It is an interesting observation.

Tried asking people in the network marketing (or MLM) industry if they enjoy the work (the keyword here is “enjoy”), you would likely find totally opposite answers.  A lot of times, their “happiness” hinges on the outcome of their selling, or the success rate of their sponsoring new people into the company they represent.  Along the way, some find it hard to deal with rejections, and particularly rejections from their best friends and close families.  They are almost always on an emotional roller coaster ride.

Ask the people outside the network marketing (or MLM) industry. Almost all would perceive network marketing (or MLM) as a selling thing, to the point that they picture people casually do aggressive selling in the streets. As most people are not sales-types, they don’t like selling and they don’t like to be sold either.  As such, network marketing (or MLM) is not going to be anything exciting for them.

People earning good income and status from traditional professions or businesses generally see the excitement of wealth potential that network marketing (or MLM) could bring.  However, a lot of them cannot go past the idea of them “selling” to the people around them.  It is an ego thing.

I understand because I see it happen all the time.  I was actually part of these people going back some years ago.

Network Marketing (or MLM) can be real fun. It is even addictive if only we get to understand it better.

It is not selling. It is marketing. It is communication.  It is education.  It is consultation.  It is counseling.  It is about filling a need.  It is about providing a solution. (Robert Kiyosaki even said that networking marketing is the perfect business for people who wants helping other people.)

What is the difference between a salesman over the counter and a marketing professor?  One of them is more interested in selling you something regardless whether that something is relevant to you or not.  (I might be exaggerating a bit, but I hope you got the point.)

What about a vitamin sales lady versus a naturopath?

Selling is always short-lived.  If network marketing (or MLM) is all about selling, why don’t we just call the people “salesmen on the road”.  The fact that they are called network marketers is because these people set out to build a consumer base and a network of business partners – something that would last.  It is built on credibility and fulfilling a need.  These people are solution providers.  They are no different to other traditional professionals serving the need of others.

So for those network marketers out there who always do the work in the best interests of their prospects, you have done your industry proud.

Live Life, Junius.
p.s. you might like to get a piece of Rich Dad Poor Dad “Robert Kiyosaki”’s mind on the subject of networking marketing here.  Just click the link.