So here’s the thing. MLM or Pyramid schemes?
Who are they and how to know the difference?
A lot of people have gone super skeptic about MLM and its legitimacy. Comparing it to past-day pyramid schemes or Ponzi schemes. I’ve read, seen, been in, tried and lived a young life of learning about network marketing.
When I was 16, I was exposed to a lot of learning on my own. That includes a lot of self-help, curiosity, aggressive approaches by different companies and my relentless insurance agent who with her “persistent” fishing, scammed me to put in more money in “investments” or plans that I don’t need, want or use.
I’m no expert in business but after almost a decade-over of facing these opportunities, speaking to people in different industries throughout my career, it leads me to understand it in this way. Let me summarize it if I can.
1) Does the company rely SOLELY on your membership and recruiting others with NO tangible (something you can touch, see or use) product or service provided?
2) Does the company promise you on FAST money or a GET-RICH Quick scheme?
3) Does the “TOP MAN” earn a huge percentage from you by not doing a single thing?
Ok so now, where did I get my initial education?
Truth be told, it was when I joined Amway back in 2005 or ’06. It provided product and services that added value to the consumer and distributor. After obtaining an understanding on the differences of traditional and network marketing businesses, I was then enlightened.
So am I a millionaire? No I’m not. Why?
1) I am mainly a MEMBER and CONSUMER of its products or services. It adds value to my life and I support only things that are compatible to MY life, my style and my principles. Not all products from ANY company out there be it network marketing companies or not, is suitable for everyone. Just like how shampoos or facial products work differently for everyone, it’s the same concept. Not everything is for you. You like orange and I like lilac. Simple concept. I do not actively sell, that’s my point.
2) I do not have a dream of being a millionaire. Though, that seems hard to reach but not impossible dream of being a philanthropist is on cue, I never was the very ambitious paper chaser type. I love simple things and simple living. Sometimes the more money you have, the more problems you might acquire. Emphasis on the MIGHT. It’s subjective to everyone’s situation, really. If you can handle it, why not.
3) I am not a sales person. Unlike my talented sister who owns a multi level personality bandwidth, I cannot sell a refrigerator to an Eskimo. It’s not my interest and has never been my forte. Especially force-selling or hard selling. I find it annoying, exploitive and unbecoming.
Why do people use products or services from Herbalife, Amway, Mary Kay, World Ventures etc? Simple. It works and it’s for them. That’s all there is to it.
I’m going to put reality in your face today. You subscribe to a daily mail, a newsletter (like how the army takes $2 from you to run their newsletters), a gym membership that you hardly use, you’re an Adidas addict or a Vans collector, you purchase every known Nike edition there is. I can go on and on but my dear friend, YOU have contributed to the World of Making Money off you.
Come on, you buy a Starbucks every day or every week. You buy clothes, food, digital products etc. You ARE in the chain unless you throw away this urban life, trade in your smart phone for a cow and a hen and downgrade to the au-natural friend of the forest. Be real. Be smart.
If you’re not into the whole networking idea, then fine, it’s ok but be cool with it and don’t dis something you DON’T UNDERSTAND or HAVE BAD EXPERIENCE of. The experience is different for everyone. Just like LOVE. The same dude might be a prince to someone else and a total asshole to another, let’s be real about it people.
Why do I partake in such companies?
1) It’s a value added product or service that benefits me
2) It educates me along the way about self-worth, determination and life perspectives.
3) It is the door of opportunity to meeting tons of people from all walks of life, businesses and industries.
4) You find the most odd but unique treasures in different things in your process of life education when put in certain situations of learning.
I’m a life freak, what can I say. I love learning about everything and obtaining as much knowledge or be exposed to as much World there is. That’s why I love traveling so much, I guess. I hardly get home sick but appreciate everything there is about “home”.
Why is it a hated or frowned upon industry?
You know why? Because of all those people who gave network marketing or MLM a bad name. How does it get a bad name?
1) When your buddy or acquaintance is super persistent even after you’ve said no.
2) When they over-sell or hard sell you on “promises”
3) When they belittle you or condescend you to a point of humiliation or hatred.
4) When they do not speak or associate with you anymore just because you said no.
5) When they tell you how easy it is and then you realize that they’re just interested in your money.
6) When the principle of “Integrity” is no longer in their minds and they disengage from honoring your value as a person but see you or speak to you with a monetary agenda.
7) When they drag you into a “cult gathering” mindset for being in the “in” group and disassociating you if you’re not participating in their activities.
If you do this to your friends, pleas stop this degrading act of over ambitiousness. You can have a dream and think BIG of course, but not with collateral damage of your friends and loved ones. Not by affecting how others see the business because like it or not, YOU are an ambassador of the product or company in some way. Such dishonorable behavior will only confuse people in the façade that everything is evil and for an ultimate agenda.
People will associate you with the company and if you’re being an ass about it, it’s making others look bad. Just like how bad eggs in the airlines or hotel industries make stewardesses or hotel staff, look like they’re always sleeping around or having “FUN”. Not everyone has those values or behave such ways.
I’m not surprised and am aware of many MLM companies who have hidden agendas and counterfeit their products or even earn extensively through workshops. A lot of companies are transparent and you should look into their business plan if you’re really interested that is.
I personally, will not and have not forced my friends to submit to a commitment that doesn’t meet their own life requirements. I won’t tell ya about it if its not good and I definitely won’t encourage you to be part of it if it’s not within your own means and terms. Never allow others to dictate what will make you happy.
If making money and helping others makes you happy then fine but if having enough and living simply is ok too, it’s fine too. As I said, there are really no hard and fast rules here. I’ve even seen the Rich Dad Poor Dad technique and back-story. When you research and Google about stuff off the net, you’ll get truths, lies and propaganda. You have to be non-bias, research deeper, see both sides of the coin. That’s what I did for myself at the least. Why do you think I’m so upfront about it? I’ve gone through pages and pages of information and links and opinions from all sorts of proofs and people. There is such a fine line of which side of an understanding you’d gain.
My advice is an easy solution to your dilemma whether it is for you or not.
1) If the product or service benefits you one way or another as a user/consumer, then go for it. You’re already a consumer of other stuff, like ZARA, Uniqlo, Starbucks and ALIEXPRESS so why not? Are you a member of that gym, yoga school or martial arts academy? Mmm hmmm, you know you are, don’t lie. Your fear of it being a “Network Marketing” product association has to end here. It’s just a company name people; it’s not a marriage, jeez.
2) If you have interest in its core values and mission statement; like helping people and living a positive progressive life in general, then do it. If it’s good soup why are you rejecting it, you’ve got to be either bold or blind.
3) If you have found a good leader who you’d like to associate with in the company because of their integrity and honesty in working, then absolutely go for it. It’s not everyday that you find a gem of a leader that you can absorb good traits from and build your character. It’s not all about making money you know. Please know that. That’s what makes you human.
4) If you can learn something from it and it adds value in your life one way or another, then by all means do it. Educating yourself and creating your own lifestyle should interest you.
5) If an exponential or expansive income can do some good, why not? If you could get an extra $200 in your bank for some extra work you’ve done on the side, could it be bad? It’s the same thing as how you help paint homes on weekends on your days off or babysit after school to earn some extra pocket money. It’s the same thing just a little harder than babysitting hahha….
Change your mindset from such a closed minded skeptic that created bad blood with some friends who “manipulated” you into joining. They didn’t manipulate you; they’re just really bad in showing a good example of how some things can benefit you. Too bad. And if they really did manipulate you then on their behalf, I apologize for their unaccepted moronic behavior.
Look, it’s so simple. If you want to earn money passively or expansively, you can do it in so many forms of business, like food, retail or branding. These companies (MLM) just PROVIDE you with the products and services; imagine that they’re your manufacturer or printer, when you look at it at a normal business perspective, it WILL make absolute sense. You should be critical about certain things but never to the point that it will blind you from making a sound and fair judgment.
If you can’t afford the monthly membership (just like your gym, spa or personal trainer) then don’t. Don’t add on to your expenditure. Don’t join something that requires you to invest in an extremely large sum of money like thousands and thousands of dollars. If they force you into something that isn’t for you, then be firm and put your foot down, it IS your money and you should have a say on where it goes. If they start to pressurize you into succumbing to them, it’s ok, say no politely and ask to be excused.
Any business is tough and hard earned. There’s no easy money here people, has never been easy and never will be. YOUR own effort is key to your own success. How you want to grow, slow or fast is really up to you. There’s no hard and fast rule in running your life. You are the master of how you want it to grow, no motivational speaker is able to predict on how much you want in your own life except you. If you’re content with your life as how it is, then you should be happy and carry on. Being satisfied should suffice if you’re not into the chase. It’s alright, that’s a good thing.
So I hope this has cleared your mind on what’s good for you and what’s not. Don’t trust friends who have shown you a bad example of what MLM businesses are. Not all are good and not all are bad. I’ve seen it for myself just like thousands of others. If network marketing was easy, at least 60% of the World’s human population would be involved in such business. That’s why only maybe 20% or less hold the key to their own freedom via these methods of business, cos they’re hard workers, persistent and consistent (all of which I’m not hahha). I’m not against the business but maybe against those who hone in to people’s weaknesses and benefit off them and those who are addicted to a “cult-like” mentality. That’s a BIG NO NO for me.
You can Google as many articles that have made bad and negative reviews of network marketing BUT did you see the proof of successful people or professionals who have done non-bias research on it. I guess you haven’t.
Here’s some links for you to check out.
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/startup/fl/Is-Direct-Selling-MLM-a-Good-Business-Opportunity.htm
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/is-world-ventures-the-real-deal-or-just-another-scam
To end, not all memberships or products are for everyone. Some people like True Fitness and some like California Fitness, some like iKea and some like Crate and Barrel. Not all methods of earning money is for everyone BUT if it IS for you, then you’d definitely have a blast and you have a gateway of avenues of opportunities and I’m not even talking about the network marketing company opportunity, I’m talking about the vast amount of “NETWORK” in your hands.
Just like what Jay says, “I’m not a businessman, I’m the Business man…”
“Learn as much as you can when you’re young just to avoid being an old fool.”
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