Before You Join, Ask Better Questions
You’ve watched the presentation. The person sharing it is enthusiastic. The product sounds interesting, and there’s a deadline somewhere in the conversation.
Before you decide, take a breath. A good question can do more for you than another hour of excitement.
I’ve been a participant, a student, and a champion of the home-business industry since 1985. I believe in the industry. I also believe we do it a service when we ask clear questions and make decisions we can explain.
Start with the customer
What is being sold? Who is it for? What problem does it address? If you take the earning opportunity out of the conversation, is there still a reason for someone to become a customer?
You should be able to describe the value without relying on the compensation plan, a launch deadline, or a story about somebody else’s results. If you can’t, you need more information.
Separate the product from the opportunity
Liking a product and wanting to build a business around it are two different decisions. You may be happy as a customer. You may like the product but have little interest in the work involved in selling it.
Ask what the daily activity looks like. Will you be creating content, following up with leads, supporting customers, making presentations, or buying traffic? Compare that with the time and skills you actually have.
Write down the full cost
The entry price is only one line on the page. Add recurring purchases, subscriptions, optional upgrades, marketing expenses, and any other tools you would need. Separate what is required from what is simply offered.
Then ask yourself: “If I made no sales for a while, would I still be comfortable with this commitment?” That’s a more useful starting point than assuming a new expense will immediately pay for itself.
Understand how compensation is generated
Have someone walk you through a plain example. What customer activity produces compensation? What conditions have to be met? What ongoing purchases or qualifications apply?
Use the written plan and policies to verify what you hear in a presentation. If the explanation keeps getting more complicated when you ask for clarity, slow down.
Check the people and the process
Find out who operates the business, where the written policies live, and how a customer gets support. Ask about cancellation, refunds, and what happens to any data or work you put into a platform.
A short company history means there is less history to examine. A long company history gives you more to examine. Neither replaces understanding the offer in front of you.
Give fit as much attention as legitimacy
An offer can be legitimate and still be a poor fit. You might not have an audience for it. You might dislike the work it requires. You might already be committed to something that deserves more of your attention.
“Good opportunity” doesn’t automatically mean “my next opportunity.” Passing can be a sensible business decision.
Make the decision in your own words
Before joining, write a short answer to each of these:
- What will customers buy, and why?
- What will I spend initially and over time?
- What work will I be doing?
- What do I still need to verify?
- Why does this fit my business right now?
If you can answer those questions clearly, you’re in a better position to decide. If you can’t, your next step is more information.
Professionals can compare products and business models without tearing down the industry. Clear questions help customers, marketers, and good companies alike.
Jack Kapala
JackKapala.com
