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[Michelle Thomas Contribution Level: 1]

No, I don't think there are any MLM companies that won't scare off your friends & family members when they see you coming because it's just a well known fact that the majority of MLMing companies out there are nothing more than rip-offs...

Yeah sure, there are a few that aren't all about lining their own pockets but they are few & far between...

There are things that I look for when I hear about a Multi Level Marketing company to see how comfortable I would feel about investing in that company. For example, the first & foremost thing I look into is the company's track record and how long they've been in business. Then, if they've been around for more than a year or two, I look into their financial records to find out how often, if at all, they've gone into the hole and were unable to pay their distributors...

Then I read up on their Compensation Plan to see if it measures up to what I would expect to be fair. I pay attention to the return versus the amount of investment a new distributor has to put into the product or opportunity to get their first commission check...

I'll also look at the integrity of the people or person who introduces me to this company and/or the product to determine whether or not I would enjoy being part of that group of people...

Those are the main things I'd look at if I ever wanted to join another MLM company but I'd like to know what you look for or what kind of business aspects are most important to you...?

[Jan Gudis Contribution Level: 1]

It's not your MLM that scares people off. It's you!

Not you personally. It's the you that does what every new networker is told to do. Make a list of your friends and family and go sell/recruit them. People don't like to be sold. I have always found the hardest sale to make and the one I usually make the least money on, and the recruit I spend the most time on, is a friend or a family member. They are by far the hardest sell.

Why? Because when you first get into your new business you are at your least experience level both in terms of product knowledge, business knowledge and credibility. For example, let say you just joined an MLM that sells vitamins and let's say in the past, your friends and family never saw in you an interest in fitness, healthy eating. Infact you have always loved junk food, hate exercise and thought it was all a waste of time. Do you have any credibility? Do you think they will believe these are great vitamins simply because you say so.

Of course not. Now after you have lost 20 pounds and look 10 years younger using these great vitamins; do you think you would even have to tell them anything about the vitamins? No, they are going to look at you, see the remarkable results and want to know what you did to achieve that success. See you have credibility now. You have a receptive audience. Your product has told the story for you.

People don't buy products, they buy solutions. If your MLM doesn't solve a problem, you don't have a sale. So next time, save yourself the grief, make sure your prospect has the problem you have a solution for before you open your mouth. When I changed that one thing, I got back my friends.

[Dave Simpson Company: Zurvita Contribution Level: 2]

I'm going to have to side with Jan.. the reason MLM's scare off family and friends is because the person pushing it on them wants to grow so badly that they pretty much don't care if the people around them are even qualified for a networking business and they push it on everyone.

Just make your money elsewhere and they family and friends that ARE qualified will come to YOU.. OR if they are not qualified, they will see your success and start qualifying themselves..

good luck to you!

Dave Simpson

get my free ebook on basic home business education for newbies
http://www.FundYourLife.net

[Warren Contreras Contribution Level: 2]

When it comes to online business of any kind, it's my opinion that friends and family are the bottom of the barrel and waste more time than they are worth. I'll stick to getting leads online.

[Matt Koshko Contribution Level: 2]

Liekwise, Jan is on the money. Generally people purchase solutions. Yeah, of course there are impulse purchases or new "things" we want.

It would be like if a care salesman walked up to you to tell you features about a particular car and why it would be great to buy...when you're browsing through your shopping mall. Cold, hard approach, right?

The same goes for approaching family/friends about something they have no direct interest in before hand. Do you sell vitamins and they take them currently, but this could save them 25% off their existing cost? That's a different story.

So yes, there are MLM's that won't scare off friends & family but you are the most important element in the equation.

~Matt Koshko

[Randy Adams Company: Max International Contribution Level: 1]

You are the business no matter what it is and once you can show your family the benefits you are deriving from the business. Some of them may show some interest, but it's better to be in a position were you can show them your strength or success with the business otherwise the process to sell them will usually prove to be difficult. Say you have a weight loss product or program, if you can show a dramatic weight loss and have them notice it on you for example, the process should become much easier. Finally if you are in a business that you are really pro-active about that attitude by itself will help influence everyone you contact, including your family.
Randy Adams

[Leonce White Contribution Level: 3]

Yes there are MLM'S that won't scare off friends and family. First of all, as an mlm'er you have to understand that this business is not for everyone. For example: if I wanted to start an offensive lineman for a professional football team, I wouldn't ask my brother to come and play the position. He is only 6'2" 210 pounds. He is not qualified for the position. I would target college offensive linemen who have been succesfull at playing the position in college. Probably around 6'4 and 310-340 pounds.

The same is true for MLM, if they have never done network marketing (MLM) why would anyone even approach them about their business. In fact, as my mentor and friend Tom "Big Al" Schreider likes to say, they should be the last people you approach about your business. It shoudn't be until about 2 to 3 years later when your at Christmas dinner or some family function, that your family member or friend will ask you to tell them about your business because you are so successful. Basically, if they don't ask, you don't tell. Remember, they know nothing about MLM anyway, so why even mention it to them. That would be like asking them to play on the offensive line. They don't have an interest. I would only target those who show an interest in MLM online and offline.

Here is a good rule of thumb. If anyone ask you to make a list of family and friends when you join their business, turn and run the other way. Because, they are using 1959 strategies in 2009.

[Nathaniel Johnson Contribution Level: 6]

it really isn't the MLM that will scare ppl off, it's your pitch and how you go about introducing the opp. but generally I'd stay away from friends and family

[Richard Bravo Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 9]

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"MLMs Don't Kill People .... People Do."

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[Cathie Heath Company: Numis Network Contribution Level: 4]

First, I'd like to say that the majority of MLM/Network Marketing
companies are decent, legitimate companies...not rip offs.

To suggest that the majority of the industry is "bad" affects the
industry as a whole. True enough, there are a few scams
(emphasis on few) out there, but like in any industry,
there are going to be "bad eggs".

In my opinion...
Network Marketing is the greatest industry on the planet!

Starting with Jan, everyone pretty much hit it on the money about
NOT approaching your family and friends as a customer or a
potential business partner, so I won't repeat. But I'd like to suggest
that family and friends are your most valuable asset when it comes
to building your business.

Simply let them know what you are doing and ask that if someone they
know ever needs your products/services, that they give them your name.
That's it!!

Enlist their help instead of trying to get into their pockets, and you may
find that you're received in a much more positive way. (They may even ask
to look at your products)

I hope you find a company that you can believe in...they're out there...good luck!

Cathie Heath

www.cathieheath.com