The Challenge in Online MLM

I am concerned. No, I'm actually worried. No, better yet, I'm down right alarmed. And you should be, too, if you think about the situation at hand!

Let's start with the bright side, the future that lies before us in Network Marketing. The stage is set, the seats are filling, the lighting is flawless, and the characters all know their lines! Or do they?

Network Marketing, that once scandalous industry that brought shame and ridicule on many otherwise fine, upstanding citizens, has finally come of age. Just about every main stream business publication including The Wall Street Journal, Success Magazine, Fortune, Forbes, Inc, USA Today, Smart Money and more have written about our industry. And, the articles are glowing!

We've made the breakthrough. We've become legitimate. We have books on the New York Times Bestseller list. Donald Trump is talking about us; writing books about us, and even starting his own company! And Former presidents are speaking at our conventions.

Yes, the future certainly does look bright enough to send me in search of sunglasses. So, "what is the problem?" you ask. Why am I in a state of alarm? Three emerging trends threaten the core of our industry.

First, everyday, a small, but very visible group of overzealous, under-educated and less than truthful representatives of our industry tarnish our name and hard fought integrity by telling others how they "went from welfare to millionaire overnight!" Or, how about this one, "I get paid for doing nothing." And, the granddaddy of them all, "Just sign up! You don't have to do anything, we'll build it for you!"

It's downright disgusting. And, if that weren't bad enough, we also have some representatives out there blasting every company that isn't their own. Some are actually using this as a platform for building their business.

It's the old "my dad is stronger than your dad" syndrome. Only this isn't happening on the school playground. It's happening in coffee shops, in large hotel presentations and on the Internet.

And lastly, some of us have developed a self-righteous, holier-than-thou attitude directed at those who decline our opportunity. I have read posts on message boards and heard recounts on company voice mail about would-be sponsors who piously tell the prospect who says no thank you, "well, I'll need someone to wash my car and mow my grass someday."

I actually read a message thread posted on the Internet over the course of two weeks between two feuding reps from the same company, name calling and slamming each other. It was a shameful display of the dark side of the MLM industry, and it was out there for everyone to read on the Internet.

Oh, the Internet. The things I have seen on the Internet. Everything else actually pales in comparison. The excessive littering and spamming of Newsgroups, message boards and email lists has left our industry bruised and battered. Some boards and newsgroups have actually shut down because they are nothing more than a SPAM feeding frenzy for wayward Network Marketers.

Now, don't misinterpret my words. I love the Internet and I love "shopping" my opportunity on the Internet...the right way. This means only posting to boards and groups that are designed for advertising business opportunities.


I don't believe in broadcasting to the masses through unsolicited emails, either.

These practices, harmless though they may seem at the time, threaten the integrity and viability of our industry. They undermine all of the blood, sweat and tears that many veterans have shed fighting to legitimize and
mainstream our industry.

So, I have a challenge for all of you either in Network Marketing, regardless of length of time, and for all of you considering joining our wonderful industry. And my challenge is this:

Look before you leap; think before you speak; evaluate every action that you take publicly that represents Network Marketing.

What do I mean by this?

Each time you represent your opportunity to someone, either in person, via the phone, on the Internet or whatever, think about the actions you are taking.

Are you being honest and up front with people about the reality of the time and energy commitment involved in building a successful business? Do you make them aware that our business is one of consistency and persistence, or are you painting a picture of a get-rich-quick scheme?

Are you acting with courtesy and integrity toward the individual and also the industry, leaving them with a positive feeling about you and the company and industry that you represent?

Are you operating with an abundance mentality, realizing that of the billions of people on the planet, you will find partners to join you? Or, are you operating from a scarcity mentality, believing that you have to coerce the person you're prospecting into "your deal?"

If the person you are dealing with has already been approached about your opportunity are you encouraging him or her to get back with that person and re-evaluate their options? Or are you giving them 50 reasons why signing up with you is the only way to be successful?

Are you involved in email "spamming", filling the email boxes of hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting, uninterested parties with uninvited information?

When a prospect says no do you act with dignity, courtesy and grace, leaving the door open in the future, or do you berate him or her for choosing not to join you?

When you use the Internet to shop your business, are you engaging people as a warm, living, breathing human being, or coming at them as a robot only interested in what each person in cyberspace can do for you and your business?

Every time you work toward building your business, think carefully about the words you say, the body language you use and the way that you leave each encounter. Would your mother be proud of you and your actions? If you can say yes, tremendous! If the answer is no, you have some reflecting to do.

If each of us would use the "seventh generation theory" when building our business (meaning that each move we make affects seven generations after us) our industry will continue to thrive, build momentum and further credibility as we move into this new millennium, filled with hope and promise.

What is the legacy you will leave behind in Network Marketing? What words will be spoken about you at local, regional and national company events?

So, again, my challenge to you is to build a successful, respected business for yourself, your company and your industry via the high road, avoiding the low road at all cost. We need your commitment to uphold the integrity of our industry, now more than ever.

I'm committed to the challenge, are you?

 

Jackie Ulmer has worked from home for over fifteen years, coaching and training thousands on the secrets to success in a home business. Contact her through her website at http://www.streetsmartwealth.com 

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