subject: Multi Level Marketing, Can I Make Money? [print this page] Multi Level Marketing, Can I Make Money? Multi Level Marketing, Can I Make Money?
Multi Level Marketing or MLM has been around for many decades now. In fact, it's stood the test of time in the face of bad press and many negative reports. But despite this persistence, my take on MLM remains negative. I am mildly aware of several good MLM groups but I have personal experience of aggressive MLM groups and have interviewed many others who have fallen foul of the MLM rip-off. Of course there are many out there that will strongly disagree with me and leap to the defence of MLM with vigour and enthusiastic defiance, well I understand completely, I used to be that person. I do not offer an answer here, just cautionary advice.
Multi Level Marketingis a fantastic 'club', it can be an incredible social community and it most definitely gels 'like minded' people together to sing its praises and give justification to 'the cause'. However, 'like minded' people don't always start off being 'like minded' and the danger inherent in MLM is a common need to get everyone singing the same tune, affirming to the same 'leader' that they WILL attend this meeting or convention and that they WILL participate in this or that recruiting activity. Often this is done to the hypnotic tunes of some of the most uplifting and positive songs and tunes we know. Waving banners and flags whilst chanting 'simply the best' only serves to reinforce that feel-good factor that is oh so needed to keep you going when the 'going gets tough'. Furthermore, the MLM local leaders and international leaders have already identified the 'tough times' and warned you of them so that you may be inoculated against negative friends and family who simply don't have the drive, foresight, ambition or guts to take the action that you're taking and will therefore financially and socially perish whilst you grow and attain all the wonderful things in life...I bought into this story and many good people do. The MLM leaders have an intrinsic interest to keep you motivated and spend time, effort & money into building THEIR business. It takes a gargantuan effort to recognise and accept this behaviour once you have been participating actively and even more so if you identify yourself as a leader in the making. If you then get as far as holding regional meetings or seminars then you may be at a point of no-return, until you have to both financially and ethically. At this point you may have set yourself back years in financial terms and in alienating good friends and family.
So, Multi Level Marketingis it viable or not? Whilst the leaders of the aggressive groups will advise you to burn bridges and just go for it, the honest leaders of MLM will advise baby-steps, learn & earn a little, learn a bit more & so on, whilst keeping your life stable and solid.
The world is full of 'failed' MLMers that are sore and bitter, but are balanced by some successful ones that are happy with a little additional income for a little bit of effort in the evenings and weekends. There are millionaires in many countries around the world that attained their fortune through MLM, we can't all get there, and someone has to pay. Tread carefully.
