multi-level marketing
 

Does anyone participate in multi-level marketing as a second job?

A few examples are Herbalife, Avon, and Amway.

I do. My primary business is as an Executive Recruiter or Headhunter and I've owned my own nationwide search firm for 4 years but have been a recruiter for 9.
With the downturn in the economy I had done some work with some very successful folks in the past and I explored and opportunity with them. It's actually done better than my headhunting biz the last year or so (my target clients have been hit hard by the downturn).
Many people poo-poo network marketing but once you understand how it works and the power of the business model, it's actually quite fun and rewarding.
Good tax advantages to being self employed from home too.

Systemized - I PM'd you.

For anyone else that is curious / interested in the possibilities with direct sales, shoot me a PM. My wife has joined a very reputable company and is doing very well (ie replaced her full time job income). Her next goal is to retire me. :eek:

I was skeptical at first (thats the nature of a pilot) but she went forward with it anyways, and I was glad I was wrong and she was right. There really are good companies out there, if you look beyond how some of these airlines are run.

Again, PM me if you are interested in hearing more.

A few people got rich because of many more suckers. It is proven. MLM is an illegitimate business model. I don't care how rich your "friend":rolleyes: happens to be.

MLM = scam. Anyone with a basic mathematics aptitude knows that. End of story.

The United States Federal Trade Commission states "Steer clear of multilevel marketing plans that pay commissions for recruiting new distributors. They're actually illegal pyramid schemes. Why is pyramiding dangerous? Because plans that pay commissions for recruiting new distributors inevitably collapse when no new distributors can be recruited. And when a plan collapses, most people - except perhaps those at the very top of the pyramid - end up empty-handed."

Lotions and Potions: The Bottom Line About Multilevel Marketing Plans

How ironic, you have described state run economies exactly. Ponzi or pyramid, take your choice, there isn't much difference.

It is also interesting that illegal drugs are distributed in the same way. The average street corner dealer makes about $3.50 an hour.

Dont do it. Retiring early, walking along the beaches of the world, financial freedom may sound tempting but the reality is far from it. PM me if you wanna know the horrors of mlms.

The difference between a "pyramid scam" and legitimate direct sales is that a company must have a "viable product" for sale, whereas the illegal "scam" people are scared of doesn't focus on or involve a product. That's where a Madoff comes in. Paranoia.

My company sells a legitimate viable product and was given a top award from the Direct Sales Association, which is the watchdog of the industry.

Code of Ethics | DSA

Everyone here that works for an airline or any corporation in America works under a triangle (pyramid if you wish) structure. The difference here is that a pilot can never earn more than the CEO. This is reversed in direct sales / network marketing, actually creating a more fair opportunity, as you are rewarded more if you work harder than someone above you. If a pilot works more hours and flies under more stress he is barely rewarded for it. The CEO is home at night and the pilot is not.

Too many people get caught in the mindset that they must work for a corporation in America and be victimized, subjected to the next furlough, bankruptcy or paycut, where the top execs earn a majority of the cash. It doesn't have to be that way. Think about it.

http://www.passive-income-passion.co...mid-scheme.png

MLM is for suckers who believe the get rich quick crap that most MLM companies spew. The only people who make money in MLM are the ones who can lie to their friends; take their money; and still sleep well at night. There are, in fact, people like that and they do well because they talk a good talk and can close a deal. If you do not have those abilities naturally then there is no chance that you could be successful at MLM.



Typhoonpilot

That's a good example. However, the only model where money flows up is yours.

Successful MLM companies use honesty and integrity as key components for success. MLM companies are not created equally. It's unfortunate when the bad companies or corrupt distributers give the MLM business a poor reputation. Rather than making a false generalization, give specific details on companies to avoid.

The three examples you gave in your first post are probably the only ones that have stood the test of time. The majority are as I described.

MLM companies and their saleman tend to prey on the un(der) employed with the slick talk and visions of grandeur.

I've said it time and again, here and elsewhere. If you want to be successful as a pilot then commit 100% of your energy to the profession. It takes time, but eventually you'll get to the point that you make money in aviation due to your expertise.


Typhoonpilot

Exactly. +1

Very compelling argument. There's really nothing wrong with the business model. It's sad that network marketing has such a bad rep. Unfair really, but that's the way it is.

I gave it a spin (with the idea I could do it all via the internet without bugging my family, friends, and co-workers) a few years ago. Turned out that internet leads are mostly uneducated people looking for some easy, get-rich-quick scheme and are not good prospects for a serious business venture. Since I have no desire to market to my friends, family, and everyone I come in contact with on a daily basis... I gave up the business. Still use the excellent products and very happy I discovered them via this business.

What company does your wife represent, NWA?

It's all about having a relationship with the person before you present your business. My wife is very good at talking to her friends about her product, which basically sells itself.

The Doctors who created Proactiv (the multi-million dollar household recognized brand) have started a new company... what they did for acne they are now doing for aging and sun damaged skin....the estimated $2.5b ANTI-AGING market. The company is growing exponentially... one of the only companies growing exponentially during this recession. As the skeptical pilot personality I was unconvinced at first, but now I am her biggest supporter as she is about to replace my income. If you want more info, PM me.

Here is a though provoking compilation of information about network marketing. What is your "network"? Friends, family members and anyone in your crew you fly with. I really think its the future of marketing, as people weigh the recommendation from their friends and family way more than TV commercials or newspaper ads.

Watch this: Why NOW is The PRIME TIME For Network Marketing - YouTube

Not many people can afford a McDonalds or Subway or Postal Annex franchise. Besides that, if you can afford one then you work your butt off to cover overhead, expenses and have employees who make minimum wage (because that's all you can afford to pay them). And with a franchised business, you might make $50k the 1st year, if your lucky.
Network Marketing is great for people who are motivated and will treat like the business it is rather than the hobby it's not.
Do your research, find a good company with a consumable product (mine is a healthy dark chocolate) that provides proven results. Develop your own testimony from using the product then share it with others when given the proper chance. Many will like the product, many will like the business opportunity and many will pass on both so just move on!
Good luck!

NWA 757,

Congress is subordinate to neither the president nor cabinet secretaries. I would look with a much more critical eye at an organization that does not appear to understand this.

WW

It is clear that the diagram shows happy faces in incorrect positions in many instances.

If the product has merit, people will buy it, no matter the exact method of distribution.