No one goes into MLM with the goal of failing. Unfortunately, the majority of people who try this business model are not successful and abandon their efforts within a few short months. To avoid becoming a statistic, you will want to be aware of these 5 beginner MLM mistakes.

Choosing the wrong program.

Before you can make a good decision about which MLM program to work with, you need to do your homework. Make sure you understand exactly how it works and what the payment structure is like. Talk to people who have been working in the business for some time and ask them about their experience before you make your decision.

Underestimating the amount of work involved in launching a successful business.

Make no mistake, MLM is a business and if you want to achieve success, you will need to treat it like one. This is not a situation where you just get to show up and watch the money roll in. Your business is like your baby, which means that you will to get up earlier and stay up later to nurture it and watch it grow.

You are embarking on a marathon, not a sprint here. Even world-class athletes talk about hitting a wall and having to work through it during a race. You need to be prepared to keep working your business after the initial enthusiasm has passed and you have run out of steam.

Failing to have a plan to generate a steady stream of leads.

If you started your marketing efforts by contacting family, friends and former associates, this source of leads will only keep you going for a limited time. You need to have a plan in place which will provide with leads on a regular basis. Keep in mind that you will need to talk to a large number of prospects before turning any of them into a sale, so keeping your sales funnel full must be a priority.

Putting up a website that it not unique.

You may be working within a certain MLM program, but that doesn't mean that you have to use a standard, cookie-cutter web site for your business. Invest in a well-designed one which is easy for your site visitors to navigate and that highlights the unique qualities that you bring to the table. Your website can be an effective marketing tool for your business and you want to make sure that it presents your venture in a positive light.

Capturing contact information from prospects and not following up.

Collecting names and contact information from your prospects is only the first step in establishing a successful MLM venture. Expect to contact the members of your mailing list several times before they make a decision to buy from you and don't give up after only a couple of times. It takes time to turn a prospect into a buyer and you will need to establish trust before someone is willing to open his or her wallet for you.

By avoiding these 5 beginning MLM mistakes, you will be increasing your chances of success. That's why you started this journey in the first place, after all.