Loading...
Answers
MenuDo you agree with multi level marketing business?
I am very interested to know whether you accept MLM business or not since I am going to run my business using MLM software.
Answers
As a consumer, I'm a big fan of disintermediation as a business model. I can buy a mattress for under $1000 that would have cost 3-5x that because of companies like Casper and Leesa. I'm not paying for a bloated, unnecessary supply chain to get it to me.
MLM introduces more hungry mouths to feed by the nature of it's business model. Where is that profit comings from? Three possibilities
1. Nowhere - the company is operating at a loss
2. The consumer - paying far more than they would for an identical good to support the passive income lifestyle used in recruiting materials
3. Failed distributors. There are pyramid scheme investigations for huge MLM companies making in some cases under 20% of profits from 'non-distributors' ie real customers.
I'm not in favor of any of those so I do not agree with multi level marketing business. Not here to make an ethical argument, it just doesn't add up from an economic perspective.
Multi-level marketing is a direct selling marketing model with a very good potential to expand businesses. It offers entrepreneurial and substantial income opportunities for individuals irrespective of age or qualifications. The MLM industry has also seen numerous individual and corporate success stories that stand as a testimony to the potential of the industry.
A detailed analysis of launching and managing an MLM business is well outlined in this blog article (https://www.epixelmlmsoftware.com/blog/how-start-your-own-mlm-business-and-guideline-follow).
Choosing a reliable MLM software provider can also help you in streamlining your business operations. It can simplify complex MLM processes such as lead generation, commission management, distributor management, customer acquisition, and retention thus making your task of managing the business easier.
Unethical businesses exploit the model to trap individuals for financial gains. This has cast a shadow on the business model putting it under the constant scrutiny of regulatory authorities. Industry bodies such as direct selling associations and the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council regulate businesses and individuals toward maintaining ethical business practices. Hence while thinking of launching a new business in the industry, it is important to make sure your business aligns with industry-standard compliance and legal regulations. You must also focus on upholding customer satisfaction and implement effective strategies and tools to foster a positive and productive business environment.
Hey!
Short answer: MLM marketing is about the products and payouts. Do your research in the company before you invest. All MLMs are not created equal.
I hope this helps.
What's frowned upon is not the growth model but that business model. Do you make money signing up people for bogus products only to have them push for signing up more people and get commission?
That's a shady MLM. An MLM that hires with that process but does so for tangible products, non commission enrolling, and actually makes 80% or more off the sales of products or services is nothing to be ashamed of.
Related Questions
-
What are best strategies to sell LED light tubes and industrial lighting/lamps online a) in general and b) on amazon?
I'd ask Rocco Baldassarre. He is the best online marketing consultant I've ever seen and can surely give you concrete advice. Said that, my advice would be a) your own e-commerce store so you can drive traffic to it without losing money on commissions b) learn from best selling products (you can see sales ranks of competing products if you register as an amazon affiliate marketer; it's free) and copy their structure, split test regularly Hope it helps!CM
-
How do you get your first customers for a consulting business?
Back when I started LinkedIn wasn't as huge as it is now. I wish it was. I didn't have a large network and those networking sessions NEVER brought me any clients. I used to go to all sorts of them hoping to get clients. There were a couple of nibbles here and there, but never anything serious. The only thing that helped was reaching out DIRECTLY to people in my target market. That meant cold calls and cold emails. I'd sell myself while thinking about their needs. Once I got a few bites I'd build good rapport by keeping in touch, asking questions, repeating back what they were saying so that they knew I was on the same page and kept my promises. If I said I'd call them back next Tuesday at 2:15 I'd do so. Eventually I built trust with them without having a network, or an insane amount of experience. Oh and the most important thing about consulting is to LISTEN. When those first clients notice that you're truly listening and you're not selling the cookie cutter solutions everyone else is trying to sell them that's when you got them hooked. You start to understand their problems, fears, and see through their eyes and not just yours. A network will help, but in the beginning just good 'ol salesmanship will get the ball rolling.JC
-
How much equity should I ask as a CMO in a startup?
Greater risk = greater equity. How likely is this to fail or just break even? If you aren't receiving salary yet are among 4-6 non-founders with equivalent sweat investment, all of whom are lower on the totem pole than the two founders, figure out: 1) Taking into account all likely outcomes, what is the most likely outcome in terms of exit? (ex: $10MM.) Keep in mind that 90%+ of all tech startups fail (Allmand Law study), and of those that succeed 88% of M&A deals are under $100MM. Startups that exit at $1B+ are so rare they are called "unicorns"... so don't count on that, no matter how exciting it feels right now. 2) Figure out what 1% equity would give you in terms of payout for the most likely exit. For example, a $10MM exit would give you $100k for every 1% you own. 3) Decide what the chance is that the startup will fail / go bankrupt / get stuck at a $1MM business with no exit in sight. (According to Allman Law's study, 10% stay in business - and far fewer than that actually exit). 4) Multiply the % chance of success by the likely outcome if successful. Now each 1% of equity is worth $10k. You could get lucky and have it be worth millions, or it could be worth nothing. (With the hypothetical numbers I'm giving here, including the odds, you are working for $10k per 1% equity received if the most likely exit is $10MM and the % chance of failure is 90%.) 5) Come up with a vesting path. Commit to one year, get X equity at the end. If you were salaried, the path would be more like 4 years, but since it's free you deserve instant equity as long as you follow through for a reasonable period of time. 6) Assuming you get agreement in writing from the founders, what amount of $ would you take in exchange for 12 months of free work? Now multiply that by 2 to factor in the fact that the payout would be far down the road, and that there is risk. 7) What percentage share of equity would you need in order to equal that payout on exit? 8) Multiply that number by 2-3x to account for likely dilution over time. 9) If the founders aren't willing to give you that much equity in writing, then it's time to move on! If they are, then decide whether you're willing to take the risk in exchange for potentially big rewards (and of course, potentially empty pockets). It's a fascinating topic with a lot of speculation involved, so if you want to discuss in depth, set up a call with me on Clarity. Hope that helps!RD
-
How was SnapChat able to grow so quickly?
I'm answering your question assuming that you hope to be able to replicate it's own success in your own mobile app. There are a couple of factors responsible for it's growth that are instructive to anyone building a mobile app. "Leveraging the intimacy and privacy of the mobile phone." We now have an *intimate* relationship with our phone like no other device in the history of technology. Every internet company that started before around 2010 has built their core interactions around "the old web" one which was accessed primarily via a browser on a computer. Companies that start with a clean slate, should be building their interactions around how to do whatever the app is supposed to do while leveraging what is unique to people's relationship to their mobile devices. Photo-sharing has become a core part of the way we communicate now. Snapchat built something that provided an experience that leveraged the feeling of privacy and intimacy that is unique to mobile. "Provided an escape from the "maturity" of other online services." Too many parents, aunts, uncles and other "old people" have encroached into the social networks of teens and young people. As a result, they've had a desire to find places to express themselves in places inaccessible by older generations. An important distinction is that it's not just parents and relatives that young people are trying to avoid, but also employers & colleges who are increasingly using "mature" social networks to review applicants. "Leveraged PR even bad PR" The fact that the app got so much press about it being used to sext was perfect PR for the company, as it essentially reinforced the brand experience that it has today. Essentially, "if it's safe enough to send a sext, it's safe for any kind of communication I want to have." And although the safety and security of Snapchat is actually not as advertised, it still enjoys the reputation of having less impact than any primarily web-based service. Building a successful mobile application is one of the hardest challenges to face designers, programmers and entrepreneurs in the history of writing software. Happy to talk to you if you're considering building a mobile app, about what I've learned about the "table stakes" for success.TW
-
Where can I find programmers willing to join a growing mobile start up for equity only?
You won't find anyone worth adding to your team willing to work for equity only, no matter how compelling your product and business is. The realities of the talent market for mobile developers anywhere is such that a developer would be foolish to work only for equity unless they are a cofounder and have double digit equity. Happy to talk about hiring and alternatives to full-time hires.TW
the startups.com platform
Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.