3 Main Reasons People Decline Network Marketing Opportunities

Most people in today’s world don’t have any room for fluff in their lives. I’m sure you can agree with me when it comes to this statement. Time is very valuable when you have kids and/or work a full-time job…and you still want to be able to enjoy some sleep and relaxation every now and then. Unless something is going to save you time, make you money, or make you happy, you’re probably not going to mess with it.

UGH…Those Annoying Network Marketers

Network marketing companies are often thought of as modern day pyramid schemes where one person recruits others to join their team and then profits as they build a pyramid underneath them. Pyramid schemes are illegal and have been for some time now. The main differentiating factor between network marketing companies and pyramid schemes is that network marketing companies are selling a product (not just recruiting people), and consultants are paid based on their referral sales to the public. Pyramid schemes are always bad. Network marketing opportunities can be both good and bad, depending on which one you choose to partner with. Isn’t this true though with most things in life? There is good and bad in everything, from network marketing companies to small businesses to large businesses in corporate America. Unfortunately, the negative stigma has managed to stick very tightly to network marketing opportunities over time.

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Every once in a while, I hear from people wanting to start their own network marketing business but they are skeptical about network marketing because supposedly it’s a "pyramid scheme." Well, many people in different industries build networks, look for networks, and then increase the productivity of those networks. Reputable network marketing companies are no different. It’s the same concept. Let’s take real estate as an example. Say you own a real estate company. You start out with you being the sole realtor of your company but then you expand your company by hiring other realtors in order to expand your real estate network. All of those realtors are then providing real estate advice and help through your company’s network and then giving you a little piece of the pie. Sounds more like residual recurring income rather than a pyramid scheme to me.

So if a real estate company owner gets a percentage of what each realtor in the company makes…how is a network marketing consultant selling products and making a commission off of each product sold and IF a business partner wants to join him/her and sell products as well and he/she gets a small percentage for each product that business partner he/she is training and coaching sells any different? As long as a network marketing company is not giving consultants huge kick-backs just to recruit business partners…it sounds like there are many network marketing companies that are legit businesses to me. Just like in anything you do and any business you build, it doesn’t happen overnight, it takes hard work, perseverance, and time to build...but network marketing and residual recurring income is just another viable smart business building option to consider.

In all seriousness, why are you seeing a rise in direct sales start up businesses? Because with more businesses and families struggling to make ends meet, you're starting to see more people turning to network marketing opportunities to earn a living or to add an additional revenue stream into their businesses or family life. The rise in social selling has paved the way for how we sell and do business differently compared to traditional brick and mortar systems.

Network marketing companies use direct selling as their means for getting their product out to the masses, rather than traditional selling via retail stores and costly advertising. Direct sales has been dramatically rising in recent years as companies see the benefits of forgoing expensive overhead at retail stores and generate revenue via the direct sales model instead. Consultants are paid commissions for referring people to their products (much like you can get a referral bonus at work for referring a new employee, or getting paid out as an affiliate or partner for referring a product). It's smart business, really.

Those 3 Excuses…

So when it comes to network marketing opportunities, I would say that the 3 common excuses most individuals make regarding not getting involved in an MLM are as follows:

1. I’m not a sales person
2. I despise network marketing companies
3. I’m too busy and don’t have the time

 I’m not a sales person

Did you ever find something that you love and have to share it with your family and friends? Like when you eat a delicious new dish at a local restaurant or find the perfect lip gloss that is long-lasting and still makes your lips look glossy and natural, do you have to tell others so they can try it too? Are you a sales person getting paid to recommend these things? Probably not. We live in a referral-based society. How many times do you share recommendations for restaurants, hairdressers, estheticians, makeup, plumbers, clothing, etc.? Most people like sharing products and companies they enjoy with friends and family.

There are over 20 million people involved in a networking marketing company in the U.S. alone. Forbes recently mentioned that 79 million new people are projected to start a virtual home-based business in the next 5 years. That's huge! I think it’s safe to say that network marketing isn’t going away anytime soon.

I despise network marketing companies

We have a perception problem inside of network marketing. This is why it’s easy for people in the media or outsiders to bash it. It’s the accepted perception. Anyone can market online, but a very small percentage are doing it effectively. The most duplicated way individuals are running their network marketing businesses on social media is being done poorly. You have people hurting your business, company, and products because they are prospecting and promoting poorly to both warm and cold markets. When people do hypy, spammy marketing and prospecting on social media in a dumb way, it hurts everyone in your company. So when outsiders see this, they think that is what's being taught company-wide. Well, this isn’t what is being taught company-wide. Social media marketing and prospecting needs to be taught and used properly to provide value, help others, and warm people up. This is why it’s so important to partner with the right person when it comes to joining a network marketing company. In some situations, joining under a friend or a friend of a friend can hurt you rather than help you.

Embrace adding value to your audience and prospects. Prospect in a respectful, non-spammy way. Approach people professionally and you can build a solid business. Don’t just send your website link to hundreds of prospects to buy your products or join your team with no value at all. Create and/or promote social content that helps add value for others.

I’m too busy and don’t have the time

Busy people get things done. Busy is a very good thing. These are the people that should get into network marketing. You’re able to work where you want, when you want, during lunch break, before work, after work, running errands, at night once the kids are asleep, etc. Choose a network marketing company where there are no party requirements, no inventory, no handling of money. It's a turn-key business where people shop from your website and the products are shipped straight to them. Most people don’t have an abundance of time to work on a side business. Who does have an abundance of time though? You make time for what is important, just as I make time to work out every day at 6 pm and wash my face before going to bed every night.

When it comes to network marketing opportunities, doing your research before jumping in with both feet is a good idea. Then make your own personal decision if a network marketing opportunity is a good fit for you. If it isn’t, that's okay too. The beauty of life is that we are all free to choose our own paths. 

Are you open to learning more about network marketing and see if it’s a good fit for you? Or maybe you’re ready to get started with adding an additional revenue stream or plan B into your life or your business? I’d love to help you out! Contact me at [email protected] to learn more and decide whether network marketing is an opportunity that can benefit you!