MLM Programs - which are good? which are bad? | Warrior Forum - The #1 Digital Marketing Forum & Marketplace

9 years ago

Originally Posted by OliviaJones

Hello Fellow Warriors,
Hope you are all doing well!

I am somewhat new to the Affiliate space and looking at my options for campaigns I can run. I want to start off strong.

I've come across several MLM programs, and would like to start promoting a couple. I am trying to figure out which programs to avoid and which I should run. I've read many things about scams and don't want to start off on the wrong foot.

Any companies, offers, or networks to avoid, please help. Any information would be great. Looking forward to your thoughts.

Thanks!

Avoid anything that is 100% online and digital. Look for real products and
services of substance... not ebooks, training courses, software gadgets, etc.

Focus on one... trying to promote multiple MLM offers as an experienced
veteran is extremely difficult to do let alone trying to do it as a rookie.

Find a coach and mentor who is 100% invested in your success. The right
sponsor is just as important as the right company and product.

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DRP

9 years ago

Avoid ALL OF THEM if you know what's good for you...and everyone else.

MLM is a terrible business model and it's only for suckers since anyone with a shred of intelligence can analyze the business model and see it for what it is. Tsnyder will bitch and moan now, like he always does whenever someone calls MLM out on its BS. But the truth is that MLM is definitely for suckers. Period.

That's not rumor....

...That's not hyperbole.....

...It's FACT.

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I'd rather tell you an ugly truth than a pretty lie.

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Manish Sapkota

9 years ago

I strongly avoid MLM.

Thanks
1 reply

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myob

9 years ago

With rare exceptions (as in mature and publicly traded companies), compensation plans that I've seen claiming to be based upon the MLM business model are absurd. Although MLM is one of the fastest-growing business models of the past few decades and some people have indeed built massive fortunes, for almost everyone MLM turns out to be a losing financial proposition, as does business in general.

You should consider joining a MLM company that offers quality consumable products that are not readily available through other marketing channels, and which provides an effective and duplicable training program. This forum is predominately anti-MLM, so you perhaps should avoid most of the advice given here.

Generally it is best to join a company that is at least three years old. Companies that have been around for awhile have the kinks worked out. They know what works and what doesn’t work. They usually have a solid training and marketing system in place. You may want to check the Direct Selling Association (DSA) website to see companies that have met years worth of scrutiny and criteria to be listed on their site.

Your best option would be, if possible, is to join under someone who is already at the success level you want to achieve in a company which has a line of products compatible with your interests.

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Kiwigal

9 years ago

Originally Posted by myob

With rare exceptions (as in mature and publicly traded companies), compensation plans that I've seen claiming to be based upon the MLM business model are absurd. Although MLM is one of the fastest-growing business models of the past few decades and some people have indeed built massive fortunes, for almost everyone MLM turns out to be a losing financial proposition, as does business in general.

You should consider joining a MLM company that offers quality consumable products that are not readily available through other marketing channels, and which provides an effective and duplicable training program. This forum is predominately anti-MLM, so you perhaps should avoid most of the advice given here.

Generally it is best to join a company that is at least three years old. Companies that have been around for awhile have the kinks worked out. They know what works and what doesn’t work. They usually have a solid training and marketing system in place. You may want to check the Direct Selling Association (DSA) website to see companies that have met years worth of scrutiny and criteria to be listed on their site.

Your best option would be, if possible, is to join under someone who is already at the success level you want to achieve in a company which has a line of products compatible with your interests.

Good advice any recommendations.

Thanks
1 reply

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myob 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Kiwigal

Good advice any recommendations.

With apologies for any inconvenience, I don't provide recommendations for any specific MLM company except for one, and that recommendation is only given after a somewhat extensive screening, qualification, and pre-training process.

Although MLM is the most advanced leveraged marketing system ever devised, most people fall flat on their face without adequate preparation, no matter how good the company may be. The main problem is that the majority just do not have the mindset or discipline needed for running any type of business, whether as an affiliate or MLM.
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andyang 9 years ago

Well said.

We should not use our own failures as reason to criticise a business model that many others have found success in.

I used to believe my own lies and they never served me well.
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bokidos

9 years ago

@ Olivia,

I will advice that you join four corners alliance group it is reliable and they pay weekly.

Their compensation plan is one of the best so far.

Check here Four Corners Alliance Group | Building A Secure Business Together

Thanks.

Thanks

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morg2k2

9 years ago

Olivia,

I do highly suggest that you avoid all the MLM programs, because they will scam you in no time. MLM works like a pyramid, so when you enter you are at the base of the pyramid and the odds to stay there and loose all the invested money is very high. This will only work if you have a great list of friends, co-workers, prospects, etc... Either way referring them you will be putting those people at risk in terms of loosing their money.

At the end of the day you will lose all those people respect.

Morg

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esmarshall

9 years ago

worst business model imo, whenever your pay check relies on the efforts of others....thats a problem for me

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professorrosado 9 years ago

Originally Posted by esmarshall

worst business model imo, whenever your pay check relies on the efforts of others....thats a problem for me

So you'll never become a business owner or work for a living, in general. Who really works without relying on someone else's "effort"?

This model is the most widely used everywhere on Earth!
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LarryHaywood

9 years ago

MLM is certainly not for everyone. But, i do get a giggle from a lot of the advice being handed out in this thread and all the biased opinions. There are a couple of good replies in this thread though the OP should appreciate. I think they are probably obvious which ones they are as they answered the OPs question with solid advice.

For those of you who flat out call ALL MLMs a scam... Did you fail at the business and now blame the business model for your poor results? Maybe you chose the wrong company, the wrong mentor or thought the business would magically build itself?

I'm just going to go ahead and throw in my .02 and back up much of what has been said in the intelligent replies here so far.

Definitely research any company you plan on joining, including the CEO. Only do ONE mlm as you won't want to divide your time/efforts while building up your company. Network marketing skills, which you learn by doing MLM, transfers very nicely over to traditional affiliate marketing as well. At the end of the day, you're learning how to connect and communicate with more potential buyers.

Many multi level marketing companies having training built into the business model. Personal development is very big in becoming a better version of yourself. Focus on companies (as stated above) that have a unique physical product which is not readily available elsewhere. If they also have digital products that's fine, as long as it's not all they have.

Research the compensation plan beforehand, make sure you'll be working with someone who has had success in the same company and has their flag planted with said company. While I can understand the 3 year rule above and somewhat agree with it, I also think timing plays a big role in your venture.

Look: Forbes must be a scam too as they actually published an article supporting the MLM industry! SCAMMERS lmao

I'm obviously involved in network marketing and MLM, so I am familiar with what I'm talking about on this topic. And I see the newbs come out everyday calling MLM a scam without any regard for company, just grouping them all together as a whole.

Just remember... opinions are the cheapest commodity on earth and everyone is ready to throw theirs upon anyone who will listen. Don't let these negative people and their non valid comments keep you from doing what you intend to do.

#micdrop

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Jason Kanigan

9 years ago

OP: First of all, "everything" is a scam.

Literally everything.

Someone will have complained about it.

They probably did nothing, and expected magic results, but they won't tell you that.

Second, MLM is for a certain type of person. Not me. Not many others. But some can make a good living out of it.

Find someone who is good at MLM and watch them.

What are they like? What personality traits do they have? What do they DO?

Do they do what the MLM script says to do, or are the actions they take different from the instructions?

Watch carefully.

Are YOU like that? Can YOU do that?

Third, I strongly recommend anyone interested in MLM listen to Tim Castleman's podcast on the subject. Best advice I have heard about using social media to promote MLM--and Tim's NOT an MLM guy, either.

I link to it in post #20 in this very similar thread to the one we're in now:
http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...arter-mlm.html

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Steve B

9 years ago

Originally Posted by OliviaJones

I am somewhat new to the Affiliate space and looking at my options for campaigns I can run.

Olivia,

You began this thread wondering about your options in the "affiliate space" and then your emphasis in the next paragraph turned to the MLM model.

Are you confusing affiliate marketing with multi-level marketing? Or are you assuming they are one and the same?

You might want to consider studying the topic of "affiliate marketing" so that you understand what it is and how it works.

Affiliate Marketing and MLM are not the same - not even close.

The very best to you,

Steve

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gardener 9 years ago

I am surprised that few, very few, in the warrior forum support network marketing as a small business model that can be operated from your home office. I agree that having a legitimate product or service that can provide a living wage without the compensation plan is necessary and yes there is a lot of unsubstantiated hype that sweeps gullible people into investing heart and soul (not to mention time and money) with no results. But isn't that what happens with most internet marketing programs? We are all in this together to change the traditional get a job mentality that is addicted to a paycheck (Robert Kiyosaki) only to find that we must continue working part time or full time when we are in our 70s. We want our industries to evolve so that the promises that we all make to sell products or services are honest and credible.

I would like you to consider the fact that it only takes one or two credible companies to change the perspective of millions of previous doubters, ie the way Starbucks or Amazon changed the old coffee and book industries. Our LegalShield and IDShield providers combine the resources of two companies that are over 40 years old each. Tens of thousands of people make a few hundred to a few thousand dollars each month enrolling members in our legal and identity theft programs without the rest of the network marketing compensation plan. LegalShield is changing the perception that mlm is a lotions, potions, money pyramid thing.

My story. My ex-wife and I created a small team that enrolled ~1200 members in the legal services plan from 1996-1998, about 18 months of effort. Then our storefront satellite television business ran into financial difficulty and we quit doing both our satellite and legal businesses. Since 1998 LegalShield kept paying us for the memberships that stayed on the books, ie our book of business as it is known. Recently, Julianne, my ex, knowing that I was unemployed and looking, called and said, "Do you realize that LegalShield has paid us over $40,000 just in the past five years for the work we did in 1998?" That really stopped me in my tracks. I know that every time I was short on my bills I would go see when I could expect another deposit, but I never considered the integrity of those payments. Needless to say I started my LegalShield business again this past month. I would encourage anyone interested to contact me at SafeAndSecure.info

As for our CEO. "Mr. Bell comes to LegalShield with over 20 years of corporate leadership and consumer marketing experience for global brands including Microsoft, Chrysler, Ford and NBC Universal. While serving as Corporate Vice President, Global Marketing, Interactive Entertainment Business (Xbox) for Microsoft Inc., Mr. Bell saw tremendous success, leading the business to its first profitable year in its existence, and garnered industry recognition launching and marketing a number of successful video game franchises including "Halo 3," "Gears of War," "Madden," and "Rock Band." In addition, he led the growth of Xbox LIVE from four million to 12 million members in two years. While serving as Vice President of the Chrysler and Jeep Divisions for Daimler Chrysler, he launched the Chrysler 300, and the 'Grab Life by the Horns' and Town & Country with "Stow 'n Go" seating and storage marketing campaigns. In 2012, NBC Senior Vice President, Kim Niemi, called upon Mr. Bell, to lead NBC Universal's marketing efforts in the health and fitness market. In this role, Mr. Bell developed the "Challenge America" campaign which enrolled over 300,000 members and became the theme for "The Biggest Loser" television show. In addition, Mr. Bell has been the recipient of Advertising Age's "Interactive Marketer of the Year" in 2005 and was named the Advertising Age "Entertainment Marketer of the year" in 2007."
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ZehnAli

9 years ago

Hi..

First of all, sorry about my English (still learning)......

.
The Good MLM business :

1) They offer product that you and others NEED.
2) MLM company run their own branding campaign.
3) The "maintenance" fee is not too high that you can pay for at least 3 month. (For recurring income)

The Bad MLM business :

1) They offer RUBBISH/BS product that actually you do not need.
2) Head Hunting. The business is all about MONEY.
3) One-time-payment. (I can't see how MLM company can run their business if they don't have "repeat customer".)

Hope this help

Thanks

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Randall Magwood

9 years ago

All of them are bad.

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LarryHaywood 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Randall Magwood

All of them are bad.

I hope this was a joke coming from a veteran here.
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myob

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Randall Magwood

All of them are bad for a bad marketer.

Fixed that for you.

Read this portion of post #13 again:

Originally Posted by myob

... MLM is the most advanced leveraged marketing system ever devised, [however], most people fall flat on their face without adequate preparation, no matter how good the company may be. The main problem is that the majority just do not have the mindset or discipline needed for running any type of business, whether as an affiliate or MLM.

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Tsnyder 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Randall Magwood

All of them are bad.

That can't be based on anything but ignorance of the subject.

You probably shouldn't respond at all.
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- ScottRaven 9 years ago
  
  I have been around MLM (Network Marketing) programs for my entire life in different stages. My Parents were very successful with a couple different companies, until those companies were sold off to a larger corporation that ran them into the ground - Bad Leadership! My Mom had another Very Successful Distributorship with another MLM that used a "Party Plan" Approach. This was in my Teen Years and the company was still going strong until the same thing mentioned above happened with them...only a few years ago (I'm 40, to give you an idea of how long it was Successful)!
  
  With that company, while she was Active (Seizures and a Severe Car Accident disabled her after a few years), she made a very good income, as well as winning many Awards and Trips to places like Montreal & Quebec. For quite some time after she was Disabled, she still had Residual Income coming in.
  
  So...is MLM a Bad Business Model? Yes and No...
  
  1. Yes, if you're not Outgoing and a People Person that is willing to Work It for awhile, then continue to Manage It after the Initial Hard Work. Also, it's a Bad Model if you CANNOT Earn A Good Income on Product Sales and Never Sponsor a Single Person! Very FEW Businesses that are MLM are designed to allow Decent Commissions for Retail Sales, especially if you've never sponsored anyone into your Downline. This is one of the reasons for "Frontloading" new reps at a Requires High Entry Cost to have Products on Hand for sales or presentations...and then, they require you to focus more on Requiting to earn any money from it, all as they continue Frontloading every new rep!
  
  2. NO! If you find the Right Company with the Right Products (as some have pointed out, stick to Tangeble Products) at the Right Price and with the Right "Hook!" You must BELIEVE in Your Company and Products! You MUST be able to sell the Products and make a decent income and even a full living without ever sponsoring a single person! Yes, that takes away most of the "Passive" part of the Income that MLM's Offer...but, it's Important Enough to those who aren't interested in hounding Friends and Family (or anyone else) to Recruit them! You MUST have a USP...Unique Selling Point! In the company that my Wife is a Part Of, there are a Few Competitors, but not 1 has the same USP to compete, effectively! Yes, we offer a Similar Product, a Similar Idea, and at a Similar Cost...but we take it Much Farther by offering Even More to Every Purchase (including Random Large Bonus Prizes for Random Customers)! I won't go into too much detail, as I am not Pushing our company on anyone, here! If you or anyone else would like to know what Company we are with, PM me and I'll give you a link, as well as the "Hook" I'm talking about.
  
  Here's the deal for Everyone that says MLM is a Pyramid Scheme...they have Absolutely NO Concept of how Any Large or Small Corporation works!
  
  There is the CEO or Owner at the Top. Below him (next level down) are the Senior Executives. Then come the Regional Managers. Then Area Managers (and so forth, depending on how many Management Levels that said Corporation has). The farther you go, you finally get to the Entry Level Employees. They may be Cashiers, or Data Entry, or any other Low Level Position. They all (or most) want to Move Up The Ladder to a Better Position.
  
  What I just described above is a Pyramid...but it's not a Scheme, nor is it Illegal. The Governments of all States and the Federal Government works the same way!
  
  The Difference is that there is no Guaranteed Salary and you Only Succeed when you Put In The Required Work! Plain and Simple!
  
  Is there BAD MLM Companies that are Rip-Offs? Absolutely! That is why you MUST do your Due Diligence to learn Everything you can about the Company, their Leadersship, the Products, and MORE! You MUST Believe in Your Company, Leadership, and Products! If something seems "OFF" or "Too Good To Be True," then it probably is. Of course, this same thing goes for Anything in the Internet Marketing Business, as well.
  
  Know what you're getting involved with, First! Learn ALL You Can! Then, choose what you want to do and give it all you've got! With a bit of Work and the Right Company, you Can and Will Succeed!
  
  Again, if anyone is interested in learning anything about the Company that we chose, a PM is Required to me. I do not like to Promote anything Directly in a Post. I refuse to "Hawk" our Products or Company in posts like this with a Link in the Post. It "cheapens" the Brand, in my opinion!
  
  Good Luck with your Decision and Choice! Ignore anyone with no history of MLM or, what has been mentioned already, likely failure in MLM due to expecting it to build itself. And...Avoid Anything that is Digital Only and/or Focuses MOST on Recruits for Any Profits!
  
  Scott
  
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philstar

9 years ago

MLM is a great business model, but unfortunately, most of the MLM companies have bad compensation plan.

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shadudes

9 years ago

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Steve B 9 years ago

Most people don't have what it takes to make a full time living from MLM.

Likewise, most people don't have what it takes to make a full time living from Internet marketing.

Your chances of success will depend more upon you and what you do than upon the program you join or the business model you implement.

Over my working career, which began in the mid '70s, I have been approached many times by friends, relatives, and even strangers to listen to their MLM pitch - which I have usually agreed to out of respect for my friends. I have been pitched on dozens of MLM "opportunities."

I didn't joint any of these programs.

Here's what I have seen: not one of those people that pitched me ever made a living from their own program. Not one is still in that program today. Almost every one of those friends, relatives and neighbors were in a new and different career in less than a year.

To me, it suggests that very few ever make it in this business.

Steve
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- discrat 9 years ago
  
  Hello Olivia,
  Thanks for your Thread.
  
  Personally, I have lots of experience ( mostly in the 90s) with MLM. Countless ones I got involved with in some form or another.
  
  Honestly, I would stay away from them.
  
  Of course there are people who find Success with them.
  
  But most MLM programs are just illegal pyramid schemes that sell the dream and NOT the Product.
  
  If you do decide to pursue MLM please find a Company that really has a Product that you would buy regardless if you pursued the income opportunity.
  
  I know that is far and few between.
  
  But seriously good luck !!
  
  - Robert Andrew
  
  Thanks
  
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mapasm2003

9 years ago

what about sites like SFI that have many people making good money, does everyone think this is a bad site as well, because i am in it and find it quite good

Thanks

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DURABLEOILCOM

9 years ago

Originally Posted by OliviaJones

Hello Fellow Warriors,
Hope you are all doing well!

I am somewhat new to the Affiliate space and looking at my options for campaigns I can run. I want to start off strong.

I've come across several MLM programs, and would like to start promoting a couple. I am trying to figure out which programs to avoid and which I should run. I've read many things about scams and don't want to start off on the wrong foot.

Any companies, offers, or networks to avoid, please help. Any information would be great. Looking forward to your thoughts.

Thanks!

Guide Lines to Find a Good MLM

+A company that has been around for 15+ Years
+A company that has a Premium Quality Product or Service that actually adds value to the customers life.(You should try the product yourself prior to joining any company and determine if it is something that is of Premium Quality and that you would be proud to be involved with.)
+A company that has a structured Training/Education system infrastructure.
+A company with a concrete Commission/Bonus Payment system.

I have been working MLM since 2010 Full-Time and never looked back.

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MLM Programs - which are good? which are bad?

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