"It's a labor of love." That's how I've always described my content-basedwebsite. Until the last year or so, what I meant is that my website paid mein love more frequently than it paid in money. And if visitor complimentsand good karma paid the mortgage, that would have been fine.

I knew I enjoyed and was very good at helping others and communicating inthe online world. What I needed was a way to help others online that alsobrought in a steady paycheck.

When I found a direct sales company to work with, this all began to change.My direct sales business quickly became my highest - and most promising 'single stream of income.

As a website owner, you have contact with a wide variety of people. Directselling and network marketing allow you to monetize the networks that youhave created with others. And as a content-based website owner, you are anexpert at the largest network the world has ever known: the Internet.

Direct sales allows you to leverage the efforts and ideas of other people,so you're no longer in business by yourself, looking at each month separately.The work you do today will benefit you for years to come. And you earn money tothe degree to which you help others earn money for themselves, and that is trulya labor of love.

What to look for:

A good product.
First and foremost, you need to truly believe in what you are selling. You need tobelieve in the company mission and the products. Other considerations: It's idealif the products are exclusive; and even better if the products are also consumable,so you make sales from repurchases.

A niche market.
As with everything online, you will be most successful if your products fit a nichethat people go online to search for. It pays to research and anticipate social trends.

Strong online component.
Ideally, your company will allow you to make online sales. Many direct salescompanies have a provision that all advertising must be "blind," meaning thatyou are restricted from mentioning the name of the company or its trademarks.If that's the case, make sure that the company also offers a personalized websitethat you can link to from your content-based site, so you don't lose your onlineleads. And make sure that you read the fine print of the consultant provisions,especially as it pertains to online promotions.

Many direct sales companies are now offering replicated websites so each representativecan promote an individual online presence. A few direct sales companies even have shoppingcarts alongside these websites so you can make sales online, too, with the product dropshippedfrom the home office.

Relatively new company.
You want people to sign up in your downline, rather than the person down the street, it'simportant that the market isn't saturated.

And because you will be a long-distance support person, make sure there is team training inplace - or set it up for yourself. You don't want to have to reinvent the wheel each timeyou recruit someone. I have a 14-day basic training course by autoresponder, for example,that each new consultant starts receiving right away - and our team has a very large (andgrowing fast) online message board for sharing ideas.

Keep in mind that the most important factor in long-term direct sales success is thateverything you do be easy for your downline to duplicate.

Most direct sales and network marketing businesses thrive on word of mouth and personalrelationships. Not everyone in your new downline is going to be an expert at onlinemarketing (In fact, most of them won't be) so make sure you work the business the sameway that they will. That means you'll probably want to also expand your business in yourown offline community, just as your downline will - so that you can be an effective trainer.If you can train your downline how to be financially successful, you'll become financiallysuccessful, too.

Where to Look
I found the company that I work with through a solo ezine ad, which promoted low start-up,low pressure, and a strong support team - three factors that directly contributed to mysuccess with the business. So it pays to keep your eyes (and mind) open when you are workingonline.

You can also research your options with the Direct Selling Association at http://www.dsa.org.The DSA is designed to help make sure direct sales organizations follow ethical businesspractices and good customer service.

When you have found the company and team that's right for you, you'll know it.

Happy hunting!

About the author:
Susie Cortright is the creator of the award-winning online magazine http://www.momscape.comas well as a team leader for a rapidly growing direct sales company. Learn about the companyshe chose here: http://www.momscape.com/direct-sales