1. What is MLM?
MLM is simply a distribution model. That’s it.
Instead of products being sold to wholesalers, the manufacturer has an independent sales force to sell the products via word of mouth. Instead of spending money on advertising, the company rewards the distributors with commissions for selling the products.
2. How Do You Recruit People?
You can build a team initially by talking with people you know. Most people have a sphere of influence of 500 to 2000 people. In most cases, you will be able to sponsor some of these folks to start your team. As time progresses, you should utilize the internet, paid advertising, and daily prospecting to find new distributors.
3. How Do You Make Money in MLM?
You earn commissions and retail profits from your personal sales. And you earn overrides and commissions from your team’s sales. In essence, you are an independent contractor working as a salesperson for the MLM Company. Each compensation plan is different, but you normally get paid a certain percentage of your entire organization’s sales.
4. What Types of Products Are Sold Through Network Marketing?
MLM Businesses mainly focus on consumable items. This includes healthcare and nutrition products, cosmetics, consumer durables, etc. Since these are the most common items purchased, selling them becomes easier and more profitable. And since they are consumable, customers and distributors will use up the products each month and then need to place a new order. This creates residual income.
Other MLM Companies specialize in utilities, juices, legal services, travel, phone plans, gold, silver and countless other items. If you can think of an item, it’s probably sold in at least one network marketing company.
5. Is MLM Legal?
Yes, network marketing is legal in the United States and many other countries including inda. In 1979 Amway battled the Federal Trade Commission and scored a major victory for the network marketing industry. To be legal, distributors must focus on selling products and not get paid for the mere act of “recruiting” people.
6. Is the Industry a Scam?
I don’t think so. But, I do know that some distributors utilize corrupt or deceptive business practices. Like any industry, there are good and bad people in the industry. Most people are pretty quick to call our industry a scam, even if they’ve never researched it themselves.
Many of the folks who get involved with MLM (1) don’t have any business experience, (2) they are looking to get rich quick and (3) they aren’t willing to do the work. As a result, many of these folks get in for 30 to 90 days and then quit and say they were scammed. The truth is, you can’t build a successful business of any kind in 30 to 90 days.
7. What is the Success Rate of Any Given MLM Biz?
It’s been said that 97% of all network marketers lose money. I have never seen written evidence that supports that claim, but I’d bet that less than 10% of the people make any type of significant income. While many people who participate in our industry earn nothing or lose money, some distributors earn six or seven figure incomes. Individual results will always vary based upon individual effort, time invested and skill-set. It’s a proven fact that most businesses (of any nature) fail. According to the Small Business Administration, approximately 90 out of 100 businesses in business today won’t be around five years from now.
Another key thing to consider is “what is your definition of failure?” Everyone who enters MLM has different goals and objectives. Many people participate just to get a discount on their products. And many folks earn a few hundred dollars per month or get their products for free each month. So calling these folks “failures” doesn’t seem right to me.
8. Can I Build More Than One Business At a Time?
You can with some companies. Most companies have a non-compete clause in the distributor agreement which prevents you from doing this. Also, I think it’s a wiser idea to focus your efforts with one company so you don’t lose focus.
9. How Big is the MLM Industry?
There are close to 50 million people involved in the industry world-wide. The industry continues to grow because of the poor economy. Many people are now looking for a PLAN B to escape the rat race. In addition, the industry does more than $100 billion per year in sales. And I expect it will one day be a trillion dollar industry.
10. What is the Best Company to Join?
That depends. I always tell folks to find a company with products and services they are passionate about AND offer a good deal to the retail customer. If the items are priced fairly for customers, you might be on to something. Also, you want to work with an established company, with a good reputation, a fair compensation plan and good company leadership. There are many good companies in our industry to choose from.
11. Should I Focus on Recruiting or Selling?
Both have their merits and what you do will vary based upon your goals and objectives. In the beginning of your business, the immediate money is made by selling products, however, the real long-term money is in the team building. I always tell folks to get five or ten customers before they start recruiting distributors.
12. How long has MLM Been Around?
This is a debatable topic. Some folks say Amway was the first MLM Company (started in 1959). Nutrilite was also a MLM Company and was about 10 years older than Amway. Plus, Watkins is more than 100 years old and they had a very similar business model to MLM, where distributors could recruit other distributors. So for simplicity purposes we will say the industry is 60 to 100 years old.
13. It MLM Better Than Owning a Traditional Business?
This is another debatable question. Here’s what you should know. MLM is not perfect. Neither is owning a traditional business. Both come with some type of risk. After all, that’s what an entrepreneur is: a risk taker. What I personally like about MLM is the low start-up costs, the ability to earn residual income, and that you don’t need employees, an inventory, or separate building. Ultimately, you need to decide what business model is best for you and do that.
14. What Can I Do to Be Successful in MLM?
To succeed in MLM, you need to pick one company that you really love and stick with it for five to ten or more years. You will never be successful if you just try something out and give up in 90 days. You can’t switch companies every three to twelve months and expect to be successful. It also helps if you develop a written business and marketing plan, find a mentor, schedule time to build your business every day, and focus on improving your skill-set and mind-set. Whether you are building your business part-time or full-time, you need to make it a high priority. You can’t wish your way to success. The bottom line is you should treat your MLM Business like you have TWO MILLION DOLLARS invested in it. Do that, and I know you will succeed.
Final Thoughts
In summary, these are the most frequently asked questions about the MLM Industry. I hope you found the information helpful. As with anything in life, individual results will always vary. You can increase your chances of success by finding a mentor, getting started, learning from your mistakes, and following through with what you start until you succeed.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.
