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getagrip
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
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# Posted: 29 Jan 2007 12:31 · Edited by: getagrip
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A few days ago days ago, I saw a friend I haven't seen for a while in a Starbucks coffee shop. Since it looked like she might have been on a date...and because I was running late for work, I didn't say hi, but instead decided to email her later on to ask about her "hot date". The next day, I get this email from her. It went something like this:
"Keith, we need to talk! Call me if I don't call you first!"
I thought, "great, she's ticked off because I said 'hot date'". I really didn't mean it in a bad way...
We talked later that night, and it turned out she wasn't mad at me at all. In fact, she said she had been thinking of me, and didn't mean anything by the way her email came across. I thought it was really cool that she had been thinking about me, after all, she's a really neat girl.
But then the unthinkable happened. She dropped the "MLM" bomb. She had been thinking about me because she wanted to know if I was interested in joining her MLM. Noooooooooooooooooooo!
The funny thing is that the LAST time we hadn't talked for a while, she wanted to talk to me about joining her MLM as well. So, here is a nice girl who I hardly ever hear from...who I only get to talk to when it involves joining her MLM.
Now, aside from the fact this girl only seems to want to talk to me when it involves joining her MLM, the interesting part about this story is that the two MLM bombs she dropped on me were two different MLMs, both of which, of course, were the best thing since sliced bread. If you are not familiar with what happens when someone wants you to join their MLM, it goes something like this:
To get people interested, you frequently have to bug your friends and family to try to get them to join the MLM. You usually have to ask people to go to a hotel to watch some millionaire "guru" speak, who can solve all of your problems, except, of course, the problem that deals with why nice girls only talk to you when they want you to join their MLMs.
Like all MLMs, you discover that this millionaire MLM guru speaking at the hotel won the Nobel Peace Prize for inventing the world's most advanced toilet paper, which when used at night, cures cancer. You find out that you can get rich if you pay something like $200 to start selling this really advanced toilet paper, and of course the MLM company doesn't make a dime off of the $200 you spend to join the company...
So you decide to join the MLM and all of the sudden you are out $200, which you had to borrow from your father's sister's friend's roommate. What do you get for your $200? You get a really nice welcome packet of high tech toilet paper, which is hand crafted in the Himalayas, and sells for $49.99 a roll.
Does this sound far fetched? Well, actually its not. The first MLM my friend joined cost her about $149 to join. The second one cost close to $500 to join. I wanted to be supportive of her in both cases, so instead of going to the hotel meetings to watch the MLM "guru" speak, I thought that perhaps I could purchase one of her products.
It didn't work out the way I had hoped. In the first case, I didn't want to pay something like $15 for the world's best shaving cream, and in the second case, I didn't want to pay $4 A DAY for the world's most high tech vitamin (yes, the vitamin really does cost $4 a day!).
So where am I going with all of this? The reason I stay away from MLM's is because people usually don't want to be bothered with a sales pitch to get started with an MLM program they have never heard of, nor do they want to fork out huge amounts of cash for over priced products you can get at the local grocery store for 75% less.
Just how do MLM companies make their money, anyway? Well, if you can get someone to spend $500 to join the MLM, which most people will fail at, then you don't need to sell a single $120 bottle of vitamins to consumers, because you have already made a ton of cash from the sign up fees. In fact, at $500 a sign up, the MLM company will make $5,000 for every 10 people who sign up, and $50,000 for every 100 people who sign up without making a SINGLE SALE to the consumer. Multiply that times who knows how many conferences are going on in who knows how many cities, and you can see how profitable MLM's can be for the "guru" who owns the company.
Do some people "make it" with MLMs? Sure. They probably don't have any friends left, but some people do "make it". I sincerely hope that my friend who joined the two MLM's "makes it" (I really do), and I hope that people line up to purchase her $4 a day vitamin...and definitely hope she won't lose any friends as a result. And of course, I hope I can have a conversation with her again which does not involve talking about her MLM. Miracles do happen, and God can cause nice girls to talk to you for reasons that don't involve becoming a member of their MLMs...
Having said all of this, there IS an alternative to MLM's if you want to earn extra money. Many people earn money online as affiliates through "internet marketing", which DOES NOT require you to bug your friends and family to join. Ebay.com, Walmart.com, and Amazon,com are just a few of the many companies which have affiliate programs, and all will pay you a commission for any sales generated through your affiliate link.
The great thing about affiliate programs is that you don't have to go to any hotels to watch some "guru" speak to get started. Since you are promoting digital products or referring consumers to company websites, you don't have to keep stockpiles of overpriced inventory no one wants. Last but not least, your success isn't dependent on signing other people up under you, since the commissions you generate are high enough for you to earn a living on your own. For example, I know of a weight loss ebook you can promote, which sells online for $39.99, and your commission is 50% of purchase price, minus a small transaction fee (your commission after the fee is about $18.33). So, sell 5 of these weight loss ebooks a day from your website, and you will earn just under $100.00.
While you don't have to pay any money up front to join affiliate programs, understanding how to market affiliate programs online is the key to making money with them, and requires a specific set of skills. If you don't have a website, don't worry - there are ways to market affiliate programs online with and without a website. Fortunately, most guides which teach you to how to market affiliate programs such as Holly Mann's "Honest Riches" (which I highly recommened) start out at about $27, which you can easily earn back after a few sales.
So, after you have made some money from affiliate programs, the next time you get a call from a really nice girl you haven't heard from in four months since the LAST time she told you about her MLM program, you can decline the invitation to watch a speech by an MLM guru who invented toilet paper which cures cancer, and instead you can take her out to Starbucks.
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Vishal P. Rao
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2007 01:17
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Quoting: getagrip So, after you have made some money from affiliate programs, the next time you get a call from a really nice girl you haven't heard from in four months since the LAST time she told you about her MLM program, you can decline the invitation to watch a speech by an MLM guru who invented toilet paper which cures cancer, and instead you can take her out to Starbucks.
I don't think I'll have the courage to take her out for a coffee. The fear of her proposing her business opportunity to me again will always be there 
Great post!
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getagrip
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2007 01:29 · Edited by: getagrip
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"Women, can't live with em'...pass the peanuts".
---Norm, from the television show Cheers
Quoting: Vishal P. Rao I don't think I'll have the courage to take her out for a coffee. The fear of her proposing her business opportunity to me again will always be there
Actually, I did write her an email and asked her if she wanted to get together at Starbucks some time. Since it has been a millenium since we have talked about something OTHER than her MLMs or MY internet marketing, I told her that we could talk about anything BUT those topics. 
It turned out I wasn't the only person she talked to about her MLMs. I called one of her girl friend's who also talked to her about the same thing...and was pretty irratated by the whole thing. She said I SHOULD point out to her that the last two times she has talked to me were because of her MLMs...but I don't know how that might come accross. I'm thinking about telling her where she can read the article online...she will either laugh her head off or she won't talk to me again. Either that or she will "see the light" and finally discover what MLMs are REALLY about.
ANYWAY...this is why I really can't stand MLMs. VISHAL, FOR ONLY $367, you can join my MLM to buy this biodegradable computer mouse! Oh, by the way, did I tell you that you have to contact your friends and family to sell the mouse for $699 each? Or they can buy two for $1397, a savings of $1! Ok, just kidding...
Internet marketing is SOOO much better than MLMs, because you never have to deal with any of that stuff!
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CarolinaConsign
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Joined: 25 Dec 2006
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2007 20:00
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getagrip,
From what you said,
Quoting: getagrip Having said all of this, there IS an alternative to MLM's if you want to earn extra money. Many people earn money online as affiliates through "internet marketing", which DOES NOT require you to bug your friends and family to join. Ebay.com, Walmart.com, and Amazon,com are just a few of the many companies which have affiliate programs, and all will pay you a commission for any sales generated through your affiliate link. The great thing about affiliate programs is that you don't have to go to any hotels to watch some "guru" speak to get started. Since you are promoting digital products or referring consumers to company websites, you don't have to keep stockpiles of overpriced inventory no one wants. Last but not least, your success isn't dependent on signing other people up under you, since the commissions you generate are high enough for you to earn a living on your own. For example, I know of a weight loss ebook you can promote, which sells online for $39.99, and your commission is 50% of purchase price, minus a small transaction fee (your commission after the fee is about $18.33). So, sell 5 of these weight loss ebooks a day from your website, and you will earn just under $100.00. While you don't have to pay any money up front to join affiliate programs, understanding how to market affiliate programs online is the key to making money with them, and requires a specific set of skills. If you don't have a website, don't worry - there are ways to market affiliate programs online with and without a website. Fortunately, most guides which teach you to how to market affiliate programs such as Holly Mann's "Honest Riches" (which I highly recommened) start out at about $27, which you can easily earn back after a few sales.
I understand what MLM is and also what direct marketing is, so where does affiliate programs online fall in?
Best of Luck!
Brian
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getagrip
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2007 23:12 · Edited by: getagrip
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With affiliate programs, you are not bound to a specific product or only products that the MLM company is licensed to market.
For example, the MLM company may specialize in soap or skin care or something like that, and may even have an online mall you can use to offer your customers a broader range of products. However, you are LIMITED to those products which the MLM company owns or has a contract to market.
With affiliate programs, you can literally do an internet search, and find products to promote in specific niche areas. For example, if you like model railroading, you can do an internet search to see if you can find a model railroading related affiliate program - and when you find one, you can sign up with the affiliate program.
With MLMs, you are limited in what you can sell, but with affiliate programs, you are not. You are COMPLETELY independent with affiliate programs. You are free to promote anything you want, with any company you want.
Here's a curve ball for you. Suppose you are in an MLM, you have a website, and want to increase sales for your MLM. If you learn internet marketing skills, you can market that MLM program online...and promote affiliate programs on the side.
Affiliate programs also seem to pay a lot more than MLMs. While many MLMs seem to give you a relatively low commission for your efforts, many affiliate programs start out with very high commissions (many web hosting companies pay about $100 for each new signup). Affiliate programs also pay by lead. For example you can get paid $10-25 or more) everytime someone fills out a mortgage or credit card application...whether or not they are approved.
All in all, affiliate programs offer a lot more flexibility than MLMs, and reward you entirely based upon what you do in online sales, rather than on how many people you can sign up under you.
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CarolinaConsign
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# Posted: 31 Jan 2007 21:38
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Great information! I have been working/looking at affiliate programs for years. Back in the late 90's early 00's I used to peddle paypal, through eBay. It was an easy sale; $10 for you if you sign up and $10 for me for directing you there. Of course that went away to a more time consuming/less dollar program now.
I favor more (big ticket) direct marketing now and days. Of course I am always looking for ways to add programs that lead to multiple income streams.
Let me ask you a question about MLM vs Network marketing. Do you think there is a difference between the two?
Brian
[email protected]
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Vishal P. Rao
Joined: 23 Jun 2005
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# Posted: 1 Feb 2007 06:58
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Hi Brian,
Please read:
MLM vs Network Marketing what the difference here?
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roger
Joined: 31 Jan 2007
Posts: 276
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# Posted: 2 Feb 2007 00:55
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Hey getagrip,
Great story dude!
Roger
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getagrip
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
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# Posted: 22 Jul 2007 00:38
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Glad you liked the story, Roger!
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stacy
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Joined: 9 Oct 2007
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2007 17:07
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How do sign up to be an Affiliate Marketer for Walmart.com? I order stuff there online all the time and would love to get cash rebates on my orders. I have an online shopping mall, so I already get rebates from thousands of stores online, but it doesn't include Walmart. What about ABC Distributing? Do you know if I can sign up to be an Affiliate for them? I love their products and so does everyone around me. I want to promote products that I actually use.
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agoodsaid
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# Posted: 13 Oct 2007 07:01
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I really enjoyed this story getagrip
I wholeheartedly agree with you that the way that most MLM/networkmarketing compaines are structured leads to behavior like your friend has shown you. It's not her fault really ... she's been sucked into a situation in search of an ideal and been duped.
Truth is, I totally understand where she's coming from, though I think she's really missing out not learning how to find people that she'll really enjoy working with. She's been taught to 'make a list' and not give any thought to what the person on the other end might be suited for.
In a perfect world, we partner up with others who we appreciate and who appreciate us -- through thick and thin ... and leave the other people alone (as far as business I mean). Maybe it's a girl thing, but I've stubbornly stuck to my vision of what the ideal 'residual income' and partnership looks like (which includes how it comes to pass) and that story of yours 'ain't it'.
TOTALLY agree that building internet marketing skills opens the gates of possibility and weaving affiliate marketing into the mix is a lovely addition.
Most important I think is to find something that works for who you are that allows you to grow in an authentic way. We should never ever let someone bully us into being something or someone that we're not. Hopefully, your friend will see the light and chalk this up to a learning curve experience. We all have 'em 
Point her my way if you want -- if she in any way wants something different, I'd be happy to help her figure out what will work for her. Beginning with pinpointing her 'why' and teaching her how to prospect without bugging her friends and family.
Hope this comes across right -- it's a bit from the hip, but I think you'll get the gist of what I'm wanting to say ...
I appreciate you!
Make it a great day,
Andrea
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getagrip
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# Posted: 19 Oct 2007 15:07
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Quoting: stacy How do sign up to be an Affiliate Marketer for Walmart.com? I order stuff there online all the time and would love to get cash rebates on my orders.
You have to go through Linkshare.com, although I don't know if you are allowed to purchase through your own affiliate link. I would advise against that unless you have other customers who are ordering through your link as well.
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cgmom
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# Posted: 19 Oct 2007 18:27
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That is hilarious!!! Good post. You got my attention. Tell her next time to try marketing online instead of bugging her buddies, lol!!
I love it; you're too funny.
God Bless,
Nikki Carter
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TheChampion
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# Posted: 24 Oct 2007 17:20
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Quoting: getagrip But then the unthinkable happened. She dropped the "MLM" bomb. She had been thinking about me because she wanted to know if I was interested in joining her MLM. Noooooooooooooooooooo!
This was such a great post. I was laughing so hard at this part!
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RealityBytes
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# Posted: 26 Oct 2007 00:19
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Funny story!!
I just re-read the title of your story, and couldn't resist putting on my editor's hat:
"Are you happy to see me, or is that an MLM in your pocket??"
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Cenay
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# Posted: 12 Nov 2007 15:31
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Great story GetAGrip,
And sadly, true for a lot of network marketers. They really don't understand the business model if they are focusing on "recruitment" to the exclusion of getting product customers though (IMHO). While recruitment does offer "the big bucks", I prefer to focus on customers. And no, I am not selling a $49 roll of toliet paper, but rather a product that really does what it says it does... which is hard to find these days.
My "pitch" to potential product customers goes something like this:
I market an Energy Drink for people who are burning the candle at both ends, don't sleep well because of all the caffiene in their system and are still dragging their butt through the day like I used to. Do you know anyone who might like to know about a product like that?
Then I shut up.
If they refer someone, great, I take the info. If they change the subject, I go with the new train of thought. I don't want to bug friends and family (who generally aren't interested in your latest greatest, whatever), I prefer to talk to people who ACTUALLY want what I am selling.
Just my two cents worth.
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campers
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# Posted: 21 Nov 2007 00:58
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One of the biggest problem with MLMs is that its about the opportunity/recruiting first and product second. It's as if the product is merely to facilitate the existance of the scheme, rather than using network marketing to distribute the product.
There is too much unrealistic hype placed on the potential earnings, which are usually only made by people who have been in the industry for a while and know how to do it properly. On the other hand it is a great way for the little guy to start something with a small amount of capital. When you think how much a big name franchise costs, I got a pretty good deal for the $60 I paid to join mine which gives me product ip/development, websites, branding, customer support etc.
There do exist some MLMs with good products. I got involved in mine by actually finding its product first. It is a unique product that people do actively look for. Avoid anyone that says the product isn't as important as the recruiting system. If you wouldnt buy the product if you weren't a rep, then have a second thought if it's really for you.
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getagrip
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# Posted: 23 Nov 2007 19:06
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Quoting: Cenay My "pitch" to potential product customers goes something like this: I market an Energy Drink for people who are burning the candle at both ends, don't sleep well because of all the caffiene in their system and are still dragging their butt through the day like I used to. Do you know anyone who might like to know about a product like that? Then I shut up.
That's probably a good way to approach it...you can get your point across without being too pushy, and you kind of put the ball in their court if they are interested.
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Soc_Coach
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# Posted: 14 Dec 2007 22:04
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Yo getagrip.. that was a fantastic story! I loved it, sorry for the joy from your sad plight, but that chick needs to learn her lesson, and learn it fast before she chases everyone away (if she hasn't already)!
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juno44444
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2007 02:57
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Ha ha. I think its good to avoid going after friends and family for stuff like this. I teach my mom about Internet Marketing, to help her. That's different.
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getagrip
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2007 02:45 · Edited by: getagrip
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I just emailed her a little while ago, and it turns out she is still with the company, which is good for her...but I'm still not buying!
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wealthymarket
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# Posted: 16 Jan 2008 03:15
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Wow. Great post, getagrip! It certainly reminds us to keep our friends...not just for business, eh? Many business-minded people have to learn how to juggle that eventually. I hope that your friend has already learned or will soon learn the proper balance.
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kevin664
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# Posted: 16 Jan 2008 13:43
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Sounds like she really does need to learn the proper balance.
She may also benefit from learning the proper way to promote
her business.
Great post.
Thanks for sharing.
-Kevin Tyler Smith
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getagrip
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2008 07:44 · Edited by: getagrip
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She's a really nice girl, so I'm sure she's doing just fine, although I do know that me and another friend of her's were a little irritated when she tried to get us involved. I think, though, that she really believes in her product, and she was approaching people to really try and help them...but some of us just don't want to get involved with an MLM.
My problem is that its kind of hard to hurt the person's feelings and say no...but you gotta do what you gotta do. That's why I prefer internet marketing - it works a lot better for me. I don't have to get my friends or family to "join" - everything takes care of itself online.
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paxkine
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2008 16:50
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this is a great story and I can really relate
I had a really good friend who got into MonaVie big time, (actually quit work to do it full time) and I got the full pitch out of the blue when we were just supposed to "hang out" at a bar. I felt blindsided by it and yes he did approach everyone in our circle of friends.
Unfortunately, MonaVie is pretty much all he wants to talk about and we really haven't hung out since, in his view you are either in his downline "about to make it happen" or not.. it's too bad you have to lose a friend to this stuff. (MonaVie is pretty big out here in Southern CA, you see it everywhere, top producing team, yadda yadda) I think it's funny when I see the stickers on old or crappy cars
Sometimes I wish that friends I know that do the biz came with an "off" switch but it doesn't seem that way. I noticed the same thing when I used to work at enterprise rent-a-car all work talk all the time
Keith I'd like to see your video review but the audio comes out garbled on my end, didn't know if you knew about it. If you find anything in OC/SD that is worth checking out let me know
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LifestyleDesign
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2008 17:54
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What a funny (and well-written) post!
I loved the subject line, and just had to read it.
I have never understood why MLM people are constantly chasing their friends and family about their opportunity. It's just crazy. If their friends and family want to be in an MLM business they would have joined one on their own. Right? Right!
While my businesses are not MLM, they certainly fall in the relationship marketing category (which quite honestly ALL good businesses are about building relationships).
However, I took a completely different approach.
Since I had worked in an advertising agency prior to going into business for myself, I just never understood the home party and presentation approach to those Network Marketing/MLMer types.
I hated going to those things myself, even though I WAS definitely interested in ways to have my own business.
So, when I started my own business, I did what any "real" business owner would do. I advertised my products and services. I joined a business networking group. And I found clients, customers and business partners without saying a word to my friends, family, warm market, etc.
You actually CAN succeed in marketing WITHOUT marketing to people you know. Of course, when you start looking 10-15 years younger than your age because of your great products, don't be surprised when your friends and family bug YOU about what you're doing and become your customers.
... and guess what I do when that happens? I let THEM chase ME! haha
"Thanks for the compliment. You know. It's just that cocktail I drink, and that stuff I wash my face with. No big deal. So, tell me more about your vacation!"
Here's the thing people: No one likes being CHASED! If you chase people, they will run.
If people want what you have they will find you.
It really is that simple.
Hope you're loving your business!!!
g
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ghorbh
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2008 22:30
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This is hillarious! I had a guy walk up to me after ten years since our last contact and say, "Hey, how's it been! Man, long time no hear! Hey we need to talk...what's your number, I'll call you tonight..."
Within an hour I was on a three way call with him and his upline in Herbalife....
Great post...I think many can identify with that exact same fact pattern.
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annadenise
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# Posted: 8 Aug 2008 07:55
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campers: One of the biggest problem with MLMs is that its about the opportunity/recruiting first and product second. It's as if the product is merely to facilitate the existance of the scheme, rather than using network marketing to distribute the product.
I enjoyed this thread as well. I do not tell my offline friends about my business - however I have had some of them ask me.
I quoted the above because the Product should also be primary not the business opportunity. Pick a business where many will buy the product as a customer first and foremost. In terms of longevity, the companies that have more customers than distributors will win every time!
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getagrip
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# Posted: 7 Dec 2008 02:29
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Rumor has it that she recently joined a third MLM, but I haven't confirmed it...
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Matt Zenittini
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# Posted: 12 Aug 2009 18:19
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haha thanks for pointing me here getagrip .
That is pretty funny :P.
One requirement I had joining my MLM was I would not promote to friends and family :P.
I strictly do cold calls to leads..
I'm going to be honest.. I HATE cold calls..
However... It does give results ^^. I'm ok doing something I hate part time to achieve the results I have already achieved, and I'm willing to keep doing it for future results :P.
The internet has changed MLMs
It's easier .
So has the economy.
It's easier .
Matt
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