MLM Directory - what are your opinions on MLM and direct selling?

what are your opinions on MLM and direct selling?

i am curious to know individual experiences with MLM and direct selling~ how you got into it, your experience, what product/company~ just share your thoughts~ i find it very intriguing, how many people get involved in these opportunities, the driving force being the ability to utilize your time the way you'd like, as well as being able to "run" your own business - sounds quite awesome, especially for the right motivated individual~ so please, share~

Public Comments

You have to have no shame about hitting up everyone you know and begging them to refer you to their friends. I think it's BS, but just because I know I hate people trying to sell me or make me sell stuff.
I find it interesting how many people answer this question saying they hate to be sold anything. These are usually the people who demand the best customer service. I'll bet most don't even know that Coca Cola is MLM! I have worked a few MLM businesses, or Direct Sales and always found success. It didn't always last though because you have to stay ahead of the trends. Namely, the baby boomers. They give you an 18 year window of opportunity, so if you have something they are looking for, you cannot go wrong. I got into it because I didn't have the capital to start a brick and mortar business, so I use it as a vehicle to increase my net worth. After educating myself in business, I realized that I didn't want a brick and mortar business after all. I wanted the time and freedom as well as the income to pursue other investments such as real estate. The only way I could do that was by building my home business. At one time I sold household products. Back in the days when it made sense to purchase your products from your own store at wholesale and show others how to save on those bills as well. I did party plan, and always had a good time and earned good money. It was a good excuse for housewives to get out of the house, have some fun, learn about new products and save on the household budget. I had to leave that line after I realized that most of the boomers were empty nesters and no longer needed to fill their homes with products. In fact, many of them were starting home businesses and that lead me into selling long distance. That lasted for quite a while until the phone companies created enough competition that we were no longer needed. What they are looking for now is health and anti-aging. It is fast becoming a trillion dollar industry. When I found the product that really came through for them, I knew I was onto something. Many companies have an outdated compensation plan so I had to really search. I found the one that I feel has the best compensation plan in the business and chose that one. MLM is about increasing your net worth. It doesn't really matter which company you are with, it's about how you market. If you choose to actively seek people who are business minded and use the internet to your advantage, you will quickly start to build. I have several hundred customers, and they rely on the product, but I actively seek other business builders. I believe that if you put the effort into it, constantly educate yourself and always keep your goals in mind, you will be financially independent in a very short time.
You really have to find the right business to be successful. I am in the direct selling market, or whatever anyone wants to call it today. I am with a very repetiable company, that is just starting like health insurance and car insurance did. It is predicted to get as big as that, so i am very excited. My company has a simple system in place, though it is not always easy. We also do not just do direct sales, we offer a couple of types of things to get into, so it is pretty cool. I lvoe it and cannot see myself doing anything else.
It has worked for me although it has required a lot of study and a willingness to take some calculated risks. I was not successful at first, primarily because of lack of experience and not choosing good companies. I am glad I didn't give up because I eventually learned how to research companies, found a good one, and have been successful with a leading health & wellness company. By combining my knowledge of Internet marketing with providing good customer service, I have been in the Top 25 world-wide for enrolling new customers (not distributors) for three years in a row. And that was working the business part-time. I recently left my salaried job to pursue my home business full-time. I joined a direct sales company to diversify and because the potential to earn more money in a shorter period of time. Although they don't use this label, their commission plan is like an affiliate program in that you receive a commission for your direct sales ($700 to $11,765 per sale) and a commission for the sales of those you bring into the business and whom you train and support ($400 to $3900 per sale). The products are financial education, personal growth, and connection to professionals and investment opportunities usually only the wealthy have access to. So far I've been very pleased with the company. My background in Internet marketing has certainly helped although the company provides more free training in that area and others than I've ever seen a company give. Of course, I help my team members develop their own Internet marketing plan as well. I mentioned training earlier. The resources that have been most helpful for me are listed below. None of them are affiliate links or referral URLs. In other words, if you click on any of these links I do not benefit in any way. Dr. Ken Evoy's SiteSell Company and their flagship SiteBuildIt e-commerce platform. (Internet marketing). Their free e-books do promote their products but also contain lots of great info: http://freetrial.sitesell.com Main site: http://sitesell.com Tim Sales' Professional Inviter training program (Network marketing -- learning how to talk with prospects). http://professionalinviter.com Kim Klaver's training programs (Network marketing -- the importance of customers, as opposed to exclusive focus on recruiting new distributors, and how to attract them; plus why running a squeaky clean ethical business will make you the most money in the long run). http://kimklaverblogs.blogspot.com MLM.com Forum - Lots of experts and very helpful people there, although it can get heated at times. http://mlm.com Best MLM Resources Blog - Written by Michael Lemm and includes lots of valuable, up-to-date information. http://best-mlm-resources.blogspot.com The Dummies Guide to Network Marketing by Zig Ziglar - Although ironically Mr. Ziglar's own MLM, which he mentions in the book, didn't make it the book nonetheless is a good overview of the industry. [Most bookstores sell this book] I hope this helps. Mark Worthen, Psy.D. http://BestWayToGetPaid.com
I never liked them funny thing is now that's what i do. First, you must believe in the product and company you are selling. For me it was Divine intervention. I was working full time for a large financial institution for 7 years. I had a 2 yr old and knew I wanted another. I hated that she was in daycare and never considered sales. My Mary Kay consultant offered me the business opportunity and I said no thank you. It was a year later I had been praying for an answer and she asked again so I decide to listen with an open mind and was amazed at the facts. Since I was coming from a financial background I research the company and was impressed. I started Mary Kay for the reason you mentioned flexibility and what I found was so much more. I had a great support group of friends and never worked for a company where women praise, motivate and share to help you succeed. I am a lifer. I love that Mary Kay is about making people feel good about themselves and providing a service not just making a sale. Mary Kay lives on in this company as well as her values and beliefs God first Family second and career third when you put everything in order good things happen.
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For an MLM / Network Marketing opportunity to work you need Affordable Products That Sell Well And Marketing Systems That Work !! 1. You need products that sell like Chocolates at Easter-Time, Toys at Christmas, Turkeys on Thanksgiving or Cold Drinks during a summer heat-wave. 2. The products must be AFFORDABLE to most people, EVERYBODY must be able to afford to buy them and the products MUST be consumable, so they generate REPEAT BUSINESS (this is SO important!) 3. You can't be asking your prospects to pay anything up-front, like an associate joining or registration fee, or be made to buy some kind of “Business starter kit”. (That’s a No -No!) 4. The business system, support system and marketing plan must be SO SIMPLE and is MUST BE very EASY TO FOLLOW, so that even a complete novice should be able to generate healthy, on-going, weekly earnings within just a few short months Here’s a great example: http://www.simplyseen.com I recommend you also do a little research with the B.O.S.E. Being community driven it’s a cross between a search engine and a Wikipedia. You can add, delete and improve the results for much more focused answers than a general search engine can provide. http://www.BusinessOpportunitySearchEngine.com
If you are really serious about a home business, go to www.m2csuccess.com/crski
Hi! I've tried MANY Home Based Businesses and I can happily say I have found the most lucrative business opportunity I could ask for. Doing Home Parties, Pleasure Parties! I do Romance Home Parties earning 50% commission, getting paid the night of the party with NO quotas, requirements, or qualification! Romance Home Parties are HIGHLY in demand! You can get your business kit and start doing parties right away and earn some serious cash! If this was something you were interested in! I love that I am able to stay at home and NO LONGER work for someone else, NO 9 to 5 hours and pay these EXPENSIVE NYC Bills and Car Payments LOL. If this is something you'd like to know more about feel free to email me at partiesbytina@aol.com My site is www.PartiesByTina.com I am the Team Founder of the Pleasure Divas Team we have ladies Nationwide and the team is growing so rapid! You can view our Team Site at www.PleasureDivas.biz and I also have an exclusive team business opportunity recording it's about 13 mins long if you'd like to call the recording and listen in (641) 985-5023 Dial Access Code 326143# I am dedicated to educating and training nationwide! I am also a rep for Mia Bella Gourmet Candles which you earn up to 50% profits selling a Cleaner Burning Gourmet Candle, it's a wonderful business as well, 3 ways to earn money, Retail Sales, Residual Income, and Fund-raisers! You can view my site at www.GourmetWickedWicks.com I also have a business opportunity recording for this business as well at (641) 985-5009 Dial Access Code 802484# I'd love to email you more business opportunity information for both or either business, and would love to mail you a FREE Scent Sample of our Amazing Candles! Give me a call anytime to discuss these opportunities more in depth! I'd love to share my experience with you with home based businesses, and how well my businesses are right now, and as the Team Founder, I am here every step of the way to help each team member achieve the success they so desire! Last note, both companies there is NO Quotas, NO Requirements, NO quaification period, which means it's YOUR business you work when you want, how you want with NO Pressure! I love the downline structures, the residual income is quite attractive! We have so many overrides, bonuses like $400 monthly car bonus, 6 & 8 level deep downlines, 10% Matching Bonuses, No lugging inventory, no sorting, packing, shipping or delivering and more! Looking forward to speaking with you soon! Tina (347) 351-TINA www.PartiesByTina.com www.GourmetWickedWicks.com www.PleasureDivas.biz Email: PartiesByTina@aol.com
I got into my company by going to spa party my mom was having back in 2005. I just simply loved the whole spa experience; relaxing and taking time for myself...Plus the products felt and smelled awesome. So, it wasn't hard to get me signed up. I've been selling for over a year now with a downline of 7 girls and I just love it. Everything is so non-pressure and I have found great success with not only my business but personally I have gained self-confidence and went from someone who was too shy to talk to anyone to someone who isn't afraid of getting in front of a group of women and sharing the products that I believe in so much. This whole experience has been life changing and I am so thankful to have been offered this opportunity. Direct sales is what you make it...People that have failed because of bad experiences with a certain company of just their lack of putting in the time love to talk about how horrible direct sales is. I find it to be completely untrue...Your business is what you make it. The more time and effort you put into your business the more you'll reap. It's up to you to make it a success or failure. Good luck with your endeavours and e-mail me with any questions. Thanks!