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Re: The good and bad of Network Marketing

blitzlocal — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:28:25 GMT

NatOnline is right--- a lot of CoC networking only matters if you have a strong referral base. Let your customers sell for you. If product or service sucks, who cares about the sales channel.

Thanks,
Dennis
analyst, blitzlocal.com
internet marketing for small business

Re: The good and bad of Network Marketing

promo.plan — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:23:42 GMT

Network marketing is a marketing has been around for a while and is based on relationship building, so it sounds to me you're referring to Multi Level Marketing. To me, It's a business model that it's getting more and more relevance in the 21st century.

The good is that if you work at it you can develop a regular stream of income. Then again, anything you work at is likely to get you that result.

What I don't like about it is that, except a few exceptions, is based on recruiting rather than selling a product and it attracts many people that are looking for a quick and easy way to get rich.

Re: The good and bad of Network Marketing

blitzlocal — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:09:13 GMT

CEO Space,

If I could give this post 5 stars, I would.
Great advice about MLM scammers out there.
Most of the network marketing products focus on scamming,
instead of delivering real value to users.

Dennis
analyst, blitzlocal.com
local advertising for your small business

Re: The good and bad of Network Marketing

blitzlocal — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:07:47 GMT

Network marketing, as opposed to MULTI level marketing, has been around forever.
The online component-- via affiliate marketing-- is growing, since trackability on the web is increasing.

Dennis
analyst, blitzlocal.com
small business advertising agency

Re: The good and bad of Network Marketing

CEO Space — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:19:03 GMT

1) I think the network marketing will be "a" business in the 21st century but not "the" business.
The vast majority of MLM or network marketing businesses only have about a 1% true success rate.

Even the very large and oldest company Amway (Quixtar) are running into problems and legally have to inform all new members that the average representative makes only a hundred or so dollars a month.

2) I have always said the pros of MLM or NWM are that anyone can join and the costs are relatively small. If someone is very motivated, they can start a business easily with all resources and training provided and since the upline have a vested interest in the new person, they get help. This is why Robert Kyosoki and Donald Trump promote them. It is an easy start for a motivated person.

The con is very often times the person who joins doesn't truly have an entreprenuerial mindset and doesn't have the drive, determination and time to make a success of it. Most of the upline will stop helping those who aren't "working" the business by attending meetings and bringing prospects etc. So most of the would be "business owners" end up paying monthly for a while or buying products (all which support the upline) and don't make any money of their own.

3) There are several forums where home based businesses and money making opportunities abound. Just search google for home based business forums. One that I know about is called whydowork.com forum.

I would caution you though. Since most business opportunities are low cost, those sites also attract all manner of scam artists promising get rich quick programs and often time offering outright illegal schemes.

I would only deal with MLM or NMM companies that are listed with the Direct Marketing Association
http://www.the-dma.org/index.php and the better business bureau http://welcome.bbb.org/.

Good Luck

Re: The good and bad of Network Marketing

Lighthouse24 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:50:02 GMT

I really don't understand why you're asking me to point you to information about YOUR OWN company. I haven't presented anything in this forum other than my OPINION -- that I would not use or recommend the service. Why is that an issue for you?

You can search SEC filings at: http://www.secinfo.com/ or on the company's own website.

I did not write that a "state Attorney General has a problem with Pre-Paid Legal." However, many state's websites warn that multiple complaints are on file and being investigated because: 1) associates (not the company) have grossly misrepresented the member benefits, 2) associates have used the term pre-paid legal "insurance" (rather than "services") in states where it is illegal to sell insurance without a license, and 3) employers may or may not be able to deduct the cost of pre-paid legal services (because it may or may not qualify as a legitimate employee benefit -- rulings have been made each way, and are still pending in some states).

As far as summaries of consumer-initiated complaints, yu can start with consumeraffairs.com.

While I doubt anyone else is even reading this thread anymore, it's worth adding that Barron's published a very balanced and factual article:

http://www.smartmoney.com/barrons/index.cfm?story=20060426

Are we done here?

Re: The good and bad of Network Marketing

Dao Marketing — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:21:44 GMT

Lighthouse thanks for responding, if you could direct me to the information you referenced, the sec report and which State Attorney General has a problem with Prepaid Legal it would be very helpful. Also which consumer groups have an issue with PPL. We will investigate and see if the issues were resolved.

Thank you, Dao Marketing

Re: The good and bad of Network Marketing

Lighthouse24 — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:53:45 GMT

The comment to which you refer was not in this thread, but in another post where you asked all business owners in this community for their opinion of pre-paid legal services (and where you urged us to purchase it as a critical "life saving" benefit for our employees).

In response, I offered my opinion: that I would not use it myself, nor recommend it to my employees. That opinion is not based on past experience as a user or member, but it IS based on facts provided by the company itself to the Securities and Exchange Commission (public record) as well as on information published by consumer groups and the state Attorney General. Even so, I did not present any of those facts to this community -- I merely stated my opinion.

Does that address your question or concern?

Re: The good and bad of Network Marketing

Dao Marketing — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:25:34 GMT

Hi Lighthouse24, well you said in the forum on employee benefits that you felt the plan had little or no value ans that you would tell your employees not to use it. Have you or someone you know been a member and had a bad experience if so i would like to know.
Thank you in advance.

Re: The good and bad of Network Marketing

Lighthouse24 — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:23:52 GMT

DaoMarketing: No. Why do you ask?