
It’s the age old question—can we really trust multi-level marketing businesses? Rumors have swirled for decades, discounting these businesses as being nothing more than pyramid schemes. In reality, hundreds of these businesses have been around for decades (the first MLM was founded in the 1930s), improving the lives of the representatives who choose to work for them by allowing them to achieve their dreams.
So are the rumors true?
In short, no, the rumors are not true. While there are businesses out there that will try to take advantage of you, as long as you do your research, it’s very unlikely you’ll fall victim to one of them. It’s time to put the negative rumors about multi-level marketing to rest once and for all.
We’ve compiled a list of 5 of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of multi-level marketing and offered an explanation to help you understand the truth behind the rumors.
1. Multi-level marketing is nothing more than a pyramid scheme.
While there have been a few pyramid schemes to hit the market over the past decades, the vast majority of multi-level marketing companies are legit. Unfortunately, as with all professions, a few bad eggs can ruin the reputation of the business for everyone else. You can rest assured that the most commonly known businesses like ASEA or doTerra are legitimate and legal—when in doubt, do some research, and learn everything you can about the company before signing up.
2. The average person can’t possibly make decent money with multi-level marketing.
In reality, if you’re willing to put in some time and dedication to build your business, you have the potential to make a decent living in multi-level marketing. Many people choose this type of work as a way to make a little extra money to supplement their current income—this is especially popular among stay-at-home moms. Depending on the time and effort you’re willing to put in, the sky’s the limit to how much money you can bring in each year.
3. Only the person at the top makes money.
This is the epitome of the pyramid scheme—everyone on the bottom works hard so a few at the top can get rich. Fortunately, this is not the case with the way that multi-level marketing businesses are structured. Every representative has the opportunity to create their own income and make the money they want, regardless of where they fall in the overall layout of the company.
4. You have to be good at sales to succeed in multi-level marketing.
Thankfully, this is not true. Having prior experience in sales will benefit you in your multi-level marketing business, but it is definitely not necessary. In fact, most representatives have little to no sales experience prior to signing up.
5. To be successful in multi-level marketing, you have to take advantage of friends and family.
Yes, there are the representatives who seem to constantly be hounding friends and family, borderline harassing them to make sales. This is obviously not the best way to build your business. The most successful representatives may start with their friends and family to perfect their selling strategies before branching out and selling to other potential customers, but once their company takes off, asking friends and family to purchase products is no longer necessary.
Why It Works
Multi-level marketing has become a multi-billion dollar industry, and that success has not come by accident. Anyone looking to work from home and maintain control over their income can find the freedom to do both. From bonuses to extra perks like free products and star seller retreats, companies like ASEA and other reputable multi-level market companies offer representatives more than just a job, but a lifestyle to improve their mind, body, and soul.
Change Your Income, Change Your Life
Now that we’ve dispelled some of the most common multi-level marketing misconceptions, you’ll be better prepared to evaluate whether it’s a right fit for you. Remember to always do your research and pick a company with a long track record of success.