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[Lisa Drong Contribution Level: 1]

Hi! I really am very new to MLM, since the end of November. This is not an attempt to spam anyone. I have a legitimate, serious question. First, a little backround. I jumped right into an MLM business like an idiot, knowing absolutely nothing. I don't even know why...I guess it looked like a great opportunity and the thought of being able to help pay for my 8 kids college education seemed really good. Since that time, I have spent anywhere between 3-5 hours a night reading everything that I can get my hands on, and I still have so many questions. I am starting to understand things a bit more, especially after reading a variety of books, but this is what troubles me. I have come across more than one article saying that MLM is dead or it is a scam where only the top people profit. Just today, someone who has been talking back and forth with me by e-mail said that "your company is no better than NR (nueve riche). Still a pyramid and MLM doesnt matter how you lie to yourself or others." When you get an e-mail like this, it is very disturbing. I don't want to hurt anyone or take anyone's money. If MLM is a scam, then I am done.
Can anyone help me understand what this guy is talking about? My company markets a product which is real. We make residual income off of real customers and commissions off of people we get to join. Is that a pyramid scheme?? If a company is a "scam," wouldn't it be shut down?

Thanks....Hope I am not bothering anyone by these questions.
Lisa

[Carolina Millan Contribution Level: 2]

Dear Lisa, that's a very valid concern, however don't let other people tell you things they don't know about. I have sent you a PM to try to shed some light

[Ken Duggan Contribution Level: 1]

Lisa:

I am sorry to have read about your experience with such an uninformed and rude individual.
MLM is simply a way for direct marketing companies to pay distributors for their efforts and leadership qualities. Virtually all legitimate MLM companies use this pay plan instead of doing more traditional mass marketing. It is an excellent way to provide a more secure and potentially larger income for your family and have more time wiht them.

There are MLM scams, as with most other industries, look at the mortgage business and investing business!

I hope you picked your company well and that you persevere and prosper!

Take care,

Ken

[Lisa Drong Contribution Level: 1]

Thank you everyone for such great support. It really is what I needed. A person new to this industry can become very confused with all the negativity out there.
Lisa

[Juanita Waterman Company: Empower Network, LLC Contribution Level: 9]

MLM is not a Scam! here is what is
How To Identify Scams and Other Illegal Programs?
How To Identify A Scam:

An Attorney General would ask these two questions:

1 - Would a logical thinking person pay this much money for the product or service if there was not a business opportunity involved?

2 - Does the income stop when the recruiting stops?

If the answer to the first question is "No" and/or the answer to the second question is "Yes",
then it is a scam.

Don't become BUBBA BAIT!

To avoid sharing a cell with Bubba, avoid:

Cash Gifting Programs.
(It's NOT a Gift if You Solicit It,
Unless You're a Registered Charity,
and You Report Donations.)


Any Program where You Receive Hundreds or Thousands of Dollars
when Someone Joins, and Your Recruits Receive Nothing of
Intrinsic Value They Can Hold in Their Hands.
(Information is NOT a Product!)


Any Program Paying You Commissions on a
Monthly Website Fee.
(Commissions on Tools are Illegal.)
Hope that Helps
Juanita Waterman

[Kevin Brake Contribution Level: 3]

Hey Lisa, Don't put too much weight on this persons email. Just do some internet research on what is considered legal and what is not. The Attorney Generals office can probably give you some guidelines as well.

Hope This Helps,

Kevin P. Brake
660-366-4586

[Caroline Mbiayuk Contribution Level: 2]

Hi Lisa,

I see you have a baby there. I have got a few of my own.
It is tough to build this business today and just like any
other business, you need focus, you need a plan of action.

Network marketing is evolving everyday. And it has always
been very difficult for majority of folks to make it in mlm.
While it is not a scam, you will need to surround yourself
with people who have done it and are willing to help you.

The important thing to note is that this business is about
leadership. People will join you because they perceive you
can lead them to success. So my advice to you at this stage
as you learn about your company and its products will be
to focus on developing your leadership skills.

John Maxwell, has some wonderful resources on leadership.
I personally listen to Dani Johnson almost everyday. She has
some powerful teaching on building your network marketing
business. Do a search on both persons and use their free
resources.

If your network marketing business will grow, then focus on
your leadership skills. Once you are able to start teaching
others, the tendency for you to grow become enormous.

Network marketing is about you, not your company or the
product. That's the way you will grow your business.
You may sell a few products and may once in a while find
someone who will join your business. But until you become
a leader the big money in network marketing will proof elusive.

This industry is a wonderful industry. It will pay off, if you don't
give up and if you don't quit.

Caroline

[Rick Salas Company: Monitium Contribution Level: 2]

I couldn't agree with Abw11 more Lisa. In the business they are called dream stealers and whatever you do don't pay attention to them. They just don't want to see another succeed. If you learn some of the ways to market your business with attraction marketing you could do very well. Your Network Marketing business is just a place to make money on customer purchases until you build up a large downline. You need at least 100 members in your downline and it's best if you have a low cost information product related to your target market that funds your Network Marketing business to be able to make the long term residual income. That's why so many Network Marketers fail in the business. Hope this helps.

Rick Salas

[Bruce Reid Contribution Level: 2]

Hi Lisa,

Here is a great online resource that clarifys the difference
between pyramid/ponzi schemes and legitamate mlm.

http://isitapyramid.com


All the best
Bruce

[Lisa Drong Contribution Level: 1]

Thanks for all the great advice.

Bruce - I visited the site you recommended and just spent the last 45 minutes reading. What a great site! If my "friend" decides to accuse every MLM as a pyramid scheme again, I will refer him to this site.

I really cannot thank everyone enough for taking the time and giving me reassurance and great information.

Lisa