If you are new to the whole MLM (Network Marketing Scene), you may have some preconceived ideas about what it is, or more importantly what it is not. Recently I have learned that many people who are not involved in an MLM company, and even some that are involved, have similar misconceptions. These are based primarily on not having the knowledge about the industry or first hand experience. This is a problem because most people who get involved end up getting their hopes up because they were unprepared for what they faced. Here are the five most common misconceptions about MLM companies.
1. You have to pay a lot of money to start.
Most people do not understand that you can start most MLM companies with very little up front investment. Most of the typical Network Marketing businesses have a start up price of $500 or less. Some are even free.
2. You can make thousands of dollars for little to no work.
The MLM format is a structure for free enterprise by letting anyone become their own boss and a fellow entrepreneur. The problem with this is that starting a business takes a lot of time and work to get started and almost every business does not make a profit their first few months. However, there are some who do have the experience and luck to become very successful very quickly in this industry, this is not the norm. If someone is promising you a 6 figure income in 1 month you may want to find a new business partner. This person has obviously been drinking the Kool-Aid at 1 to many hotel events! Its called netWORK Marketing, not NOTwork Marketing. If you find a good mentor
3. You can only make money by selling to your friends and family.
If you see a good movie you don’t have any problem telling your friends they should go see it. Why should a good opportunity be any different? The problem comes in when we pester our friends until they stop talking to us, or they join up too. This is bad business, and its terrible advice from your mentor as well. Its perfectly OK to show your friends what you are up to, and see if they are also interested. It is NOT ok to keep pushing the issue. These people are called your warm market. It is a GREAT training ground. Talking to these people should be low pressure. You will gain experience presenting your plan, and more importantly inviting to see what you have to offer. However, you’re never going to make the amount you want without meeting new people and showing them the business as well. After you are done with your warm market you must learn to network and meet new people to share the opportunity that you offer.
4. You don’t have time to do this business.
Ok, this one is probably true. You really don’t have time to start a business. The fact is, people that KNOW they need to make a change in their life will make the time to do what it takes. Complacency is a deadly trap. If you are comfortable right now you are not growing. The people who are truly driven to change will see something that makes sense and they will work with anyone willing to help them out. If this is you, then let me know! I find people who currently have a full time job think that they never have enough time to start with a MLM company. You can actually start growing your business with only one to two hours per day. If you do not have 1 – 2 hours a day I can work with you to identify how to actually get 26 hours in the day so you will have the time needed to build that business and second income. This is the stepping stone to starting your business until it grows enough to start paying more than your full time job.
5. It’s a pyramid scheme
This is the most important misconception. A pyramid scheme (also known as a gifting scheme) is similar in that it has a pyramid shape to it. That is where the similarities end. In most cases pyramids have no products used at all, they just simply paid money all the way to the top and the top elite left with all of the money. Network marketing is about a way to market a product or service and get compensation for your efforts. its a charitable way to spread the wealth around to everybody. For some reason people would rather pay all their money to the walmarts of the world and have none of it trickle back down than t help out their friends and family.
There are more myths, lies and half truths, but this is a good first 5 to get you going. If you made it through the list and still think something like this is a good idea then all you need to do is find a company you can be passionate about, and a leader that can show you the way. I have a few companies I am passionate about. You can always talk to me and get started making money today.
Or, you can always go back to watching Oprah Re-runs. After all, you don’t have time for this type of thing………
That was a joke. I think I am funny.
