The Clash of the Titans: Marketing vs. Network Marketing - Insights from a Marketer

·????? Is it one of those Ponzi schemes?

·????? Is it pyramid selling?

·????? Is it one of those MLM things?

·????? Is it legal?

·????? Only the people at the top make money

·????? If the product is so good, why is not available in the shops?

These are just some of the comments I hear regularly in my network marketing business. 30 years ago, I would have agreed with this thinking when I joined a network marketing business selling water filters in the hope of making my fortune!

How wrong was I?

I invested ￡3,000 and hours of my time attending meetings and talking to prospective customers only to find my efforts were in vain. I was lucky that the person that recruited me (and I had bought my stock from) took the products back and I was able to escape the business at a very small financial loss.

NEVER AGAIN WOULD I CONSIDER NETWORK MARKETING!

Having worked in traditional marketing for over 45 years, and having had a negative experience personally, I always saw network marketing as the black sheep of the marketing family….. until 6 years ago.I was introduced to a product by a colleague in PR that completely turned my health around.

The company specialised in activating pathways in our bodies that slow down with age. Fast forward 2 years and I was able to successfully give up long term meds and felt better than I had for years. I was so impressed that I took a closer look at the company.

Based on the Network Marketing model, the business looked impressive! Listed on NASDAQ, cash rich, no debt with multi-million $ revenues. ?I was excited! Here was a natural product that everyone would benefit from. In 2015 Washington State University concluded:

Nrf2 is likely to be the most important health promoting approach in the foreseeable future. Nrf2 is potentially the most extraordinary therapeutic and preventative breakthrough in the history of medicine.

I joined the business 6 years ago and have completely changed my view of network marketing. I still run my traditional marketing business as well as my Network Marketing business, and each have their own unique merits.

Traditional Marketing:

Traditional marketing is like a classic symphony- structured, refined, and universally appreciated. It has many strategies and tactics, including print advertising, TV commercials, radio billboards, and of course, digital marketing.

Broad Reach: Traditional marketing campaigns can reach vast audiences, making it ideal for brand awareness on a grand scale.

Credibility: Established media channels often lend credibility to brands and are perceived as more trustworthy.

Measurability: With digital marketing tools, it’s now easier to measure the return on investment of campaigns, allowing for continuous improvement.

However, traditional marketing isn’t without its challenges. It can be costly, and the return on investment (ROI) might not always justify the spend, especially for smaller businesses. It also often lacks the personal touch that today’s consumers crave.

Network Marketing: The Power of Personal Connection

Network Marketing follows a strategy that thrives on personal connections and word-of-mouth. It relies on individuals to sell products directly to their network and recruit others to do the same. Here’s what makes network marketing a formidable player:

Personal Touch: Network marketing is built on relationships. Consumers are more likely to buy from someone they know and trust, which often leads to a higher conversion rate.

Low Entry Cost: For budding entrepreneurs, network marketing offers a low-cost entry into the business world. It provides an opportunity to start a business in a box with minimal investment.

Empowerment and Incentives: Network marketers are often highly motivated due to the direct link between their efforts and their earnings. The tiered commission structure and residual income that is paid can be very lucrative.

As mentioned, Network Marketing sometimes carries a stigma due to its association with pyramid schemes. To be successful you need to be rooted firmly in your belief, work with top quality products, be authentic and have genuine relationship-building skills.

The best of both worlds - Integrating both strategies

I believe that when the techniques used in traditional marketing and network marketing are combined true magic happens. Here are a few examples of how they work in harmony together.

Brand Awareness Meets Personal Touch: Use traditional marketing to build broad brand awareness and network marketing to establish personal connections and trust.

Content Marketing: Leverage content marketing to provide valuable information that can be shared by network marketers. High-quality content can be a powerful tool in both strategies.

Technology Integration: Utilise digital platforms to streamline network marketing efforts. Social media, email marketing, and CRM systems can enhance communication and efficiency.

Feedback Loop: Network marketers can provide real-time feedback on consumer preferences and trends, allowing traditional marketers to adapt their strategies quickly.

In conclusion

The decision between traditional marketing and network marketing is not a simple either-or-choice. Both have their merits and by finding innovative ways to combine them, businesses can develop cohesive and effective marketing strategies that resonate with today’s audience.