But... Isn't That MLM?

I've heard other internet marketers who were involved in network marketing programs (MLM companies) say that they had been discouraged to work their business because it was MLM. This had not happened to me, until just very recently.

Yesterday someone that I know well asked me regarding my online business: "Well, isn't that MLM?" Then proceeded to inform me that I shouldn't count on that as my main source of income. (As a note, this person did not have any real experience in this industry.)

Apparently the network marketing industry has received a bad reputation - at least in some circles.

Okay, what is MLM?

MLM (as most people know) stands for Multi-Level-Marketing. When you strip off any stigma involved in it, it's simple definition is: "...a business model that combines direct marketing with franchising" (from Wiktionary Online Encyclopedia). So -- it's marketing with the right of a franchise for a particular business product.

What's wrong with that?

As long as the product being dealt with in the franchise is of good quality and the franchise owners are compensated fairly - nothing.

Many companies are adding MLM to their already-successful marketing techniques, because it is actually a completely valid, relatively inexpensive and successful way to get their products into the general public.

Here is the main message that I want to relay about this: If an opportunity presents itself to you, look it over for yourself and don't allow your decision to be swayed by any type of stigma attached. Great opportunities can be missed by listening to others' opinions rather than acting on your own!


About the Author:

Tonya Brisnehan is a work-at-home mom
and successful internet marketer.

Starting an Internet Business

Starting a home internet business is a bit of a frightening proposition to some people. I believe that the reason for this is it appears to be a bit risky to not have the regular “9 to 5" security that most folks are used to. The security of having a job is valid, but is an internet business really risky? My answer to this question is most definitely “no”. I've been in business for myself part-time successfully for a number of years, now full-time.

How does someone actually make it work?

The first answer is most obviously by knowing the ropes. You should have a good idea of what you are doing and how to go about it. Get some education on not only any company or product that you are working with, but how to go about marketing it successfully. There are many good resources (e-books, online video and other types of instruction programs) available, as well as other online educational resources such as forums, blog sites, etc.

One useful strategy – find a type of marketing that you like, do it until you are completely familiar with it, then try another (maintaining the first type as well). This is a form of education in itself, and will give you experience and security with your marketing.

A willingness to really work on it is also key to success. It's not “sit back and eat bon-bons and watch the money roll in” like many programs would have you believe. It's not. It is work, and sometimes with very long hours, especially in the beginning.

Overall, there really is nothing like working for yourself. The benefits are there to be had, and from my standpoint they far outweigh any negative aspects of the work. The internet offers nearly anyone the opportunity to make “working from home” a reality.

If you're interested in getting off on the right foot, there is a company online that helps people to learn any type of (effective and successful) internet marketing called Wealthy Affiliate University. I recommend them highly. They can walk people through the process of learning and really stress the "know before you go" aspect of it. Great guys. Anyhow, you can check that out here:

Click Here to Visit Wealthy Affiliate University