Are MLMs still viable today?

@ahgong (10064)
Singapore
May 21, 2009 9:49pm CST
I have always read that multi level marketing is a good way to learn how to sell. Even gurus like Robert Shemin, Robert Kiyosaki and some other rich fellow who wrote books about their success are recommending them as a platform for learning the skill to sell. But whenever we approach someone with the intention to introduce them to MLM, they will run away like they'd seen Hades coming for their soul! But going to the seminars organized by these MLM companies, I have seen many people who are successful at it. And the sheer scale of the seminar that was organized, there must be some money made, otherwise, who is paying for those seminars?!? Imagine, my jaw dropped when I see old ladies and old men in their 60s making it good and earning an income from these MLMs. And if they can do it, how can I do it as well? So my question is this, if we were to try and make it successful in MLM, what is the first thing one has to overcome in order to move forward? And if you happen to get an upline who is not very supportive, and you are on your own, what should you be trying to do in order to get people to join you in your quest to master the skill of selling in whatever MLM you happen to be in? If you have any experience with MLM, whether you are involve in them or not, do share your experiences with me.
2 people like this
3 responses
kun2349
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
22 May 09
Actually, MLM is sort of illegal, but i dunno how to explain it why.. haha =D I'm been into MLM twice, and it's really not an easy work.. Firstly, one has to be able to know their products well and be able to target the right age group in order to promote products.. Also, it's just like selling of insurance etc, always find frenz and relatives to be our very first customers.. haha =D After that, if it works for them, they will start to recommend customers to u, and that's how u earn ^_^ BY then again, one can rely on yourself, by trusting the products and testing them out on yourself.. Be a live sample for others to see, so as to gain their confidence in u ^_^ Be it upline or downline, it's not of much use.. Because an upline wont help u much for u are not their only downline.. haha =D As for helping dowlines, alot depends on how much and how willing they wanna learn and apply.. Everything products and companies have their own strategy in promoting their products, and thus there are seminars.. haha =D
2 people like this
ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
23 May 09
MLM is not illegal. It is a very good way to get a business going, IMHO. It is those rogue agents and some bad apples in the industry that made the whole business look like a sham. Depending on the product and the business model, there are some really good MLM companies out there. One company that comes to mind is Tupperware. Anyways, you are right in all the points you raised. One has to know the product well. One has to know what age group to promote the products to. Hmm...
1 person likes this
ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
31 May 09
I have heard of herbal life. And you have to subscribe to quite a bit of products to become a member, right? The upfront is quite high. I may look at them again if they have changed their strategy. Otherwise, the upfront is a little high. Maybe we can discuss about their reward system and compare it with other MLMs that are in the market. I am looking at another health product. I don't know if you have heard it before. PM me if you are interested.
1 person likes this
kun2349
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
24 May 09
Many years ago, MLM is considered illegal because of pyramid selling, and it's labelled as scamming.. BUt as years go by, they start to change by calling themselves are distributors, or sharing of products.. haha =D Yup, tupperware is one of the first to start and it's still standing strong now.. WHile the other will be amway as it's available in many other countries as well ^_^ Right now, i'm working for herbalife, which is more to health products ^_^ INterested?? lol =D
1 person likes this
Jenniferp
@Jenniferp (210)
• United States
22 May 09
I have totally failed with Monavie. I like the product and people are intrigued by it. I had a ton of people who wanted to buy it from me, at $35.00 (my cost) per bottle, it is very hard to sell them and make any capital. When I would mention how great it is to recruit and did my thing...they ran! Most of these women were laughing when I told them about recruiting. I had friends avoid me because they were afraid that I would try to suck him in. I said never again and went into real estate.
2 people like this
ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
23 May 09
Monavie? What products are they selling? What kind of system are they using for their business model? Sun system? Binary system? So share more!
ladystrange
@ladystrange (93)
• United States
22 May 09
I am not totally tuned off to mlm's and have always wanted the right one to come along. Just recently I have started with pyrabang I am really happy with this program. People do not realize how many big companies like Walmart are basically a pyramid scheme mlm. I think there are 3 things to look at when deciding on an MLM. Is the product any good? Is the price affordable to anyone, How is the business plan? I also evaluated GDI. I could not overcome the product aspect -Overpriced Hosting with a .ws extension with crappy customer support. In order to promote an MLM you must truly be 100% passionate about the product. There MLM I run miles from that I call distributorships. These programs require people to buy 100's of dollars a month of product, and sign up other distributors to do the same. Examples would be xocai chocolate, mona vie, even avon. The programs are designed to make their distributors their main customers, very few people succeed with these programs.
1 person likes this
ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
22 May 09
Hi Lady Strange, Thanks for sharing that insight. You mentioned there are 3 things to look out for. Is the product any good? Is the price affordable to anyone? How is the business plan? May I ask, when you look at the product of a MLM company, what do you look for? If the product is a health supplment, what would you look for then? When you say "Is the price affordable to anyone?", what price range are we talking about? What do you seek in the business plan of the MLM company? Any pointers to recognize a good business plan when you see one? Please advise.
ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
23 May 09
Wow! That is really an insight into the world of MLM! Thanks for the valuable tips! I will definitely try to follow them! Hmm... How come it never occured to me to look up similar products in the market to see how well they are selling. Interesting! Thanks for sharing!