Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I recently made my first post, one that mentioned MLM.  The responses I received kind of surprised me, not because of the opinions but because of the tone.  One person suggested that maybe someone should start a topic about this and so I am.

I know there is alot of resistance out there toward network marketing, but I`m really not sure why.  Oh sure, I know that there are a number of questionable MLM products and companies out there, but that`s true of ANY industry.  That is our system of free enterprise, warts and all.  As I prospect, I hear this disinterest and even disdain all the time, and I can`t figure it out. 

Prior to getting involved in MLM I had the same attitude.  Oh, that`s one of those "pyramid" deals, I`m not interested.  As I looked int other ways to create residual income, I slowly eliminated so many things that I came back around to MLM and decided I needed to take an objective look at the industry and business model. As I did so, I became more and more impressed with the concept, and eventually decided to get involved. I have not been sorry, but I sure do hear a ton of skepticism.  Let me know your thoughts, I think it`s a topic worth discussing.

Hi Dal,

Everything I have read, and I read alot, you can make money and succeed in network marketing.  It does have to be treated as a real business, not like a lottery ticket as bmwsmity eloquently put it.  I know lots of people who sign up with a mlm company and just wait for something to happen and then they badmouth it because it isn`t making them any money.  Well, duh...you have to work it.  Not just work it for a couple of months either...this is a business you have to advertise, practice with, pay taxes with and eventually yes, the rewards will be great!!!  If direct person to person sales isn`t for you, approach it differently, with just catalog sales or website sales.  Don`t quit your day job though until it becomes profitable enough to do so. 

http://www.suzanne24.com/alaskacharlene3

IMO, MLMs are "businesses for the masses".  They come up with a business formula and then tell you to stick to it in order to be successful.  You are encouraged to stick right to the formula and even follow the scripts.  Much of the time, that formula includes annoying everyone you come in contact with.  I`ve had my share of people cornering me in the parking lot at church and asking me STUPID questions like, "Do you like to drink clean water?"  The smart aleck in me always sees what`s coming and wants to say, "No, I prefer brown cloudy water with swimmy things in it."  But, then, they are often just following a script that someone promised them would make them a success. 

It`s like pre-packaged and fast food in America - it`s pretty bland and tasteless for the most part because, as someone once told me, it`s made to appeal to the MOST people.  Anytime you get too adventurous with flavors, you start knocking out large numbers of potential consumers.  I believe the same is true with MLM`s.  You want EVERYONE to think they can do it. 

I think the people who are successful with MLM`s are so because they have enough business sense to go about it another way.

~Kim

I am for anyone who strives to do well in business. The encounter i have had with MLM business have left me feeling invaded.I am a very busy women and when i am approached to go to a seminar or a party and i kindly say no can do...these folks have also kept coming at me non stop. I will say, i don`t do parties, but i`ll buy something...have a book? That never seems to be good enough. In November my husband was approached by an old friend. He asked to come over at 7:30 to talk with us about buisness. We agreed thinking it was someone wanting to partner with us or to listen to an idea or throw around ideas with us. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....it was not that, it was a pull to join I-Team. I said right upfront NO. I told him that i already put 18 hours a day into my companies and can not do this, especially something i am not passionate about. Well...he threw at me the cashflow quandrant and asked me if i wanted to be an E/s/b or I (think that is how it goes) ...anyway he said that if i did not use his method and pay the 400.00 i would never be an b or an i, that i would always stay an s. Oh poor me...doing what i want to do, call me an S then..i`ll take it! :) I asked about a million times to see the actual product and was refused...he refused to show me the online portal but told me that i needed to build points in my life to make money...C/mom...You need me to pay you to make money...Ain`t gonna happen.... His line was "do you shop at walmart?"...no, no one does... Well i finally left upstairs about 2 hours later. he was relentless. My husband grabbed a drink or two from the bar and remained under his power... He left his cd with us and brochure for me to look over and make the right choice. I put it in a walmart bag the next day and left it on my driveway gate...locking him out and told him to pick up his stuff. I remain going to wally world for my goods, and i am not accumulating points. I feel good.

That is just one story. I am really an open person and am approachable and get alot of folks asking me to join this, join that , have a party here, go to one there, order this, listen to me about that..... It definately is a turn off.

I order from mary kay, from shaklee...great cleaning products, arbonne, taste of home entertaining...but these folks know how i operate, i order....i do not do parties.

One mlm that i really do like is one that keycon has...sendoutcards.com, he gave me a free trial, and it is a perfect fit for me, so i will sign up as a buyer not a seller.

That is my 2 cents.

During my successful career as an Amway rep - I did manage to sell a box of concrete cleaner once, I learned a couple of things that truly had value.

Anyone can become a success if they do three things:

1. Have a dream and work at making the dream a reality.
2. Associate with others that have been successful in their choosen field.
3. Read everything they can concerning their particular business endeavor.

As it turned out.... buying my own product, at non-competetive prices so I could get a tax break because I owned my own business, was NOT MY DREAM

My biggest complaint about MLM is that most programs are about recruiting downline, not selling product.  I`ve got mangosteen juice in my fridge... not because I bought it but because a relative got involved with an MLM and they have to buy so much of it just to maintain their status as a distributor that they are giving the stuff away.

Avon and Mary Kay are examples of MLM networks where the product is the focus, not the recruitment of downlines.  The recruitment becomes secondary as satisified customers look to the MLM as a convenient second source of income and then become involved.

My beef with MLMs on sites like Startup Nation is that I feel like I`m being solicited. This is supposed to be a site for entrepreneurs. I see MLM people as salespeople, and I feel that the only reason they are on SuN and other sites is to try to get "leads" or get more people into their pool. Unless a person has started (or is planning to start) an MLM company from scratch, taking on the full risk of doing so, and/or is selling his/her own concept or product that was created by them, then I don`t consider that person to be an entrepreneur or a real start up and therefore don`t appreciate them being here. I am tired of hearing about the "proven systems" and "success guides" and I hate all of the links that some litter their posts with. It`s a waste of bandwidth, and my time.