MLM – The Good and the Bad

Multilevel Marketing, Network Marketing – both these phrases have exploded on and offline. This relatively new form of marketing has taken a sinking economy by storm and as more and more people are affected by the global recession MLM is seeing a drastic upturn in acceptance. But there are two sides to every coin. You will find forums, blogs, and websites amongst many other communication media that are smashing down MLM techniques with all the negativities possibly imaginable. Some of these may resonate with a backing of truth, however the rest of them are usually due to misconceived perceptions. If you are able to handle perceptions the right way you could possibly convert someone to a MLM believer and have a strong network representative for you.

Many times you will find the words ‘MLM’ and ‘scam’ together. Unfortunately problems such as fixed pricing and Pyramid schemes have been linked to MLM and forcefully include it into a business model used to make the ‘top person’ rich and leave the bottom with rags. As an MLM advocate it’s important to understand the different scams that have been linked to this model and when developing or expanding your network educate your potential team on exactly why you are nothing like those. You can’t force people to accept that MLM is a beneficial model to all those involved but you can definitely try to educate them.

Often, if people know that you’re involved in an MLM business you’ll find them trying to avoid you because they don’t want to feel the obligation that they have to get involved. As the lead in your own business you need to make sure that the people that you would like to involve and even those that you don’t, feel no pressure or stress when talking about the business. You’ll often have to take a proactive stand to make them realize that it is entirely their choice and you’re there to provide the opportunity.

There has also been hesitancy towards MLM because of big business that have gotten involved. Not so long ago, before the terminologies became so popular MLM businesses were probably best known as Tupperware parties. But as more big time players start to enter the MLM field, the smaller business owners who once would comfortably use MLM as their marketing strategy begin to feel threatened. There is slowly a stereotype being developed that any MLM representative is an MLM-bot and has been trained to suck people into their ‘web of lies and deceit’. If you are ever in such a position, don’t forget that it’s sometimes easy to overlook the person you’re talking to and revert to a well rehearsed introduction of your product or service. Pay attention to the potential client and you’ll have a much better chance at winning them over.

These were just a few of the negatives faced but MLM businesses. I’m sure that many of you face even more difficult and challenging situations. The key is to remember is that though there may be people out there with many examples that have failed; you are in a position to prove them wrong and show them that the MLM model most definitely does work. Understanding the perceived downside will only arm you with the knowledge of how to tackle the problem, when it arises charge forward with all the confidence that you have and win the business that you want!