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TYBTI
Member
Joined: 16 Mar 2008
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 30 Mar 2008 11:14
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Hello, There are many work at home opportunities out there. You just have to pick one that works for YOU. MLM and Internet marketing both can go hand in hand. The Internet has Opened the Doors Wide open for Success.
Its never too late to open the door for financial wealth and financial freedom. There is a dilemma today. 95% of the population work to make someone else rich, and live paycheck to paycheck. Only 5% live "the good life" in which they have financial wealth and financial freedom. Which Bracket do you want to be in?
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Newbie Shield
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 2232
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# Posted: 30 Mar 2008 11:27 · Edited by: Newbie Shield
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MPM
See kalien to sign up.
She seems to know the most.
http://www.work-at-home-forum.com/34_6544_0.html
~Newbie Shield~
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livefree
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Joined: 1 Apr 2008
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 1 Apr 2008 04:02
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There are thousands of Networking marketing Businesses to choose from.
Doesn't this cause much confusion. The Failure rate is about 97%.
The failure rate is so high because although network marketing is a direct marketing business. Most folks have no idea how to sell. Worse still is many people still try to sell network marketing businesses the traditional way (door to door , friend to friend) It doesn't work that way. Just look at businesses like amway.
Any business has the potential to make money. Here is the secret to success online.
Research the person who is marketing their business to you. Often times people join a network marketing business under someone who has no idea how to network market.
When I first started out , I found it hard to get support from my upline.
I ran into that problem in 5 different businesses. Then I wised up and started asking questions first.
I usually ask questions like.
What form of marketing do you use ?
How organized is your team (network marketing is about teamwork)
Questions like that will help you weed out potential Business partners.
There is no such thing as a bad business. (except scams ofcourse)
All of them have the potential to make you rich or broke.
Learn all you can then apply what you learn.
peace Larry
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madmatz
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Joined: 1 Apr 2008
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 1 Apr 2008 15:25
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I have read many good points on this thread. It is nice to read what people think of MLM. It seems that some people on this thread may have had bad experiences or heard negative reviews of MLM companies. And based on my own research I can see why.
First there are many "Pyramid Schemes" that try to market as MLM. A "Pyramid Scheme" however usually requires a large amount of money to "get in" and promises a portion of profits when you recruit other people who sign up. The key to recognizing this type of scheme is the start up costs are usually thousands of dollars and there is no real product or service that they are offering. They just promise profits based on recruiting people who in turn recruit people. The dirt bags who start these make out with lots of money and the people at the bottom get duped.
Second many legitimate MLM's are structured in such a way that it takes a very long time to start making any significant residual income. This poor structure results in a whole lot of negative reviews of the specific company and MLM in general. And it is no surprise to me. Most companies use testimonials of very successful individuals to entice a prospect into joining. I am not accusing any MLM company of false advertising, but it is misleading because the individuals who are extremely successful usually use very aggressive marketing strategies and spend a lot of time growing their down line (at least in the beginning). So someone getting involved is expecting to start earning thousands of dollars per month and when they don't they consider the company to be a scam when in reality it just takes a whole lot of work to start making any good money. Which is why I label it misleading advertising.
Third many MLM's offer a single product/service or line of products and services that are only available through there representatives. This means that a new representative will need to be a fairly good sales person in order to make any money. Here is an analogy that may explain my reasoning better. You walk into a generic store that sells many products, lets call it "Good Stuff" for this example. You went to "Good Stuff " to buy some mouth wash. You go to the mouth wash section and see the name brands like Scope, Listerine, etc. You also see "Good Stuff" brand mouth wash and it claims to be as good or better than the name brands at killing germs. Unless you really want to support "Good Stuff" or they have an amazing deal on the product you will probably buy the more trusted name brand because you will feel confident that you are getting a quality mouth wash. Now apply this to any MLM company promoting a product that they manufacture or service they supply. You as the representative now have to convince people why they should stop buying name brand products and start buying your "Good Stuff" products. Don't forget that most MLM products are of equal or greater price but claim to be better quality. This will probably be a hard sell especially when they can buy the name brands at most stores without having to listen to a sales pitch.
As for me, I first heard of an MLM opportunity from a very good friend of mine. He told me that his Aunt and her two friends started 7 months prior and were doing really well. He said he didn't get involved at the time because his wife didn't think it was a good idea. But the opportunity was introduced to him again this time by his good friend and fellow co-worker at a mortgage firm. He asked if I wanted to go to a meeting, and since he was my good friend I did. I went in with a defensive mind set and intended to find any flaws in the business plan that I could. The business plan made sense and after the meeting I started researching the company and other MLM companies. I found this company to be unique in that it offered products and services that I used already. For example cell phone plans through all the major providers, savings on groceries, restaurants, electronics, and more. I saw negative reviews, but they were all from people expecting large amounts of money very quickly with little or no investment. I know that it takes money to make money as well as a good work ethic. The startup cost was very reasonable, much less than I was already invested in starting my own internet business from scratch, and the products and services were name brand and used by everyone I knew daily.
So after my research of MLM I have found this company to be the best and actually have good potential. I recommend researching any opportunity you come across for yourself, including this one, and make sure you are willing to put some effort into whatever you decide is right for you. MLM is not for everyone, but the potential is there as long as you are confident in yourself and in the MLM you choose. If you want to see my choice MLM company click "My FHTM site" and explore it for yourself. The other links are direct ways to see some specific examples of what this company offers.
I hope this post has been helpful. Email me if you have any questions at [email protected] .
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ddiger
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Joined: 4 Mar 2007
Posts: 4
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2008 05:40
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I think your MLM success is directly related to your belief level & who your sponsors are. Lets put it this way if you start out right off the bat, saying its may not work...guess what it won't.
I don't care which MLM we are talking about... The ones that truly see the opportunity for what it is, & works it will make money, for the lazy ones who get in for 30 days and their MLM doesn't work, should not have joined in the first place.
I'm not here to pump or trash any mlm company, but every one I tried I succeeded at because I worked at it. If the companies comp plan was no good then I looked around for another one, untill I found the one I'm with now.
Is it going to work? Yes, because I'm making it work.
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WARRANTIES4LESS
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Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2008 12:01
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Good points.
As with all businesses, if you don't have the confidence you will succeed, you won't, it is that simple. Most people quit MLM before they start due to the constant get rich quick theme of the industry. In most cases, people are not prepared to succeed, so they don't. If you introduce someone on the dream of instant riches, you will lose 99.9% of them within the first three months once reality slaps them in the face.
This is called attrition, and it is the number one reason most fail, they cannot deal with working so hard to see it all go to waste. In fact, this impacts even the best of networkers for most hit the wall in 18 months when even the best will see attrition eating into their incomes month by month. Once this reverse effect dominates, they usually move on, hence, further erosion of reputations of many MLM companies.
Make no mistake, this is a tough business model for most to succeed in, so my best advice is to not tell everyone you will make X amount in X timeframe. Say it like it is, you work, you get paid, no free ride on the backs of others will allow you to reach your dream of financial freedom, it takes work, long and hard work, plus patience. I have always said, what grows too fast will never last, and I have seen this a hundred times, so beware of false illusions and you will have a better chance of success.
Where most MLM deals fail is they do not structure their business models around success, other than their own, such as breakage, a term many MLM's bank on. Sadly, most companies will construct their compensation plans to insure most fail, not the opposite, and the reasons are clear, they know most will fail, so they want to grab as much up front as possible from new member. Amazing, but very few companies will deviate from this old MLM model.
You have to allow a person enough time to see the small income on their efforts without stealing from them by hitting them with high price starter kits, websites, back office support, training, never mind mandatory auto ship in order to earn commissions. Too many expenses will scare off most potential MLMers, and this is why attrition is worst enemy of industry.
Leverage is the key to success in all businesses. This is even more true with MLM as I see it. Like in options or FOREX, leverage is where you can more quickly build your wealth portfolio, so nothing comes close to MLM business model when it comes to leverage. If you can stick it out, and not quit, there are few other options when a person does not have thousands to invest than getting started with a good MLM, so research it, do it, and don't quit are the true keys to success in your own business.
Good luck to all, Mike
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MAP
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Joined: 4 Apr 2008
Posts: 26
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# Posted: 5 Apr 2008 18:28
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Very good points Mike and many others in this thread!
I agree that a company will make it on their products first...products have to be value oriented in the customers mind and what is needed or failure is eminent. A very close second for me is Customer support, whether that is for customers buying products or business partners in that company. 3rd for me is the compensation and strength of the company...is the business positioning itself for long term. So many companies these days fail terribly on this point and need to focus more there.
Take care
John
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Aspire
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Joined: 24 Mar 2008
Posts: 101
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# Posted: 6 Apr 2008 08:06 · Edited by: Aspire
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madmatz: many legitimate MLM's are structured in such a way that it takes a very long time to start making any significant residual income
I have found this is the case when you structure your business on "End Users" and encourage this person to find other "end users" or sell the product to earn a commission. This also contributes to the huge failure rate in MLM when inappropriate training is given.
I use to be this way but I changed my focus to seeking people interested in the business aspect of MLM. They have a higher life expectancy than "End Users" and usually seek others like themselves thus making your business move faster and offer rewards faster. - it works!!!
MAP: a company will make it on their products first
Yes - if they are seeking distributors who are "End Users"
If they have a good product, but their main focus is offering a financial solution to people, this company will grow faster than one simply pushing the product.
I know that product needs to be sold to allow commissions to flow through the system, but ask yourself this question.....
Q. would you prefer to work like crazy and eventually get 100 "End Users" as distributors....... Or would you prefer to get TWO switched on people interested in building a successful business and get them to get two etc. etc.?
I know which one I have chosen...
Regards Paul
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WARRANTIES4LESS
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Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
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# Posted: 6 Apr 2008 14:58
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Interesting,
Yes, there are many strategies when starting to build your business, no matter which one you choose, it is all about the building process.
You first want to find a company with a real product, preferably one that is exclusive or unique, never mind offers true value, then you know your efforts won't go to waste building a team.
Having evaluated thousands of businesses over the years, the one thing that remains consistent is being persistant. You really do have to spend most of your time building once you have your initial investment covered, as in cost to join, product purchase, etc., then your advertising budget, once you have your basic expenses covered, build, build and build some more.
Leverage is the only route to financial success, not selling products yourself, but teaching others to do it will pay off the best in the long term, but only if you have a low cost of entry with a product or service of quality and value will this work. Too many resort to hype to overcome the lack of value and quality of products or services offered, so they pump the money first, bad mistake in my opinion.
Good luck to all, Mike
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jschuman
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Joined: 21 Jul 2007
Posts: 164
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# Posted: 18 Apr 2008 12:21
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Internet based information products offer a good value and there is no limit to who you can sponsor anywhere in the world. The product must be unique and offer value, to keep a person involved even if they were not making any money or sponsoring anyone. If you know of something like this let me know.
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WARRANTIES4LESS
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Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
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# Posted: 18 Apr 2008 12:46
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jschuman: Internet based information products offer a good value and there is no limit to who you can sponsor anywhere in the world. The product must be unique and offer value, to keep a person involved even if they were not making any money or sponsoring anyone. If you know of something like this let me know.
Interesting,
No doubt, many online have done well selling information, and I agree, value of information must be there, but really, how often are any of these ebooks worth anything? I have seen thousands, and in every case, the only ones making the money are those who are pushing it through affiliate system.
Everyone has the latest and greatest ebook, and usually they are based on making money, but how many people ever convert these to money in their own bank accounts? Good value? Depends, but not in my book, and with thousands out there, I would bet I can find the content of every one of them for free with a little investment of time.
Keeping someone involved without the lure of money is next to impossible, just as it is for most when there is a lure of money. lol
Good luck to all, Mike
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Casper
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Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Posts: 293
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2008 01:23
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madmatz: Second many legitimate MLM's are structured in such a way that it takes a very long time to start making any significant residual income. What you have said is very true & may I add that too succeed in MLM you have to have a product that everyone would want.
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Casper
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Posts: 293
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2008 01:27
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madmatz: Second many legitimate MLM's are structured in such a way that it takes a very long time to start making any significant residual income. You are so correct on that point & may I add that if you do decide too become involved in MLM you have too provide a product that everyone would want too use not just a select few.
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WARRANTIES4LESS
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Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2008 08:37
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Good points,
With a product everyone needs certainly helps, but only if it is offered at a true value price point, and this is the thing that most will be concerned with in a recession.
The real question is this? What will you eliminate from your budget to get through current recession? If your answers are the same as millions of others, then these are the items you don't want to be selling, especially if not price valued items.
Most MLM's do indeed take a long time to build an income in which is based on residuals, but it takes even longer to hold onto customers, especially if they all got involved for the income opportunity. So many make the mistake of hyping the income that they are doing more harm than good, and this is why attrition is a killer in MLM.
I look for exclusive products, verifiable value, main stream products which everyone will need at some point, especially in a recession which was my main motivation to add a new line to diversify and help get through this economic downturn. Knowing most people draw into MLM rarely sell or recruit more than one or two, I looked for a company which has only one sale or purchase required to earn all matching and manager bonuses, just one. All the other MLM's require ongoing qualififications, never mind auto-ship requirements of $40. to $140. on average.
Simply put, I have been researching this industry for decades, and I have never seen a more distributor friendly program, so no longer does it take a long time to build up an income as before. With only one sale or purchase, you are qualified for the year, and with every other sale from others going into your downline, both binary and forced matrix, even if you did no more than one sale and set and forget it, you will still earn a residual income far more significant than with others I researched.
Good luck to all, Mike
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web20mentor
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Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 73
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2008 19:41
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Learn how to build a SELF BRANDED SALES FUNNEL and have MLM, Affiliate Products, e books, do JV's, etc.
Anything less is a hobby.
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mreyn
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Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 39
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2008 22:51
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Hi, I am an independent distributor with shaklee. This company has been around for more than 50+ yrs. Even with the stability of such a solid long lasting company, and great products. They have new programs such as the now happening global expansion. Combine that with the streamline magic system and car program, and you get money to work on while you grow your business. No, this is not get rich quick. It is a business , although they have gone internet and you can basically run your business using all the web sites, support you get. No more cold calling, however, I am passionate about the products and I do use them (no, I don't have to). I switched to their products when I saw them in the national media on very well respected shows. It's nice to see all different views.
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ateamfuntimer
Joined: 22 May 2007
Posts: 756
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2008 23:24
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This is a good thread. I appreciate the great info being exchanged here. Let me add my 2 cents as well.
1- Market a product people like
This is key. People buy either to alleviate pain or to get pleasure so pick wisely.
2- Find a system to market the product
Sales is one of the highest paid industries for a reason. Most people arent good at marketing or sales so find a system to automate alot of the work. I use a call center in conjunction with my Coastal Vacations business. Im ggod a sales but not all of my teammates are so this is a nice addition for them.
3- Be sure the commissions are worth it
Yu have to judge this wisely. Understanding supply and demand comes to play here. If your commissions are small be sure its something that will sell alot. If the commissions are high be sure to keep you advertising cost low to maximize profits as most of the time the sales process will be longer.
4- Learn to generate your own targeted leads
This is the most important factor in my opinion. No leads means no sales. Get as many referrals as possible and generate a good source of leads.
Well thats my 2 cents. I truly appreciate the info being exchanged.
Adam Frederick Internet Coach + Entrepreneur 302 613 4632 [email protected]
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PMHayes
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Joined: 23 Apr 2008
Posts: 129
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# Posted: 6 May 2008 06:24
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WARRANTIES4LESS: Simply put, do your due dilligence, and look for the free no cost or purchase required business opportunities, whether MLM or not, you should never be asked to pay to play. Would you pay to get a job? Then why would you pay to sell for any MLM or Direct Sales Company? You are already putting your time into representing company, so why should you pay anything to make them money? It just does not make any sense to pay excessive fees to join any business, or pay for website and back office support, these are all signs of a weak financial position of company, so BEWARE
I frankly cannot believe i just read this. Owning any business will have costs. MLM's offer the ability to own a business with markedly less cost than any brick and mortar business. No, of course you would not expect to pay to get a job. But anyone with any sense would expect start up cost to own a business. Now, i agree with your statement about excessive fees, but i would ask what in your opinion is excessive? Anyone who thinks you can start a business with no up front cost does not live in the real world.
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WARRANTIES4LESS
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Posts: 351
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# Posted: 6 May 2008 15:43
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Read again,
I am not referring to advertising costs which anyone who starts a business will have to budget for. I am talking about all the other company fees which can add up to hundreds with some companies. In MLM, excessive is anything over $0 in my opinion.
I know companies who have made a fortune off marketing kits, websites and training fees, never mind forcing distributors to purchase X amount of product in order to earn commissions other than 10% retail sales commissions, as in front load inducements, so this has nothing to do with traditional business start up costs such as advertising. Statement was specifically regarding company fees, not other costs of doing business.
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freecashhappens
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Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 41
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# Posted: 25 May 2008 19:40
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I believe all MLM and Affiliate programs should be free. Period. Why should it cost money just so you can sell their product/service. Unless you are receiving something other than just the right to sell the product. In MLM, you should have the option to not get the "kit" and just learn to market the program. When you go to a job, they don't charge you for the employee handbook, do they?
BTW, if you start a new job and the DO charge you for the employee handbook. Quit immediately.
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Seashell
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Joined: 11 May 2008
Posts: 23
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# Posted: 26 May 2008 08:43
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freecashhappens: I believe all MLM and Affiliate programs should be free. Period.
People tend to value things more that they have to pay for. If you don't believe me, just look at the bottled water industry
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WARRANTIES4LESS
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Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
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# Posted: 26 May 2008 09:04
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Good points,
Very often what is free is worthless, so we are conditioned to think the higher the cost, the higher the quality, but this is far from true in my experience.
When a free offer crosses our path, rarely it will be truly free, so we tend to ignore free offers, but if you research it more closely, there are some free offers that are worth your time.
Bottled water is a perfect example, where most have free water, you think it is bad water, yet bottled water has been the biggest scam on consumers in history, often times being nothing more than filtered tap water, so again, always do your own due diligence.
Wealth Without Health is Worthless
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queenrachel16
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Joined: 7 Feb 2008
Posts: 19
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# Posted: 26 May 2008 09:39 · Edited by: queenrachel16
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Adam (ateamfunmember) has it right. If your going to do MLM, you HAVE to have something that people are going to buy or that is useful. He and I are both in the same field (sort of)
I work for TraVerus travel. It is a MLM but it's one where you sell your travel AND recruit people to advertise for the company. My experiance with MLM is that it takes work to get them going, it's not easy and you HAVE to put your product out there.
Someone put it as a super seller... not many people are like that. Hope you find something that works for you
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Rachel http://rachelstevens.traverustravelnetwork.com Travel Agent Training- PM for more information :)
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xocaiguru
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Joined: 28 May 2008
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 4 Jun 2008 11:57
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Well I know where to rate my company its fairly new but exploding right now... its called Xocai Healthy Chocolate... I just join about 3 weeks already and I have over 100 paid members.... It also helps on on the fastest team In Xocai..
I team up with Top leader Brian McCoy from bigtickettowealth... this guys knows how to market this business all online...
great comany
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WARRANTIES4LESS
Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
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# Posted: 4 Jun 2008 12:28
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Interesting,
For those who have been in the industry for any length of time, then you know that economic bad times will increase interest in your business as people are losing jobs, or the fear of losing it drives people to start home businesses.
With current recession getting worse with high price of gas, heating oil, plus food, no doubt, many more will have to resort to part time incomes to try and survive this recession. No doubt, this is creating more prospects for all of us, but if I was to offer advice from previous experience, ask yourself this question. Is it a necessity that I have to have, or is it something I can do without?
Whenever you choose a business, you want to choose a product or service that is not going to be impacted by this recession, as in, recession proof. If you business, no matter what it is, or what you are selling is not recession proof, you better look for one that is, just as a hedge until the economy turns around.
We have already seen obvious results from current recession, travel is way off, airlines are going bankrupt every week, driving is down to record lows, car sales have never been so low as people are hanging onto their vehicles for an average of 9.2 years, the highest in history. People are cutting back on eating out, buying off brands, just look at StarBucks record bust, or how about Crocs, sales tanking along with stocks, and why, because there are alternatives that cost far less, and very similar in quality, or we could say they were just fads, the in thing, until the recession brings people back to reality, these are tough times for many, and it is about to get worse.
Simply put, you have to market what is recession proof, or at least recession resistant in order to succeed in your home business. If you make a fundamental mistake in choosing a company, no matter how good the company is, you will struggle, and the last thing you want is to have to struggle selling your products or services. It is tough enough for most to sell in a good economic market, so search carefully for your home business.
I have always searched for products which are timely, exclusive, best value, best quality, as example, but also, niche products, something others don't offer, or are hard to find in retail markets, as example. I also never would put all my eggs in one basket, I learned this a long time ago in my traditional businesses, and now use the same strategy with all my online businesses, and it works in recessions in all types of businesses. This is important strategy everyone should follow, especially when marketing online.
I recently came across a new technology which is a health safe cigarette alternative to tobacco. With NY just rasing tax to $2.75 per pack, and in NYC a pack goes for $9.00, this product is timed perfectly with recession as well as perfect due to all the new smoking bans going into effect. This is what I look for, unique, serves a real purpose helping people kick smoking habit like no other, and it is quality as less cost than competition. And yes, it is recession proof, and just as I predicted, it sells on site. This is an example of what you have to look for.
Wealth Without Health is Worthless,
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PMHayes
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Posts: 129
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# Posted: 7 Jun 2008 04:25
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Ok, i guess it's up to me to play Devil's advocate. I personally don't think the product matters. By that i mean, the power of MLM is not in selling products. You could never sell enough widgets by yourself. to make a six figure income. Focusing on the product is, IMHO the small picture.
Ok, yes, there has to be a real product that moves from manufacturer to consumer (definition of business). BUT, I personally don't believe it matters what that product is, as long as it's in demand, consumable and competitively priced, ie. affordable. You don't even have to like or "believe in" a product to be successful in MLM.
Case in point. Starbucks. You don't have to like coffee in order to succeed with a Starbucks franchise. You simply have to recognize the fact that there are millions of people who do, and that there is great profitablity in selling coffee and the whole Starbucks coffee house experience.
Case in point #2. McDonalds. You don't have to like hamburgers or fast food to succeed with a Mickey D's franchise. You simply have to recognize that there are millions of people out there who will buy your product, a quick and easy meal at an affordable price. You can even absolutely hate hamburgers, and succeed with McDonalds.
I personally don't use all of the product my MLM sells. I believe in all of them. I use some of them and like them, sure. But I don't have to. I just have to know that there are lots of people out there who do. If that is so, I can succeed. I don't focus on my products. I focus on the business opportunity built around them.
Mitch
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WARRANTIES4LESS
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Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
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# Posted: 7 Jun 2008 08:13
Reply
Agreed,
To a certain point. Product may not matter to you, but it better matter to your customers. lol Seriously, the product is important, but you are right, it is the method in which a product is moved that ends up being the most important when it comes to making profits.
Far too many products are not worth the prices via MLM, and that is the more important issue in my opinion, so yes, value, quality and a demand product are essential to your success.
You mention you don't have to like or believe in your product to succeed, and here is where I disagree. You speak as if a trained succesful salesperson, which is how you should personally speak, I can sell anything too, but I also want to sleep at night. lol
If you can sell a product you don't believe in, or even like, great, but the problem with this statement is it only fits for the professional salespeople. No one sells Starbucks or McDonald's, people buy those two items regardless who owns the franchise, so this is not relevent comparison to a salesperson.
Sales may be easy for you, but the sad truth is, 97% plus of those in MLM hate to sell, and the same is true of most consumers, they hate to be sold. So in my opinion, the product means everything for 97% of those in MLM who cannot sell ice in hell. The typical person in MLM lacks the closing skills to succeed without full belief in their company, product, earnings and hopefully, having an exclusive or high in demand product or service is essential for the majority who want to succeed in MLM.
So yes, you are correct, speaking from a professional sales position, I can sell anything if it was only about money, but I personally will not sell a product I don't personally believe in and use. Now I know plenty of salepeople who will sell anything for the buck, but that is not what we are dealing with in MLM. Again, 97% have never sold a lick, and training is rarely provided to those newbies in MLM unless they are making a purchase every month, and even then, sponsor who is super salesperson may not support this newbie to sales industry.
This is what I have seen over the years in MLM, so product does matter, and the less experience a typical MLM person has, the more important the product becomes. If Starbucks and McDonald's were sold MLM, most would be successful because they would not need to be a sales professional, just an order taker, but sadly, this is not the case in MLM, the product is unknown, unproven, and often over hyped to get a customer to purchase. And let us not forget about the money hype used to sell inferior overpriced products in MLM, so product does matter for most. You better be a professional sales person or you won't make it in MLM without having super value high demand products. Products are the most important for the 97% of those involved in the MLM direct sales industry who are not professional salespeople, and that is how I see it.
Wealth Without Health is Worthless
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prettysue
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Joined: 8 Jun 2008
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2008 04:13
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Hi Casper. About your question, there are many things to consider if you want to do MLM business. I don't like to pinpoint a company. I would just like you to consider some things before signing up. The first I can think of is if the company is going with the trend. This is one of the most important thing and I can say that the trend now is more on health and wellness since these are the needs of the baby boomers. Second is, are the products consumable? Having products that will last for 5-10 years will give you a headache finding another buyer. Products should be consumable so that your customers will keep on buying from you. That's all I can think of now. I hope this helps.
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WARRANTIES4LESS
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Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
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# Posted: 16 Jun 2008 09:06
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Interesting,
I see Amway is advertising on TV again, the last time I remember that was when Regan was pitching it. lol If you look at the industry as a whole, it is amazing how we see cycles in the industry. Seems the TV ads are picking up speed again to try and build name recognition.
In the old days, you were invited to some secret opportunity, the Amwaynian's were taught not to tell what it was they were inviting you too, that was when name of company was a negative. Seems that tactic didn't work to well for long, so then they changed name, and that didn't work for long either, now they are back to being on TV using both names?
Wealth Without Health is Worthless
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travell99
Member
Joined: 21 Jun 2008
Posts: 14
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# Posted: 21 Jun 2008 11:30
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Depends on what the product is, how cheap it is, management etc etc.
MLM is just like any other business and many are successful at it and making a decent income.
Bad mouthing MLM usually comes from those ignorant ones that think its a "sit on the butt, do nothing" business where money just pours in!
There is no free lunch!
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