What is Network Marketing?
Network marketing, also known as multi-level marketing or direct-to-consumer marketing, is a system that relies on a strong management team, dedicated coaches, and reliable distributors to bring products directly to consumers. With companies like Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Avon, Amway, Young Living, and Shaklee, network marketing companies are big players in giving consumers the products they want with the personal connection people crave. By allowing people to build home-based businesses, network marketing gives people the opportunity to achieve financial freedom and live the lives they really want.
A brief history of the industry
Network marketing is not the new kid on the block. In fact, this successful business model has been around and thriving for decades, proving that its viability as an industry and reliability as a career are both sound. Since before 1950, network marketing, or direct sales, offered people a personal way to purchase the products that would enhance their lives. Whether vitamins, supplements, Tupperware, perfume & makeup, or skincare products, network marketing has been enhancing people’s lives and providing jobs for more than 70 years.
Is network marketing a scam?
No. Network marketing, multi-level marketing, rather, has gotten a bad reputation in the past, particularly for being labeled a pyramid scheme. However, network marketing is fundamentally the same as any other business: management, mid-level management, and salespeople.
While making money in network marketing takes commitment, if you put in the time and effort, you really can build a thriving business on your own time, from your own home, and with a community of people, you build yourself. Network marketing is a people business. To be successful, you have to commit to it and be a people person. This does not make network marketing a scam.
Network marketing is not a pyramid scheme
By definition, network marketing simply cannot be a pyramid scheme. Why? Because a pyramid scheme is based on recruiting investors who are promised returns on their investment or services, not products. Generally, a pyramid scheme requires their “investors” to invest a sum of money to be able to recruit other investors. Network marketing, on the other hand, is fundamentally about selling products; recruiting subsequent distributors is a secondary concern.
- When you sign up with a legitimate network marketing company, you are not required to make an initial investment in the company to sell products.
- If the focus of the network marketing company is on the products, you are not about to commit to a pyramid scheme. If your primary goal is recruitment, find another opportunity.
- A network marketing company will adhere to an inventory buy-back program.
- If you are going to make more money for recruiting more people than you are from actual product sales, find a different business opportunity.
Network marketing is not inherently a pyramid scheme. If you have questions about the company you are considering to work with, talk to Mike Braden with Braden Consulting.
Mike’s success in network marketing to highlight potential
Mike Braden has more than 30 years of experience in network marketing. In that time, he has been honored to work with six different companies. In 2012, Mike joined Visi, and he has been the driving force behind bringing Visi to southeast Asia, expanding the company’s reach and sharing the beneficial products with as many people as possible. While visiting Southeast Asia, he realized the potential the communities had to build robust businesses and allow Visi and independent distributors the opportunity to thrive.
Network marketing and coaching is Mike’s full-time job, and helping and watching people succeed is one of his favorite parts of working in the industry.
If you want to get your start in Network Marketing and build your best life on your own terms, contact Mike Braden today.