Entrepeneur.com BizOpp Zone: “Looking for an inexpensive way to start a part-time business? Network marketing, also known as multilevel marketing (MLM), is one business opportunity that just may fit the bill. Many recognizable brand names — Tuperware, Mary Kay Cosmetics and Amway, for example — fall under the network marketing umbrella. These type of programs feature a low upfront investment–usually only a few hundred dollars for the purchase of a product sample kit–and the opportunity to sell a product line directly to the people you know. Most network marketing programs will also ask you to recruit sales reps who will become your downline. As their recruiter, you’re entitled to earn commissions on their sales as well.”
Christopher Potts on May 26th, 2004 at 9:11 pm
Buyer beware! Most people involved in an MLM do NOT make anywhere near the kind of money they strive to earn. The MLM (AKA Make Little Money) industry as a whole has seen its best days come and go. I should know–I failed miserably in two MLM’s before I finally found the non-MLM company 3-years ago that truly gets one-to-one marketing and mass customization.
Annie on September 10th, 2004 at 6:15 pm
Some do work, but you have to work them. I recovered my cost very quickly and I am just a school teacher. If the company sells good products that people need & want (travel programs, health care discounts, tax software for home based businesses) it does work.
Dr Walter Young on January 7th, 2006 at 9:59 am
Mr. Potts
Sorry to hear you have had a terrible experience MLM. for us it has been our first time in the buisness and MLM for us stands for Making Lots of Money. As a Physician it is imperative to have a state of the art product for the Baby Boomers and one that pays our abundantly, and we found it. Products endorsed by the AMC Cancer Institute and one of a kind Anti-Aging and Immune Science leading edge winners.
Cenay Nailor on September 23rd, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Christopher,
I think it is a little unfair to suggest that MLM as a whole doesn’t work, when it is clear you are “promoting” something different. A failure in MLM isn’t the fault of the business model, but rather an unwillingness to treat it as the legitimate business it is. MLM isn’t about getting rich quick. It’s about building a long term leveraged residual income using the same business model that companies like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Kodak, GE and others use. It’s not only possible, I am teaching people to do it.
Perhaps you just needed a better business mentor?
Cenay Nailor
Jennifer Baccellieri on October 5th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
One business opportunity that doesn’t work like a typical MLM, but is set up where you make a commission and bonus checks from your downline - is for the Amethyst Biomat. If you have any background in alternative health, this is a fun product to market. There is real potential to make great passive income. I’ve been having great success with it - a product whose time has come.
Kathy Caruso on January 9th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I think mlm are the way of the future. We are involved in a a few different ones. I just started with My shoppingenie.com/kathycaruso/ because it is an affilate of eBAY and brand new. I can do it while I just have a few minutes break. It does take a little effort but the long term results are fantastic!!! It is nice to know I have other options than going to an office.
Blair Erwin on January 9th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I have seen many different MLM opportunites and know how some make empty promises. I also know that you can make money in the right ones. I have found one that I believe to be the best out there and one that will change all other MLM companies. I made my money back in the first week and have had a tremendous response with my reruiting. I hope the rest of you find an opportunity like this one. Good Luck To all of you.
Will on January 9th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Those who are at the top of the MLM pyramid, truly reap all the benefits. On a side note, you mentioned Mary Kay, having interned there during college in the I.T dept, I must say that they really do have the incentives to keep one going, consistently urging their reps to find new suckers, but the payoff is nice, if you can actually climb the MLM pyramid.