MLM: To join or not to join?

14 years ago

This is an interesting topic to say the least...

I've personally struggled with this type of marketing for many years. And even if you do have a large circle of influence, you can easily burn your contacts if you don't know what you're doing... Thus losing credibility and trust for when another opportunity arises.

From your post, I cannot advise one way or another. I don't know the company you're considering, or the quality of training and leadership you'd be receiving.

While it's possible to make money with network marketing, this industry is infamous for its overwhelming failure rate.

I would advise you concentrate on building the biggest possible value for your subscribers. It could be creating products or teaching something you know. By doing this, you will build credibility within your chosen niche.

Another option would be to hook up with a savvy marketer you can trust and follow his direction.

MLM has a sharp learning curve and the competition can be downright ruthless. Find someone who knows what they're doing and have them help you.

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Davy44 14 years ago

Thanks, Scott and RRG, for responding to my post. He's a trusted friend but I'll make my decision independent of our friendship. Again, thanks.
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- carmack 14 years ago
  
  Most people don't do well in mlm. I think one thing that is necessary for success, unless you are just crazily driven, is to have the person above you be good at what they do, which is training you and grooming you to be good at it as well. Otherwise, it's just about impossible. Do they hold training meetings that really train? Are they available to you? those are things to look at. Because your success will mostly depend on them, as long as you are putting in the work. And it is very hard work.
  
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- Scott Lambency 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Davy44
  
  Thanks, Scott and RRG, for responding to my post. He's a trusted friend but I'll make my decision independent of our friendship. Again, thanks.
  
  You're quite welcome, Davy..
  
  On an added note, people join people... Not companies.
  
  While some companies can offer a lot, it does no good for someone who doesn't know how to build the business.
  
  Work on making yourself valuable. Then if you decide to get involved in MLM, people will join your company of choice for the opportunity to partner with you.
  
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  Davy44 14 years ago
  
  You're right. I'm not a newbie at marketing online or offline. I'm fairly successful at affiliate marketing. Some of my websites are receiving fair amount of traffic each day. MLM is a new territory for me though. I'll take my time; I know an opportunity when I see one.
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RRG

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Davy44

A friend has been talking to me about a number of multilevel marketing opportunities. From what I can tell, these businesses are legit and have great potential to make money. Still I'm a little hesitant because I don't have a large circle of influence like my friend.

The question is this: To join or not to join? Please help, warriors!

I won't offer my own opinion.

Here's what the late, great Gary Halbert had to say about MLM:

The Gary Halbert Letter

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BrashImpact 14 years ago

Originally Posted by RRG

I won't offer my own opinion.

Here's what the late, great Gary Halbert had to say about MLM:

The Gary Halbert Letter

RRG,
thanks for sharing that letter, i had not seen that one, and as a marketer
i wasn't looking at the MLM but rather the letter writing money making
idea at the Bottom was Priceless, Got my wheels turning some more.

Thanks again for sharing this...Forget the MLM, the Letter value was
at the bottom.

Regards,
Robert
Mobile Fusion Texting
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Qamar

14 years ago

I personally would stay away from MLM. I have my reasons because I have been on a couple of MLM companies and went through their systems, as a result many of my friends have stayed away from me. LOL

Nothing beats affiliate marketing/info marketing/product creation or offline marketing for that matter.

Just my personal opinion.

Qamar

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Luther Landro

14 years ago

I would politely decline and discover a better way. There are, in fact, easier ways to generate income online and off.

The real money is always made at the top of MLM, so if you're going to put in the (considerable) effort & expense a down-line rep might exert in building a business; why not have full control of it, and reap the maximum return?

If you layer what you must do to become a successful distributor of <insert thing>, it is nearly the same as starting your own offline business from scratch sans the marketing and product development. (usually done-for-you by the MLM Parent)

True, MLMs offer a dream in a neat package, as most offers do in some form; except, with an MLM you're jumping head-first into another person's dream; fraught with peril as ever depicted by any work of man.

I don't think MLMs are too difficult, just not favorable on the risk-reward scale.

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John Durham

14 years ago

I would create my own offline affiliate network. My brother makes good money in MLm but it doesnt look worth it to me... Internet oriented Offline marketing is a better and more sure route to residuals if you ask me... You have to always keep pumping with MLM because people flood out as fast as they come in and hardly anyone does it forever, except people like my brother... But he is 10,000 percent dedicated and lives on the kool aid...actually hes the koolaid guy now.

If I was going to do MLM I would start my own company and do it my own way. You could create a better opportunity than someone can hand you.

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Centurian 14 years ago

Originally Posted by John Durham

hes the koolaid guy now.

LOL John. That's great.

If I was going to do MLM I would start my own company and do it my own way. You could create a better opportunity than someone can hand you.

Absolutely agreed! Been there. Done that.
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alexteamwr

14 years ago

i joined some local mlm business, and i am happy with what i earn. but as some of people says you must be dedicated to this kind of work, and try to find new methods of bringing people to your business (not friends). i don't think that you can make a good business by bringing your friends in. I do business only with people which I recruit on the internet.

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xlfutur1

14 years ago

being in an MLM can teach you many skills that you can use in other areas. But the problem is most everyone you recruit won't do anything, even when you hold their hand. Spend your time and money doing something else, you'll undoubtedly make much more money.

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John Durham

14 years ago

Randy Gage, my very favorite prosperity teacher of all time who you can look up on you tube does MLM. I knew he was like a 20 millionaire, but I listened to him for years before I knew he had made it from MLM, I always thought he was a real estate investor.

The only real way it works is by the "quality" of recruits you bring in, not the volume. You have to recruit people with alot of influence, similar to JVing with a guy who has a big list.

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Christine2011

14 years ago

Originally Posted by John Durham

The only real way it works is by the "quality" of recruits you bring in, not the volume. You have to recruit people with alot of influence, similar to JVing with a guy who has a big list.

Yes, I agree. You need quality recruits who can bring and speak the product out
clearly and comprehensibly.

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David B.

14 years ago

I'm joined a MLM because of the product 3 years ago. Tried to work it but it was not for me as I'm not people person or know a lot of people. In fact its how I discovered Warrior Forum.
I managed to sign up 2 customers for the product during that time who are still buying the product. I'm still getting a $18 check from the MLM company every month because of these two customers buying every month

Thinking of promoting it again because its a testimony that product works and the company is still paying even though I have been inactive in over 2 years. Well the thing only I do is renew my membership each year.
I agree that doing offline marketing with build in residuals is the much easier way to go.
MLM is good also but it depends on the Product, Company, Training & support provided which is what this company has. Check it out through the link in my signature. hint, hint

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Davy44

14 years ago

Thanks to all who responded to my post. I appreciate the pieces of advice you offered. Still checking out the opportunity. I'm proceeding with care.

My only attraction with mlm is the residential income opportunity. I'm willing to do what it takes to be successful if I find legit opportunity. I've worked tirelessly on affiliate business for 2 years now. I'm fairly successful with it, but I think I could do a little better.

Again, thanks.

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danielkanuck

14 years ago

Don't join. You will find yourself doing presentations in front of your friends and family just to get them to sign up. And those that do sign up usually quit within the first week of doing anything. Stick with direct response, and another business opportunity venture.

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Patrick Judge 14 years ago

The usual way in mlms is to show presentations, i tried this many times and its a way i cant makert.

The best way I find thats putting money in my pocket is with some new products.

I train in the gym every second day at weightlifting, its something I enjoy so i wanted products that would help me in my training, and ones I could buy wholesale and retail.

I did try the way most of the top earners do it but could not get it to work ??

anway, i decided to target people in the gym who want more energy, products for recovery, and products that work.

The only way to do this is to test, fact is when i explained what my products do people bought, i didnt even get chance to give samples, they just liked the idea of what the products where for and how they could help them in traning and recovery.

To give you an idea on one product, a problem i had was dehydration, i had gone to doctors and he said that the mood swings can be dehydration, some other things were dry mouth and headaches.

he said drink plenty of water but i couldnt drink the amount he wanted, so i been testing a product for just that in the gym for dehydration just add to my bottle of water and it solved that problem and gave me more energy and better recovery along with a bar before training.

Friend of mine tried it said it was brilliant and he can workout longer he has never tried nutrition form an mlm company, he is fit and trains upto an hour and a half on a cross trainer, his words pat you are onto a winner, so that was good, he then gave two to a friend who was doing nighthift and he said it was great stuff and he wanst some.

people are reordering monthly which is good, people have problems and challenges and need a good product that can help so its good to point out benefits.

I say dont join yet, i say look for your niche and once you have identified that niche then take the products, get some people on them and see then if they will order.

I am ordering in samples tommorow and then when in gym i just hand out, this is what im told my friend cuase i want to get him his products free as buying products for training is becoming expensive here in ireland.

One other product thats getting me repeat business is one for digestive disorders, a few people i know who have stomach problems and pains etc or ibs are doig quite well on this product, but the only reason i doing the product is because i am one has a stomach disorder and this works and is a detox and is light.

once my friend has a few orders i will sign him up as a wholesale customer and he can buy wholesale and retail the products to his few customers and product is shipped direct to him, at moment i get all my products free now which is grand.

The problem is always the products, either they taste crap, or the protein shakes make you feel full and bloated, not many companies seem to get it right, the one i am with has.

Like anything else its s business, but i now looking at getting the fitness drink out to some events, mabye sign up some gyms and they can order in wholesale and an earn nice commissions and products are shipped.

I would rather have good products that people want and actually ring looking for more.

Now thats my kind of business. I am happy enough doing because they are products I was looking for, something i needed and i know others will too.

I like the attraction of affiliate programs, i think the only way you can do well at mlm is if you have to have great product that people want, and they must be affordable.

I have to deliver to some new gym customers this week and should have more feedback.

thats my niche

All the products I selling are retailing 20 euro.

Patrick
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f5mtadas

14 years ago

if you dont have influence I do not recomend to join at all, because
first of all is not sales business. You can make many sales for you business, but
the problem you will have is dublication

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Vincent Cheng

14 years ago

hmm.. as for me.. i would think about whether it is an online mlm recruitment capable program or not.. plus the product.. whether it is good or not. Ultimately it is about sales and follow ups.

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MikeFriedman

14 years ago

I have a friend that has joined about 12 different MLM's the past 5 years. He always tries to get me in. Here is how I judge whether or not a MLM is worth it to join...

If I can make a living off of selling the product alone (it is a product that people need and/or want) without ever recruiting anyone, and those people who I do recruit can make a living off the product alone as well, I'll gladly join. I have yet to find one that fits that simple criteria.

The products are either garbage or they are something that people would actually buy but you make so little off of each sale that you would have to sell to tens of thousands of people to see any real money.

The only way to make money is to recruit other people into it. Most MLM's are just barely legal ponzi schemes in my opinion.

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Alexa Smith Banned 14 years ago

The common-law/case-law legality test that regulators and courts are increasingly applying (known in the US as the "70% rule" and in other countries under other names) is whether the products are sold retail to genuine customers who aren't associated in any way with the business opportunity itself (i.e. not only/mostly to other distributors for their "personal consumption").

Courts are characteristically strict at defining "retail customer". Even in the case of people who make a purchase as a retail customer and subsequently become a distributor, those initial purchases are specifically excluded from the company's total percentage of "retail sales". It's a small point, but nevertheless an interesting indication of how strict the legal/regulatory climate has understandably become, these days.

Some major US-based MLM companies - also understandably - now require distributors ordering products to certify that they've retailed a minimum of 70% of their previous month's order(s), before supplying them.

I certainly wouldn't consider joining an MLM that doesn't have an established record of genuine retail sales. (Who'd want to sell a product that people don't want to buy, anyway?). Those companies come and go by the thousand. They can occasionally survive for some years (though more often less than that) without being put under the legal microscope, but if they're not making retail sales, eventually they're probably going to hit a major regulatory problem.
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Larryathome

14 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeFriedman

I have a friend that has joined about 12 different MLM's the past 5 years. He always tries to get me in. Here is how I judge whether or not a MLM is worth it to join...

If I can make a living off of selling the product alone (it is a product that people need and/or want) without ever recruiting anyone, and those people who I do recruit can make a living off the product alone as well, I'll gladly join. I have yet to find one that fits that simple criteria.

The products are either garbage or they are something that people would actually buy but you make so little off of each sale that you would have to sell to tens of thousands of people to see any real money.

The only way to make money is to recruit other people into it. Most MLM's are just barely legal ponzi schemes in my opinion.

Great point and I fully agree with you about knowing that the product has to be something that you are comfortable selling, even if it is not within a network marketing structure. You also have to look into the manufacturing however if you are dealing with physical goods and the ingredients in the product. This is particularly true of the wellness industry and I have seen numerous distributors from an unnamed company chasing hype when the ingredients in their product are toxic to the body. I knew that I wanted to market wellness products going in and shut down everything I was doing online to take on this industry based on a moral higher calling. Coming from the food service industry, it really deeply hurt me to see people damaging themselves every day and exposing themselves to health problems without even knowing they were doing it. I proceeded to investigate nearly 40 companies before I found my new home and I am glad that I did.

The lesson is simple, decide what you want and do not do it for money reasons alone, because you will see your reputation slip and you will just be perceived as a salesman. Research your industry before getting in and decide if this business you are looking at really helps people. That will lead you to decide if it is even worth looking at the compensation plan. I was blown away by my company, but how many only follow hype?

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cvaughn

14 years ago

My thoughts are this. Most people in MLM want you to join and then hope that you are that superstar who can recruit and sign up the world. How likely is that?? It is my suggestion to anyone, find a leader who is willing to show you how to generate 5-10 leads a day combining online and offline strategies that are not confrontational for 30-90 days. Then once you know you can generate leads, then join, NEVER before. Do not lead with the companies cookie cutter website and back-office. However, you should look at it and ask yourself what is it trying to accomplish and then you set up your own funnel with optimize press(or something else), aweber, an email campaign that you design, offer front end products that you believe in, and create your own helpful product. Never hide your company but realize people join because of you. Teach the people you bring in how to generate leads before EVER asking them to join. That is the true "teach a man to fish" method and he will love you for it.

I don't like binary pay plans period! It is just my opinion but somewhere along the way someone is going to get left out of some big production that they do and they are not going to be mad at the company but at you.

Find a company that pays a good commission on product sales and pays on the first member you sign up. Look at how deep and at what percentage a comp plan pays.

I like mlsp, not because of the system but because of the producers in mlm that give ideas away in the back office. In my opinion it is worth the membership.

Know this, no matter the opportunity without leads all you have is a monthly expense(ie autoship). If you have leads you will at least have an opportunity to succeed in any company or opportunity you join. Learning how to generate leads will allow you to market launches, affiliate products, mlm, anything.

That is who you join...
someone should do a wso on generating mlm leads. If there is a warrior out there who has a recommended product now is an opportunity for you to share.

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danielkanuck

14 years ago

If you want to know how to make MLM work for you, pick up a book called "Prospecting Sucks" by Dan Kennedy. Can found on Amazon.com.

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Davy44

14 years ago

Thanks guys for your thoughtful suggestions. I'll be posting updates as I go through the process of deciding whether to join the program or not.

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marksz

14 years ago

depending on MLM, some require hard work and success really depends on it,.

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sethczerepak

14 years ago

If you start the MLM and it catches on, go for it. If not, run.

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Ben Dixon

14 years ago

This rubbish still exists? Dear me I thought this died out ten years ago.

Avoid it and start your own thing, don't rely on others. It gets you nowhere.

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Richard Crooke

14 years ago

Interesting subject - Overall, MLM is not easy; however, it can be successful if you have a great product, company and TEAM.

I did a post a couple of weeks ago - ViSalus, which is no longer active. I decided to join due to the online marketing methods that our team is doing compared to the traditional parties and friends & family deal.

We have our own tools & resources to market ViSalus - team site

For me, I am focused and motivated, so I made back my investment in 11 days. However, many don't have this energy.

Don't be to hard on the MLM concept, remember that 95% of wannabe online marketers don't make money and end up frustrated and sometimes in debt for buying product after product.

Hope this helps,

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Davy44

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Richard Crooke

Interesting subject - Overall, MLM is not easy; however, it can be successful if you have a great product, company and TEAM.

I did a post a couple of weeks ago - ViSalus, which is no longer active. I decided to join due to the online marketing methods that our team is doing compared to the traditional parties and friends & family deal.

We have our own tools & resources to market ViSalus - team site

For me, I am focused and motivated, so I made back my investment in 11 days. However, many don't have this energy.

Don't be to hard on the MLM concept, remember that 95% of wannabe online marketers don't make money and end up frustrated and sometimes in debt for buying product after product.

Hope this helps,

Thanks Richard for your encouragement as well as your PM. It's never easy to make money through marketing, be it online or offline. But, I think that I can make money in mlm with the right opportunity. I'm still reviewing the offer from my friend. I'll give it a shot if I'm convinced it is the right opportunity.

Again, thanks for your post.

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HIPMama

14 years ago

Doing MLM the old school way stinks. I did it, failed miserably. I even sought out the top earners in the company. Most people will not do well in MLM offline, HOWEVER, when you take the MLM concept online and learn attraction marketing (providing value upfront, teaching others how to build an internet business which then attracts MLMr's), now you've got a formula for success.

If your friends company does not have an online blueprint for success, no worries, you can always be the first to create one!! You could take that company by storm. Just need to find the right mentor.

Oh, and by the way, I do mine online and it's an entirely different concept that offline. Online = lead with value and positioning yourself as the person with knowledge of how to build a biz online. Offline = chasing friends, family, the cleaning lady and lots of home parties. LOL

Best of luck to you!

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Centurian

14 years ago

Originally Posted by HIPMama

Doing MLM the old school way stinks. I did it, failed miserably. I even sought out the top earners in the company. Most people will not do well in MLM offline, HOWEVER, when you take the MLM concept online and learn attraction marketing (providing value upfront, teaching others how to build an internet business which then attracts MLMr's), now you've got a formula for success.

If your friends company does not have an online blueprint for success, no worries, you can always be the first to create one!! You could take that company by storm. Just need to find the right mentor.

Oh, and by the way, I do mine online and it's an entirely different concept that offline. Online = lead with value and positioning yourself as the person with knowledge of how to build a biz online. Offline = chasing friends, family, the cleaning lady and lots of home parties. LOL

Best of luck to you!

How true. Online makes more sense for MLM.

Who wants to chase friends with "opportunity" meetings anymore?

Thanks

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zoro

14 years ago

Been there done that. The trouble with MLM is that your marketing efforts are relying apon others efforts. I've been caught twice ... lost a lot of money ... never again.
Don't join.

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wilder1047

14 years ago

I got into internet marketing through an MLM sort of company - which is called carbon copy pro.

Very solid in terms of the biz model that it is - but it just wasn't for me.

My friend is having a ton of success with it - and if you can drive traffic (which it sounds like you can) then you can create 100s of a leads on a daily basis.

My problem is that I know the failure rate is MASSIVE - so how can you recruit these people - and feel comfortable taking their money in an economy like this, knowing there's a very good chance they will fail?!?!

It's amazing isn't it. There are people who are confident enough to feed crap to prospects in an MLM opportunity where failure is the norm..

Yet, there are people on here who can only benefit local businesses with their online marketing abilities but they're too scared to go out and talk to them at all.

How backwards this world is..

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smokey58 14 years ago

CCPRO is very expensive, but it is not MLM. I personally do not like their high pressure sales tactics.
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kennethtang

14 years ago

Without getting into the requirements of what makes for a good MLM oportunity (company, products, comp plan, etc. - these need further investigation and analysis on your part), the main thing you have to consider is the Upline Leadership and their training and strategy for getting new distributors "online" (as in ready-to-go, not merely as in being on the Internet).

What is the support structure? Do they have a way for you to get your business/sponsoring/product sales started almost right away even while you're new and learning the ropes.

It's actually a simple process and any upline worth his salt will have it working for and on behalf of his downlines. If your friend is still new, can you track up and find someone who can help? In this case, a high-performing but everyday kinda guy or gal is a better bet than a recruiting superstar because the former will make the time for you while the latter won't have the time of the day for you. He'd be recruiting too many people on his frontline to effectively work with to help them build their business.

That's usually when you'll hear about people getting burned in MLM. Some of them could be because of outright scams, but many could turn out to be victims of monstrous frontline growth, fueled by the "sponsor's super-stardom".

If everything is in place (or most everything, company, comp plan, leadership, products, etc), have a go, but have realistic expectations and build for the long-term (Which doesn't mean build s-l-o-w, most build in spurts of explosive activity; it just means have a long-term view)

Some food for thought.

In case you're wondering, yes I am involved.

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Martin1977

14 years ago

My opinion is if you don't treat an online mlm company as mlm just as an another affiliate program or affiliate product then you can make money in an mlm company as well . By the affiliate marketing and the network marketing by both you have to sell products. I have a good example next mlm companies.

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Greg guitar

14 years ago

You have mentioned that you've made good money with affiliate sales online, but are considering this mlm biz because of the residual income it offers (you said residential, but I'm pretty sure that was a semantic error).

The leaders in mlm often act as if residual income was some sort of magical concept only possible through them, in fact, it's a common claim that it mlm offers the only way that is left for a regular individual to grow a business-what garbage!

Here on the forum, you can probably find thousands of people that make thousands per month from affiliate sales coming in from efforts they made a year or more ago. Is that not residual income? It's usually called "autopilot" in our space, but what's the difference?

How much recruiting, training, and motivating would you have to do to get a residual income of any size going in the mlm biz? The drop off rate is staggering, so I suggest that the residual aspect is way overstated, if it even exists. In fact, I believe most companies cut off most or all of your residuals if you pause your training and recruiting efforts for even a month. Your residuals come from your organization, which you are considered responsible for providing ongoing leadership to, so it's a lot more like a job than what you do now.

The founders of the quintessential old school uber-successful mlm: Amway, have correctly stated that if you are not growing your organization, it is shrinking. In other words, the owners of one of the world's most successful, long term mlm companies don't believe in the residual aspect, so why should you?

Since you already have traction in an area that really does offer residual income, where sites you start in one day, promote and SEO for a few more days, and then never touch, can produce income for years, why not simply scale up, or if your efforts have been more labor intensive, why not refine your skills by modelling people who really do have substantial residual affiliate income.

I recommend "Bring The Fresh", the membership site where Kelly Felix and Mike Long, who've have made tens of millions, teach you how they set up money making affiliate sites in 45 minutes, and then move on to the next.

If their style isn't to your liking, you can probably find 100s of WSOs to choose from that would help you get to that magic place where the payments roll in from sites you haven't touched for a while. Or if you already have some of that, you can find people who will teach you to scale it, outsource it, etc.

You're already halfway to your goal, and thinking about starting a whole new, much more labor intensive business model that claims to offer "residual income", but has much less chance of generating it than the model you already have some success with.

Your friend is offering you Koolaid you should turn down, imo. Otherwise you'll find your "residual income" requiring a whole lot of ongoing adult baby sitting, in the never ending search for those illusive leaders who will catapult you to the next earning level.

Thanks

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stayhomedads

14 years ago

I find this thread very interesting.

Most of what was said "bad" about MLMs in these comments can apply equally to Internet Marketing. Unfortunately there are "bad apples" in both businesses.

You have to do your homework, research the company, leadership, product, etc...

I've lost $1000's in Affiliate marketing and Internet Marketing, same as some have lost $1000's in MLM. I think it all comes down to research and know what to look for.

Above all, do what feels right to you, and will help others.

If the company is offering a product that helps others achieve their goals, and it is a reasonable price, and there are documented customers who purchase the products, even without being involved in the "opportunity"...

AND, if you are willing to work hard at it....

AND, you are willing to be trained and coached...

... Then you CAN succeed in MLM. Just like Affiliate / Internet Marketing. As a matter of fact, aren't Affiliate Marketing and MLM like cousins?

Anyway, I believe anyone, who is trained properly, and willing to do the work, can succeed at either of these opportunities.

Best of luck to you!

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1 reply

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dtaylor 14 years ago

I got totally burned out on the whole MLM scene a couple of years ago. I will never again go for a company that has a monthly commitment or, autoship or anything of that nature. Face it, most MLMs are based around selling huge volumes of products to people that would not normally buy in that volume (think about $150 of vitamin pills or jungle juice per month).

I did join an organization last year, but it was because I purchased the product and loved it. One lifetime purchase made me a lifetime distributor with no further purchase obligations. About 70% of the people I have met since I bought mine also got involved for the product, not the opportunity.

This is a high-dollar sale with resultant high commissions. I personally know quite a few people right here in Montana that are making a full-time living from it, which is rare for any MLM.

I don't market actively and have still made quite a few hundred dollars. Don't believe I will ever do MLM full time again but I like the product and it is fairly easy to sell.

Based on my experience, these would be my criteria for any MLM:

1. Must be a high-dollar sale (the Get Paid Today theory) so I get my money now, not in $12.00 increments. I really, really enjoy getting checks for several hundred dollars for a single sale.

2. NO AUTOSHIP, ever

3. Customers must primarily buy for the product, not the opportunity. I want to offer something that people actually WANT to buy.

The get paid today idea combined with not having an autoship takes away the whole baby-sitting portion of the business. No more rah-rah meetings.

Good luck with your decision.

DTaylor
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Dean Twain

14 years ago

Many years ago, I've been involved with a mlm company (Belair). The capital outlay is $1k. Luckily I managed to recoup and made a small profit. The conventional mlm of face to face direct selling no longer excites me though decent money can still be made through sheer hard work. Right now I am into the Internet Model of mlm. The cost is low and I typically break even within a couple of days.
Here's how I go about doing it:
I'll choose companies with a free or very low start up cost (<$10). I'll always kick off with their trial offer. I'll work my butt off to market it within the trial period. If I can break even or profit before the trial period is up, I'll continue my subscription. Else, I'll just cancel it. I have been quite successful so far.

Thanks
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merlionsn 14 years ago

Just like you. I have joined several network marketing companies. The most recent one was herbalife. Managed made back my investment. But it was quite an investment though almost $6.8k . Made about $4k after the recovering the cost. I think the marketing plan is important where comes to decide whether to join in. The compensation must enable particpant to recover the cost fast. Affordable.
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- merlionsn 14 years ago
  
  Sounds complicated. How do you do it?
  
  Can you advise?
  
  Thanks
  
  2 replies
  
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  Dean Twain 14 years ago
  
  @merlionsn, i've checked out elifeinspire couple of weeks back. My friend from Singapore broke even (and profit a little) after getting in 3 direct referrals. FYI, the domain name is set to expire in Dec 2011. You can confirm this from WHOIS.
  I'll probably try it out after Dec after the owner renews it.
  The website looks doggy and the products they offer is not even useful. But what the heck, it's $10 lifetime membership and after 3 referrals, it's pure profit!
  We all have $10 to blow right?...
  
  Cheers!
  
  Thanks
  
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  Charles Harper 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by merlionsn
  
  Sounds complicated. How do you do it?
  
  Can you advise?
  
  Were you speaking to Dean, or were you speaking to me?
  
  CT
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  Signature
  
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  Wisdom Raphael 14 years ago
  
  I have been in MLM for sometime mainly offline. I sold nutritional products. It does work but the market and effective marketing is very important. naturally, Its more profitable if you are selling a product that sells itself but in most cases this will not be the situation because the products are usually expensive and inessential e.g travel, nutrition etc. I abandoned MLM because I realised for one person to be at the top, many will have to be at the bottom and those at the top reap more out of your efforts than you on the long run. morever some require you buy some package to keep your account active and receive your commission. I did recoup my investment though but I found it very hard to convincing people to join. It was much easier doing direct selling.
  
  Thanks
  
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Charles Harper

14 years ago

When I look at the State of the industry, the age old rule applies. The guy making the money is not the one digging the holes. It is the one selling the shovels. Or another way I have heard it stated is that you really make money in MLM when you mine the miners.

You are actually in the right thread. There are a good number of people who are in MLMs in your city and joining every day. Take a look at what gentlemen like Mike Dillard and Daegen Smith have done ONLINE, and do that OFFLINE.

Do this as a test. Get a package of PLR Videos that shows you how to do some basics. How to get a domain name, how to get hosting, how to set up your wordpress blog, what is private label rights, etc. Repackage it on to a DVD, start a meetup and teach MLMers in your town about basic internet marketing.

Find the people who are NOT online (local papers, etc.) with their MLM. An excellent place to meet them are the networking groups. You will also find some stragglers at the Chamber. Move them up the ladder in your product funnel until you are teaching them about how to get traffic.

Then teach them how to create their own product. Reveal to them what has been revealed to you, that if you are a product creator in the age of information, and you learn marketing skills you are dangerous.

Show them how to reach others in their local area online using Google Places and build their list. If you work with MLMers to build YOUR list and become an authority to them; you will have what you are seeking from MLM. If you teach them how to create their own products and market them, you will have done a good thing in their life.

CT

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newbizideas312

14 years ago

You mention mlm and there is a negative resistance from the jump.. The thing I don't like is that most mlm companies make more money on the front end start-up( that goes to their upline), then anything else... Make sure you have a marketing channel you can use to sell these products...Not to your friends and family lol. Is there a real need for the products, and are people actively looking for this solution to the product?

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Sandycmy

14 years ago

Wow ! What a Thread, seems that none on this world can escape your own friends recommending for one of the companies they joined to

@ John Durham: I personally felt, that many MLM are run by JACKS and you can do it better than what they do.

Here's what I have in mind - Just let me know if you join this company ( which is yet to be created by me )

This is the brief plan .......

The Product: Is a Print Magazine of opportunities ( If not all quite a few WSO can also be eligible, however, this will have lot of real world opportunities too)

- hey, Though a Print Magazine, it goes without saying that it will have an online version too.

Subscription Membership Price : say $ 37 p.m

Membership Benefits:
a) One 4cm * 3cm size box print a free
b) Special membership Discounts for all other sizes.
c) The Print Magazine comes to your doorsteps every month ( All efforts to bring useful information as articles )
d) Loads of quality PLR material - to be accessed in online membership area
e) Possible JV's with genuine offers which are value for money for customers and scalable.

Compensation Plan:
Like a simple affiliate program:

1 level: $ 10 ( the person who promotes deserves more)
2 level : $ 7

( recurring and every month ) some clauses will apply on pricing .. etc

You can recruit "n" number of people and scale up the monthly commission checks.
All professional Marketing and sales training and support in online membership area.

Now the question: Would you join this MLM ???
OR can someone make it - I'll Join it !

Thanks
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Michael Bucker 14 years ago

Goodness it seems everyone has an opinion. Probably because even if they are not admitting it they are in or have tried some sort of mlm.

My twin brother has been in many, thus being his twin in support of him I joine those many also. I even worked a few of them. I would say my brother actually became an expert of MLM companies over the years.

Are they scams? Certainly some of them are. Are they all? Of course not, if they were you would have people like Donald Trump and several other prominent business men who own some of the successful ones.

Here is what I learned as a fact from my twin and the few I did work with him. It is just that, work. No matter what anyone tells you after watching this for 15 years, in the several I have seen there is none that make it as easy as it sounds? You must think of it as a job. If you don't put real work into it you don't make money. Two you must be a salesmen. Non-salesmen personalities don't make it.

Finally someone above said the real money is in those who create the mlm in the first place and a few people who are at the top. That is true and where the real money usually is. Another person said you can burn out your list of people quick if you are not careful that is also true.

Do they work yes they do. Does it take work, yes it does. I am very trusted among my friends and family. I would tell any of them this fact. MLM takes a certain personality and you have it or not. Some professions can be learned even if you don't have the initial personality but MLM definitely takes a salesperson and a sales personality.

The company is probably legit and your friend is I sure trust worthy. But the written words above remain true. If you want to work hard and yes I mean hard you will make money. Only down sides I have seen is one you must make it a job. Two, a lot of people do not like mlm companies if you can handle some friends and family avoiding you its ok. That is if you pitch it to them. A good product you should be able to sell without having to use friends and family to do so.

Good luck either way my friend.
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bryson

14 years ago

This may have been already posted. I have done my tour in mlm. The people who are successful are real leaders, with exellent sales and people skills, and great at painting the picture of easy attainable wealth. If this is not you.....stay away

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Sue Bruce

14 years ago

First red flag:"a number of multilevel marketing opportunities"
Friends don't pitch MLM unless they've joined themselves.

Second red flag:"have great potential to make money"
Every idea out here has potential. You don't have to venture outside of this forum to make money.

Third red flag:"little hesitant" If you gut does not scream "yes" say "no".

Final red flag:"I don't have a large circle of influence" You must already know that many of these companies want you to start with friends and families. What fun!

Thanks
1 reply

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John Durham 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Sue Bruce

If you gut does not scream "yes"...!

My gut has screamed YES on some of the worse decisions I ever made in my life lol...and "no" on some of the smartest ones I could have ever made.

Just sayin...
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Sue Bruce

14 years ago

Davy44 Love your attitude. "I'm willing to do what it takes..." "I've worked tirelessly on affiliate business..." You're a smart guy, asking for warrior opinions. I've been an offline business owner for many years. PM me if you want a second opinion on offline questions.

John Durham Curious as to the percentage of times your gut was wrong. Guesstimate?

Thanks
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John Durham

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Sue Bruce

Davy44 Love your attitude. "I'm willing to do what it takes..." "I've worked tirelessly on affiliate business..." You're a smart guy, asking for warrior opinions. I've been an offline business owner for many years. PM me if you want a second opinion on offline questions.

John Durham Curious as to the percentage of times your gut was wrong. Guesstimate?

... at least 1% of the time i would say...

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1 reply

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Sue Bruce 14 years ago

John Durham Real men can wear a pink shirt and admit to 1%. LOL Love your attitude as well!
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carl preza

14 years ago

I would stay away from MLM, had bad experience...

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1 reply

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Tsnyder 14 years ago

Originally Posted by carl preza

I would stay away from MLM, had bad experience...

Ate at local restaurant last evening... did not enjoy the food.

I'd say stay away from restaurants... had bad experience.
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- IMguy123 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Tsnyder
  
  Ate at local restaurant last evening... did not enjoy the food.
  
  I'd say stay away from restaurants... had bad experience.
  
  too funny...very good point and I am not even in an mlm. I have been one in the past but that particular one did not work for me. That does not mean all are bad. I am considering one that I do believe will work for me.
  
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Matt Lee

14 years ago

Seriously? People still think MLM is a good online business model? Sure for the guys at the top.. But unless you sucker a whole lot of other people to be your downline you're not making a dime. There are so many better ways to make a buck online, just my 2 cents =)

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Tsnyder

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Mr Marketer

Seriously? People still think MLM is a good online business model? Sure for the guys at the top.. But unless you sucker a whole lot of other people to be your downline you're not making a dime. There are so many better ways to make a buck online, just my 2 cents =)

Well... that was a complete waste of time... not to mention pure BS

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Larry Leggett

14 years ago

MLM is full rubbish for me. Because you will have to spend huge time and money to get a downline and after adding a person in your downline, you will have to motivate them to be active. If your downline is active, you will be earning. This a stupid policy. In MLM business, 99% people fails to earn money. Some of my friends were in some MLM companies after working 4-5 months, they were frustrated and left MLM forever.

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Tsnyder

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Larry Leggett

MLM is full rubbish for me. Because you will have to spend huge time and money to get a downline and after adding a person in your downline, you will have to motivate them to be active. If your downline is active, you will be earning. This a stupid policy. In MLM business, 99% people fails to earn money. Some of my friends were in some MLM companies after working 4-5 months, they were frustrated and left MLM forever.

More total nonsense...

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Emorej

14 years ago

as for my experience in MLM, i won't be doing this anymore.

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Devid1

14 years ago

This is very hard to manage people to join there.I have some bad experience about this business.When someone will teach you about this business,you will think this very easy job.If you have great mouth,you could do this.

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1 reply

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Joanne D 14 years ago

WOW - this is such an interesting thread.

I am a Network Marketer (MLM, Direct Sales) and proud of it! I'm doing well with it, I have a fantastic upline, I have all the support and training (ongoing) I could possibly want, I get recognition for a job (jobs) well done (something I NEVER got working with corporate America for over 20 years or when I was working on my own), I get gifts (jewelry, money, trips, etc), I will be getting a brand new car fully paid for, AND I have an enjoyable job - one that I love doing because I believe in the products and the business plan.

Yes - it is a "job". I have to work at it just like any other job. The concept is simple, but the work is hard.

I am affiliated with a great Network Marketing company. The compensation plan is exceptional, the products are exceptional and the business opportunity is exceptional.

The company I work with has everything needed to succeed - consumable products (products that people use each and every day) as well as products that many people want (it is in the health & wellness niche).

The cost to join is not a lot and although there is a "recommended" amount of money to spend on yourself in the beginning to stock up for your presentations and to try yourself, this is not an absolute. You have the choice how much you want to invest.

Training and coaching is included in the registration fee.

Almost everyone I know who has joined is doing very well. Sure, there are some who aren't (or didn't) but the ones that I know of, didn't try - didn't put in the effort.

Network Marketing is NOT a get rich quick scheme. It is work and it is a job. You need to treat it as a business, not a hobby if you want to make money at it. Just the same as affiliate marketing (which I was never successful at). I feel good to finally be succeeding at something.

Also, most of my initial efforts with my business are done online as that is where I am the most comfortable. Once I know someone is interested, we either meet online or in-person.

Remember, there as much controversy about MLM as there is about affiliate marketing. It's just a matter of finding the right "fit". Mine was not IM and affiliate marketing but it is MLM.
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al9166

14 years ago

That's a realistic question. It's best to ask the question to yourself because you are the one that can give an answer.My point is, Think that if you have a capacity to join any mlm online opportunities that real work by internet also. After it, find a mlm company that fits your personality and the vision to help others to make their life more valued.

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MLM: To join or not to join?

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