What’s the deal with all the MLM bashing? 
Here’s a little rant for ya.
Today’s post was supposed to be about self-syndication with one of the other tools I use. And then I came across some knucklehead bashing MLM and Network Marketing. Wanted everyone in the world to understand that ALL MLM’s are scams and the only way to make any money is to be at the top of the “pyramid” and be willing to rip off your friends and neighbors by convincing them to throw their money down the drain by buying in to the “illegal scheme.” What?!
Morons.
But I guess MLM bashing pays well
Apparently it must.
There’s lots of mlm bashing going on out there. They use twisted logic and “stupid math” to prove their spurious allegations. I guess they’ve never heard of Amway and the epic battle that heroic company waged against the FTC. I suppose those who engage in mlm bashing would rather Amway had lost, and the tens of thousands of successful distributors would be forced to work jobs and never realize their dreams and goals. Doomed to scraping by on social security because some dumbass president with the help of Congress decided that certain banks were “too big to fail” and pulled them out of the hole they dug for themselves.
But that’s a topic for a political blog, not one dedicated to helping would-be entrepreneurs break free from the endless cycle of debt and work.
So here’s what I have to say about mlm bashing
In the following video I spend a few minutes pointing out the fallacy of the mlm bashing knucklehead’s arguments and state my opinion. I’m proud to be in the direct sales industry. I’m glad there are hundreds of opportunities to choose from. I’ll do everything I can to end mlm bashing and let people know that sales is an honorable profession and that network marketers, affiliate marketers, mlm’ers and direct sales people aren’t crooks, scam artists or con men. They’re people showing other people how they can get out of debt, enjoy more time with their families and live the lifestyle that all are capable and worthy of living. And that’s a good thing.
Dave Kotecki Rants About MLM Bashing
And PLEASE don’t use the word “scam” in you articles, videos or ppc campaigns. I don’t care how much you think it helps your SEO or traffic.
If you do, you’re just adding to all of the mlm bashing that goes on out there.
17. May 2011 at 18:41
Hello Dave,
I feel you on the constant NWM bashing.
I have found that most of these jokers have tried MLM/NWM and did not put in the necessary work required to be successful, thus, it has to be a scam right?
In my humble opinion. MLM/NWM has not only made, and is still making, people rich and setting them free, but, the industry has also brought some of the greatest benefical heatlh products to the market that may not have otherwise made it to the marketplace.
People have gotten so many real health benefits from the products MLM offers, yet the FDA does not allow you to say the product helped cure up a sickness you suffered with.
Sadly, even with Warren Buffet, Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki endorsing the MLM/NWM industry, you will still have the A-Holes running around hollering scam.
They need to take a look at their corporate job structure. Now that is a scam.
Great post and passion on the subject.
Cheers,
Willie
Willie Robertson´s last [type] ..Internet Marketing And The Trust Factor Pt 4
17. May 2011 at 20:10
Bravo Dave!!! Well said. This is a message that deserves to be spread around far and wide. I’ll do my part because I know I couldn’t have said it better myself. You’re incredible
Cheryl James´s last [type] ..Poor Economy Means More Opportunity
17. May 2011 at 21:47
Dave,
Thanks for calling out the bashers. You have alluded to one thing that irritates me too. Internet marketers use psychological gimmicks to sell their wares, without much regard for the truth. Ad headlines that include the word “scam” seem to attract frustrated buyers. In many cases they didn’t work, and they are happy to be told that “it didn’t work.” One of the most popular ploys is “It’s not your fault.”
Although I admit that I don’t have accurate statistics, anymore than internet marketers have, I suspect that the percentage of successful internet marketers is about the same as the percentage of successful offline marketers. Maybe about the same as succeed in real estate sales or entrepreneurship.
One reason that so few persist and follow through in network marketing is that the price of entry is so low, compared to traditional businesses. It is easier to quit when you have only invested a small amount. If anyone worked half as hard and as long at network marketing as they work on their regular job, they would probably succeed. I know I have worked much less than half as hard at MLM as I worked at jobs, and I have reaped incredibly high reward, including RESIDUAL incomes higher than the jobs paid.
Buddy Hodges´s last [type] ..Social Capital Futures
20. May 2011 at 20:07
Hey Buddy,
All I can add to that is to say I agree.
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
20. May 2011 at 20:08
Hi again, Cheryl.
Sometimes I get it right. At least in some people’s opinion.
20. May 2011 at 20:13
You’re dead on, Willie.
I don’t think I even mentioned it in the video, but this guy actually WAS in MLM and failed. Big surprise, eh? MLM and direct sales ARE making people rich and will continue to do so. That’s why I’ll never quit. It’s fun and it’s a great way to make a living. That’s why I gotta keep telling people about it. I want to help as many people get out of their jobs and into the business of living life the way it should be.
21. May 2011 at 09:36
Hi Dave,
I’ve found that the ones that are usually bashing MLM’s fall into many categories:
1. They haven ever owned or thought to own their own business. They have bought into the American Dream, you work your butt off for 40 years for the man, then retire with your gold watch. And everything falls into place, they reward you for your loyalty.
2. They are people who cannot stand to see anyone a. Happy and b. Successful! There’s got to be something illegitimate about it! If I cant do it, NO ONE can! Bitter, unhappy people that cant see the sun for the cloud cover.
3. People who are afraid, afraid to take that step outside the box. These are the wannbepreneurs but just cannot bring themselves to try. I dont feel good, I’d never be good at it, I dont have the money, I dont know enough, no one would buy from me, I dont know enough about computers, I cant talk to people…….. get it?
4. Those who have tried and gave up! Know any of these types????
5. Those who have tried and failed??? Not to far off from #4, but they’re the know it alls now, because they cant make a go of it, NO ONE can! Its impossible, you’re set up to fail!
These are the types of people we want to stay away from, they probably wont be convinced otherwise, and its just a waste of your time.
If you can think of others, feel free to add more!
21. May 2011 at 10:06
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your “rant” and for saying what many of us are thinking, might have said, and feel/understand/agree with. There are a few issues here – one is apparently someone – somewhere – has decided that the term “pyramid” is automatically followed by the word “scheme”. OK – really? I have also learned in my many years on this earth that when people have misguided preconceived ideas, time to move on….. why waste your time even bothering to try to change these people’s minds? Next….
Julie Weishaar´s last [type] ..The World is Going Mobile …
23. May 2011 at 02:16
Hey Dave,
Love this post, good on you for having a rant. I too get sick and tired of all the mlm naysayers. The primary argument seems to be, “well it’s just a pyramid.” What these people seem to forget is that every company in this world has a pyramid structure.
For example, you have the CEO at the very top, then the president at second position, then the managers come in third, then front line supervisors, and last but not least the ground floor workers.
You’ll never see a ground floor worker earning more money than the manager just because he is doing more work, or the manager earning more than the CEO. Yet in mlm you can earn more than the founders if you work hard. This fact is always overlooked by mlm bashers.
Time Sales, a well known network marketer can testify to this fact. I have one of his eBooks where he says that he has 2 affiliates in his organization that make more money than he does! And he makes millions.
I love mlm, period.
Paul
Paul Beamon´s last [type] ..Is Network Marketing for You
25. May 2011 at 01:10
Wow Dave! I love your honesty, and the clarity and power in your delivery. But I wouldn’t want to get on your wrong side. LOL!
I know of NO other way to be successful in the long run, than MLM/network marketing. Sure, there are some companies that are flawed in their policies & procedures, or their compensation plans. But if the company is established on a firm foundation, nothing can beat it.
Thanks for a fantastic article, Dave.
Willena Flewelling
Willena Flewelling´s last [type] ..Canary Sky – Tenerife
25. May 2011 at 07:27
hi Dave,
Unfortunately this is not uncommon behavior for so many. It stinks that the negative perception of network marketing is a hurdle that so many have to jump to get people to even listen.
Nice video and I like the fact that you are trying to change those negative perceptions, one viewer at a time.
Talk soon,
Kevin
Kevin Schmidt´s last [type] ..Could Honesty and Integrity be the Secret Key to Your Dream Business
31. May 2011 at 18:57
Hey Dave! I definitely agree with you. It really does get old but I just sum it up to being uniformed and uneducated on how the industry really works. Some people just don’t “Get it” and never will.
But then again, while there is a lot of MLM/Network Marketing bashing out there, it’s NOTHING compared to the JOB bashing that goes on yet the masses are still working a J-O-B that they hate. Do the math…. Working for The Man! for 40 years with nothing to show for it is just plain crazy to me.
Laura Paulson´s last [type] ..Google 1- What Do You Think
1. June 2011 at 04:33
Dave,
Living in a small town I don’t have to go very far to get the opinion that MLM is a pyramid scheme.
Example show someone a compensation plan and they see something that vaguely resembles a pyramid then guess what…
Like you I am tired of the stupid rhetoric.
Steve
Steve Shoemaker´s last [type] ..30 Day Update On My Personal Development Plan
2. June 2011 at 06:35
Hey Dave,
Yes, sales is an honorable profession, and one of the highest paid ones in the world. Obviously, those knuckleheads want some scraps from that big fat pie the easy way by complaining. Your post is a direct hit on their heads with knuckles, eh?
It takes courage for one to come to terms with himself, that maybe he ain’t suited to sales and then make a dignified exit for something more suitable. But no, he wanted to protest, gain notoriety and hope some bucks fall on his head!
There are more ways to make money than there are banks to count them!
Yasser
Yasser Khan´s last [type] ..Not Enough To Go Around Think Again
2. June 2011 at 12:52
Y’know Leslie, the most disturbing thing about your post is the first reason most would bash MLM.
Since when did the American Dream consist of getting a job? Well, it happened right before home ownership. Which happened right before whatever.
The American Dream is, was and shall forever be taking advantage of what others don’t see, producing things that have never existed before, and lifting lots of others because of our ability to do so.
It’s not that I disagree with your post, it just saddens me that there are people out there that honestly believe that the American Dream is a consistent paycheck.
2. June 2011 at 12:55
Hey Julie,
I laughed when I read your comment. Especially the part where pyramid is followed by scheme. Nice. And you do remember the comparison between changing someone’s ideas and wrestling with a pig, don’t you?
8. June 2011 at 06:02
I appreciate your forwardness Dave. There will always be that group of people who think they know it all. There will always be that negativity and that mindset of “there’s no such thing!”
I have heard, as I’m sure you have as well, the different story telling of someone they knew of that had failed in network marketing because it doesn’t work. From “My auntie tried that and it is definitely a scam” to “It’s not a company I’ve heard of so how can the products be any good…”
You name it we’ve all heard it. People that have attitudes and closed minds are the same people I don’t associate myself with today. These are the very same people that decided a 9-5 life is what works for them because “that’s the way of life…” blah, blah, blah… Taking out a mortgage loan, having a family, buying cars, working a day job for a boss, and having bills, bills, bills is a natural part of life.
Okay, enough of that
. Anyways, thanks for talking about this topic Dave. Let’s continue to make it clear…that network marketing and this industry of online marketing is one of the BEST things in life that we can discover to make things happen!
-Jaclyn Castro
Jaclyn Castro´s last [type] ..A New Understanding of Sponsoring & How to Make It Work for You
8. June 2011 at 12:21
Hello Dave
When I read your title about ranting, my expectation was a rant. Instead I was pleased with a real authentic person who is very objective and presented truth. My question if people get hurt in MLM what about the people who work for corporations (pyramids) that terminate people, take away benefits so that their numbers yield larger bonuses for the executives. In this changing economy people need this information.
Thanks
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City
Perry A Davis Jr´s last [type] ..Network Marketers! What is your most important tool
14. June 2011 at 00:06
Hi Dave,
Ah, I always love a good rant! You’re rather well mannered whilst ranting!
Unfortunately, there are a lot of false claims made in this industry and quite a few scams so I understand the cynicism but totally ignorant people generalizing about something they don’t have a clue about is a pity.
I’m with a wonderful company whose products I believe it (and use!) and I’m making money… whenever I get any silly comments I ask them how they think I’m able to stay at home all day!
Great post Dave!
All the best,
Emma
Emma´s last [type] ..TSA iWowWe Tribe
15. June 2011 at 22:29
Dave,
You are a leader among men for taking this stand to bring truth to your viewers. MLM bashing at it’s core is just another form of bullying. I was a part of the MLM world for over 20 years and walked away for my own personal reasons. I do not talk negative about the MLM world and never will. I admire those dedicated enough to make the money and relationships they deserve during their journey to success. Always take the high road is my advice for anyone encountering bullying or bashing of any sort.
Blessings -
Terrific Tonya Heathco
Terrific Tonya Heathco´s last [type] ..NSDF- Our Position in a World of Ignorance
2. July 2011 at 11:43
Dave,
You really do like the rant as you said earlier on my blog! This was definitely a good one.
Andy
6. October 2011 at 23:06
Wow.
Thanks for such a powerful and heartfelt comment Tonya.
6. October 2011 at 23:10
Hey Emma,
Thanks for the comment. I actually pride myself on being able to deliver a good rant
So good to hear that you’re with a good company and a good team.
6. October 2011 at 23:12
Hey Perry,
Yep, you’re right about the corporate thing. Lots more people get hurt losing their jobs than losing at networking.
More and more, people are starting to see that this is a great way to get out from under the corporate thumb.
6. October 2011 at 23:14
I’m glad you liked it, Jaclyn.
I know too many people making too much money to believe it’s not a great way to do business.
I could name a dozen off the top of my head and you’d know their names. Heck, I even met a
guy that was making 7 figures a month! How’s that for “doesn’t work”?
14. October 2011 at 07:30
Hey Dave,
The people who cry mlm bashing are just ignorant people. They need a scapegoat for their failures and unwillingness to pay the hard dues of learning how to become a professional marketer, creating multiple streams of income and become the person they must to “have it all”.
I wish people wouldn’t use “don’t join xyz until you read this” or “is xyz a scam?” Because both of those speak to those who cry scam NOT understanding how to market.
Having said all this, cry scammers don’t intimidate me, or you or any other pro out there. Millions are joining a home based business every month and it’s those people who SEE the vision and GET the opportunity they have before them. Not everyone is cut out for true entrepreneurship.
Debbie Turner´s last [type] ..Online Network Marketing Tip That Google’s Customers Love
14. October 2011 at 10:01
Right you are, Debbie.
I personally don’t understand it, but there’s lots of things people do that I don’t understand
I don’t use those terms. Although I see lots of people doing it, and trainers saying it’s a good idea, I just don’t like it. It’s a decision I made a long time ago. It’s like the money question. I don’t tell people how much money I make (and I give them the reasons, as per sales training). I just think it’s none of their business. This has got to be the only profession where people think it’s OK to ask how much money you make.
Yeah, I don’t mind the people whining about being scammed. There’s plenty of other people who are determined to make more of their lives. Those are the ones I’m looking for