Is network marketing valuable? It is astounding the amount of money spent on advertising and what little return you receive.  In my business I budget huge sums on advertising per year and I can honestly say that all that advertising does little to generate the kind of return, dollar for dollar, I get from direct network marketing. There are several reasons for this: Advertising is a method of marketing services but is rarely the Sale.  It is a start to a lead, not a tip. Advertising is expensive and most people do not need your service immediately.  Therefore it goes into the trash if direct mail or in the trash after a year in the case of the yellow pages.  At Breakfast of Newport we are continually reminded of our networking partners and their services by attending meetings and exchanging leads regularly.  The web is a good source of advertising but it is not as effective regionally.  Try to find yourself sometime. Advertising competition is fierce, while no one can stop you from getting a referral from someone you know. Cases come from networking because you have been personally recommended or referred.  Referrals account for 90% of all jobs and just under 90% of all business leads and contacts.  The next time you think of network marketing, think of the old adage.  Deals are made on the golf course, in the coffee shop and on a handshake more often than any advertising scheme and with 15 to 20 times revenue return on dollars invested, compared to the average advertising return of 2.5%. Contact us or join us for breakfast.  Find out how you can grow your business by networking and marketing.  See this article if you are undecided about the benefits of our group. Jim Ballidis  Member of Breakfast of Newport.