Multi-level marketing (MLM), otherwise known as network or referral marketing, is a strategy in which businesses sell their products through person-to-person sales. When consumers join MLM programs, they act as distributors. Distributors make money by selling the product directly to other consumers. They earn a small percentage of sales from those that they recruit to do the same – often referred to as their “downline.”
Aspect | Explanation |
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Definition | Multi-level Marketing (MLM), also known as network marketing or direct selling, is a business model where individuals (distributors or affiliates) earn income through selling products or services and recruiting others into their downline organization. It typically involves a hierarchy of distributors with commissions earned at multiple levels. |
Key Concepts | – Distributors: Individuals who join the MLM company to sell products and recruit new distributors. – Downline: The network of distributors recruited by a distributor, often with multiple levels. – Upline: Distributors above in the hierarchy who recruit and support those in their downline. – Compensation Plan: The structure and rules governing how commissions and bonuses are earned and distributed. |
Characteristics | – Recruitment Focus: Emphasizes recruiting new distributors as a primary means of earning income. – Hierarchical Structure: Distributors are organized into levels, with each level having its own earning potential. – Sales Commissions: Distributors earn commissions on their sales and the sales of their downline. – Products or Services: Typically, MLM companies offer products or services that distributors promote and sell. |
Examples | – Distributors selling health and wellness products to their social networks. – Distributors recruiting friends and family to join their downline. – Earning commissions on the sales of recruited distributors. – MLM companies promoting beauty and skincare products through a network of affiliates. |
Advantages | – Flexible Business: Offers flexibility in terms of working hours and locations. – Income Potential: Provides the opportunity to earn commissions not only on personal sales but also on downline sales. – Entrepreneurial Opportunity: Allows individuals to start their own businesses with low startup costs. |
Challenges | – Recruitment Pressure: MLMs often require continuous recruitment, which can strain personal relationships. – High Attrition Rate: Many individuals drop out without achieving significant income. – Regulatory Scrutiny: MLMs are subject to regulatory scrutiny to prevent pyramid schemes and ensure fairness. – Market Saturation: Some markets may become saturated with distributors, making it challenging to recruit new members. |
Adoption Trends | MLM remains a popular business model in various industries, including health and wellness, beauty, and lifestyle products. However, it has also faced criticism and regulatory challenges in some regions due to concerns about its business practices. |
Conclusion | Multi-level Marketing is a business model that combines direct selling of products or services with a recruitment-focused structure. While it offers flexibility and income potential, it is important for individuals to thoroughly research MLM opportunities and be aware of the challenges, regulations, and potential risks associated with this model. Careful consideration is necessary before participating in an MLM program. |
The difference between multi-level marketing and pyramid schemes
Many equate multi-level marketing with sometimes fraudulent and often illegal pyramid schemes.
However, individuals who invest in MLM can make money through sales alone without the need to recruit others.
Multi-level marketing also incorporates high-quality products that serve a purpose – the classic examples being Avon and Tupperware.
Pyramid schemes, on the other hand, rely on income being derived by recruiting as many people as possible.
The quality of the product is also low, overpriced, or simply doesn’t work.
Furthermore, pyramid schemes do not offer the possibility of inventory buy-backs and are not backed by research into consumer demand.
Whatever the marketing strategy, it is important to understand that the presence of a pyramid selling structure does not automatically make it illegal.
The reality is that MLM businesses are the same as any other; their success or failure is dependent upon finding, attracting, and then selling to a target market.
Examples of successful multi-level marketing businesses
Home, health, and beauty company Amway is the largest MLM company in the world, with close to $9 billion in annual revenue.
A landmark ruling in 1979 confirmed that Amway was a legitimate business and not a pyramid scheme.
The aforementioned Tupperware is perhaps the most well-known example of a successful MLM company.
With annual revenue of $2.26 billion and almost 3 million distributors, their line of durable kitchen products are synonymous with food storage and are much sought after.
Companies such as Digital Altitude and Tecademics are also using multi-level marketing.
They sell business systems to entrepreneurs that teach them how to market their own companies while also receiving income from referrals.
Advantages and disadvantages of multi-level marketing
Advantages
Multi-level marketing is well placed to take advantage of the surge in popularity of freelancing and the gig economy.
If businesses do their product research properly, then MLM can also leverage word-of-mouth advertising and increase recruitment levels.
Multi-level marketing also gives each distributor the flexibility and empowerment of growing their own “business” as they recruit more and more people in their downline.
Disadvantages
Because of the association with pyramid schemes, businesses that employ multi-level marketing strategies should expect closer scrutiny from regulatory bodies.
The stigma that still surrounds multi-level marketing amongst consumers also means that businesses might find it difficult to sell their products.
Resistance might also be met when businesses ask their distributors to buy large amounts of a product without the guarantee that it will be sold.
Furthermore, the freelance nature of MLM means few entitlements such as insurance or paid vacations.
These factors mean that, to some extent, MLM businesses are at the mercy of their distributors to make a profit.
Case Studies
- Herbalife:
- Herbalife is a global nutrition company that employs MLM to sell a range of health and wellness products, including supplements and meal replacement shakes.
- Distributors, known as Herbalife Independent Members, earn commissions on product sales and can build teams of distributors beneath them.
- Herbalife has faced legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny regarding its MLM practices.
- Mary Kay:
- Mary Kay is a well-known cosmetics and skincare company that operates through MLM.
- Independent Beauty Consultants sell Mary Kay products and can recruit others to become consultants as well.
- The company is famous for its pink Cadillac incentive program for top-performing consultants.
- Nu Skin:
- Nu Skin specializes in personal care and anti-aging products, employing MLM to market its offerings.
- Distributors are compensated through product sales and can earn bonuses by building and leading sales teams.
- Nu Skin has faced legal issues related to its MLM practices in the past.
- Young Living:
- Young Living is a prominent MLM company in the essential oils and wellness industry.
- Distributors, called Young Living members, sell essential oils and related products, earning commissions on sales.
- The company emphasizes the benefits of essential oils for health and well-being.
- Usana:
- Usana Health Sciences focuses on nutritional supplements and personal care products.
- Independent Associates sell Usana products and can recruit others to join the MLM network.
- The company emphasizes science-based nutrition and quality products.
- Advocare:
- Advocare offers nutritional and wellness products through MLM.
- Distributors, known as Advocare Independent Distributors, sell products and can earn commissions by building a downline organization.
- Advocare has gone through significant restructuring and legal issues related to its MLM model.
- Oriflame:
- Oriflame is a cosmetics and beauty company operating in more than 60 countries.
- Consultants, or Oriflame Brand Partners, promote and sell beauty products and can sponsor others into the business.
- The company places a strong emphasis on natural ingredients and eco-friendly practices.
- Scentsy:
- Scentsy specializes in fragrance products, particularly wax warmers and scented wax bars.
- Independent Scentsy Consultants sell products and can recruit others to become consultants.
- Scentsy’s MLM model centers around home fragrance and personalization.
Key takeaways
- Multi-level marketing involves an individual consumer deriving an income from selling a company’s products. The consumer also derives a percentage of the sales income from consumers who they manage to recruit in their downline.
- Multi-level marketing is not a pyramid scheme if it features high-quality products and doesn’t rely on recruiting others to make money.
- Multi-level marketing gives consumers the freedom and autonomy of running their own business, but it comes with attached stigmas and extra scrutiny.
Key Highlights of Multi-Level Marketing (MLM):
- Definition: Multi-Level Marketing (MLM), also known as network or referral marketing, is a sales strategy where businesses distribute their products through person-to-person sales by individuals who act as distributors. Distributors earn income by selling products directly to consumers and receiving a percentage of sales from those they recruit into their “downline.”
- Differentiation from Pyramid Schemes:
- MLM allows distributors to earn money through product sales without solely relying on recruiting others.
- Quality products are a hallmark of legitimate MLM companies, whereas pyramid schemes often involve low-quality or non-existent products.
- Pyramid schemes focus on income generation through recruiting, while MLM emphasizes selling actual products.
- Successful MLM Examples:
- Amway is the largest MLM company globally, with nearly $9 billion in annual revenue, and has been recognized as a legitimate business.
- Tupperware, a well-known MLM company, generates annual revenue of $2.26 billion and boasts millions of distributors.
- Companies like Digital Altitude and Tecademics use MLM to sell business systems to entrepreneurs and generate income from referrals.
- Advantages:
- MLM aligns with the gig economy and freelancing trends.
- It leverages word-of-mouth advertising and encourages recruitment.
- Distributors have the flexibility to grow their own “business” by recruiting others.
- Disadvantages:
- MLM businesses may face closer regulatory scrutiny due to associations with pyramid schemes.
- Stigma around MLM can make product sales challenging.
- Distributors may be required to purchase significant amounts of inventory with no guaranteed sales.
- MLM lacks certain entitlements like insurance and paid vacations, relying on distributors for profitability.
Is MLM a pyramid scheme?
Multi-level marketing is a form that follows a pyramidal structure, where people at the top bring in more affiliates, which might also affiliate others.
Multi-level marketing can effectively outsource a salesforce, one of the most expensive cost centers for most companies.
However, when the multi-level scheme’s main aim is to bring more affiliates in, you get illegal schemes rather than enable the underlying product to find more distribution.
In short, the main distinction between legal and illegal multi-level marketing is whether there is a foundational product that gets sold or if the scheme becomes the main product.
In the latter case, changes are the multi-level marketing scheme might be illegal.
What is an example of multi-level marketing?
Take the case of a software company that invites other affiliates to sell its software and gain a percentage of the sales as a result.
These affiliates are incentivized to build their affiliates’ teams which can distribute the product in a much broader market. One example is Herbalife.
For a multi-level marketing scheme to work and be legal, it needs to emphasize creating an affiliates’ team to sell the underlying product to potential customers.
When affiliates are prompted to be the primary customers purchasing the underlying product, multi-level marketing can turn awry and into illegal schemes.
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