3 Reasons We Have A Love-Hate Relationship With Network Marketing

(photo credit: rachel marthaler photography)

These days it seems that everyone’s selling something. I can’t scroll through my Facebook or Instagram feed without seeing someone marketing something. From make-up to jewelry to supplements to a healthy lifestyle, you can buy almost anything through a friend.

I used to be one who sort of rolled my eyes at the people in direct sales. Sometimes I still do. “Really? You’re going to spam your friends and family with your products? Get a real job.” I didn’t understand why someone would potentially sacrifice relationships just to sell something. I didn’t understand why someone would want to be involved in those “pyramid schemes…”

Life always has an interesting way of keeping me humble.

Last year, I reached an all time low as a mom of four kids under three years old, and out of desperation I randomly bought one of those products I’d been seeing Facebook friends sell. It took twisting my husband’s arm to even try it. He thought it was unnecessary. I’m glad I fought and won the battle, because it ended up being one of the most important purchases of my life. I had amazing results and found myself at a crossroads. “Should I make a business out of this? No. Then I’ll be known as one of those people who peddles things. No. Just NO.”

3 Reasons We Have A Love-Hate Relationship With Network Marketing

1. We all have a story. 

There are plenty of successful network marketers out there who obviously do it the right way and are wildly successful. But unfortunately there are thousands who don’t. There’s a reason why direct sales gets a bad reputation. A big one is because most people have “a story.”  Most people have either joined a network marketing company or know someone who has. This is what goes through the mind of anyone who’s been involved. “Hmm…I can think of a few people who would probably do this too! My friend would be great! My cousin LOVES this kind of thing. I have a few contacts in mind who have large networks. Okay, I’ll join.” In other words, they aren’t joining a profession. They’re just hoping to get lucky, sign up a few people to make their money back, and sit back and wait for the money to roll in. Many of these people were drawn in because they thought they could just make money from their downline without putting in a ton of effort.

The truth is, they haven’t started a business at all. They’ve just purchased a glorified lottery ticket with a few scratch off spots. The spots represent each of the people they think they can get to join. They reach out to those people, but before they know it they end up turning them off to the idea. Their lottery ticket didn’t win them anything.

So they quit, and instead of taking any responsibility for not really starting their business, they blame network marketing and tell the world, “I’ve been there. Done that. It doesn’t work. Save your money.”

But yet we still know people who have ACTUALLY made it work, who are actually making a difference in the world, and we get a little jealous seeing them at home in the middle of the day, swimming in their backyard pools and taking their fancy vacations. And just a tiny bit of us wonders if we’re missing out.

2. The products might be good, but the marketing is annoying. 

I think most of us would agree that there seems to be value in the products offered by multi-level marketing companies. Most of us have purchased and probably been repeat customers. It’s the consultants, distributors, stylists, and coaches, however, who turn us off. We see them posting picture after picture of the products and it feels very salesy. We’re added to their private Facebook groups without be asked and we feel uneasy. We receive insincere invites that make us feel like they just want our money.

Becoming a network marketing professional means you realize that before it’s a make-up business, a jewelry business, a fitness business, or any other kind of business, that it’s a PEOPLE business. Network marketing professionals who succeed will be the people in our lives who are sincere and genuine. The ones who prioritize the relationship over the product. The ones who are consistent. They are the people who don’t need to convince you, because they’ll win you over simply by being a good human being. They won’t get discouraged when they hear “no” because they know that’s part of the process. Instead, their focus is to work with the willing. They’ll have a strategic marketing plan, but it won’t be like the rest of the white noise you’re hearing. It’ll stand out and give you confidence to trust them.

3. The cool kids aren’t doing it. 

Here’s the most important lesson I’ve learned about network marketing. If you want to be successful and help a lot of people, you have to be willing to accept a temporary loss of social esteem. Plainly put, you have to get over the desire to have a flashy title for a while. More importantly, you have to know in your heart that you have a purpose, work hard to help people everyday, and refuse to let negative feedback hijack your enthusiasm.

Network marketers need to recognize that a career in direct sales isn’t for everybody. Not everybody hates their job and wants to work from home. Not everybody wants to make some extra cash by selling a product, no matter how much they might love it. Additionally, network marketers need to up their game. If they’re actually going to make it, they need to treat it like a REAL job. They need to be a self learners, take responsibility for their business, and read up on how to actually BE a professional in the field. They need to stop the annoying Facebook posts that are all about you, you, you. Before posting anything, they need to ask themselves what value they’re bringing to their audience. If they want people to take the profession seriously, they need to act professional.

While there are network marketing posers who haven’t left a good impression, there are plenty of professionals who truly care about their clients and customers. They’ve found a way to turn something they love into a real business. Yes, they’re “selling” along the way. After all, any time we spend away from our families shouldn’t be given away for free. But most importantly, they are driven by their WHY. They are fueled by their PASSION to serve. They are HELPING others. They are the people who deserve respect.

To those of you doing it well, I say BRAVO! Thank you for inspiring us and giving us hope that network marketing isn’t a far fetched dream, but with determination and hard work, it can be a profession that helps thousands of people.

This world needs all kinds of people, including the network marketers. So while they’re learning the ropes, cut them some slack and extend them some grace. They probably have the best intentions, but just need to develop some skills. We’ve all been a rookie at something, and I don’t know about you, but I’ll never forget the people who’ve taken a chance on me, who have hung with me while I learned the ropes. Who have given me the confidence I needed to reach my potential.

XOXO,

Amber

P.S. For more reflections on parenthood and life, follow us on Facebook (Hun Let’s Run) and on Instagram: @ambermariekuiper and @jakekuiper! We’d also love for you to subscribe to our Hun, Let’s Run Podcast! For more info about joining our fitness community as a customer or coach, please email us at amber@mommysmetime.com!