Should you avoid the MLM Industry altogether? Well, most people will tell you to avoid the MLM Industry because they think it is a scam. I’ll be the first to admit that the MLM Industry is not for everyone. One of the major reasons our industry has a bad name is because we tend to attract a lot of “low quality” people who have no business being entrepreneurs in the first place.
Please know that I’m not knocking people who get involved in our industry. We also attract wealthy folks, professionals, and successful entrepreneurs. But most people who get involved are unemployed folks, low income earners, and people with no prior entrepreneurial, sales or marketing experience.
As a result, most people who get involved have the “get rich quick” mentality, or aren’t willing to actually go out and do the required work it takes to succeed in our industry. Sure, there are a few exceptions to this rule, but not many. It’s a fact that most people who join our industry will quit within 60 to 90 days. How many serious entrepreneurs would quit a business in 60 days? Chew on that for a moment.
Prior to starting your own business, you need to do your research. That means you need to determine (1) why you want to start a business, (2) how much it will cost, (3) how much work is involved, (4) what activities you must do to earn money, (5) what are the industry’s success rates, (6) what are the ongoing costs, and (7) what level of time commitment is required, etc. This applies to the MLM Industry or any other business model.
You should never start a business to solve IMMEDIATE financial shortfalls. If you are in desperate need of money, get a part-time job instead. All businesses take time and money to build. Most businesses take a couple years just to get profitable and three to five years to make a decent income.
At a bare bones minimum, you should talk with several successful people in the industry you are interested in and ask them to provide answers to the questions I mentioned earlier. On the other hand, you should talk to people who failed too, so you can get both sides of the coin. But please take your advice from the successful people, not the failures.
Once you do your research, you might discover that the network marketing industry is not for you. Or, you might feel like you finally found what you were looking for all along. But, I don’t think you should avoid ANY industry, until you do your due diligence and find out for yourself whether or not it is a good fit.
Final Thoughts
In summary, do your homework before you decide to join, or avoid the MLM Industry. Treat your decision as seriously as you would if you were investing $500k in a traditional business. Although the MLM Industry is not for everyone, I personally believe that it does present a viable business opportunity for certain individuals. Of course, there is always a chance that you could do your homework, pick a business model, and still fail. That is a chance you take when you start a business. But, you can increase your chances of success by doing your homework first.
What are your thoughts about joining or avoiding the MLM Industry? Leave a comment and let us know.
Chuck Holmes
20+ Year Network Marketing Professional
Top Earner & Top Recruiter
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
P.S. Learn how to grow a successful network marketing business. Secret tips, training, and practical ideas. Free training delivered by email.
Yes! I agree you should always do your research before starting your MLM business. Too many people don’t do their research, they just dive in head first knowing little to nothing about network marketing. And then they fail. I think the biggest problem with joining AND avoiding is people are uneducated. They join with little to no knowledge, or they join for the wrong reasons. And they avoid because they have heard bad things about the business from the wrong people. I am a believer in MLM. I just think everyone should be fully informed before they make the decision to join or not.
People should get informed before they start ANY business of their own.
I think this is wise advice. Most people, myself included, who have tried MLM have done it because their friend or family member asked them to, or because they figured they could get discounts on the products that they buy anyway, or as you say, because they thought they could get rich quick. However, any business, MLM included, requires effort, planning and desire. Oh, and did I mention effort? It pays to do your research in advance so that you can be sure you like the business you have chosen, that you believe in the product you offer, and that you have the time and resources to succeed.
All businesses are hard work. That disqualifies most people from starting one!
Just like any career or job, it is best if you enjoy it. The same goes with MLMs. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing you should get out of it. Life is much too short to not enjoy what you do. You must also have faith in the product. If you don’t, customers can be the best “lie detectors.” They will hear it in your voice and see it in your eyes.
What I have seen with the MLM business is a scenario much like a casino or a horse-track. People get this false idea they can take their rent payment and double or triple it quickly. It never works out.
Those who are seeking distributors for their bottom line need to be honest and explain that it takes work and riches do not come overnight.
MLM is the same as any striving business: if you work hard and like what you do, you will have a much better chance of success.
It’s definitely not for everyone. Like any business, there is a good chance you will fail. You have to go through a learning curve before you become successful.
I don’t think you should avoid the mlm industry. it has helped millions of families create an income from home.
Don’t except to “get rich quick” or you are going to fall flat on your face. Give it a 3-5 year time frame and don’t be afraid to invest in some marketing education.
99% of people fail because they don’t have the right knowledge.
Love the website, keep up the great work!
Thanks, Craig. I don’t think the industry is bad either. I just think a lot of people who get involved have no business being an entrepreneur in any industry. They don’t have the vision, mindset, skills or discipline to succeed.
The conundrum with mlm is that after you’ve alienated all your friends and family trying to sell them, you have to either buy calling lists, or swamp all the Craiglist, Indeed, Monster, et.al., resumes (and most of these folks can’t afford to buy), or you risk fines for calling unsolicited.
Mlmers/Nwmers…yeah, yeah…yada x 3.
I think you have to put it in perspective. If you start any type of business (traditional, online or MLM) you need leads. You don’t have to pitch your warm market to get those leads. Instead, you need to learn how to market and advertise your business and products effectively so you can generate your own leads. That is the key to success in ANY business.