Are You a Direct Sales/MLM Vampire?
Direct Sales And MLM – Are you a marketing vampire?
Direct sales and multi-level marketing businesses are quite common among work at home professionals, and that’s not surprising. These types of businesses offer an effective business model with a plug and play marketing system, and if the company has been around for awhile, a product that has proven itself in the marketplace. They also typically cost very little to join and have the benefit of a support system with the upline organization.
Then why do direct sales and mlm have a poor reputation?
Sadly, it often has to do with the methods the consultants and representatives use. Some of them can be quite vampirish in nature.
Are You An MLM Vampire?
I compiled a list of some of the more unsavory tactics I’ve seen people resort to in an effort to build their mlm or direct sales business online.
1) Troll message forums for fresh blood.
If you are a member of dozens of message boards but have the number 1 in the “number of posts” field in your profile, if you come to an internet message board or email group simply to blast your ad and then leave, offering nothing of value to the community, and if your Introductory post reads something like:
”Just wondering if there are any other ‘XXXXXXXX’ reps here.”
Sorry, but you might be an MLM Vampire.
2) Not minding your manners.
If you prospect long lost high school buddies and unsuspecting grocery store clerks, instead of looking for the people who are actually interested in your business opportunity and product, and if you view everyone as a prospect, you might also be an MLM vampire. Also true if you ignore culturally acceptable standards of conduct (like the one that says it’s bad manners to ask someone how much money they earn) in order to push your business on everyone within “3 feet” of you.
3) The dark side.
If you use pseudo-science, urban legend, and scare tactics to enlighten potential customers, then sorry – you’re a vampire. If you promise recruits that they will work once and get paid for life (which is probably not true, given the high turnover in MLM and other factors)… Guess what? You might be an MLM Vampire!
4) The freaks come out at night.
What if you join newsletters of legitimate online marketers then spam them with your biz op? While you’re at it, don’t require an opt in for your newsletter. Just use your email client, and make sure all the other people’s addresses appear in the “CC” field in your email program. Then, get defensive when someone with a real email marketing plan politely asks to be removed.
Will you come to the light?
Direct sales guru Kim Klaver encourages reps and consultants to build a real, sustainable business. She says they should first figure out who their target market is. Then, search for those people to sell the product to. This will build a solid customer base that provides you with recurring income.
Sounds like a great plan to me.
And no garlic required!
Carrie Lauth can help you develop a plan to build your business using the power of the internet. See her coaching packages here.
