Let's face it, being in the home based business industry is not easy. Although the benefits of becoming one far outweigh the consequences, home based business owners face more challenges and have to overcome more obstacles than the average person. The biggest issue with most home based business start ups is capital and the availability of it. As many home based business owners begin their businesses on a "shoe string budget", the issue then becomes "how can I get free mlm leads?. While paid advertising is still more effective than using free strategies, there are numerous ways that you can start generating leads for your business for absolutely free and actually increase the value of your leads as a whole. Though I won't be covering every strategy that is available, I will dive very deep into video marketing and why it must be in your arsenal of marketing. Video Marketing: Being able to stand in front of a camera and present a message is a skill that few people are willing to develop but the reward is immense should you decide to develop it. Videos are extremely powerful because they enable you to engage with your audience at a much deeper level. They are able to see you on camera and are able to see your mannerisms and your personality. While it is a big step to get in front of the camera and expose a bit of your personal side, the following tips should help you overcome any fears and help you effectively use video marketing to its full potential: 1)Realize That Your One In A Million: It takes a lot of courage to be able to make videos for the first time. I know when I first started to make videos that I could barely get a sentence out without thinking I messed something up or that I should've said it in a different way. Realize that just by making a video, you just took a step that virtually no one else is willing to do and that puts you farther ahead than probably 95% of everyone marketing online today. 2)Stare At The Camera The Entire Time: As you make your videos, make sure you are keeping eye contact with the camera the entire time. The reason for doing this is because as your prospects are watching your video, if you can engage them by keeping eye contact with them it's as if you are having a personal conversation with them and they will begin to feel like they know you. If you are constantly looking left and right and not keeping eye contact, they will subconsciously get the idea that you are unfocused and aren't telling the truth. 3)Don't Try To Make It Perfect: When you are first starting to make videos don't worry about them being perfect. The main point with making videos is that you are communicating a message your prospects. If you constantly try to "say the right things" your videos will sound canned and corny and will lack personality. The best thing you can do is to plan ahead what you want to talk about then simply turn the camera on and let whatever comes out be okay. It is important that you show people your personality and by trying to do things perfectly, you will just seem like a robot. 4)Have A Strong Call To Action: In a way people are a lot like cattle. They like to be lead to what they need to do next and if you tell them what they should do, chances are they are going to follow through and do it. This is the biggest mistake the new people miss in their videos is that they don't direct their viewers to where they want to go next and the wonder why this whole "video marketing" thing "does not work". Video marketing is extremely powerful but you need to make sure you guide your viewers to where you'd like them to go. Main thing here is to just keep it simple and at the end of your video say something like, "If you liked this video make sure you leave me a comment in the box below and definitely check out my website for a free cool gift. I'll see you there." If you are interested in finding out more free mlm lead strategies, make sure you read the resource box below and click on the link for more information.

Video marketing is no longer an option for network marketers. A marketing strategy or a website which does not include video is bound to be a total flop! If you are still looking for excuses NOT to start using video marketing, stick around as I tackle the top five excuses for not using video marketing.

1. "I don't have the right equipment!"
   <blockquote>Let me ask you this; do you have access to a computer? If you answered "yes," then you have all the equipment you really need. Yes, a camera helps, but it doesn't even have to be a fancy camera. Anything that can record a video which you can then upload to your computer will get you started, even your cell phone! If your computer has a webcam, you can use that. Even if you don't have any of these alternatives, in a minute, we will look at a way in which you can create a video without using ANY kind of camera at all.
2. "I don't look good on video!"
   <blockquote>First of all, we are not talking Hollywood here. So, you don't have to look like a movie star in order to be successful as a video marketer. Remember that people watch films to cater to their fantasies, but they watch videos to peak into someone else's reality. They are curious, that's what you want to capitalize on. But, if you're still uncomfortable with getting yourself in front of the camera, there are ways for you to use video marketing. Sites like Animoto and Jing allow you to create great videos using pictures and/or screen captures. All you do is put them together, and maybe do a voiceover. That's it! No one ever sees your face!
3. "I don't have content!"
   <blockquote>Are you alive? Then, you have plenty of content! Whoever said the videos have to be about marketing, or about your product? In fact, it is the videos that have very little to do directly with the business that usually attract people to you and your content. Lifestyle videos are awesome. Formulate opinions, give advice about anything you feel knowledgeable about. If you learn something new, or if you spend three hours trying to figure out how to do something online, make a video sharing that newfound knowledge with the rest of the world! If you just read an awesome book that helped you or moved you, tell others about it! See, there's plenty of content out there. You just have to keep your eyes open!
4. "Who would ever listen to me?"
   <blockquote>Well, no one if you have that attitude! The key here is to provide value, meaning don't just sit there and "um" and "ahh" for five minutes. Talk as though you're talking to your best friend. Be honest and real! If you haven't made a million bucks online, don't talk about making money. Focus on your lifestyle and/or mindset changes. Repeat what you have learned, share what you are doing. If you act with confidence, chances are no one will even be able to tell that you just learned what you are videoing about. You don't have to tell people you're a newbie. Besides, we all had to start somewhere. Right?
5. "I don't have the time!"
   <blockquote>If this is your excuse, then I am going to be very blunt with you and tell you to quit marketing right now! We all have the same 24 hours in a day. We all have to eat, sleep, tend to our families and do all the other things that pertain to being human. I don't think I know of any serious entrepreneur who doesn't have stories of sleepless nights and multiple sacrifices done to get their businesses off the ground! What makes you think you're any different? Your business will grow in proportion to the effort and commitment you put into it. So, it's not a matter of HAVING time, it's a matter of MAKING time.

What are you waiting for? Grab your camera and get to work. We have tackled the top five excuses for not using video marketing. If you can come up with more excuses, then go to bed, and wake up to the "rat race" in the morning. As for me, I AM going to make some more videos. Guess which one of us will feel better in the morning?