Can You Make Money with Multi Level Marketing?
Direct Sales with Mary Kay, Cutco, Pampered Chef, and Body Magic
Sep 1, 2009
Chances are that everyone has at least heard of an opportunity to make money with multi-level marketing (MLM,) sometimes called network marketing, direct marketing, affiliate marketing, or direct sales.
Companies like Mary Kay, Cutco, Pampered Chef, Body Magic, and Creative Memories all use a similar technique. Many people are curious about getting involved with network marketing, but are unsure of whether they will make money, how to tell legitimate businesses from MLM scams, and tips for success as a direct sales representative.
Reasons People Like Network Marketing
There are a lot of "pros" to affiliate marketing. Working with Mary Kay or selling Cutco products directly to customers can be rewarding and convenient for many people. Some of the best things people report about direct marketing are:
- The ability to work around their own schedule
- The ability to work as much or as little as they choose
- Being their own boss (of course, they are accountable for some things)
- Working from home
- Making extra income on the side
- Receiving free products
- Winning prizes and incentives
- Feeling like part of a "family" or community of representatives
Network marketing with reputable businesses like Avon and Pampered Chef provides many benefits, and people of all ages and backgrounds have found a place in direct sales.
Separating Reputable Direct Marketing Companies from Scams
One of the most common deterrents for most people thinking about affiliate marketing are worries about being victimized by scams or pyramid schemes. Sometimes even the Federal Trade Commission has difficulty telling a legitimate MLM business from a pyramid scheme.
Scam artists are very clever about how they package their schemes, but there are lots of ways to identify MLM scams:
- Understand exactly how, when, and from whom sales representatives supposedly make money. In a legitimate multi-level marketing business, associates get a percentage of the sales of those whom they refer, not from the number of people they recruit.
- Check the Internet for independent reviews of any affiliate marketing or network marketing business. Chances are that man people have tried them before and posted about their experience online.
- Look the company up with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB will have a record of complaints against a company, which usually alerts people to glaring red flags.
While scammers are always thinking up new ways to fool people, following these three simple steps will help many people to avoid MLM scams.
Success Tips for Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)
Of course, it takes a certain type of person to succeed at affiliate marketing. For the greatest earnings and personal satisfaction, a direct sales representative must:
- Be a self-starter. Working in network marketing requires self-motivation. Since consultants don't clock in or out and no one double-checks whether they are working hard or not, one has to be able to withstand the temptation to slack off.
- Be a people person. The job also requires someone who is outgoing, able to call everyone he or she knows and tell them about their product. Someone with a large network of friends who enjoys talking to people is an ideal candidate.
- Be organized. Since direct sales consultants arrange appointments through personal referrals, they need to keep their information straight, follow up on leads quickly, and process sales in a timely manner.
- Choose a product s/he is passionate about. A good sales representative is one who loves and uses the type of product they sell. Avid scrapbookers should sell scrapbook supplies, and those who love to cook should sell kitchen cutlery.
- Have confidence in the product. If the consultant really believes in the product, it will show through to customers. Being able to tell potential customers that s/he uses the product at home is the most valuable marketing tool there is.
Direct marketing is definitely not for everyone. Success at network marketing involves a few core personality traits, plus the ability to choose the correct product to sell.
Network or MLM marketing is a direct sales technique that is a popular alternative to the traditional desk job. As long as a person avoids work-at-home scams, it requires the right combination of personality, motivation, and timing to make good money with direct sales companies like Cutco, Pampered Chef, or Creative Memories.
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