Just as "location, location, location" is the key factor in real estate, "product, product, product" is a key factor in a successful network marketing business.

The product alone can make or break a new network marketing business. To be successful the ideal product will have these characteristics: a unique product, professional packaging, streamlined delivery mechanism. A relatively new company named Agel (www.howearly.com), has all three of these characteristics and I will use it to illustrate these points.

UNIQUE PRODUCT

The largest network marketing companies are invariably the first successful company in any given product line; Amway, Melaleuca, NuSkin, Marinda, etc. The "me-too" companies who come after and copy these "first-to-market" leaders seldom, if ever, become as large or as successful as the originals.

Agel has created not just a new product, but an entirely new category of products. The company has developed a proprietary Gel Suspension technology that makes possible single serving packets of nutraceuticals (dubbed "gelceuticals"). Rather than choking down pills or mixing powders, this gel formula is easy to take and helps the body rapidly absorb the nutrients.

PROFESSIONAL PACKAGING

Image is everything. The packaging and marketing materials for a product and company must be professional and appealing. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Products that don't look like they have their own image consultant are seen as amateur and unprofessional.

The award winning design team that was responsible for a very successful branding and marketing campaign in the industry (Xango) has been brought in-house to Agel. Although Agel doesn't officially launch until April, 2005 the cutting-edge packaging design is elegant and professional. The clean professional corporate image will be seen throughout its web sites, documentation, and all product packaging. It is easy to share your product with friends and neighbors when they notice and comment on it.

STREAMLINED DELIVERY MECHANISM

There has to be an easy way for people to share the product with others and a simple mechanism for delivery of the product to distributors and consumers. The relatively recent change to direct delivery or drop shipping methods has freed marketers of the need to stock large amounts of inventory. It is now easy to build your network marketing business using the same "as needed" and "just in time" delivery methods that large corporations use.

Agel has hit a home run in this category. Not only do they implement the drop-ship product delivery method, but the product itself is easy to share and sample. The single serving packets are ideal for sharing with friends and neighbors. You can easily carry 10 or more packets to pass out to people you meet. And people are much more willing to sample a gel packet than take some pills or wait for you to mix up some power concoction.

Although there are some successful products that do not meet these qualifications, these characteristics are the litmus test for most new products. Products and companies come and go but the most successful and lasting ones focus on having a unique product, professional packaging and a streamlined delivery mechanism.