MLM businesses or Network Marketing, as they are also known, are on the rise. More and more people are getting disenchanted with the traditional 9-5 and want to be their own boss. For that matter, basic entrepreneurship in general is on the rise. There are many reasons people are getting into MLM today, but before we look at the positives, let's address the elephant in the room!
No one has escaped being hit by a MLM pitch and to many it is not only unpleasant, but down right repulsive! There have been some serious negatives over the many years of Network Marketing. Here are a few turn offs and questions:
Is it a pyramid scheme? While at times crooked people have and do make some MLM businesses a scheme, they are not as a rule schemes. Pyramid schemes are made to ask people to invest money based on the promise that other people will put in money that will gain a return for them and as a result they will "get rich". A MLM business is a legitimate business where someone is dedicated and puts in hard work selling real products to real people. In most MLM businesses people are passionate about the product, philosophy of the company, and the people they meet.
That overzealous "you're gonna get rich!!!!" Person! OK, though it sounds like the above mentioned, it isn't; but some people are just all about the dollar and they pitch their businesses from this standpoint and not the perspective of the products. It's OK to admit that you can make money doing MLM and you'd love to show them how to do that, but chill people! If you are on the receiving end of this and truly turned off just say "No, thank you!" politely and walk away, but keep an open mind for when you meet someone who truly loves what they do, you might find you do too!
They won't identify themselves! That is too bad, as you know I am part of the MLM business Shaklee, and I want you to know I am. I am proud of the company, its philosophy, practices and products and they should feel the same about theirs! It is a matter of integrity, which sadly has hurt MLM as a whole.
Did you know that their is a Direct Sales Association and a Code of Ethics? According to the code of ethics as a customer you should expect a salesperson to:
Tell you who they are, why they’re approaching you and what products they are selling.
Promptly end a demonstration or presentation at your request.
When you think of MLM/Network Marketing the response is often "I hate Multi Level Marketing!!!!!" But, do you really? What about these companies, which I know we all love or didn't know were MLM:
Tupperware
Thirty-one bags (this bag proves that Mary Poppins used Thirty-one and was a Time Lord-geek joke)
Pampered Chef
Avon
Beach Body
Mary Kay
Party Lite
Nature's Sunshine
Discovery Toys
These are good solid companies we have all purchased from or know someone who does and we are OK with it! What about others? Above I only addressed a few things people hate about MLM, but let's take a look at some of the positives and why Network Marketing is exploding today.
Here is a quote from Forbes Magazine: Daria M. Brezinski Ph.D, a practicing psychologist and former marketing director for a multi-level marketing magazine, echoes these sentiments. “Many people don’t realize that multi-level marketing companies are successful because they help people satisfy a number of important human needs, including feeling significant, having connections, learning something new, and making a difference. I have heard people in network marketing say again and again, ‘I’m doing this because I’m meeting amazing people … making so many connections … and I feel so good about myself.’”
This is a great quote and so true! Most people in MLM do it because they love it, love helping people, and making new friends! Why MLM?
A chance to belong to a community of supportive people. Many people find that the people in their teams become like family giving them a tremendous sense of community and friendship
A chance to earn money. While many people make a lot of money doing MLM it is up to the person to do the work! It is a job and requires attention, care, and hard work. That said, most reputable MLMs can provide a very decent income if you are willing to work for it and many people are doing just that turning to MLM and leaving the marketplace making their "home business" their full and only income.
Did you know that MLMs are successful? Many of the countries longest standing companies are MLM or started with that model
Gives us a sense of purpose. Most MLM people believe in their products and tell you about them because of a genuine love for the products and a care for you! When you love something you just want to tell people about it.
Be your own boss
Flexible hours- work your business around your schedule
A chance to help others both by the products and by building businesses of their own
Bottom line? Give MLM a chance and judge each company and salesperson on their own merit and not on the reputation or poor practices of another.
Ask questions
Make sure they identify themselves, the company they are with by name, and the products involved
Do research
It's ok to shop around
It's ok to be skeptical and test products for yourself
Do they have data to support their claims
Is there third party testing or is the data only from the company involved (it may be good data, but you will need to do a little research)
Is there a return policy
Is there a large, mandatory start-up fee? RED FLAG
Is it required that you have large quantities of inventory? -RED FLAG
Find a good fit and community you can feel a part of
I hope this has helped your view of MLM/Network Marketing!
Yes, I am in MLM. I am a proud Shaklee Distributor