Action is the Fuel of Your MLM Business

Stay in Motion by Taking Daily Action

Newtons law states that; "a body in motion stays in motion and a body at rest stays at rest". and it will remain at rest unless an external force acts upon it.

We could apply this theory to our MLM business as well, because it is proven that when we take daily action towards building our business, we are more likely to continue to do so. This may be due to the fact that when we consistently take action daily, towards build our business we begin to see results.

The results we may see in the beginning, might seem minimal and inconsequential, but over time, we will begin to experience more and more results due to this consistent action.

Likewise when we procrastinate or do not take action,, we know without a doubt what the obvious result of that will be.

I have said it many times and I will say it again; building an MLM business is not easy, but it can be done. With the correct training and the right mindset, anyone with the will to do make it happen, can become successful with their MLM business.

If you are a "struggling" Multi Level Marketer and would like to be part of a supportive and dynamic community of entrepreneurs connect with me via Facebook to get access to this community.

This dynamic group of action takers are changing lives daily by sharing ideas on how to take your MLM business to the next level.

Regardless of which MLM company you are associated with you will be welcomed to this MLM family of like minded go-getters and visionaries.

Take action by connecting with me. It is time to give yourself that opportunity you always dreamt of.



Lylette Primell
Grenada, Caribbean

MLM Slump: Is Fear Sabotaging Your MLM Business

Fear the Number One Enemy in Your MLM Business

So you are a Multi Level Marketer and like most people who are, you are dedicated to building an MLM business. Also like most of your counterparts, you go through the fear, that you will never make it in this business

We all do. We question whether it all makes sense or whether we are capable of succeeding in this industry.

Fear of failure is a constant companion. You are not alone in this feeling, I think this is a feeling shared by the average Multi Level Marketer.

The big question, if there was one is; How do we conquer this fear? How do we get past sabotaging ourselves?

The trick is to first identify that fear, or fears. By identifying them, we are taking the first step to ridding ourselves of them.

Acknowledging our fears could be our first step to making a breakthrough, and moving beyond whatever it is that holds us back and inhibits our success with our business.

Success in MLM does not have to be as elusive as it seems. Addressing the issues that are holding us back can give us that edge we need to reach the success we desire.




Written by:  Lylette Primell

Start A Conversation About Your MLM Business by Blogging

Talk To Your MLM Audience Start a Blog

It is important to start a conversation about your MLM business, by blogging about what your do.

Trying to build your MLM business online sometimes seems like you are in a yawning desert lost in the endless drifting sand.

It does not have to be that way. You can narrow the gap between you and the rest of the cyber world by starting a blog.

You can have as many blogs as your like. That decision is all up to you. I have about 3 blogs. - One of which is not about business, but random poetry that I enjoy writing.

Many people think that they are not writers so they hesitate to start a blog. The good thing about blogs is that you do not have to be a great wirier to start one.

Thanks to the Internet, anyone with the will to begin sharing their thoughts or ideas can start a blog.

Blogs are a way of expressing one's self, therefore, they are the most perfect way to start a conversation about your online business.

There are many different types of blogs - personal, travel, music, business, and much more. They all engage their audience by having a "conversation" with them. They discuss what is relevant to their area of interest and so get and keep the attention of their audience.

Many Multi-Level Marketers are using blogs to communicate with their customers and prospects. If you are not yet blogging for your business, you are missing out on connecting with a large part of your market share.

When it comes to blogging for your business, the pen may well be seen as mightier than the sword.

In the following video I share my thoughts on the value of blogging for your business.

Written by: Lylette Primell

Video: The Change Agent in MLM

A Video a day could bring dollars to your MLM business

The MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) world is changing and the race now is not only for those who can endure. The race may now be rigged in favor of those who have the courage to get out ahead of the rapid and inevitable changes being forecast.

Bob Reina CEO of Talk Fusion, one of the leading MLM companies in video marketing tools, stated that; "The key to creating wealth is to find out where the masses are going and get there first".

It is difficult not to agree with him when the obvious changes in customer attitudes are staring us right in the face. People want visual and they want it instantly.

If this is true it endorses the argument that "video" is definitely a change agent in the future of MLM. The obvious reason being that most if not all MLM companies and their partnering associates now do a large percentage of their marketing online.

Take your MLM business to the nest level by adding video 

It is no wonder that many of the leaders in the industry are persuading their teams to get out of their comfort zone and start doing videos. They are being encouraged to Get out and engage their online audience "face to face" via videos. 

Videos appear much more interactive and people are more inclined to take the time to watch them. From mere observation I can attest to the fact that on the Facebook pages that I observe, posts with video attached out perform every other post by about eighty to ninety percent. Besides being viewed more they are also "liked" and commented on twice as much as any other posts.

Though I have been in MLM for many years I have never considered doing video before. The truth is I never had the courage until I encounter Vincent Ortega Jr one of the Co Founders of Internet Lifestyle Network and listened to what he had to say about what video did for his online business.

His word's give me the courage to start doing videos and also convinced me, about the value of video for my MLM business. 

Now I do a video everyday and am committed to doing one everyday for one hundred days.

I must admit that doing a video everyday builds your confidence, and any fear you had about being on camera begins to dissipate. 

Video and MLM the perfect synergy

The die is cast and it appears that video is definitely written into the future of Multi-level Marketing. whether we decide to participate or not is up to us. 

Adding video to your arsenal of marketing tools is not that difficult. Getting out and actually doing it may be the hardest step. Once that hurdle is crossed, doing the videos consistently is the next challenge. This is where individual will is required, because no one can actually sit in front of the camera and do your videos for you.

There is a "method to the madness" of doing one video daily. I believe that if it is done daily, then it becomes a habit and a natural part of our business activities.  

I feel certain that the quality of my videos will improve over time. We can only know our strengths and weaknesses by taking action. Taking action is the first step, consistent action will in time reap the desired rewards.

Two weeks ago I have never done and published a public video. Today I did my 13th video and each day my confidence is growing as I move closer to achieving my goal of doing one hundred videos.

Now that I am actually doing it, I feel sure that anyone with the will and courage can do the same too.

Here is my latest video published today to YouTube:

What is your MLM Breaking Point?

The Breaking Point

When do we really give up in our MLM (Multi Level Marketing) business? Is it the first week, first month, first year?

Recently, I listened to an interview by a reporter who was harshly criticizing Multi Level Marketing. He did his interview with two different women, both of whom claimed to have lost money in their MLMs and were both seeking compensation from the company they were involved with.

What caught my attention more than anything else in the interview, was the fact that one of the women, who claimed to have been a high ranking sales person for many years, quit after three months because in that time she did not see a profit.

Have Realistic Expectations 

Quitting after three months of not seeing a profit, got me thinking about what kind of expectations people come into the MLM industry with. I wondered whether they were being told the truth about what it takes to build a business, to the point where it can realize a profit. Statistics show that even conventional business never realize a profit in their first year, much less the first three months.

To tell someone that they will realize profits in their MLM business in or before three months is misleading on many levels. At the same time to expect it is remarkable naive on that person's part.

This is not to say that I dispute claims by some, that they have made five and six figure earnings in their MLM business, in short spaces of time, but it is common knowledge that this is the exception and not the rule.

We all I am sure, would love to be in profit the first day we start out in business whether MLM or otherwise but common sense tells us that this is not the case.

MLM Is For The Lion Hearted

A business require time and dedication to build. MLM especially requires dedication, commitment, persistence, determination and consistent effort before any measure of success could be realized.

There will be good days and their will be days of pure frustration and lack of motivation.

It is on these days that the "sheep gets separated from the wolves" so to speak. The tough will get going and the not so tough will quit in frustration and despair.

It is therefore up to us to decide, whether we are tough enough to hang in there and continue doing the things required for us to succeed, or whether we become defeated by frustration and throw our hands up. .
It is now "official" and duly acknowledged that MLM is for the "lion hearted". Those who can sit tight through the toughest time.s without flinching, until they have achieved their desired goal.

As I always say, do your due diligence, so that your can make a qualified decision whether MLM is right for you. By doing that, you will save yourself the agony of feeling cheated, or that you are a failure.

It has been said that, people don't fail at MLM, they give up before they had the opportunity to find out whether they will succeed. 

What is your MLM Mindset?

Mindset could be considered one of the major cornerstones, of building a successful MLM business.

The Free Dictionary defines mindset as:

1. A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person's responses to and interpretation of situations.

2. An inclination or habit

Recently I decided to take on the challenge, of doing one video everyday, for one-hundred days. I have never before done public videos, therefore, have never uploaded videos to my YouTube channel, even though I have been a member there for many years.

As I progress into my fifth day of this challenge, I can feel a dramatic change taking place within me. I have so far made about 8 videos. Considering I have never made public videos before, I feel like this is quite an accomplishment. I took this challenge, for the express reason, of getting over my fear of being on camera.

Reading other blogs, I noticed some bloggers write about their own challenges. What they had to overcome to build their MLM business, to make the coveted breakthrough we all dream and aspire to.

One particular YouTube video I remembered, talked about "bloody knuckles" and it made me think yes, one can also get "bloody fingertips" in this business. Especially if you are determined to make a success of it.

The past few days I have come to realize and accept that to build an MLM business, it takes a particular mindset. Without that mindset it, is almost virtually impossible to achieve.

A focused attitude, is an elemental and necessary asset for achieving success in MLM.

I remember someone saying that, if you are able to stay in the same MLM business for four years, working your business consistently during that time, you are almost certain to achieve financial success.

What are some of  the challenges you experience building your MLM business? Please feel free to share in the comment section.

In this short video I talked a bit about focus, and why I think it is necessary to staying the course in your MLM business.

Step Up Your MLM Game Plan! Challenge Yourself

It is a bit weird for me to think of myself as "getting started" in my MLM business since I have been around the industry for many years. Yet! in some ways I feel like I am doing exactly that.

I must admit that I have gained a wealth of experience and knowledge over the years being in the industry, though I am yet to achieve the success that I would like to. Looking back, I can now understand some of the reasons why my progress has been slow to materialize.

To succeed in MLM, it has become necessary that we step out of our comfort zone. Was I ready to step out of my comfort zone? I don't think so! All these years later, I had to admit that this has been my major weakness. My inability to step out and do the things that were required, to take my business to the next level resulted in minimal growth.

Connecting and meeting with people, making calls to prospects, doing the business presentation and always taking consistent action are all things required to give an MLM business momentum.

In the present market place, if you are using the Internet to promote your business, you need to have an even more aggressive approach. Writing blogs, being active in social sites, making videos and updating your YouTube channel, advertising your business and promoting at every opportunity are all necessary actions that must be taken.

Recently, I have considered doing video marketing, for the first time. I have been inhibited from doing so, because of a unfounded fear of being on camera. There is no reason why I should have this fear, except, lack of confidence. This is what I mean about being afraid to step out of our comfort zone. The fear holds us bound, and we are unable to take the next necessary step to realizing our dreams.

To move beyond this paralysing fear, I have decided to take up a challenge issued by one of the leaders at Internet Lifestyles Network a few months ago. He challenged the members that if they did one video daily, for one hundred (100) days, they will make a sale. If they did one videos daily and posted it to there YouTube channel, Facebook and Google+, and were unable to make a sale in that one hundred days, he would give them one hundred dollars ($100.00). Chuckle!

After connecting with a few members who were already doing this challenge I became interested. Their confidence, motivation and enthusiasm encouraged me to take up the challenge myself. I feel convinced that by taking action and doing this, I would be better positioned to get past any fear I harbour about being in front of a camera. Generating income while doing it, would of course be an added reward.

Cisco the Networking Equipment giant published in their Visual Networking Index that "Globally, customer Internet video traffic will be 69 percent of all consumer Internet traffic in 2017, up from 57 percent in 2012" 

Considering that this is true, it becomes imperative that anyone intending to make an impact online in the future, will need to utilize the use of video, to get their message out, and to attract the attention of their desired audience.

Are you ready to take on the challenge of stepping up your MLM game plan? If you are, then challenge yourself to do something you were afraid of doing before. Something that you know, that by doing it, it would make a great difference for your business. Whether it is - starting a blog, creating videos or making calls to prospects. 

Whatever it is, make a decision to do it today. We all carry our individual fears, but I have learned that, those fears take away our power to step out and do the things that could make a difference in our lives and business.

If we make a commitment right now to step up our game plan, we may be able to look back and recognize that, making that commitment was the pivotal moment, when our MLM business began to deliver the results we always wanted.

Challenge yourself right now, make a plan to step out of your comfort zone and start creating your own videos. We all now know what a powerful marketing tool Youtube could be.We all have to start somewhere so lets do it together. 

Below is a sneak preview of my first video.

Who Are You Spending Time With?

MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) is an ever evolving industry constantly giving birth to new ideas. One such idea that has taken firm hold within the industry is that to build a successful business you need to be part of a strong, dynamic and supportive team. The most successful people in the business all seem to be part of such teams. We notice such teams appearing everywhere on social networks every day.

"You are the average of the five people your spend time with". I came across this quote by Jim Rohn recently and it has stuck with me. I find myself constantly replaying it in my mind over and over. There is a lot of food for thought in that statement and it has given me cause to reflect on my own situation in this regard.

If this statement is true we should all be taking a closing look at ourselves and asking; Who am I spending my time with? Is the time I spend with them adding value to my life? The answers to these questions may be a good measure of whether we are maximising our time in that respect.

I can only speak honestly about my own experience. What I have observed is that when I am with people who I share common interests with I feel much more inspired and motivated to stay focus on my dreams and aspirations. My belief is that those who share common interest keep each other accountable. Thus, it is easier to stay focus knowing that others are depending on us to do the responsible thing.

This is true whether it be our business or other interests. A quick example I can think of is when we work out in a gym or do yoga with a group we feel more motivated to stay the course. Left alone we are more likely to give up or become lackadaisical.

With My MLM business whenever I attend meetings it reinforces my focus and inspires me to continue moving forward. Working with a group minimises the chances of becoming disillusioned or losing interest. Connecting with leaders and mentors also help us to grow and expand our vision for our lives.
I believe that the way to grow and succeed in your MLM is to find a strong, motivated, dynamic and supportive group to work with. Such groups challenge us to push ourselves by making us accountable. It can also help us to move past some of our inhibiting fears such as making presentations to an audience and taking on leadership roles.

In a supportive team everyone feel responsible for each other's success and by extension the success of the team. When many people within the team begin to experience success the team becomes highly motivated. A highly motivated team is focused and cohesive. Once a team is experience success it stays highly motivated. A highly motivated team is also very attractive to others who are desirous joining.

Having read the above quote by Jim Rohn has allowed me to be more aware of who I am spending time with.

Our commitment to ourselves should be to spend more time with those who share similar dreams and aspirations. Listen to those who have achieved the things we desire to achieve. Spend time sharing with those who have invested and partner with us. Develop our own knowledge base about MLM so in the future we can be the mentors, motivators and teachers.

MLM Exposed: The Real 411...What You Should Know

I recently became affiliated with Internet Lifestyle Network.  I was looking around the Internet for a managed blogging platform to create a blog from which to promote my brand and business when I stumbled unto it.

What drew me to ILN (Internet Lifestyle Network) was a video on Google +. The video featured a guy named Raju who lives in India. He was discussing how the principles he was learning in ILN  has helped him to see progress with his online marketing.

I am presently going through the training videos in the "ILN University". I must confess that I am impressed with the wealth of information there and the simple direct way in which it is being presented.

This experience reminded me of something that I learnt a few years ago from a Network Marketing mentor and I thought I would share it here.

A few years ago I had been a member of another membership site for a number of months and there I gleaned a wealth of information about marketing online.

We were taught that if we were serious about building an online income whether it is in Network Marketing, MLM or Affiliate Marketing there were some things that we must do. These things were listed as:

1. Becoming open-minded and teachable
2. Committing time and effort to your business
3. There must be a willing to learn some new things
4. Expect and be willing to spend some money
5. Be willing to commit to what is required to achieve your goals

Going through the ILN training material reminded me of these truths and how vital they are to securing an income and achieving any success in an MLM business. 

• Becoming open minded and teachable:

Starting any business is in itself a challenge even for the over ambitious and seasoned entrepreneur. Starting and running an MLM business has proven to be even more challenging if prevailing statistics on rates of failure are to be believed.  

We were taught that people fail at Internet Marketing and MLM  because they lack the willingness to be open-minded and teachable.

The very nature of the MLM business model require that we throw out all that we think we know about business. It demands that we become the humble student willing to learn from those who have successfully trodden the path.

It is a common belief in MLM that those who can copycat best are the ones who succeed in their business. The very reason why some dub it "Copycat Marketing"

• Committing time and effort to your business

Any business MLM or otherwise require time and attention to develop and grow. The general consensus is that at least seven to ten hours weekly should be committed strictly to building your MLM business. 

Ultimately how much time we choose to sacrificed to our business is our individual decision. I was taught that we not only commit time to our business but we have to learn to use that time wisely. If the time spent on our business is not utilized wisely then our chances of success is just as diminished as when we do nothing.

• There must be a willingness to learn new things

We are aware that not everyone is computer and Internet "savvy". Therefore if we desire to build our business using the Internet, even as we build it offline, we must become open to learning some new things. 

Some of the things that could come under required learning are - prospecting, building a list of names, working that list of names whether through phone calls or email, conducting a three way call, supporting down-line associates, attending meetings whether on or offline, attending training seminars and webinars and committing time to reading and listening to self development information. 

If you are building your business online some basic skills in using the Internet may definitely be required.

• Expect and be willing to spend some money

We are all aware that there are many "opportunities" online that scream to us "join FREE and make X amount of money" I am sure I said this before and I am happy to say it again. There is no way you will make any money without investing some money. There are many "businesses" that make this promise online and I think they are one of the reasons for much of the frustration with MLM. The only thing you can get from nothing is nothing. 

Anyone who is serious about starting and building an MLM business then must be prepared to spend some money. If you are working with a small budget then look for a business that require a low investment. The bottom line is be prepared to spend some money.

• Be willing to commit to what is required to achieve your goals

Commitment is the hallmark of success in most things. If we desire to achieve our goals we must commit to what is required to do so. 

Starting and building an MLM business demands certain commitments. Commitment powered by determination, focus and consistency has always been deemed the true recipe for achieving one's goals.

Whether you are considering starting an MLM or conventional business these principles will apply one way or another. Above all our attitude is what will determine whether we succeed or fail to achieve our desired goal.

"See you on the beaches of the world" ...Worn out MLM hype?

Me looking out at a breathtaking view on the Island of Carriacou

Is it time to take a hard look at what has become cliché in  MLM (Multi-Level Marketing)?

Telling someone who live on a Caribbean or Tropical Island "See you on the beaches of the world" is like telling an bird; "see you in a tree"

I live in the Caribbean on a tropical Island, yes! sun, sand and sea is a common experience that we live daily on one level or another.

Actually it was looking out of my window this morning that made me realise how hollow such a statement might be to many people who are in MLM and live on Tropical Islands.

I do not doubt that it may hold some motivation for someone who live in a different part of the world but to someone who live on a tropical Island there is no wow factor in such a statement.

Having access to some of the most beautiful beaches and experiencing them first hand is a privileged we enjoy and I must say I am grateful for. An MLM pitch that says: "See you on the beaches of the world", therefore, sound worn out and overuse to me. Maybe the statement had its hay day when the world was a "smaller place" and we lived much more remote lives secluded from each other.

In the early days of MLM, before the advent of the internet someone might have gone dreamy eyed after hearing such a statement. Today we live in an ever shrinking "global village" where there are less and less degrees of separation between us.

Many people have access to MLM and are starting their own business thanks to the internet. These people live scattered across the globe Tropical Islands included. Therefore, many things that held any mystique in the past fail to do so any more.

Due to this shrinking of the globe people in the Caribbean and other people who live "on the beaches of the world" now participate en mass in the MLM industry.

Things have changed dramatically and it is time the language of the industry change too. If you live on a tropical Island; "See you on the beaches of the world" has a very hallow ring to it. Considering any number of beaches are just a short drive away.

I know I am not qualified to speak for everyone but I also am sure many people have thought of this and may agree.

This is not to say that there is no appreciation for an all expenses paid trip like the ones many MLM companies give out as bonuses for high achievement. It just seem that such statements have become cliché and in the present environment may have had their day. They therefore hold no real power to motivate and encourage as they did previously.

It is becoming apparent that we are in a time of new "MLM speak". Thankfully many leaders in the industry are aware of this and they are speaking to "the meat of the matter". They give value by discussing the truths of the industry and what it takes to build an MLM business. This I continue to believe is what people are interested in and want to hear.

People want to hear what it entails to achieve what is necessary to get to "the beaches of the world".
They are aware that it is not all just glitz and glamour one need to put in some "blood sweat and tears" to coin another cliché.

Changing the way we present MLM, seems to me to be the the way forward. Those who support the industry and are invested in it need to see the value in changing the language with the changing environment.

"See you on the beaches of the world" is only one of the hallow worn out statements that Network Marketers and MLMers continue to use. We are definitely on the cusp of change. A change that is rapid and driven by ever advancing technology

The very survival of the MLM industry may well hang on how we adapt to that change. Maybe it is time to review the language. Time to talk about what holds real value for the listener in this environment of hyper-change
 



Written By: Lylette Primell














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MLM Can Overwhelm You. The Importance of Staying Focus

I must admit that I am no MLM (Multi- Level Marketing) expert or guru. Nor am I aspiring to become thus. Whatever I blog about regarding this subject comes mainly from my day to day experience with building my own MLM business.

Yes! I do appreciate the MLM model of business very much. That I have confessed to often enough both on and offline. Therefore, when I bolg about different aspects of building an MLM business I strive to share my own honest and objective opinion based on what I have experienced.

If you have been around the industry long enough and have used the internet as a means of reaching prospect and customers, who are interested in what you promote, then you understand the importance of having an undivided focus.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all the information coming at you via your inbox or social sites such as Facebook, Google+ and Twitter? Are you bombarded daily with invitations to join one MLM business after another?

We are without a doubt living in an age of  "hyper information" or some would say information overload. The question is how do we maintain a single-mindedness of focus in the face of this seemingly unavoidable intrusion?

In my early days of MLM online I found it difficult to stay focus and became prey to every new shiny business that captured my imagination. Before very long I was inundated with more information than I could logically process or filter. Fortunately for me I found a mentor who taught me that lack of focus is one of the main reasons why people never succeeded in marketing online.

He stressed the need to stay focus on the business you are invested in and promoting. In the face of all the shiny new daily start-ups online, this is obviously difficult for most of us. I know this because just in the last forty-eight hours I was contacted and invited to join about six new opportunities both by long time acquaintances and a few new ones. I therefore, ask the question; how do we reconcile this and remain focus on our present business?

My only suggestion would be this gem of wisdom shared by Bob Reina the CEO of Talk Fusion. His advise to associates is that we give our business at least one year of unobstructed focus and attention. He advise that we use the system provided by the company as a guide to building our business. He argues that if this is done, coupled with giving at least seven (7) to ten (10) hours weekly to building our Talk Fusion business, by the end of the first year we would not want to quit.

Listen to Bob Reina in his own words:

                                                      Talk Fusion CEO Bob Reina

The obvious reason being that with consistent effort and focus on your business you stand a greater chance of deriving the benefits you desire. You begin to see a greater likelihood of achieving your goals and dreams. This of course would motivate and encourage you to stay the course.

Bob Reina's advise therefore, seem to be a practical and sensible approach that anyone serious about building an MLM business can adopt. It is a principal that can be useful regardless of which company you are affiliated with.

Many people argue that we all need multiple streams of income and I agree to an extent. Even experts like Robert Kiyosaki weigh in on the importance and necessity of this. Ultimately I believe that choosing to have more than one means of earning an income is an individual choice.

What I think is necessary for succeeding in your MLM is to focus on building a solid foundation for one business before moving to others. That may be the easiest way to avoid becoming overwhelmed by having to cope with too many things at the same time.

When we feel inundated because we are pulled in too many directions simultaneously we lose focus and defeat sets in. When this occurs we are much more inclined to give up. This cause us to feel a sense of failure caused mainly by confusion.

To avoid this I suggest taking Bob Reina's advise and focus on one opportunity for at least one year. Allow it time to grow and develop. By doing this we give ourselves a better opportunity of experiencing progress and success. Which in turn would give us the drive and motivation we need to continue to build our business.

Most of all MLM like any other business need time and nurturing to develop and grow. If you believe all the hype about getting rich in one month then MLM is not for you. Any right thinking person will know that it is not possible to get rich overnight in any business MLM or otherwise.

To avoid being overwhelmed and losing focus on your goals and dreams make a commitment now to develop a "tunnel vision" approach to building your MLM business

MLM Dream Trashers

I call them the dream "trashers". Dexter Yager was much more subtle he titled his book; "Don't let anybody steal your dream". A must read if you are serious about staying focus and building your Multi- Level Marketing business.

Have you ever spent time around someone who speaks only negatively about MLM. Regardless of what you tell them they insist that what you are doing is a waste of time. Did their continued insistence cause you to dig your heels in and decide there and then that your MLM business is exactly what you want to and will do.

This is exactly the kind of day I was having today. It occurred to me that if I did not have a "why" before for building my business I have definitely found it. In situations like this negativity tends to do one or two things - it causes you to give in and give up or you to dig your heels in and decide that you are doing this no matter what.

Building an MLM business is never easy and in the face of constant discouragement it takes a level of tenacity to stay focus. The only way to shut up the naysayers is to build your business and achieve the success you so deeply desire. This is exactly the task we must set ourselves and we must stay the course to achieve it.

Writing this blog has served as a great outlet for me and being able to do so today made me feel better about my business. It could sometimes be difficult to keep a clear vision when surrounded by so much negative attitudes and energy. You find yourself in a struggle to remain focus. Having to push yourself to take the next step towards achieving the goals you set yourself.

Maybe we have these experiences because we need them to :keep us in the fight" so to speak. We need them to strengthen our belief in ourselves especially when those closest to us refuse to believe in us.

It is important in time like these to have the support of a Networking community. Fortunately for me today I was able to reach out to that community. Connecting with someone today from that community served to inspire and encourage me. Thanks to him my day took a much more positive and productive turn.

One very bright light about MLM is that when we connect with those who truly believe in and represent the industry they help us to remain inspired. They keep us motivated give us the drive we need to keep moving forward against whatever odds we may be facing. Today I am very grateful that I was able to experience such a connection

Having these encounters with those who can only see that there is no way to succeed with MLM is a good lesson in itself. It allows us to be more understanding and sympathetic to those who join the industry only to be talked out of it by people who they love and respect.

I know from experience that it takes a lot of courage to stay focus in the face of such criticism and discouragement. It becomes obvious that the negative attitudes of those close to us have a great deal to do with the high rate of attrition experienced by the MLM industry.

If one of the main motivations of those who discourage us from perusing our dreams is their own fear of our success then it becomes imperative that we succeed. I must admit that all the discouragement drives me to work harder towards achieving my goals.

Whatever your challenges at the moment may be in your MLM business take courage in the words of Dexter Yager and "Don't let anybody steal your dream".

"Honest MLM" - Oxymoron or not?

Would it be an oxymoron to say "Honest MLM";  what do you think?

According to The Free Online Dictionary, Oxymoron means - a rhetorical device or figure of speech in which contradictory or opposite words or concepts are combined for effect.

The consensus it seem, is that there can be no real honest way of presenting the MLM business. That is if your intention is to influence others to join your business. It is believed that without the hype, glitz and false promises many would not give MLM a second look.

I thought about this and concluded that this is not entirely true, considering the amount of available information about any subject that can be found online. Thanks to the internet, MLM like most things has become fair game for intense scrutiny because of the Google. Totally unlike the early days of the industry when only particular individuals had monopoly over the "inside scoop".

I therefore believe that it is now paramount that those of us within the industry realise the benefits of changing our attitudes to suit the changing business environment.

We live in a world of daily "whistle blowers" and  "top secrets" leaks and businesses are in no way immune to this. When it comes to negative publicity MLM especially attracts its fair share of those intent on discrediting the industry and just hoping for another opportunity to say "I told you so".

With this knowledge at our disposal there should be a greater effort made towards openness and transparency when engaging others regarding our experiences with MLM.  Especially if we seek to partner with them. It is only right that people have an honest account of what they are getting into. This allows them to make an educated decision on whether they wish to be involved or otherwise.

Individual MLM companies train there associates and market their company differently. If you seek to partner with a particular company ask as many questions as you can. Then let the answers to those questions be your guide when deciding whether to join that company or not.

Avoid being duped by the promise of wealth and easy money. If it is Free it probably would not make you any money. The only thing you can get from nothing is nothing.

This is precisely where much of the frustration with MLM begins. Anyone who tells you that by joining a business Free you will make money is only making a fool of you. Common sense says that this is not possible. It is as simple as that. If you are not prepared to invest money in a business you probably should not be in business. However, if you are serious about investing in an MLM business there are many online resources where you can find useful information about companies within the industry. NPros is one that I found very resourceful

Use common sense always when getting involved in the MLM industry or any business for that matter. Do your own due diligence. Learn about the industry, company and people you are attempting to partner with.

The internet we all know has dramatically changed our lives. Communicating and sharing information online is as common as interacting with members of your household. It begs the question; What benefit is there in divulging misleading information about something when that information is as easily accessible as Google.

We in the MLM industry should be asking ourselves hard questions about the way forward and how we present our business. Would it benefit us to use the old model of hyping and unrealistic false promises? Or! Would we see the greater long term benefit by giving a balance review of it based on our experience as MLM "insider"?

 It has been my experience that when we speak honestly about something it resonates much better both with the listener and to us as well. When we deliberately spread misleading information or make something out to be what we know it really is not we feel bad about ourselves and any smart listener can detect this.

This goes both for people who speak well of MLM as a business model as well as those who are totally against the industry. Spreading misleading information whether to keep someone from getting into MLM or to get them to invest in your business is no different. Any smart person would detect whether you are lying because you are angry towards MLM or because you are trying to influence them to join your business.

"Honest MLM" does not have to be or feel like an oxymoron. An industry that earns Billions yearly has nothing to be ashamed about. Neither should it continue to be the butt of angry nay sayers jokes.

Whether you refer to your MLM as Network Marketing, Direct Selling, Distribution Marketing or Relationship Marketing makes no difference. We should not feel the need to white wash the industry with new names. We should strive to represent the industry in such a way that it rises to the respect it deserves for bringing financial security and rewards to the millions it has over the past 50 years.

Why Does The MLM Love Affair Persist Against All The Odds?

Is MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) an industry who's time has finally come? I put this question out there because even as more and more resistance, in the form of every know accusation, continue to be levelled against the industry it has somehow persisted.

There seem to be no getting rid of the continuing throngs of people who join the industry daily. The idea that so many people are duped and lured into something that bring them no satisfaction becomes highly questionable. Might it be that many who venture into the business are driven simply by their own desire to achieve more out of life for themselves and those they care about.

My own intrigue and fascination with MLM has taken many turns. Over the years I have come to understand many things about the industry some of which I find appealing. I suspect that the same could be said for many others who have participated in the business in one way or another over any length of time.

The convenience of being able to work from home has to be the single most appealing thing about Multi-Level Marketing for many who invest. Yet, statistics show that a large percentage of people who come into the industry fail to earn any substantial income. Could this be because we over complicate what is required to build a solid MLM business?

Most MLM businesses come with a simple built in system of how it should be build. These systems very much resemble the franchise concept. All you are required to do is duplicate the system and teach those who you recruit to do the same. How is it then, that some people succeed at applying this system and earning incomes they would never have imagined and others with the same system simply fail and give up?

The answer for the high failure rate may well be found in the myth "anyone can build this business" that has been perpetuated over the years. It may be more appropriate to conclude what I heard at a seminar more recently "MLM is for everyone but not everyone is for MLM". If this is true then herein lies the answer to why there is so much room at the "top",

Yet! the love affair persists and I am sure will continue to persist in these uncertain changing economic times. With the desire to earn more just to maintain one's basic lifestyle the search for an alternative form of income will continue to drive more and more people towards MLM. With its easy entrance into the industry, low investment and promises of earning an extra income the lure is almost irresistible to those seeking opportunity and financial advancement.

Whether there is a blueprint for building an MLM business and who will or will not build a solid business is anyone's guess. Robert Kiyosaki in his wisdom breaks down who might be the most suitable persons for MLM or in his words Network Marketing in the following video.

It may be worth the while to consider this bit of wisdom when deciding who to partner up with in your MLM. I have long come to accept that there are those who will see the value in MLM and those who never will.

Therefore we can only conclude that one of the main reasons why the industry persists 50 years and counting is because of those who see the value it has to offer. I suppose there will always be those who will continue to drive the industry and support it through whatever changes lie ahead.

5 Things We Love To Hate About MLM

The over exposed or even those not so exposed to MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) would understand the love hate relationship that many of us have with the industry. Those of us who have been around the business for a while come to love many things about it, but this does not absolve us from loving to hate some aspects of the business as well. Many would say "speak for yourself" and I will. Therefore I will take this opportunity to highlight five things I dislike or find downright annoying about MLM. I am certain that there are many more that can be added to this meagre list.

1. Attending the dreaded weekly MLM business opportunity meeting.

I know many of us find this especially annoying. Every "Tuesday" night having to dress up and show up with guest at the business meeting. Many people found this difficult because it simply did not fit in with their schedule and immediate commitments.

Thank to the internet this is rapidly changing. We can now all sit at home and attend online webinars and conference call in our Pyjamas with our coffee in hand. Some companies have gone so far as to work out a full ongoing schedule of daily meetings.

One company have found it useful to created an ongoing daily schedule so that anyone who choose to can attend any of at least five (5) opportunity meetings in as many as twenty (20) different languages, all from the comfort of their own home. This does not take away from those who choose to attend a live offline meeting if there is one schedule in their area. You now have the convenience of choosing to attend a live on or off line meeting.

Here is an example a of the A daily Webinar Scheule. All you need to do is scroll to the date and language of your choice hover your mouse and when the schedule drop down menu appears click on your desired time. You then can sign in as a guest at that time and join the live MLM business opportunity presentation right from the comfort of your home.

2. Being required to spend money over and over on MLM training and motivational material

Here again thanks to the internet this is a thing of the past for most "savvy" MLM business owners. Much of what is needed to build an MLM business comes with the business opportunity Start-up-kit. Most people today have some idea how to find free motivational material online and  many companies now host free online training webinars for their Associates.

3. Waiting to receive your MLM check at a given pay period.

Back in the old days of MLM many of us can remember waiting for the end of the month to collect our bonus and commission cheque. Which in many ways is not different from having a regular job and waiting for month end to be paid. If you are like me and live in the Caribbean this process could take up to three months. I can remember having to wait an extra 45 days after receiving my cheque and taking it to the bank. The bank nicely informed me that it is indeed a 45 day process to vet and clear such cheques.

Thankfully MLM companies have now found ways to pay their associates via debit cards and the process is much more efficient and people can have their earnings available to them in a much more reasonable time regardless of where they are in the world.

Even more phenomenal some MLM companies have led the way and created Compensation Plans that allow associates to get paid immediately on making a sale or achieving a bonus.

Here is a short video of one such Compensation Plan:

4. Listening to MLM associates boast about their commission and bonus cheques.

Have you ever seen those post on Facebook and other social sites with a photograph of a hand full of money claiming its their commission of X amount made in the last "two" days from their MLM business. Maybe you saw the ones that post huge snapshots of their commission page from their back office or payment processor detailing all the payments they have had over a given period.

They look something like this:

It all verges on annoyance and though I am not the one to speak of whether it is the correct or incorrect thing to do I am sure that many people find it distasteful. Many may even get turned off from MLM after being exposed to this seemingly common act perpetuated by those who persist in doing so across the internet.

5. My MLM is better than yours.

This is a very special one and thus must be made mention of. Many in the industry might have been guilty of this at one time or another.  Though on giving it some thought the stark pointlessness of such an argument becomes painfully obviously.

There can never be a useful argument about whether one MLM is better than the other since many people join the MLM of their choice for a variety of reasons. People look for what appeals to them about a given company; - the company's compensation plan, the product/s they market, availability and accessibility to that product, their connection to the people they are about to do business with among many other considerations.

In my case having been in the industry for some time, I choose to stay away from any MLM that market a physical product. This is simply due to my experience with the hassle of shipping products into the Caribbean. Marketing a product that the customer have immediate access to via the internet compliments my lifestyle and circumstances much more convenient than having to deal with shipping and handling along with other bureaucratic hurdles like customs and excise.

Does that make my company better than a company that market nutritional or luxury products, I doubt it. The individuals who chooses those companies would have done so because of reasons that suit their lifestyle and circumstances.

Those are the five immediate dislikes I can think about that I know many have harboured about MLM over the years. There are many more that can, have and will be mentioned as time passes since the MLM industry seem to do a relatively good job of generating continuous debate.

Get Motivated and build your MLM business

Here are a few words of motivation by well known financial adviser Robert Kiyokasi about owning your own business. Click on the link or on the image then click on the video to view.

                                                            Own Your Own Business

If you dream of owning your own business or have already invested in an MLM business but lack the motivation to follow through. Here are a few  words of wisdom and encouragement from Robert Kiyosaki that you may find useful.

Sometimes all we need are a few words of motivation to keep us moving forward. The road of ambition may well be littered with many casualties but my belief is that a few consistent small steps taken daily can get us to our desired goal.

I heard a very profound line in a movie recently that struck me in a profound way. It basically said that a few small pieces added together over time can create something very big. Knowing that should be encouragement enough to keep us doing the things necessary to bring us closer to our dreams and goals.

Hmmm! Why the passionate sometimes frenzied hatred toward MLM"?

Yes! Why the passionate sometimes frenzied hatred towards the MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) industry? It may be difficult to believe but this is a very genuine question that came to me after reading quite a number of contributions by different commentators both for and against the MLM industry.

When one think of business models it is obvious that there are a variety of them know to us. Some we like some we dislike. Some we support some we avoid at all cost.

Those of us with a burning desires to be independent of a "job" at some point in our lives dream of owning our own business. Of course the resources to own our own business is most times outside the reach of ninety percent of us who desire to do so.

Owning your own business requires some necessary resources such as start up capital, knowledge of the specific industry of choice, some basic management skills and time to give full attention to the business and its ongoing requirements. Putting all this together is daunting even to the hardened dreamer with the driving desire to be independent of a job and become his/her own boss.

The MLM business model has become an attractive prospect to many throngs of people around the world. It has done so by finding ways to minimize some of the challenges of starting a business. Thus, making the idea of owning one's own business seem more plausible and doable to the ambitious dreamers of our day.

Getting started in the MLM industry requires a low start-up investment, your business comes fully loaded with all the training and getting started material you will require. You literally have a business in a box complete with team support and mentors. This may vary in quality and standard based on the MLM company of your choice. As is commonly said in the industry "you are in business for yourself but not by yourself" You can build your MLM business and still continue to do whatever you were doing to support your life financially. Hence you control the time you spend and dedicate to building your business.

The major arguments put forward by those who are "up in arms" against the MLM industry is that compared to conventional small business the success rate of those in MLM is woefully low. Many have sighted things such as market saturation, having to attend regular meetings and exploitation of relationship with family and friends. Others have even liken participants in the MLM industry to mobsters and gangsters. These I sighted here are just a few of the many accusations levelled against the industry in a kind of roaring "battle cry" of "down with MLM"  In my opinion all of this seem mostly done with the deliberate intention of spreading fear of the industry among would be prospects and even some of us already invested in an MLM business.

All business models have their high and lows and the MLM industry is not immune to this. There would obviously be those within the industry who would use some measures that are totally unethical unflattering and even detrimental to the overall image of the industry. There will obviously be differences of opinion among those both within the industry and persons outside the industry. Some have been know to deteriorate into long drawn out lawsuits that have in many ways tarnished the image of the MLM industry and continue to do so. This though is not exclusive to the Multi-Level Marketing industry, it would be safe to conclude that wherever people gather in large number with a common interest "head butting" is expected and is a given.

I must acknowledge that I do agree with some of the shortcomings sighted about the MLM industry by some contributors. However what I have observed is that some seem to go to great lengths to prove and overemphasise these shortcomings. They then set themselves up as the voice of reason, the saviour of the unsuspecting dreamer who would be taken in by all the promises and allure of the MLM industry. It begs the question; why are they so eager to protect me form "wasting" my money,? Is their concern about my welfare as genuine as they claim or is their a more sinister and hidden agenda in this frenzied attack on the MLM industry?

Having read many articles, blogs and the like for and against the MLM industry some of which I found enlightening and educating. Among the many arguments against the industry there was a very noticeable common thread. They all at some point seem to deteriorate into a frenzy of fear-mongering, even injecting quotes from the "Good Book" to show those who participate in the industry why what they do is not right in the sight of God. It was at that point that I truly realizes that many who criticize the MLM industry have more than an "axe to grind". I am yet to read one article or critique that was totally objective without being abusive, accusatory or making personal attacks on the industry and its participants.

Whether these commentators are disgruntled X MLM participants or just people with their own personal agendas determined to discredit the industry, is anyone's guess. After reading some of these commentaries you come away feeling emotionally spent wondering what experience could have brought the writer to such a state of anger, disdain and aggression towards the MLM industry and those who participate. Participants whom they scornfully dub "MLMers".

Well if you are an MLMer and believe you can achieve your dreams and goals using the industry as a vehicle then good for you. If  you are a disgruntled X MLMer or you just downright hate the industry and have to spew your frustration at least do it so you do not come across as the "grim reaper" of the industry. Ask yourself honestly if it is right to frighten another person out of having an experience that you have no knowledge beforehand whether it will turn out good or bad for them. Your having a bad experience for whatever reason in your MLM does not cast the idea in stone that it will be the same for everyone else.

This blog was not written with the intent to attack anyone, that is why I refrained from putting any links or naming anyone in particular. All I am doing is trying to get some objectivity. There is no objectivity in writing an article with a title like "Arguments for and against the MLM industry" then you proceed to write an article that is ninety percent against the industry. Where sixty percent of that is spent spreading fear. It would be more honest to just write an article purely against the industry.

It feels much better getting some of that off of my chest and having a good rant about it. Now I will rest my case on this issue. If anyone reading this want to do their own research or have a look at some of the articles and blogs I am referring to just Google MLM or Multi-Level Marketing and take your pick.

MLM - "You mean that pyramid scheme thing"

If you are like me living in the Caribbean and are attempting to build an MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) business there are some experiences that I can guarantee you that are inevitable. One of the most persistent experiences that has become so typical on some Caribbean Islands is the response you get from people when you attempt to introduce your business to them. This I believe is due to the trust levels regarding the MLM industry which in many cases stem from ignorance about the business model.  At least four out of ten people will ask you the same question and your conversation with them would go something like this.

"Hi John what's up. I'm calling to invite you to take a look at a business idea a friend shared with me. We're having a meeting on Friday at 6:00 pm at "Happy Day Hotel" meet me there so you can get to check it out for yourself" The typical response that you are likely to get from "John" run mostly along the lines of:

"Hey buddy what is this about, I hope it's not one of those pyramid scheme things. Them things don't work. I know because I was in "such and such company" ten years ago and I ain't make any money."

Or "I hope it's not "such and such company" or one of those Pyramid scheme things. I don't like them things at all, people don't ever make any money in them things.

Or "I will come only because it's you that invite me, but I'm not really into them pyramid scheme business".

In many cases this is how the conversation evolves when you try to invite people to take a look at your MLM business presentation here in the Caribbean. This is not to say there are not folks out there who will accept your invitation with a genuine interest in what it is you want to share with them. The above example though, is a real and persisting scenario that you are likely to be faced with sooner or later.

How each individual deals with this issue is entirely up to them or based on the training they receive from their individual MLM company. Whether someone accepts your invitation to view your business or not will be determined by many varying factors. Some of which include - the level of trust between you two, how professional you present yourself, the person's prior experience with MLM businesses, the person's level of suspicion about the industry and the person's interest in being involved in any business at the moment. Ultimately I believe each contact is unique and comes down to the individuals and how they interact with each other.

What I will suggest is that you educate yourself about the difference between a legitimate Multi-level Marketing business and a "Pyramid Scheme", because you will be asked the questions I mentioned above. A good place to start is to familiarize yourself with what the DSA (Direct Selling Association) has to say about the difference between legal MLM companies or Direct Selling Companies and Pyramid Schemes. What I have found is that when the question arises, educating people about the difference is the best way forward. This allows them the opportunity to make a qualified decision about whether they want to be involved in your MLM business or not. To get more information about direct selling companies your can also go to Direct Selling 411.

What I have noticed is that many people in the MLM industry here in the Caribbean are totally unaware that there is a difference between a legal Multi-level Marketing business and a "Pyramid Scheme". Therefore when faced with the inevitable question "Is it one of those pyramid scheme things"? they become dodgy and uncomfortable thus adding to the other person's suspicion and ultimately hurting there business and even their relationship with that person.

With the the internet as a driving force in recent years in the MLM industry this is hopefully changing. With this change the hope is that more and more people in the industry are realizing that educating themselves is advantageous to growing a successful business. I have found that having the right mentor and team support also help in educating associates on pertinent issues and how to deal with them in a professional, open and honest manner. For instance in my case I am connected with a very supportive team of both Caribbean and International members of the company I am affiliated with. We have both public pages on Facebook like the links I shared above and also private groups for registered Independent Associates to interact and share ideas, goals and accomplishments.

As I said before and I will reiterate, the legal MLM business model is a business like any other. Individuals are free to participate or not participate, therefore, educating people about the industry and how it works is the best way of determining who will get involved and who would not. Misleading people into joining your business has one outcome; that is mass attrition added to that it also destroys some friendships and relationships.

Like everything else there are people who will see the MLM industry as the right fit for them and will approach it with positive intention. While on the other hand there will be people that want nothing to do with the industry and that to me is quite okay. There will of course also be people who will get involved for all manner of reasons, then decide along the way this is what they were looking for or it is not exactly what they wanted. That too should be respected.  It is my belief that peoples' right to choose, regardless of whether they choose to partner with you or not, should be respected at all times.

Here is an Audio by Jerry Clarke, one of the industry's most respected coaches and trainers, which gives a quick overview of the industry and discusses the difference between a legal MLM business and a "pyramid scheme".

Your MLM is not a charity

To anyone reading my blog for the first time MLM wherever used is short for Multi-level Marketing. If you need more information on what Multi-level Marketing is Google is a great place to start. On that note I will get to what's on my mind for today.

There are experiences in the MLM business that cause you to understand in a profound way why some "Leaders" in the industry promote certain activities while others continually impress upon us to avoid them at all cost.

Many people who have been around the business for a long time are totally against selling the MLM concept to family and friends. While others think this is the best and easiest way to grow your business, by targeting the people closest to you. Hence the genesis of the term "Relationship Marketing"  In my opinion the jury is still out on which of these is the best model to follow. Therefore, I am not promoting any of the above models of marketing your MLM business as a better choice than the other, since both models have been proven to worked effectively.

In many ways a person's personality and ability will dictate whether marketing their MLM business to friends and family or otherwise will work best for them. Time, trial and error and experience will give you a good indication as to which of the two works best for you and yields the best results.

Over the years the "blueprint" for building an MLM business has gone through all manner of metamorphosis. The advent of the Internet bringing the most dramatic and dynamic changes the industry has ever seen and been faced with. Social media ranking high among the forces of change. Many of these changes happening in very short spans of time. Presently to survive the MLM industry you have to either catch up, keep up or stay ahead of the curve.

In an earlier post I mentioned that I started this blog to create an avenue to have an open conversation about the things everyone avoids talking about in the MLM industry. Yet these seem to be the very things that are on everyone's' mind and thus can be liken to the proverbial ten ton elephant in the room. What I have notice is that any time a discussion about Multi-level Marketing ensues there are always clear "battle lines" drawn, nerves gets rattled and tempers flare.

Speaking for myself I must say that I have had my share of getting upset and offended. This most often happened when I heard people, who I knew have zero knowledge of the industry and have never been in the MLM business, mouth off inaccuracies about the industry with an air of assumed authority. I have since learned to listen to what others have to say and if possible try to contribute something positive to the conversation that could prove helpful all around.

You will quickly learn that you get the most flack, rejection and least support from family and friends when you join an MLM company. I have been fortunate, in recent years, to get support from some members of my family.  This might be mainly because of my unwavering commitment to this business model over the years. Some people in your family will join you simply to "support" what you are doing, others will join you just so you stop "pestering" them. There are others who will join your business with their own ulterior motives.

It has been my experience that within the groups mentioned above most or none of them will ever commit to truly building an MLM business. A very select few within your friends and family will sign up seeing the potential to own their own business and advance themselves financially. These people therefore, are more likely to make a genuine effort to grow their business and realize the financial rewards it could offer them.

Building an MLM business requires some amount of toughness. It takes a certain amount of grit to stand up to what can and is many times meted out to people in this industry. What seems worst is when it comes form our love ones and friends. This alone I am sure, even without statistics to show, is one of the main reasons why many people quit or never make a genuine effort towards following up on their investment and building their business. It is one of the main reason also why some "talking heads" in the industry advocate never talking to friends and family about your MLM business.

Some of your loved ones will join you in good faith thinking that by doing so they are "supporting" or "helping" you. They may even say this to you by letting you know that they have no interest in the business. You may take this on in good faith but later learn that their true sentiment about what you are doing and about the MLM industry is not very flattering. This could prove painful for you and cause you to feel hurt and treated like a charity. Do realized that this is a grave disservice to your business and to you.

The MLM business model is a business like any other business. If someone cannot appreciate that then they are free to refrain from participating. Grudgingly investing because they think they are "helping" you because "they care about you" in my opinion is insulting and demeaning both to the industry and to you. At all cost avoid allowing your MLM business to be treated like a charity.

A professional approach to building your MLM business is always the best way forward. Therefore partner only with people who are genuinely interested in being involved in the MLM business model or in buying your product. Avoid anyone who is just joining your business to "support"  or "help" you. Refrain from coercing  people to join your business by making promises you cannot keep. Your business may grow at a slower rate but it will definitely have a higher rate of retention thus benefit you much more in the long run. Remember your MLM business is not a charity it is your business so be professional and the results you desire will in time be realized.

Do you think MLM is a bad word?

Yes! of course I know that MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) is not a word but seeing this article in Forbes that asked the question "Is MLM a bad Word? - I chuckled because we all know that MLM is not exactly a word. What was even more funny is on reading the comments, which as usual varied across the spectrum, with regard to the issue, someone took the time to point out the obvious  "MLM is not a word." Joke aside; what do you think, does the term bring a bad or good feeling to you? Does it evoke - anger, sadness, happiness, frustration maybe a fuzzy feeling? What exactly does the term evoke in you. My experience is that MlM has a way of evoking some form of emotion or other in most people. Whether their experience with the industry was personal, second hand or otherwise. Most people you meet in the Western world it seems had some interaction with the industry even if it was third or fourth hand. The instances that come to mind are the cases where people tell you with authority "my cousin's wife aunt brother lost X amount in Y MLM company. This reaction has always baffled me and over the years my emotion and response to this has moved from frustration, anger, hopelessness, helplessness to tolerance, patience, compassion, understand and pure silence in many cases.

Many MLM company in their training manuals have scripted responses for objections, negative reactions and responses about the industry or the particular company. My belief is that people should respond from a genuine place within themselves even if they borrow from the scrip provided by the company. I think it tend to set off warning bells in people when someone who just got involved in a particular MLM company boast about how much money can be made, when they themselves, in most cases, have made little or no money. It is okay to admit that one can make money in an MLM business because many have proven that it is possible. I remember having conversations with people in the industry who tell you they made X amount, but listening carefully you can discern the hollowness of the respond and deep within you know they are not being truthful. On the other hand I have had interactions with persons in the business who are making comfortable to substantial incomes and you can feel their excitement and sincerity as they try to convey to you what their MLM business has done to change their lives and financial circumstances.

Now then! where do we go from here regarding owning up about the situation with our MLM businesses. The way forward in my humble opinion is to be truthful about your experiences so far in your business. If you have not made any money, say so. If you have made money and you feel comfortable disclosing the amount then do so. Most of all avoid claiming you have earned money in your business if you have not. I think we all will feel better and be better off if we are honest in our dealings with people regarding our businesses. The reason being that if someone decides to quit because they realize that this is not the business for them then we do not have to feel any guilt.  We were honest with them from the outset about what our experience so far building our MLM business has been.

Above all do not promise anyone that they will make any form of income just by becoming an associate in an MLM company. Joining does not guarantee anyone any kind of income. If you read the "fine print" on most if not all the legal MLM companies you will find that they have a disclaimer that tells you in as many words "we do not promise any form of income. Any income you make is entirely due to your understanding of the program and your individual effort..."

The main reactions coming out of discussions I've had about the MLM business model is peoples' frustration with what they feel is the unethical behaviour of many in the industry. This may well be the reason why MLM seem like a "bad word" to many people. It therefore becomes the responsibility of those of us in the industry, who see MLM as a vehicle for owning their own business and changing their financial circumstances for the better, to do the right thing. Misleading people will not help your business to grow. The people who need it and see it as a fit for their life, goals and dreams will step forward and run with it. The ones who don't regardless of the lure will turn to other avenues that are best suited to what they desire and are aspiring towards. Yes there will be people along the way that truly like the concept but for whatever reasons are unable to achieve much success in the industry. That too is quite okay, as many before me have said it many times over "MLM is not for everyone".

Why "the MLM Rant"?

Why "the MLM rant". Simply, I've actually found myself defending the industry for the better part of the last 24 hours. Then it hit me, it was not so much about defending the MLM industry, it is more about us opening up and having an honest conversation about MLM and where it figures in the lives of those of us who participate in this business model with the hope of changing our financial circumstances.

First of all for those who are not aware of what MLM is it is the abbreviation for Multi-Level Marketing. It is also referred to as Network Marketing, Relationship Marketing, Distribution Marketing among others. Presently  I will stick with MLM even though it is a term I never used over the many years I have been in the industry. I have basically used the term Network Marketing which I prefer and like because networking is something I do in most aspect of my life. I enjoy bringing people and ideas together. If you require more information you can obviously Google MLM. There is a whole range of definitions, critiques, biases and contributions about this subject, of course you are free to take your pick.

Now to answer the question why the MlM rant - I felt compelled to voice my opinion on the industry after commenting numerous times on a post on Facebook where I found myself defending MLM as a business model.  Maybe it is time we the common people be told the truth about the industry. What I discovered in my quick "research" is that the sentiments about the industry vary across a broad scale. There are those who hate the MLM business model and those who love it, but the grey area between these two extremes is littered with every other sentiment and emotion one can think of. The few that come to mind are - frustration, anger, hope, love/hate, ignorance, jubilation, tolerance among many others.

I live in the Caribbean and MLM it seem is presently taking the Caribbean by storm particularly on some Islands. Obviously this is due mainly to the growing economic slowdown that has been plaguing the region in recent years. MLM it seems thrives in times of financial hardship. Exactly why some people call it the "recession proof business". Many have lost their jobs or cannot make ends meet with their current incomes. Therefore starting an MLM business as a means of adding to their present earnings or replacing their income seems an attractive prospect. This to me is great especially since the MLM model of business is one I have come to love and have participated in for many years. The big question though is will the new mass of participants in the Caribbean be given the 411 on what it takes to grow an MLM business or will they just be fed the hype then be left to join the throng of the frustrated and disgruntled which cause huge attrition when the promises made weren't fulfilled as quickly as was promised. We are yet to see.

AS the "battle" lines are drawn I take my position and even though I will always defend the MLM business model because it has changed me and opened me up in many positive ways I would also like to be a balanced commentator and contributor so that all sides can benefit from my rantings or whatever else I contribute to the conversation.  Sit tight and look out for more from this quarter as I think we here in the Caribbean are just about to let the "sabre rattling" begin.