Lessons from a Failed Multi-Level Marketer
We’ve all got that mate, the one who’s been trying to sell you the latest range of game-changing supplements or meal-replacement shakes. I’m not against it, I like the idea of sharing something you really love and getting paid in the process, cha-ching.
It’s called Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) or Network Marketing; where you get paid to sell the products and recruit new distributors.
MLM is offering everyday people the opportunity to have their own business, be their own boss and transform people’s lives all whilst enjoying financial freedom without the physical restraints of working from an office…yep, seeya later cubicle life.
It’s not a get-rich-quick ponzi scheme. There are many Network Marketers who are either self-made millionaires or financially free – but you have to do the work to be a success.
However the business model is usually simple and easy to replicate and there’s lots of training and support available.
The concept is sound but it erks me that the everyday person is able to sell supplements with no formal training in health and wellness.
I signed up as a distributer to 3 (yes, 3) different MLM companies because I love the vision but I felt really irresponsible selling – sorry, sharing – products to people who are potentially sick, vulnerable and unwell.
I have nothing better than a Dr Google degree and access to a private Facebook group. What the fu*k would I know? I felt as though I was being really fraudulent and misleading people even through all the companies I looked at seemed really ethical.
These are the MLM business’s I joined –
Isagenix
Isagenix is a cleansing program that promotes intermittent fasting combined with nutritionally complete meal replacement shakes. The program claims to flush out the impurities (no, you won’t sh*t yourself skinny), enables weight loss and improves energy.
Isa people have a crazy amount of passion for their products, mission and lifestyle. They live with a greater sense of purpose, community and a mission to change lives and improve people’s health, wealth and wellbeing.
The company has created over 200 millionaires and has freed many people from the drudgery of cubical life. Isa openly promotes freedom, service and continuous self-development as their core values. It’s pretty cool.
I tried it for a week. The shakes make me bloated, I cheated on cleanse days and I really missed being able to chew my own food… suffice to say Isa was not for me.
To learn more about Isagenix contact my dear friend Clare Odell – these products changed her life all for the better.
YOR Health
YOR Health is a range of plant-based, organic, synthetic-free supplements, essential oils and personal care products that aims to improve your overall health and vitality in the cleanest and most chemical-free way possible.
The products are great and I’ve blogged about my experience with the YOR Health range here and the BARE Oils here.
Whilst the business side isn’t something I can see myself actively promoting (it’s a hell of a lotta work with slow returns) I do love the supergreens and gut health products. I use the essential oils daily and have the personal care products on back order.
To learn more about YOR Health and all the product lines reach out to my mate Pauly Shaw. I’ve interviewed him here – his passion for improving people’s health, leadership and entrepreneurship is infectious.
Kyani Trilogy of Health
My friend and Health Coach, Claire Obeid introduced me to Kyani. It’s a synergistic superfood system that’s comprised of three products each containing 1 of the 3 hero ingredients – Nitric Oxide, Wild Alaskan Blueberries and Wild Sockeye Salmon.
I didn’t want to try another MLM supplement and I thought that the Kyani website was super shit-house and the packaging looked really budget. But I was wrong and the products have been a game-changer for me. I take them daily for better energy, deep sleep and improved immunity.
The business is also quite sophisticated with most of the Kyani team running their business on their iphone via an app they developed, winning cars (foreals) and enjoying a very generous compensation plan.
To learn more about Kyani contact Claire Obeid, she’s killing it with her Kyani business.
My MLM Lessons –
There’s no such thing as a free lunch – Network marketing is a business. Be prepared to work. Your business will only grow if you give your time and energy.
The products are good – I liked all the products I tried (except the Isa shakes) and continue to take them
Practice ‘safe selling’ – Be responsible, you’re a Network Marketer not a Doctor, Naturopath or Health Coach. Encourage people to see a qualified health professional in conjunction with taking your products.
Skip the events – There is nothing worse than being surrounded by a herd of overly evangelistic supplement people. I would rather stab myself in the eye than have to endure another presentation or awkwardly present the same presentation to my friends and family.
Don’t spam people – Be authentic, don’t bother reaching out to your best friends second cousins husband who you haven’t seen in 10 years with a copy/paste email message about some rando business opportunity that they don’t care about. Its gross and it’s spammy.
Don’t bully people – Don’t tell a person they have an “abundance mindset issue” when they don’t buy your product or join your team (true story). That’s a really dick move.
Network marketing, do you love it or hate it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.