Marit

I totally agree on that. Network Marketing is simple, but definitely not as easy as most people think. I actually replied on another post with my view on why people don't succeed in Network Marketing.

I totally agree with the topic starter. If you are looking for a business in which you take your downline seriously, there need to be more than just sign in, buy some package and a "go figure out yourself how to sell and build your own downline" attitude. The concept should at least help you out with a wide range of free educational material that is pinpointed towards that particular business. You should be able to get personal help from your sponsor, or at least through your sponsor. Though I find offline training options extremely valuable due to the interaction, there should be a ton of online training material available. And all that should be available whether you start with the lowest or with the highest package. MLM is not just about making money. It is mostly about stretching, learning and helping yourself, so you get the experience to help others. Whatever MLM business you're in, it's all about people. Although it's part of it, it's not money, not products, not systems. It's people.

To my experience, MLM is a great opportunity. BUT (yes, with capitals!), since I'm somewhat experienced (having my third MLM business and started my first back in 2003), I'd like to mention that it's for everyone and... just not for everyone. That may sound controversial, but it's true. MLM is a very specific kind of business. My husband is educated in Marketing. It's only since two years that he finally accepted that MLM in it's core, is a better way to make money than any kind of marketing for a "regular" business (some exceptions, of course. I mean, how can I ignore Amazon, Bol, Coca Cola, Apple and a couple of others... ). Most MLM systems are so easy to follow, that everyone should be able to do it. In reality, not everyone will, solely because of fear. The don't get it, they don't believe it, they don't know what they would do if they'd make the kind of money possible with MLM, and because the principle of MLM is so different from everything they've learned so far. And from those who do take the step and participate in an MLM business, some of them will get stuck being a customer, some of them will quit because they can't handle the change of mind most people need to make, some of them will make a nice extra income by selling products and/or by building a downline. Only a handfull will be dedicated enough to learn and do what's necessary to be actually succesfull. Even though the MLM business I'm participating in is extremely easy to understand and to work with, I see that people tend to underestimate the work and the mindset that is needed to get going in a MLM business. Only after building a solid base, you can relax, take a step back and watch the snowball growing while rolling down the hill. It totally depends on your character, your skills and your efforts how soon you've build your solid base.

I've been member of three MLM company's. Started once with Herbalife, joined DHS, quit both for several reasons, didn't do anything for a while and now I'm a proud and very happy partner of WIN Worldwide. I can't agree more with the comments of others that being successfull with an MLM business has everything to do with your own capabilities. Most of all your capabilities to learn. Almost all MLM systems work, or they'll die soon. But... having said that, I also strongly believe that part of your success is hidden in the used system and the help of your upline. I quit Herbalife mainly because my sponsor wasn't interested in showing me how to learn to work my business. Worse even, her sponsor didn't show interest either when I asked her to teach me... I don't believe Herbalife as an opportunity is bad, but I won't recommend it either. Because to my opinion, you can't rely on their support (maybe that's changed in the past few years, but still...) If you're looking to start an MLM business, don't just look at how long they're on te market and whether or not you like the product(s), also look into both the payment system as the "work" system. What do you have to do to gain prospects for the business and the product(s). And most important, especially when it's your first MLM business, try to figure out how sincere your sponsor is to really show you what to do, how to make the system work. What kind of help does the business and your sponsor offer. Going from a paid job or a "regular" business to MLM, is a big switch. You've got to give yourself some credits and time to fully understand the systems benefits and it's possibilities. Which does NOT mean that you can't make money with it, meanwhile. Just... don't quit because you didn't reach rank so-and-so within three months.

My first MLM business was Herbalife. I loved the products, but the support was very dissapointing. Even though I know that doesn't say that much about the opportunity itself, it was the main reason I quit after a couple of years. With the high costs of maintaining your rank at a firm second place. My second business was Discount Home Shopping. A business that invited local on- and offline shops to join and give their customers a discount card. As a member you got discounts, or if you added new shops, you could make money with it. Didn't work out though, the whole DHS doesn't exist anymore as far as I know. Since 2007 I'm working with WIN Worldwide. Simple, wonderfull products and great (personalised) lead-gen website. For me it's perfect!

Hi all, I'm Marit from The Netherlands and aiming for a bigger and international audiance. I love to write, even though I can't spend the amount of time I'd like to write. I write blogs on my own website, but as that takes a lot of time, I'd like to be able to write smaller items on a forum like this. So, hope to see some of you around here!