MLM Script and MLM Software

Multi level marketing/ Franchising/ and Network marketing?

My g/f and I are looking to supplement our income with a few extra dollars. I have read and heard many a scheme on tv, books, advertisements and the such promising millions, however, I have also exhausted myself in hearing, and reading just the opposite. So my questions are: Is this a legitimate business opportunity? And if it is legitimate, how does one get into the biz without getting ripped off by the millions of predators out there looking for desparate young couples to steel their lifesavings from with a scam?

Public Comments

1. STAAAAAAY AWAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!! for every one success story you read or see on tv, there are a million unsuccessful stories. I have seen my friends go through this stuff and I have to say it's not worth it. If you really must try it out for yourself, then find something where you aren't buying the product yourself and then reselling it. That is where most people lose their money. They buy all these products and then can't sell them. Something like Amway or Arbonne is ok (still not great) because you can show off products with catalogs and website info without having to purchase the stuff yourself. This way you are not really investing money into it. One more thing- Be careful not get to the salesperson attitude. You will lose friends and contact with family. People in this business tend to badger everyone they know just to buy their product and then their friends and family members don't want to answer the phone when they call anymore. So as I stated before, I don't think it is worth it.
2. Multi levels are not all scams. The secret is you. Do you have what it takes to succeed? To be successful in any of them you must not be shy about talking to people, including strangers. Stay away from those that require a big buy in. I have seen one that required $2500 to get started. There are many that you can get started in for under $200. Check them all out and find one you believe in, one that you will use the product or service yourself and give your own testimonial about how good it is. My wife is involved in Arbonne but doesn't do much with it, she just likes the product. I have dabbled in something called Pre-Paid legal. I used the service for years before signing up to sell it, but haven't done much. This is not their fault it is mine for not sharing it with enough people. I am just not comfortable doing that. Another product is Stream Energy, I have a friend who is doing quite well with that, but it not available everywhere. Good luck in your quest.
3. There are a few major problems that taint the waters around network marketing. 1- Some really are scams - it's not always easy to figure out which are good and which are bad, but it is true that there are some scams out there that have made people wary. 2- Many people joining with the expectation that the money will just come flowing in without any work on their part. When you join an MLM, you need to treat it like a business if you expect it to pay like a business. If you don't do any work, don't expect it to pay out. Most people drop out of MLMs without making money because they either don't do any work, or they don't do enough work or the right work. At the same time, just like in any "standard" business, it's possible to work your butt off and not see many results in a timely fashion. 3- Uneducated masses. The same thing that helps an MLM flourish is the same thing that causes problems. The mantra of the MLM is to take the money away from the big evil corporation and give it to the average Joe. The trouble is...the average Joe doesn't usually have much/any experience in sales/marketing and has no idea how to build a business properly. Some MLMs provide great support networks to help grow. Others do not. So, with that in mind, here's my advice. Before you join an MLM (or go into any business venture), there are a few things to look at: 1- Who's in charge? Even though YOU are the owner of your own business...you are still at the mercy of the corporate founders. If you do a google search on the leaders of the company and either find nothing or find a bunch of shady articles...steer clear. Ideally you'll find out that the owners are influencial in the world of whatever the product is and they have a good business track record. For example, my MLM is about books and knowledge and its founders are authors Richard Paul Evans and Robert Allen who have each written numerous books both fiction and informational (on wealth building). 2- Is it worthwhile? In MLM, the true "product" that people join for is usually the money making machine. However, there is (and must be in order for it to be a legitimate/legal business) an actual product that the business sells to make revenue. You need to look at that and make sure it's something you believe in and are willing to share with people. For example, I'm not into lotions and potions, but I am huge into literature (I'm an English major and aspiring writer). So I steered clear of the health MLMs and hopped on board an MLM that offers a product I believe in with benefits that I love (monthly calls with authors/publicists/etc. and an annual writer's conference) 3- What's the risk? All businesses have risk and you can lose your shirt anywhere. With MLM you have 3 main costs. First, you have a startup cost (the figure I've heard is that an average MLM costs $400 to start...mine was only $40, so it was a steal for me). Second, you have your monthly product costs...these can sometimes vary depending on your "level" within the company. The one I'm with is a fixed $35/month. But I've known people who had monthly product costs of nearly $1000 and I've heard rumors of people paying 3k-5k. Finally, you have the cost of promoting. A key word in MLM is "Marketing." While a lot of it can be done for free (over the internet or just word of mouth), many people purchase 'lead lists' or take out ads. To determine risk, you need to look at your costs, and then (very conservatively) look at the compensation plan and determine a timeframe by which you want to break even and figure out how to get there. Another benefit for the company I got with is that they have a 1 year money back guarantee (they do NOT want anybody losing their shirt). 4- The potential? This is the main thing people focus on in terms of "you can make millions and fire your boss." This sort of wraps in with previous comments, but deserves to be split out a little bit. Basically you need to look at long term potential. NEVER look at this as a "get rich quick." It is always possible you could be a lucky one who makes 100k within a few months and you're set to retire. But more likely, you'll work your butt off and it'll be a year or more before you're at a break-even point. So, you need to make sure the long term potential is there and see what you have to do to achieve it. Part of this is to look and make sure the product is sustainable. If you are selling chunks of moon rock, chances are your supply will eventually dry up. If your supply isn't sustainable (maybe you sell coffins), you won't last long either as people won't keep buying. Anyway, I wish you luck with your endeavor. I did a lot of searching (I actually worked for a company that did technical services for dozens of MLM companies, so I had first hand research opportunities), before joining the company I am with. You need to know and keep at the front of your mind the fact that THIS IS A BUSINESS and you need to work and research it the same way you would any business venture. You're not likely to invest in some new restaurant franchise just because your buddy suggested it...you're more likely to research it and make sure it's not a waste of time and money. You should do the same thing here. If you know and believe in what you're getting into, and you're willing to work at it, you CAN and WILL be a success. Just don't expect it to happen in the first month...or even the first year. ;)
4. These are excellent questions you ask. MLM is one of few ways where the average person can make a lot of money. The problem, however, is that it is not easy. A lot of people get sucked in by a lot of hype about how much money can be made in such a small amount of time. Because of this, a lot of people get started, pay a startup cost, then don't see millions in one week and drop off. This is why you hear so many negative stories about MLM. If you want to ensure that you don't get ripped off by these hype makers, my advice to you is the following: 1. Find a company with a product you can get passionate about. 2. Seek a leader in that company--the highest earner or one of the highest earners is a good idea. 3. You interview the leader. Ask them how they will help you build your business, where you will get leads from, what will happen when that source dries up, etc etc. Take a look at this article for more information: http://ezinearticles.com/?Success-in-USANA,-Herbalife,-or-ACN,-Why-Getting-Rich-Has-Little-To-Do-With-The-Comp-Plan&id=586700 I have a fair bit of experience with MLM and I train the struggling network marketers how to build their businesses online. You should take a look at the http://www.ozibillionaire.com/?training newsletter if you want to learn how to do that. If I can be of any further help to you, or if you had any other questions dont hesitate to get in touch again. Dedicated to your success, Jim Yaghi