My Online Business Adventure

People looking for an affiliate program to start or add to their home business may have come across SFI (Strong Future International), and be tempted to join.  It’s free to join, it’s very popular and it’s been going a long time.  But does this make it the best online opportunity, or is an SFI home business just another affiliate program that will sit around and provide you with nothing?

Of course, how much you earn from an affiliate program is up to you.  If you do nothing, you will receive nothing.  Like any other program, you need to actively promote it and give it time to build before you give up on it.  And of course, it’s much easier to do this if you like the program in the first place.

So, what’s to like about SFI?  What makes it so popular and why would you want to join?

Well, the first thing of course is that it’s free to start with.  Of course, you will receive higher commissions and benefits once you upgrade to Executive Affiliate status - and this does not necessarily mean spending money (although this is the easiest option).  You can become an EA by selling a certain number of products.  Alternatively, you can buy SFI products yourself or take out a membership to the IAHBE  (International Association of Home Business Entrepreneurs).  This will cost around $30 per month.

Many people wait until they have a few affiliates before they become EA.  That’s up to you.   Of course, you won’t earn any money until your affiliates upgrade to EA status themselves, but being an EA sets an example to those in your downline and you will earn double the commissions as an EA.

The next best thing about SFI is that there is so much training available on the site, including an online forum and many different ways of earning money.  You can choose to concentrate solely on promoting the business opportunity, or you can sell SFI’s many products, including cleaning products, pet products, magazines, toiletries, technical services and much more - or you can do both!

SFI also provide innovative ways of earning more sales through their merchance programs and the EyeEarn program.  To become a member of EyeEarn you pay a one-time fee of $20, put a sticker on your car, wear a t-shirt - and you will receive a share of affiliates who join up via the world-wide advertising.  This means a steady stream of affiliates every month as long as you remain a member.

What I like about SFI is that they are always coming up with new ideas and new ways of earning money.

So, what are the downsides, if any?

Well, everything has its downside, and if SFI has any it is in the fact that there are so many options available it can be quite overwhelming when you first join.  But there are some good “Getting Started” pages for the beginner, and if you devote a little time to finding your way around the site, this shouldn’t be a problem.

The other downside is that although it is relatively easy to quickly build a downline (due to the fact that it’s free to join), only a minority of these will become EAs and earn you money - so it can take a little while before your income reaches the kind of levels you are seeking.  The trick is to welcome your affiliates warmly, look after them, don’t pressurise them into upgrading, and make sure you answer any of their questions honestly.   It’s a numbers game - the more affiliates you have, the more chances there are of having more EAs, so you just need to keep going with it.  In time, it can provide you with a very nice income.

So, is it the best online opportunity?  The honest answer is, I don’t know - but then I don’t believe there is such a thing.  I know that I like it.  But whatever program you choose, its success depends on your commitment and how much work you put into it.

If you want  to find out more about an SFI home business and see if it’s the kind of program for you, click here.

Ros Bott

Achieve Financial Freedom Online

Career Change and Home Business Coaching