Failing at an MLM - Page 2

wendykrick · 05-05-2008, 02:50 PM

I can so relate to you, work2bfree!

MLM is not a scam. You just need to do you homework and read the policies before you sign up. Understand that it takes time. It doesn't happen over night.

I started working in MLm 5 years ago and 18 mos. and was earning over 4K a month. But I was also spending between $500 and $1500 a month in advertising. We were buying leads etc. Long story short, although I was successful I found that many in my down-line and sideline was going in debt trying to be successful. So I realized that although I found success I couldn't duplicate that success. I stopped listening to all the hype I was getting from my upline and became a Critical thinker. Meaning I started doing some research. I found that most of what my upline was teaching me was setting people up for failure. I found that 95% of people failed in mlm. Wow! So I fired my upline and started doing my own research. I wanted to figure this thing out. I learned that times were changing and old school ways (buying leads, cold calls, home demonstrations) of marketing were not working any more. So it became my passion to figure this thing out.

Here is what I learned. You don't need to spend a penny on advertising your mlm business. There are just too many free things you can do. This forum is a great example. It is a relationship business. So now I am growing a high retention team through helping and teaching others.

I'm sorry for the long post.

Have a blessed day everyone!

Wendy

work2bfree · 05-06-2008, 02:37 AM

That is ok Wendy. You are so right. I too was taught like you. Paying a lot of money for advertisements, email campaigns, and more.

About 9 months ago, I learned that there were other ways of marketing your business and yes they are either free or low-cost methods. The thing that is key is to be persistent and consistent in your marketing comments.

In addition, it is very important to work with the members in your group. I have started doing this recently. This helps with the relationship building aspect of your business.

Here is something to keep in mind. The members in your group will see you as a leader when you pay attention to their needs. When you listen to their needs and address their issues, you are demonstrating leadership. The members in your group will only stay around when they feel that their needs are being met. Your business is really not about you, but about those you serve, which are your customers and your business associates.

wendykrick · 05-06-2008, 12:56 PM

Thanks for the response, Work2bfree. Yes it is about relationships. When we focus on helping others without a hidden agenda things really start to happen. Building relationships is key.

What I meant with "It is about you" is with marketing. Many people fill out their profiles on social groups for example and the whole page is about how wonderful their products or business is. It is like they are pushing the business in their face. But most people are not really looking for products or they are already in a business. People want to get to know you.

When I figured this out and went back to all of my sites and put up my picture, put my name and phone number and really told people who I was, then my phone started to ring.

Does this make sense? (I talk better than I type) LOL

In other words, lead with you not the products or business opportunity.

work2bfree · 05-07-2008, 02:40 AM

Yes, it does. In fact, my mentors has been trying to teach us this. It has been hard for many of us to make this change, because many of us were taught to get people in the deal. "Get 'em in the deal" , slam as many as you can against the wall and see which ones stick. This is what one of my friends says. Anyway, it is no wonder not many stayed around. Who likes to be slammed up against the wall? I know I wouldn't.

work2bfree · 05-07-2008, 02:52 AM

You are correct wannaliveright. I am glad to see that you too realize this. Not many people see this or don't want to see that often it is their efforts or lack of efforts and little experience and knowledge in running a business that prevents them from achieving success.

If only people could spend more time focusing on improving their skills, then they might, over time, see better results with their business.

Seashell · 05-13-2008, 04:23 PM

Workbfree - when you advertised in the newspapers, did you focus on the product or the opportunity ?

Care to share the wording you used ?

poustotah · 05-14-2008, 04:25 PM

My first husband was a part of Amway (of all things) and also a part of another MLM called, 'Nutrition for Life' (which has now gone under) and he did VERY well with both of them - to the tune of over $10k per month. Of course, he could sell cheese to a goat and just had that knack. I do not have that ability and have shied away from this, but I don't think it's a scam.

work2bfree · 05-15-2008, 01:33 AM

Hi Seashell,
Actually for the 997MakeMoneyNow, I shared the opportunity. For the Healthy Coffee, I shared the product. What I said for the Healthy Coffee were some of the benefits that the coffee had. For 997, I just talked about the fact of what the business opportunity was about, the cost, and the benefits. For each, generally speaking, it was the usual stuff you see in most ads.

Poustotah, your husband sounds like he has some skills in network marketing. Is he still involved with it? If not, why? If I had his skills, I would be a rich woman now. There are many MLM's that have great marketing plans. If I had his skills, I would still be with Herbalife. Although not for me, it is a great company with a great marketing plan. He should consider going back into joining a home-based business.

The work from home industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the economy today. I read this a while back on cnn.com.