It's No Secret That Network Marketing Has Received a Lot of Bad Press. Now Dean Garrison Addresses Some of the Myths.
By Dean D. Garrison
One of the toughest things to deal with in Network Marketing is the bad press that pervades the entire industry. I want to look at a few of the causes of that bad press because the solutions must start with each of us:
PROBLEM #1--EVERYONE SEEMS TO THINK THAT WE ARE ALL TAKING PART IN ILLEGAL PYRAMID SCHEMES.
This problem may never completely go away because a fair number of companies get shut down every year. The problem is that there really are a lot of pyramids out there and the government is really not going to sit back and let them operate.
Let me give you the totally unofficial definition of an illegal pyramid (keeping in mind that I'm not an attorney, nor do I play one on television). Basically a pyramid is a network marketing system built on people instead of products. Let me explain.
Pyramid schemes usually put more focus on money and recruiting and less on product. They either don't have a product at all, or the product is very weak (usually paper and ink that's way overpriced). You know what I'm talking about, right? You pay $50 a month to get a two-page newsletter. The 90 percent pay out hooks you in, but who would really pay that much if there was no commission opportunity? No one.
That's what the government is trying to protect us against and that's only right. The people on the bottom (and there will always be someone there) don't get their money's worth in these games. Pyramids are thinly-veiled schemes devised to make some quick money and they never last. Period.
Solution #1--First of all, you must avoid these illegal setups. Educate yourself and talk to people you trust (like your local postmaster). There are dozens of legitimate companies with good products that you will be proud to represent. Find a good company with good products.
Secondly, take the time to explain why your company is not a pyramid. Explain that pyramids are set up as a way to exchange money, and that there are no real products. Make sure they understand that your company offers superior products and the difference between the two types of companies. Offering a valuable product through network marketing is not and has never been a crime. On the other hand, chain letters and pyramid schemes will likely never be legal. Understand the difference.
PROBLEM #2: WE ARE AN INDUSTRY OF "MUD SLINGERS."
The worst thing we can possibly do as distributors is jump on one of these "mud slinging" bandwagons. We see them daily.
"Company XYZ is not delivering products on time, so I am moving my whole downline to company ABC.""The pay plan for company XYZ is criminal. I can't believe the company is ripping off its distributors like that."
"Come join us with ABC company and we will get you away from these rip-off artists."
The old saying is, "If you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all." When you continue those negative echoes, you hurt the whole industry, not just XYZ company. Why? Well, first off you're going to make XYZ distributors mad and they'll send something back like, "ABC company supports the killing of trees in South America," or maybe, "ABC company is run by an ex-pro football player who is a known womanizer and also was suspended twice by the NFL for substance abuse."
The point is that mud slinging can come to no good and this industry is full of it. Fortunately, there is a better way.
Solution #2--Why not use a classy approach that shows respect for your competitors? Say something like, "XYZ company is one of the great companies in network marketing. We can't take away from that. We just believe that we have more to offer. Read on and see if you don't agree..."
Thousands of new people are scared off by nay-saying distributors who do nothing but sling mud. Please don't add to this problem.
There are always positive solutions to every problem. We would appreciate your help in making MLM a better industry.
Dean Garrison is an independent distributor for Nature's Gold. To find out how you can become a part of his downline, call his 24-hour info line at 402-465-3475, ext. G3407.
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