MLM Marketing; Is It All Bad



I remember the scene well. A bunch of us were gathered at a friend's house for a product demonstration for Sunrider.  I looked around the room feeling sorry for the other guest because many were as financially challenged as myself.   Let's face it, if you're familiar with this particular MLM company then you will surely appreciate that their prices are not for the faint of heart.  Oh why must folks burden their friends with their money-making endeavors.

I do believe that this particular pyramid scheme may very well be the worst of its kind. They're tactics were appalling.  It seemed no matter how much you spent it was NEVER enough.  You had to use this or that product with yet another product to reap the full benefits.  There was no end to the list of products that you "needed".  Then, there was this unending pressure to sell those products and doing so meant investing a lot of time and energy which only amounted to money in the pockets of those at the top of this pathetic scheme.


Sounds pretty bad right? yet, in the end what bothered me the most was the quality of product.  The bevy of  supplements, food and skincare amounted to a good seventy five percent higher in price then their worth.   I was still green and hadn't really learned what to look for in skincare and health supplements.  So I was a perfect candidate for the deluge of brainwashing that flooded each buyer and seller.   I do believe that Sunrider would qualify as a scam.

Does that mean all companies that use MLM marketing are bad

Since blogging I've discovered quite a few companies that use MLM; multi-level marketing, that are nothing like Sunrider.  A big difference is good products that are affordable.  Something that you wouldn't be embarrassed sharing with your friends or loved ones.    One company that I liked is called Younique.

I believe the secret to MLM marketing is to have realistic expectations. Don't expect to make a fortune, for the most part that is just a pipe dream.  On the other hand, supplemental income is a more realistic goal

Update:

I did a test of a company that delivers a quality product called Younique, I did this via a rep for the company.  I like the products so I had no qualms with promoted these products via my two blogs, treating it as I do other affiliate programs. My blogs do relatively well with beauty product conversions, thus I thought I would have some success with Younique, considering the efficacy and quality of the products. Sadly I had no success. This may be largely due to the plethora of other Younique reps online, thus squelching my posts.

The requirement for a rep is to sell $125 worth of products, thus resulting an a commission of $31.00 at 25 percent commission.  The rep I promoted did not reach this goal.  As a matter of fact, I don't think they had any success, and that was after several promotions which required quite a bit of time and effort.

Younique offers 20% commission which quickly goes up to 25%

Just because I didn't have success doesn't mean someone else won't.  As mentioned, I treated this like any other affiliate program on my site.  If your blog is more popular than mine, and if you are willing to do a little more work it may be worth it for you.

But, even if you have moderate success the downside is it's still a MLM program.  Thus, you won't be getting rich or even able to make a living.  At best, the monies made will be supplementary. The work involved in selling the product will probably be more involved than the worth of the scanty output.

Another way of garnering a small commission is via recruits, that is, those that you sign up to sell the products.   Thus, the pyramid.  

Any hope for MLM schemes?

I would imagine that if you were to find a new company with an outstanding product in its infancy then you may have success. The reason being this would enable you to be at the beginning of the pyramid thus receiving commission not only on sales, but also those that you were to recruit to be a sales rep for the company.

In the end my assessment of MLM marketing is it's basically a scheme.  Don't be fooled by company reps claiming fortune and ease of selling. Their ultimate goal is to get you on their team so that they can thus reap added commission from sales.  Which, in the end, are probably not worth the effort.

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50 comments:

LUCKYLADY48 said...

Reminds of that MonaVie Juice that was a scam pyramid scheme.

Unknown said...

I have never heard of Younique before, they sound lovely, and I would certainly try them out. MLM's do freak me out a bit -like many people but I have been open minded to my friends that sell threw them and try and support them as best I can.

tat2gurlzrock said...

These sound like nice products and a good way to make money.My only problem is I don't have much free time.

tatertot374 said...

I have not heard of it but it sounds like a wonderful product. Not something I could do at this time. Thank you for the chance!

intensev5 said...

I really love the Younique's Lucrative Lip Gloss because of it's plant based. I also like that these would be easy products to sell to others and I like the fact that there is a no fees start-up kit which is only $99.00 and contains $400 worth of products.

Lisa Breece said...

I like the the products are practical making them easy to sell. It's a win win and I think it's great.

FIBERONE said...

Thanks for the informative article. Younique products sound good.Bloggers of sites like The Consumer Adviser give good advice and can help us make better decisions.

latanya t said...

I want to try the three d fiber lashes. They have so many great choices.

Anonymous said...

My sister uses the products and loves it. I've never heard of the lip glosses but it sounds like a great product that I would love to try!

[email protected]

raven said...

I really love Younique's 3D lash mascara, awesome product

Anonymous said...

Bailey Dexter I love the 3-D Fiber Lashes, that product alone would get me thinking about selling. Great read!

Karla S said...

This sounds like a great oppurunity,and a nice company to get involved with. Would love to try some Younique products,and a $99.00 startup kit that contains $400 worth of products is very enticing!

Marian said...

This sounds like a great way for a stay at home mom to help with the family budget selling an awesome product!!

Amber said...

I've never heard of the line before, but i'm intrigued. I like the shades they offer.

Yvonne W. said...

Even though, I, personally, believe I would make a TERRIBLE sales person lol.. I do think this sounds like a great opportunity for those suited to sales and especially for homemakers and moms so they can make their own hours and have the flexibility of being home with their kids if they want to and still make an income with products they can be truly proud of and even enjoy themselves.

[email protected]

Unknown said...

I only know of MLM from back in the 80's when our family had very persistent neighbors who were always trying to get them involved in their "business plan"!

rochelle said...

I have not heard of this but would love to try this

Brianna said...

Younique sounds great! I've heard of their mascara from some Youtubers! To be honest, representatives are kind of annoying to buy from, I prefer site or store.

Unknown said...

I have heard of Younique and if I were interested in selling something, they would be a good company from all I've heard.

LabRat517 said...

This was a good overview of the Younique program and very persuasive. I haven't tried any of the products yet but the article talks about the quality and affordability. Excellent review by the Consumer Adviser.

Annie said...

Younique seems like a great line to sell or use. I have heard many great things about their mascara!

Annie said...

I have heard wonderful things about Younique to sell and buy.

Anonymous said...

These lip glosses look really pretty and I would love to try them.
heather [email protected]

Nancy said...

Multi-level marketing ventures are really not my thing.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Younique's Lucrative Lip Gloss is plant based and gluten free. This is very important to me and I also like that it is long lasting. thank you

alona y said...

I have very little free time, but I'm always researching ideas for bringing in some additional income! I am very leery of MLM's so I like to read of multiple people's experiences.

Melissa Clark said...

I love that Younique's lip gloss is gluten free! My mother has a gluten insensitivity.

Unknown said...

I haven't heard of Younique's Lucrative Lip Gloss before but I love those colors!!

tannawings said...

I have never heard of Younique but they sound like a good reputable company. I myself couldnt sell... honestly I am just to shy about those type of things and honestly dont know enough people to try it. It would be an excellent opportunity for some though.

jenna said...

I've always been wary of companies that have what sound like scams, but most have decent products. I just don't know enough people to even begin selling. I do like the colors of the lip glosses though.

Anonymous said...

Younique sounds like a good product but I'm not sure I would be the right fit for selling a woman's cosmetic since I'm male.

andie said...

I like that you receive payment once your commissions reach $50. Seems like an attainable amount to start. Also, being able to
start-up with no fee to begin is great for those on a limited budget. Only needing to sell $125 worth of products every three months seems achievable as well. I believe I have tried their lip gloss and I really did like it - thanks. [email protected]

Anonymous said...

Seems like a good line and good opportunity for some.

Jasmine P said...

Younique sounds like a great opportunity!

Anonymous said...

My friend is a representative, so far I've purchased the younique lashes and the eye shadow/pigment.

kbruson said...

This sounds like a great home based business opportunity!

Unknown said...

I hadn't heard of Younique before, but I love that the products are all-natural, and that the lip gloss is gluten-free. That is important to me and also to my daughter. Very interesting line, might be interested in selling.

Anonymous said...

A friend of mine sells these products. I wish I had the time to sell these products.

Erica C. said...

The lip glosses look nice.

susan1215 said...

These sound like nice products and a good way to make some extra money.

rj7777 said...

It does sound like a fun adventure. I had a friend who sells Mary Kaye and she loves it. I don't know that I would have the time to sell this product. I will pass it on to a few friends who might though. Sounds like they have some nice products too. Rita Spratlen

jlee said...

My MIL had some tough luck with some MLM ventures. But Younique seems reasonable and doable!

Nichole Bentley said...

I love Younique 3D Fiber Lashes and would absolutely love to try the lip gloss. Thank you!

susansmoaks said...

I have been thinking about selling something and these products really seem like they sell themselves. I like the idea of MLM.

Unknown said...

Most all women love lip gloss, these look amazing, and the colors are great, If you work some where there is alot of women or no alot of people it would be easy to sell these, most women buy stuff like this all the time. I would love to try this product.

Teresa Thompson said...

I haven't tried any of their products but they sound great. Love all the different shades.

Christy DuBois said...

I would say that I do not have a personality to want to sell products, even if I believe in them and use them faithfully. I have been told and do realize that I have an outgoing personality and can talk to anyone without the conversation feeling strained however, I do not like and do not want to work the hours it takes to make what I
Think I should make or have to give up my nights and weekends to work. I do see and believe that younique will sell itself, or some of the products do, and
There are parties on social media that I greatly favor over in home parties but am not sure thru are as effective as the in home parties. The bottom line is I do think Younique has many positives going for it that many typical companies do not offer however it isn't something I want to do unless, as you mentioned, I became a presenter for the incredible starter kit benefits and to sell to my family in order to stay active.

Jackie said...

I like lip glosses for a day time look, mostly because they can be much less dramatic than lip stick. You still get nice lip color without looking like you're wearing too much makeup.

Trisha McKee said...

This is a product that would sell well. Every girl uses lip gloss, right?

Elah said...

MlM is a marketing strategy and I am totally agree that not all MLMs are bad. I think the way people use MLM may couse losing investment I joined the six figure mentors a year ago and I learned a lot to establish my own MLM.

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