What an interesting time we are all living in today, with so much happening around us we find the “opportunist” also popping their head into our lives. As you consider the amazing journey to becoming an entrepreneur you also must be aware of the opportunists that will emerge with the next best thing.
I received a phone call today from one of those “opportunists” selling me on her next greatest opportunity in a new MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) company. The amazing part of these individuals is they will say anything to get you to sign up under them, why is that? The key to a MLM is building a huge team underneath you, which you make money on as they sign up, then you also make money off everything they sell or everyone they sign up on their team. Don’t misunderstand me here there are some people that do well with a MLM or Direct Sales opportunity, however it is not for everyone.
As she began to try to “sell” me on her new found opportunity that she invested $495.00 to begin, she became very demanding and pushy. Each time I said no thank you, not interested in another MLM she became more instant that I hear her out for this totally “amazing, life-changing opportunity that will create financial freedom for women around the world, this is nothing like you have ever seen before.” What is more amazing is she wanted me to consider handing her $495.00 without knowing who the MLM company is, not something I am in the habit of doing.
There are two ways to make money in an MLM if this is the direction you are considering for your start-up business:
1) Recruit, recruit & recruit some more!
2) Be selling in the MLM/Direct Sales group for a long period of time
One of the sales pitches all Direct Sales/MLM groups will make is you can make your annual salary in months verses a year, there is no truth to that especially here in Southern California with so many saturations of these types of businesses in each community. If you look at their magazine published monthly the top sales are located in either rural/small towns in the mid-west or from those in the business for 10+ years.
The key to success as you consider launching your own business is doing your homework before investing in anything. Here are a couple of questions you can ask yourself before writing them a check or giving them your credit card number:
1) How much is it to start this MLM/Direct Sales?
2) Check the company’s integrity through the BBB or Google search the company
3) Determine if there is a demand for the product or is it a luxury
It is time for us all to start our Plan B, you just have to determine what direction you want to go in, how much time you are willing to invest and do you love what you are planning to launch. Tip for today: Don’t say yes right away to an “opportunist” if it is a valid opportunity it will still be there tomorrow, do your homework!
Robin Hardy is well known for her expertise in guiding men & women into creating tangible actionable results through Media Training, PR Consulting, Creative Development, Marketing and Business Plans. With over 12 years of experience Robin ensures that her clients create a solid sense of direction leading to greater profitability. Her methods empower people to stretch beyond their limitations, re-invent through a solid sense of self-esteem and deepen their levels of confidence for unstoppable success. Robin speaks nationally, teaches on college campuses and coaches individuals, small business owners and entrepreneurs. As Development Director & Feminine Leader for The Amazing Woman’s Day Movement she contributes her insights to empowering women entrepreneurs and business owners. Whether it be as an Empowered Options Coach, An Inspirational Speaker, An Author or host of Empowering you Radio, there’s one thing for certain; Robin is dedicated to helping others achieve their wildest dreams.