady' and 'unorganized' practices.

Today, network marketing, or multi-level-marketing, represents a legitimate, professional and serious business opportunity worldwide.

However, it is important to realize that network marketing is still a relatively new industry, and most people still don't get it when running a MLM business. Although it is a 'business', running it like an ordinary business will often do it more harm than good. Here are 5 ways to feed your MLM the cyanide pill:

WAY 1 - 'You're invited to my MLM party"

Surely nothing is worth more to a business person than reputation, especially to a network marketer. Yet, there are some who still insist on tricking others into having a look at their opportunity.

There are many ways of doing this, with the best (and most notorious) being inviting people over for dinner or a birthday party, then all of a sudden enlightening them on how their lives suck big time, and how the only way not to die poor is by being a member of your downline.

Surely, many people who scream at the mere mention of MLM have gone through these deceptive marketing tactics before, and have convinced at least 10 others on this 'evil scheme that corrupts the minds of honest men'.

WAY 2 - "My upline leader is god"

It is true that in order to achieve success, you need to learn from a leader who is already successful. However, this does not have to be your immediate sponsor or upline, especially one that had been 'assigned' to lead you. In fact, you'll need to make a effort to make your way up the line to find someone you can relate to, who is already achieving the success you want.

As in any other business, all human beings are selfish to a certain extent. You need to associate with a leader who will help you develop long-term personal development, as well as short-term sales or recruiting results. Beware those who merely push you towards achieving sales targets.

WAY 3 - "Now it's your turn"

Network marketers in the matrix-plan systems are the most likely to fall prey to this suicide move. It's common in these type of plans to hear the magic words "All you need to do is recruit three".

In reality, however, this is rarely the case. Every network marketer in matrix, breakaway or other plans need to know that they will have to sponsor or recruit many people personally before success is within a stone's throw. Relying on others to "do their job" is a utopian idea that will not work.

WAY 4- "I'll take 2 months off"

Consistency is the key to getting great results in anything we do. Professional soccer players know that even one week off can cause a drop in their fitness levels.

When it comes to marketing your MLM opportunity, think of it as a pipeline, draining water from a well 20 feet underground. When you shut this pipeline, it soon dries up, and you'll need to start all over again from the bottom the next time you want to take a sip.

Lack of consistency may not kill your business fast, but it's one good way of gicing it a slow death. Small, consistent advertising is much better than irregular, hit-and-run tactics.

WAY 5 - "Let me do it for you"

Jim Rohn, America's foremost business philosopher, probably said it the best:

"You can help a thousand, but you cannot carry three on your back. You have to learn to help those who deserve, not those who need"

Perhaps every network marketer, at some point, is guilty of this, especially when it comes to family members and friends who join their opportunity. I know that I am guilty of being the delivery boy, the chauffeur and the clerk in my first year in network marketing. I have, at one point of time, tried to baby-sit my team members.

All I learned is that you simply cannot drag someone across the finish line. If you attempt to, you will drag yourself down into frustration and failure.

It's much better spending your time looking for people who deserve success, rather than helping those who simply refuse to give it what it takes.

Here's to your success. Cheers.

Gobala Krishnan is an entrepreneur, freelance writer and network marketer with SFI Marketing Group, the largest online MLM on the internet. Sign-up for this exciting business opportunity for FREE at http://www.SFIDreamTeam.com and receive a valuable kickstart package.