Mention MLM and there will be a lot of people screaming ‘no no’! Can a taboo be broken? I know I am treading on the precipice but I feel that this is something that need to be discuss.
Multi-level marketing utilises a combination of direct marketing and franchising. MLM have an image problem because of difficulties in distiguishing between legitimate network marketing and illegal pyramid selling, "ponzi scheme" or scam.
Life is about choices, then came MLM, work hard for three to five years and then you never have to work again. Is this possible? The answer lies in the one word "leverage". MLM is also about personal development and and business education.
A new and powerful trend is emerging, the marriage of MLM and internet maketing to connect with their distributors. The internet is a 24/7 and accessible anywhere and anytime. Physical contrains is no longer an issue. Cross borders business are now possible so is overseas recruitments
The questions now is why, is it because we worry most will take advantage of free advertisements on this post or? Most MLM distributors have their own websites, they can tap on Facebook, Twitters and so many other blogs to promote their ware.
I hope we can have a lively discussion here and should there be any qualms, let put is down here. Why deny us an opportunty to earn a secondary source of income in our twilight years?
Desperate Dan
Dear Desperate Dan
MLM is not a bad thing, in like manner – Insurance is also not a bad thing.
Since you opened the “Pandora’s Box” and it is still here, ie not deleted by Terence..after a day.. I will now comment.
Its the people who are in the MLM Business that makes the business of MLM, Insurance or whatever sleazy…when it is not.
I’ve joined quite a few successfully, but ultimately it folded up..cos of the greed, the code of ethics of many.
Today, I swear I will not join any other MLM no matter how lucrative and even when invited to be the first 5 leaders in Singapore to start it, I won’t.
I will only stick to Amway, of which I’m a great consumer, and cos it is the 1st company that starts it.
and I’ve become one of the leaders not cos I push my friends, to join or buy the products. Cos the products are good. But many will not join it cos the Compensation plan to many – stinks…yes, I agree it is really really not worth doing it as a business. It took me a long time to join it after going through it again and again.
It is only worth joining it as a passion,and if there are some small change that comes in, although really miniscule. I believe I am happy cos I believe in the products and cos I enjoy the discounts rather make money out of my friends. Today, my group is very big, and I have never asked anyone to buy this and that they dont need, and they are free to buy or not to buy and no need to buy every month and stock up…like many MLMs do.
Today my family and I use the quite a lot of the Nutritional products, Natural Beauty products, Air purifier, Natural award winning Water Filter, Home Products and know my friends can use them with NO dire consequences.
It must be good both in the short term and in the long term.
I guess many in SHC don’t even know I’m a member except when I wear the T Shirt, and I’ve not asked anyone to join, but I do sell it to friends and help those who want to join.
I don’t invite any to my home for tea …and then mislead them with a demonstration meeting…like many do…
“Love what you do and do what you love…”
and if one is desperate as you call yourself in a self deprecating manner, then one oversteps the boundaries – whether in insurance or MLM – and frighten one’s friends.
Those who tell you – you can make Thousands yearly, want you to invests thousands to chase them…
It plays on your greed…and your greed will benefit those who joined earlier.
But if you join a company with good products, and lousy compensation plans, it will last and not close down after a few years…and their products must not have been recalled at all…Even famous world wide brands have had their products recalled..
And most important of it all, my familiy and friends will not one day be subjected to ill consequences like what happened in the slim 10 case.
Hope this clarifies.
Rgds
Thanks Pat for sharing. I have previously joined Neways, a company who claimed to only sell products that are free from chemical. I use their shampoo, toothpaste, household products and also lot of nutritional products.
In the beginning life was good but a lot of hard work is required, I was able to recruit and sell enough products to enjoy a free trip to Phuket ClubMed. I could not sustain the effort and finally gave it up as I was still doing other thing.
My confession as desperate is not what it meant but rather an effort to attract attention and appease the Indian Chief. What I hope to achieve here is for some of you to share your success and failure here.
Most people in MLM quit in the first three to six months because there were sold on the the idea that they could make a lot of money in a short time!
Dan
Hi Dan and fellow members,
On the subject of MLM, please do not promote the names and programs of MLM organisations on this forum.
SHC does not allow this forum, its events and activities for promoting MLM. Neither does it allow members to invite and organise activities with the intention of promoting MLM products to other SHC members using the Club’s name or its members. Members who do not observe this rule will have their SHC club membership deleted.
Private invitations are left to the decision of individuals.
Terence Seah
Ive had both experiences like you Pat and Dan re MLM. Neways, Melaleuca, etc… today, I just go and get from whomever Co (and these can be from others not listed here) as/when I choose!
Dan, the word ‘leverage’ implies 3 components- a force, fulcrum and the load. They all imply a certain ‘weighty’ exercise which includes demos of tea parties, bonding exercises, even outings/physical exercises, sharing of ops, etc… all of which equates to investment. I’ve come through them. We may know how to use the word ‘leverage’, but demonstrating it still takes some of us back to the the attitude behind ‘ponzi-ism’.
In reality, money still can be made in a short time, if those who are of “A” type personality gets away with the hype usually directed/easily taken in personality type “B” (of which I am mostly like, altho I can be a type “A” in dif situations/with dif people).
No, I didn’t quit, I quit (after 2 yrs), then picked it up again, not 2x, but a number of times. As for my health, I didnt so much benefit from the attributes of the supplements (I had taken so much unnecesarily), I stressed out more trying to figure if I’m losing more than I’m gaining over the years! My health is in better condition when I do the natural thing, ie just listen to it. With a few types of supplements. I know holistically my own body(mind, body, spiritual, emotional) needs/requirements. If all of us learn to care for own selves, listening for the signs, we dont need to listen to everybody else (this even with some Drs) and come out more confused than ever, we dont need to spend $$$ pulled by hype!
Having said that, I’m still looking for opportunities to find meaningful work that pays.
Hannah :)
not to worry Dan, I know you are not desperate..
but thought the term Desperate Dan rhymes.
……………..as an alliteration…
as in Darling Dan…or Dearie Dan… or Delectable Dan…
LOL…
Thanks Terence for the kind reminder, we will exercise prudence.
Hi Hannah appreciate your sharing of your experience. We will not mention any MLM company nor promote any products or meeting on this forum.
To answer your question on ‘leverage’, wat I meant was exponential growth based on ‘word of mouth’ marketing. For a small start-up fee of less than $500 you can build a global business with no territorial restriction and now we can leverage onto the internet technology to further expand the business.
Dan
I agree to the theme : Home-based marketing as a secondary source of income.
Yes I agree, “Why deny us an opportunty to earn a secondary source of income in our twilight years”
As shops space are expensive in Singapore, it is advisable to start on a low cost no risk venture as we can’t afford to go wrong at this age.
Online marketing is the in-thing today due to high online traffic now than say 10-20 years ago.
I myself have set up 3 webpages myself, some as a hobby.
Anyone keen to set up online webpage as a starter for simple business, I can help you at a very low cost.
You may contact me at cpchristina@gmail.com
For established businesses you may have to engage professionals to do it for you.
Hi Christina,
Some of your text have been deleted. Please contact admin@SilverHairsClub if you wish to promote your products and services.
Terence Seah
I used to work as a Product Trainer for a MLM company educating the distributors on the benefits of each product, how to take/use it and what the ingredients of the products are in layman’s terms. I stopped working in Year 2004 and when my husband got head-hunted to be the Country Manager of a MLM company, it is in his contract that neither his spouse nor direct family members are to be employees of his company or distributors of other MLM companies.
I have never promote my husband’s company products to any SHC members from the day I joined SHC.
My viewpoint on MLM is this. MLM is network marketing. That means, you need to have a network of like-minded entrepreneurs like yourself to market the company’s products. You need to pick the right company and you can do a lot of research online on the company’s background, the board of directors’ experience and qualifications, the product line and whether you yourself will use the products.
If you know a lot of people and they TRUST you implicitly, your chances of success is definitely higher as then these people will not mind you being their leader, and secondly, they have faith you are not out to cheat their monies.
When you believe the products are good and effective in helping people then you have the right perspective on how to do MLM. The monetary rewards, trip incentives, stage recognition, etc should be secondary and not the primary reason why you talk to your friends/family about the business opportunity in MLM.
I have seen with my own eyes how people entrapped by the promises of big earnings fail to make it in MLM. There are all kinds of people with different agendas joining MLM companies. Those who really make it are willing to stick it out in good or bad times.
Actually, MLM is no different from you starting a convention al business. You need to have money to buy products from your supplier and you need to have customers who are willing to buy your products. You’ll need salespeople to help you sell the products. As the owner of your own business you need to mark up the price of your products so you have enough profits to cover overheads, staff salaries and income for yourself.
MLM distributors get their products directly from the company and there is no costs for stocking up inventories or even a shop space. Sales are done via word-of-mouth, just like you will rant and rave about the best laksa in Singapore.
There will always be bad hats in any kind of businesses and if you study into those successful people who are thriving till today in MLM, you’ll find they are charismatic and automatically draw people towards them.
Good luck!
Cheers
Ros
I never believe in MLM (not their products) as a business as the whole idea is built on consumers base And the top 2 layers and manufacturer get the money
Because MLM is not business driven..it works like groups..you like me you join my group etc…thus charisma works
In real business you can even do business with your enemies as long as it is good deal
Also doing business is not always so theoretical as what Ros said.
I been in christmas hampers business before. I did business with my clients i.e. those I gave business to and they reciprocated I churned in 10k a month business and earned couple of Ks. I did everything myself from running to Jurong to buy stocks, wrapping to delivery ..and while I was still holding a full time job then.
When I was an agent in my 30s many aunties sticked to me even though one commented I very greenhorn then. Later I realized they trusted me as there were many buayas in this line.
I was also in consultancy work before. I never knocked on doors or asked anyone for help. Projects just came in.
So simply put business is about trust, reliability and performance (ability to seize up customer’s need and customize a product to suit them)
Business is not about I like you I do business with you You like me you do business with me
#10 Christina Pan,
Your point of view on MLM is refreshing. SHC members will read your opinion and my opinion and form their own opinion…:p
Cheers
Ros
First of all let me salute Terence for keeping an open mind and keep these pages. The general opinion of MLM is that the products are overpriced, the distributors are greedy and lack of credibility. Well i am sorry to say Retail products have its fair share of evil too. How many advertisements are telling the truth? How many celebrities endorsing the products not for the greed of money? Both marketing strategy needs our discerning. The difference is a good MLM can generate secondary or main income for silver hair.
I am not member of Herbal Life or Amway. But i must say they are more established than many retail outlets we know.
And if Donald Trumph and Warren Buffet endorse MLM, who are we to say the opposite? For the benefit of the silver hair I would hope that SHC would do some criteria to screen the MLM companies so to provide Silver Hair a decent stream of income. For further discussion please writ henryfhs@gmail.com
Hi Henry #12,
I have personally no objections against MLM. Like you, I too believe it is one stream of income for individuals.
There had been requests to consider display advertising; but so far, this has been put on hold. The display advertising rates are not set yet; but when ready, it will be informed on this forum.
Meantime, as a member, I hope you will be more active in the Club, and try to organise some activities for fellow members.
Terence Seah