“Isn’t Network Marketing a scam?” is a question I’m asked from time to time when I mention what I do. I write on various topics, frequently not even business related. So some, finding value in spite of what I’ve written , are surprised to find that one of the business models I use and even promote is Network Marketing. (You can read an overview of which business models I use to put together my “multiple streams of income” right here. The specific businesses are linked throughout the blog.)

My first answer is generally to laugh and say, “Yeah, right! I’m a scammer now!” To which they respond uncomfortably that of course they know I’m no scammer but they’re wondering what’s the deal with network marketing. Am I maybe involved in a pyramid scheme and just don’t know it?

So of course, the first concern some people have about network marketing is whether or not it’s a scam. Is it really legal?

Secondly, I guess some people have known way too many fanatical “mlm-ers” and are afraid I’m going to start drawing those ubiquitous “circles” (you know what I’m referring to! ) people used to draw on white boards in living rooms and country club meeting rooms all across America, and asking them to sample some laundry detergent or super-duper vitamins! Frankly, there’s an unspoken skepticism about the value of most Network Marketing products, especially when dealing with most of those I promote, which are high-ticket products and services. So people wonder, “Even if it’s legal, are the products a scam?”

Additionally, people are tired of hearing a lot of hype about income potentials and they’re tired of being hounded by high-pressure salespeople who just don’t understand the word no…the kind of people who, because of their pushy tactics, are part of the NFL club…”No Friends Left” club…not a club anyone wants to volunteer to join! So people wonder, “Even if it’s legal and the products are decent, isn’t it a pretty scammy choice of profession?”

So, over the next few posts, I’m going to address these questions related to whether or not network marketing is really a scam.

Of course, you can figure that my perspective will be overall positive, but I hope you’ll take the time to read how I navigated my own season of skepticism and concern and why I am comfortable with and confident about one of the choices of industries I’ve chosen to use as a vehicle for multiple streams of online income…the network marketing industry.

You might also already be involved in Network Marketing and frustrated from time to time that you’re misunderstood. I hope you’ll check back for suggestions on how to avoid being part of that “NFL club” I mentioned above!

More often than not, people are simply curious. So whether you’re a skeptic, a convert, or you’re just curious, I hope you’ll check back for this series.

And please, if you have something to contribute to the conversation, positive or negative , please comment. (Please no bitter rants or blatant spam comments on “the only good opportunity in the world” ! LOL! Comments are moderated! Be good!)

Expect success!

Stevie Knight

“Is Web 2.0 Marketing really for Network Marketers and useful for Network Marketing or is it just more hype?”…is a question I get all the time. Just today, I was frankly amazed when a network marketing acquaintance of mine stated that “web 2.0 marketing” was just not duplicatable as a marketing method and really, truly, offline face-to-face would always produce the best results in a network marketing business. Now this guy is a pretty savvy network marketer. I had to wonder how many people think like he does and are missing out on the greatest opportunity in the last 2000 years to tap into the global marketplace?!!

So what’s the deal with “web 2.0″? Is it hype and a scare tactic thrown out by Internet Marketers to finally get Network Marketers to buy all their stuff?!! LOL!

I just had to break it to this guy that, longterm, anyone who is not getting familiar with Web 2.0 marketing will be left in the dust by those who take the time to understand and go through the learning curve. I can guarantee that!

It’s not about hype…it’s about technology and trends and the strengths of marketing online. Anyplace (even on the other side of the world from where you are), anytime (even while you’re cozy in bed sleeping), the internet can connect people with you whom you’d otherwise never get to connect with.

My friend’s statement against the use of web 2.0…”The most duplicatable system is face to face”…is exactly why web 2.0 is so powerful! These web 2.0 methods give people a sense of “face to face” that is certainly not exactly the same as seeing you in person, but it’s frequently more powerful and more persuasive! For marketing, especially for growing your Network Marketing business, web 2.0 marketing is like “face-to-face”, “belly-to-belly” marketing on steroids that Network Marketing gurus and hotshots have been emphasizing forever, making your marketing efforts even more effective and efficient online, using “New Media” marketing tools.

Through videos, pictures, interactive dialog on one’s blog or on a social network site or a myriad of great tools evolving more and more usefully each day, web 2.0 marketing allows you to share who you really are with people so that they can “know, like and trust” you. People will be far more interested in what you promote when they feel informed and confident about who you are. For example, my myspace site hasn’t been updated lately, but if someone wants to know “Who is Stevie Knight?”, my myspace site will give them some insight, a starting point for getting to know me.

I’ve been offline for about a month or so due to my father’s illness and subsequent death. In that time, however, people have still seen my myspace page, have still seen a few videos and some contacted me to connect further. Now my myspace page is not even current, nor is there much content on it yet that would be helpful to others….(but that’s about to change!..stay tuned!) but it’s far more info than most people would get from me over coffee at Starbucks! It allows people to connect authentically and that’s what this business model is all about.

Take a myspace or other social network or blog and present yourself for who you are and you’ll be surprised who can’t stand you and who can hardly wait to work with you. Either way, people who encounter you in these ways first quickly disqualify themselves, or you, from a further business relationship or, because of the feeling of familiarity they now have, they may want to get to know you better.

Online “face to face” is just as easy to teach your downline, though not as familiar, as offline “face to face”, only far more powerful and wide reaching. It simply involves using the various new online marketing mediums to present your authentic self and the value you bring, including your products and services, to others and attract leaders into your business. It’s the ultimate application of “attraction marketing.”
Web 2.0 is not some vague concept in the future. It’s where you should be now.

While I’m not an expert in Web 2.0 Marketing, I’m an enthusiast who has spent a lot of time studying this over the past year and I’m enjoying implementing it. So watch what I’m doing…check out the articles I’ll be writing on this subject…use the tools I recommend…and see what happens to your business!

Disagree or have an opinion to share? Leave a comment…

Expect success!

Stevie Knight