Multi Level Marketing - Who Makes Money?

Rich

I have a genuine question:Who makes money in Multi Level Marketing (MLM) businesses? I know, I know - it`s "the hottest business opportunity ever!" But for this topic, spare me the rah-rah stuff. I am posting this question to get to the bottom of whether people are really making a profit in their MLM efforts.I am not doubting it - I just want the real, un-puffed-up story.

jango

Dear Rich
You are direct, aren`t you?! I have been in network marketing for three years now and have failed twice. However, I know that if you really want the time and the money and freedom to do whatever you want in life - this is the only way!
I have now found something that I truly believe in and although it`s not a get-rich quick scheme - we will, one day, I`m sure, be financially free!
I liken it to an apprenticeship - as the years go by we learn a lot and each mistake will bring a new reward. It helps to read self-development books and realise that we are allowed to dream a little even though I am middle aged and feeling it!!
It also helps to have an attitude of gratitude!
well nice talking to you - please feel free to contact me if you need more info on our wonderful business.

Rich

jango,thanks a lot for the response.so, in your experience, your MLM efforts haven`t been profitable (yet!). maybe this time around it will be a different story.do you know people who have been profitable? i`d love to hear their perspectives. the thing about MLM is that it`s incredibly appealing on the surface - i think people would benefit from warriors who`ve been through the cycle successfully so they could point other people aspiring to put this business model to work in the right direction...wishing you success...

armymom2025

    It is nice to hear something good  about MLM . I was once going to do it but they wanted like $475.00 to get started and for me that was alot since I knew nothing about the buisness.
Thanks for letting me know some companies are legit.

Rich

radiomarathon,thanks SO much for this insight. it`s great to hear what actually works, like a supportive company/management team behind you, and the web marketing support...i welcome anyone else`s insights, as well.MLM is huge - i am going to try to get a guy i just met to provide his insights. he`s a multimillionare through herbalife. what a success! i am just incredibly cautious about recklessly encouraging people to pursue this model when the success rate is so suspect...stay tuned...

jango

Hi there - again!! Just wanted to tell you a little more about our company. We were with a well-known catalogue distribution company for 2.5 years and worked our socks off. However we realised that mlm is about timing and this company had many successful `big cheeses` but most of them came in at the start. If you join with the wrong team where support is minimal, then you probably are going to fail.
The company we are now with is called XanGo (pronounced Zango) and is only 4 years old. It`s only been in uk for 2 years and is the fastest growing network of all time!
The product is a nutritional health beverage with many benefits. One product - no out-of-stocks, and delivered straight to your door! We use and recommend - no selling involved - and the compensation plan is second to none! Our upline are the European Champions and what`s really great is they share every tip and offer guidance and support everyday. Communication is the key.
We`ve also got their upline to do 3-way calls with and he brings in around $300,000 dollars each month, so we know we`re with the right team. If we follow what they`ve done then we can`t fail, can we? you can check out our website and take a look     www.tastesuccess.biz</A>
`Success comes in cans, not can`ts`
speak to you sooooon!
Jan

MoreFunCoach

Hi Rich,I will add my 2 cents worth here. First of all, I have made money with network marketing and I know people personally who have made much more than I have. To some extent network marketing is what you make it. In my opinion, though, there are certain things you should look for - a product you really love and can recommend to people, a stable company with a track record, a sponsor who will work with you, and a way to find prospects that you can afford in both time and money. Check to be sure your upline is not making a good bit of their money selling you training tapes and support materials.If you would like to take a look at my company, check it out atwww.summit200.comMy upline provides one of these sites free for every associate in his group. Some charge $20 or more for recruiting sites such as this. That is what I mean by a sponsor who works on your behalf.Good luck in your search - if I can answer any more questions - not just about my company, but about my experiences (I`ve tried 4 other companies), just ask.Sherrie

Rich

thanks, sherrie! great substance - the kind that other people can put to work to ensure they`re maximizing their chances for success.rich

Copperman

Rich,
Do you want to speak directly to someone who has actually made it with not one but 5 companies?
If you want to hear directly from the horses mouth, let me know.
No rah-rah, no fluff, no BS....just as it is!
Contact me if you are interested with your contact details.

Rich

i would be hugely interested - but the ideal scenario for me is to learn through public dialogue right here in the forums. that way i am serving my primary mission of spreading helpful info to other entrepreneurs.capice?!so, if you can spare the time, please share some of your wisdom and experiences here.thanks, copperman!rich

Copperman

Rich,
Thanks for your response. Rich (your name sake) is someone I had hoped you would be interested in speaking with especially if you really want the load-down on MLM at least from the perspective of someone who has made it 5 times with 5 different companies with over 29yrs experience. He will not attempt to recruit nor will I.
Myself, I am new to the industry. My background is not MLM. The people that make money in MLM are those willing to be "coachable" and willing to do what it takes in any business to be successful. $1000 in MLM is $1000 in a brick-n-motar business. They both require effort. The $1000 from MLM business may be more fun, because you choose it for the passion/product etc. Unfortunately, there are too too many ads that say retire rich in 60 days or 2 years and so on, plus no selling, no recruiting, just speak to your family and friends, or just send me their names and I will do it all for you.
Rich, the statistic of who makes money (successful) in MLM I don`t believe is any worse than the number of small businesses (brick and mortar) that close daily. But with MLM, if you have been sucked in by the hype (your fault if you are and did not checked it properly), you are doubly disappointed when you don`t make any money and you have lost money too.
I will echo some of the replies above, you need to be coachable, find a good support system in the company you choose. The latter MUST have good leadership and good products that offer a genuine advantage/service to the clients that purchase the product.
Finally, and this is MLM talk, don`t quit (unless you chose the wrong company) and give it a good 2-3 year to build your team. As with any business there will be many many rejections and low periods.........its all a part and parcel of who makes money in MLM.
Hope this help........if you still want to interview Rich for the benefit of StartUpNation Community, let me know.
Copperman. Copperman2007-1-13 4:34:24

jwg299

Hello Rich. I`ve been in my MLM business now for a year and a half. Yes I`m making money, but not enough at this time to leave my present job. From what i can tell there are some factors that need to be in place to make money in any MLM.
first you need to be passionate about the business your doing, and be your first and main customer, because what would you look like trying to sell someone a product or service you don`t use. second you need to be coachable and willing to do what it takes to succeed. Third the product or service MUST fill a NEED or WANT for your area in which you choose t do business. fourth, you need to one of the first persons to bring this business or service to your area. and lastly be willing to show others how you became successful as well, be the mentor or coach to others.

RSchlieper

i would be hugely interested - but the ideal scenario for me is to learn through public dialogue right here in the forums. that way i am serving my primary mission of spreading helpful info to other entrepreneurs.capice?!so, if you can spare the time, please share some of your wisdom and experiences here.thanks, copperman!rich
You also need to be consistant to succeed.  Most folks think they can join a company for little to no cost, sit back and make money.  NO WAY!  I don`t care what MLM you`re associated with.  ONE NEEDS TO WORK!  Be Consistant! Put out Ads (after all, if you owned a shoe store but did not have a sign out or a way to notifiy people of your business will people come to your store? I don`t think so!).  Advertise, be consistant and don`t give up!
RDS

hadarah1

Hi Everyone,
Well, I`ve been doing multilevel marketing for a short period of time.  But what I do know is that it is important to get into a business that there is a demand for.  I personally am working in the travel industry.  The second thing is to make sure you come into a great team.  My personal sponsors are great.  They`ve really taken the time to walk me through and so I feel very confident that my success will at the least equal theirs which would certainly be great for me.  And lastly, whatever you do in life, you must know how to market yourself and or your product.  There`s no way to get around it. And you have to be willing to invest time and effort.  If you are willing to do that you will win. If your ever interested in hearing from me personally check out my site at www.moretime4me.com</A>
Good Luck

FeliciaSlattery

Hi Rich,
I have a friend who built a 4000+ square foot home on a gorgeous pond in an exclusive subdivision paid for from her NM business.  She has been with the same company for 26 years and has won the cars, trips, and other awards-- every year. 
But like Kathleen said, you need to treat the business like a business.  Following the rah rah hype of most companies is ok, if you always remember you`re in business for yourself. 
No product sells itself.  If it did, the company wouldn`t pay the kinds of commisions and give away the expensive trips and gifts-- they`d put the product on a website and be done with it.  So every "opportunity" has to come with work.
Earlier this summer my friend asked me to create a training program for her down line.  It went so well, I modified it to fit any MLM/NM or direct sales entrepreneur. It`s finally finished and it features real life start up business training that most of the MLMs don`t provide.   
I know we`re re-opening this topic after 8 months, but hope this helps!Felicia
PS-- If you`re interested here`s the link to my product: http://www.jumpstartyournetworkmarketingbiz.com</A>. 

Ruman

The MLM industry always seems to have a "friend" or an "acquaintance" that has made a ton of money doing the MLM. Same deal with my friend, he was doing one, cannot even remember the name, but going to seminars and such all of the time, traveling, etc. There was a video of this guy driving "his" lamborgini and happened to show it while he was trying to convince the crowd to buy "tapes and videos" teaching how to sell the product. Well we did our research on him and he lived in a $120,000 house(lower middle class here) in an okay area of town. I doubt he had a lamborgini.
It just seems like much of the industry is pure deception to get people involved.