Comments on: How To Avoid Multi-Level Marketing Schemes

By: Rasul

Rasul — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:34:28 +0000

Dan you are right about the MLM scams. I just wish people would be consistent in their critique. There are scams in every field ie: internet marketing, job scams, corporate scams, mlm, etc. If you look at every profession only a few really ever make the highest incomes in that field for various reasons; some never got in to make a lot of money, some got involved and found out there’s work (ugh) and then there are those that quit because for whatever reason it’s not a good fit. This happens in every field, yet people act as if it’s strange that it would happen in MLM. Also in any field of endeavor you must learn to have discernment, because unfortunately there are always people who prey on others. Case in point, I did a Google search on “Internet Marketing for Newbies” and of course I got a lot of results (some good and some scams) and forgive me, but I’d never heard of you, but you were highly endorsed by Joel Comm and I’ve read his book “Twitter Power” and he comes highly recommended. Since he endorsed you, that was good enough for me, plus it didn’t hurt that it only cost $22.00 (not much to risk for so much fantastic content). I think you get the point. There are some solid companies and MLM professionals and well as some scammy companies and crooks posing as professionals. So maybe we can take our licks like grown men and women (if we’ve been taken and I have too) and take responsibility to educate ourselves so we can pick wisely. Your article was great and I appreciate your disclaimer for those of us who are always looking to take the high road in MLM and all our dealings the best we can. Thanks Dan.

By: Tim Berry

Tim Berry — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:11:55 +0000

Great post Dan. Yes there is a lot of hype out there in MLM, especially when you are talking about a forced matrix or power line situation. It never seemed logical why you would want to recruit a bunch of lazy people who wanted something for nothing – and that is exactly why they don’t work long term.

I have been a network marketing professional for many years (was able to retire from medicine at age 35 thanks to mlm). Since I began I have always been a top recruiter, but I have never had to promise any spillover or hype the opportunity in order to produce. Professional network marketing is a predictable and safe way to go these days and we no longer have to validate that or defend it. In this economy, I can’t imagine a better choice if you want to put some effort and focus into something.

In my experience over the last several years, internet marketers are way more hypey and promise way more BS than all of the network marketers put together (and I have been doing internet marketing a lot longer than network marketing). The globe is littered in corpses of once hopeful internet marketers who bought into the hype of easy money only to find that had spent all of the savings and had nothing to show for it in the end. If we are not careful, internet marketing will soon have to face the stigma that has taken network marketers decades to overcome.

Tim

By: Rick Butts

Rick Butts — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:07:09 +0000

ABSOLUTELY FREAKIN ACCURATE DAN!

Even at my advanced age and great state of wisdom I got talked into the ACN “opportunity” then soon realized that though they were marketed as a company that simply diverted what you were already spending on your cell phone etc – they charged out the wing-wang for so many things that the costs actually doubled.

NO spillover – even though my friends were hustling the thing and slamming tons of people in through their spammy hypie webinars.

I’m stuck now with a piece of junk $200 video phone (useless) that I am paying $36 a month for service on – and if I terminate it is a $200 cancellation fee!

I hate ACN _ and will smite down any MLM I see from this time on.

Thanks for your great article. (Especially the stages from romance etc)

Rick

By: Tim Kaelin

Tim Kaelin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:30:40 +0000

Everyone should read a good book about MLM, Network Marketing before starting with any company new or old. I have road that roller coaster before and could not seam to get off of it. I must have liked all of the excitement. Many years later now my friend and I wrote a book we used to joke about writing called “What Not To Do In Network Marketing”. You can not buy it yet the proof copy is on my desk right now. If you would like to get a copy look for it on amazon in a few days. But really any business is tricky if you do not do your home work. I lost in computer software, car lot, selling my company. If you do not know who your are doing business with you will loose.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:51:02 +0000

I agree with you 100% about matrixes (sp?). It’s unrealistic to think that they will work unless they are very small and there is a good reward at the end with product involved. Too many people lose if they get in near the bottom and can’t decipher all the details. Always make sure whatever you’re getting into is even legal!

Over time a unilevel compensation plan seems to be the most sustainable MLM plan.