If you don't know how to market online, experimenting on your own can be costly - to your self-esteem as well as your budget. Most people joining home businesses are in it to either supplement or replace their income --- not to lose money while they learn.

It's not unimaginable that sometimes people will say anything to make a sale. With this in mine, make sure you find out from your prospective sponsor if they can deliver what they advertise in terms of the training they can give you. Ask if you can preview the training. Can you listen to a conference call or webinar?

Find out from your sponsor how knowledgeable he or she is about different systems other affiliates are using? Will your sponsor help you plan a marketing budget? Does he or she know how to put together an effective comprehensive marketing plan?

Another good question to ask is if training INCLUDED when you join the team? Unbelievable as it may be, there are teams what charge for every bit of training.

A successful team leader understands that in order for the team to grow and thrive, it's in their best interest to teach and train members how to be successful. This should not include charging team members for training and support. In addition, leaders are always involved in educating themselves about the industry they are in as well as current trends in their company. In doing so, the leader provides up to date information for their team.

Another important factor is how available and personal is the training? Are you just expected to go conference calls and tweak everything on your own? Or can you call your sponsor for more intensive training?

Anothe important factor is the presence of other team leades and trainers. Additional team leaders and trainers actually build confidence and solidify the team as a whole. It means that the leader has recognized the strengths in certain individuals and is utilizing all resources to help support the overall team.

In today's market, here's what comprehensive training and marketing resources can provide:

1. State-of-the-art training site

2. Personal branding

3. YouTube marketing

4. MySpace or Facebook marketing

5. Blogging

6. Effective email campaigns

7. Pay Per Click campaign

8. Marketing on content sites

9. Professional autoresponder messages

10. Live team training calls or webinars

11. Access to thousand dollar advertising co-ops

12. Access to a professional call center

13. Personal mentoring & more

With this kind of resources and training available, it will surely decrease your learning curve. Of course it will still take you time to learn about the product or opportunity you've joined. Having a comprehensive training and support system available will be invaluable if it's outlined on the training site.

Again success is not guaranteed even with the best training system. Ultimately, YOU determine your level of success. It's up to you. But if you have the right resources at your fingertips, you've just given yourself a jump start. The point is to utilize the training and support provided to you.

So do your homework. It's important to find out what to expect before you join someone in business.