4 Reasons Why I won’t (and you might) Invest in Network Marketing

Published on 04 September 2009 by Rod in Business Success, Favorites

View Comments

It’s been a great ride exploring the world of network and multi-level marketing. Our trip comes to an end and I’m actually pretty glad I got on this train. I’ve learned a lot by researching network marketing. I’ve talked to a lot of you reading this and those of you who are for network marketing have really opened my eyes to the financial possibilities. However, I still will not and cannot invest in it for 4 main reasons. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t. Let’s recap (This list will go backwards numerically only for this post);

Reason #4

Why I won’t invest in a network marketing business – making connections doesn’t equal sales (relationships with customers)

Why you might invest in a network marketing business – connect with like-minded individuals (relationships with other network marketers)

Reason #3

Why I won’t invest in a network marketing business – waste of money

Why you might invest in a network marketing business – income is only limited to your investment

Reason #2

Why I won’t invest in a network marketing business – Too time consuming

Why you might invest in a network marketing business – Let your empire do all the selling

And Reason #1 . . .

Why I won’t invest in a network marketing business – It’s not the vision God gave to me; When it comes to God’s purpose and destiny, I know that it does not involve network marketing. I’ve been blessed with being a steward over The Success Center and the impact of lives it brings on a daily basis. The money will follow in time but for now . . . I’m in the right place for this season.

Why you might invest in a network marketing business – God might give you the vision (wisdom, knowledge, and understanding) to start your own network marketing company; Every person that has tried to recruit me into a MLM business spoke enthusiastically about the founders of the company. They speak about how the founder came across a great product and with an awesome vision, started small and worked their way into millions. Well, why can’t you use that as an example and do the same?

And don’t give me any excuses about you not having the money, products, or time either! I’m sure that these founders that people speak so highly of didn’t have those either, but God made a way! And He’ll do the same for you!

Biblical Perspective

Matthew 6:33 (New Living Translation) says,

Seek the Kingdom of Godabove all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Take the scripture above to heart. If you’re going to join a network marketing organization or start your own MLM business, seek God and if it’s in His will for you, He’ll give you everything you need to succeed. I hope you all have enjoyed this series as much as I have researching and writing it. I’ll be putting together some of the series here and making them available as e-books very soon. There were a lot of extra things that I wanted to share with you, but I’ll just include it into the e-book. Stay tuned and look for it.

Let me hear from you, did I miss anything? Has your attitude changed towards network marketing businesses? Do you feel more compelled to invest in them or keep things rolling as they are. Your comments are always invaluable!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

About the Author

Rod

Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Deborah

Rod this is a sobering look at the world of MLM and network marketing and I truly appreciate it! I am new to network marketing as an Ardyss Distributor but it has been a blessing to me and my family. Is it my only stream of income or way to the success God has already said would be mine? Absolutely not. It is currently funding my primary business and I believe is simply a springboard to financing a few other projects God has shared with me.

Rod

Thank you for the comment, Deborah. I'm glad that network marketing is working out for you. I'm doubly glad that you understand that it's not your only (and final) stream of income. I honestly think it could be a good supplement to whatever you do entrepreneurially (If you're willing to work it).

bob hawkins

I tried to vote "yes" in today's poll and in firefox allowed everything safe, when entered vote it said "please chose a valid pole answer"......firefox box was a blue S thus your poll not working correctly

Rod

Hey, Bob, I checked the voting plugin and everything is ok. Try refreshing your browser and giving it another try.

Jaketha

Great topic! My attitudes has changed about network marketing since I came in contact with Mary Kay. Laurinda mentioned she was considering MK. I want to share with her my experience.

I knew going into MK that it wasn't my style but I was blinded and "drooling over the pink Cadillac Escalade" - yes, they have one of those. Anyway, within a few week/months, I knew I had made a mistake but I don't have the courage to own up to it. And til this day, nearly two years later, I am inactive, got products still in stock, some need to be thrown out, and still paying on a "MK Business loan".

Also, soon after joining, I felt like I had been had b/c some much wasn't shared with me early on. Like the $$$ benefits both my recruiter and the director would get if I remained active. All of sudden, I do all the work and yet they get commission checks off of my sells, I don't think so! Its a food chain b/c you gotta move up the chain and do the same thing to iothers if you really want to benefit from this type of org.

Like I said, network marketing isn't my style. I knew that going in. But the "sales director" said, "Every woman should try to sell Mary Kay at least once in her life" and like a sucker, I fell for that. The reason I dislike network marketing is because my belief is that to some measure God has given each of us the ability to creative. For me that means, the ability to develop my own products and services without the need to sell someone else's for them. Well, I put my heart and soul into development and means so much more and it shines through when its time to sell it, but that's my opinion.

Back to MK, I was told initially, that all I need to pay was $100, which pays for your membership + your starter kit, which you can't sell that for profit tho; its for "booking parties and facials". I was told I need to stock my store but no more details were provided. However, after you sign on the dotted line, now you are being told how you need to "stock your store", which means they want you to "fork over a lot of money to purchase the larger wholesale package possible" at $1,200, $1,800 or $3,600 even if that means taking out a loan to do it. (You need to purchase your first order within 30 days after joining - I think). This "stocking fee" isn't a one-time thing, since they want you to stay active, you have to keep buying items every month and they prefer you buy one of their packaged prices and the lowest is $600 every month for three months if you want to qualify for "star consultant" and all that stuff. The $200 package doesn't really count for anything. You have to buy a certain amt every quarter is what I am saying to reach for the prizes.

Needless to say, I realized that although I was very much interested in becoming a director, I had to be honest. God didn't call me to do this and it didn't even fit my personality. For example: I don't even wear makeup unless it is for a special occasion. So I'm not going to wear it every day in hopes of "booting a facial".

Secondly, I like to go where I need to go and get out of there. I'm not hanging out in a store or anywhere else trying to "give out my business cards to anyone whose skin looks sick". LOL!

Third, I don't like dressing up for weekly MK meetings, you really want you to attend the weekly meetings and you MUST wear a dress and maybe even dance to that stupid "Pink Cadillac" song. I'm a tomboy, no dresses for until I get married! LOL!

Most importantly, there is not retirement program with MK. To qualify for that, you make it all the way up to the very top and that's the "national executive senior sales director" or whatever that title is called. I'm like whatever!!!

Anyway, I said all of that not to discourage you from Mary Kay but tell you what people didn't bother to tell me. So if you are seriously thinking about it, be sure to talk to other people from both sides of the fence and really look at your personal finances and your personality. And of course, make sure you pray and seek God's direction before making a decision. I wish I had! God bless!

Laurinda

Attitude hasn't changed towards Network Marketing. I don't believe it's in my plan. However I was thinking about Mary Kay. Her company empowered women and allowed a lot of stay at home moms to earn income. I think it's about finding what works for you, what you are willing to put your time into and where the Lord is leading you.

Rod

Laurinda, I couldn't agree with you more. You have to have a unique understanding in who you are and what you ultimately want to achieve in life. If network marketing doesn't fit into "that matrix" then I would say, don't pursue it.