5 Bad Reasons to Get Involved in Network Marketing

08/26/2010 By Angela 41 Comments

5 Bad Reasons to Get Involved in Network Marketing

We all have our reasons to get involved in network marketing. It can be a wonderful way to earn anything from a small supplemental income to a very healthy full time income. A problem can arise when people get involved in a network marketing opportunity without realizing what they have got themselves into or are motivated to join for the wrong reasons. Many people that are new to the industry do not realize the amount of work that goes into it or they just do not have a clue about how to go about doing business the right way. This can lead to people giving up and thinking that network marketing does not work. Network marketing does work if you know the skills needed and are willing to do the work, period. That being said, there are some bad reasons for getting involved in a network marketing opportunity and if these are your reasons for joining you should reconsider.

1.Getting involved to earn “easy” money. Many network marketing companies will promote their company as a super simple system that anyone can do and make hoards of money without a lot of effort. If this was a true the failure rate would not be as high as it is. The truth is that to be successful you do have to have knowledge, acquire new skills, learn marketing, take massive action and have some patience. You have to be prepared to learn many new things and you WILL have to work for it. Make no mistake about that!

2. Thinking that a network marketing business will be free to run. This is a big mistake because while you can get in your company for very little investment you do need to invest either money or time to make your business grow. There are free ways to grow your business but it involves putting in time. So you will have to use your resource of either time or money so it will not be completely free to run.

3. Getting involved because you think the product is so great people will be knocking down your door to get it. This can be a huge mistake and a lot of people make it. Your companies product can be the be-all end-all in your eyes but not everyone is going to feel that way. Plus if you don’t know how to market yourself correctly this can be a stumbling block, network marketing really is so much more than just the product you sell.

4. Joining a network marketing company to help out a friend or relative. If you are only joining a network marketing company to do a favor to a friend chances are you are not going to have a lot of success. Unless you have a passion for the friend’s company and really are interested this is probably not a good idea. You are not really doing your friend a favor if you are not really interested and will not put any effort into the business. You should join a network company that fits your style, dreams, goals and lifestyle not your friends.

5.Getting involved to earn a lot of money quickly. A lot of network marketing companies have testimonials out there that say something like-”I was able to make $1000 my first month and within 2 months I am making a full time income.” This could be the case for a select few people but this is definitely not the norm. A testimonial like this might be from someone who joined the company in the beginning and brought their whole downline with them. It could also be someone who is at the top of the company and knows exactly what they are doing. There is lots of money to be made in network marketing but in most cases it is not going to happen this quickly. Persistence, patience, marketing skills, and action are all required to succeed here.

Network Marketing can be a really awesome way to make money and offer you a ton of freedom. However, if your motivation for getting involved in network marketing should not be based on any of the reasons above. Find the right company for you and join it for the right reason. Network marketing will pay you like a business if you treat it like a business.

I would love to hear what you think are other bad reasons to join a network marketing company. Leave me a comment and let me know.

I always appreciate you sharing my posts with your friends on the social networks!

About the Author Angela:

I love living life to the fullest and I am complete believer that life is what you make it. I love to empower and encourage others to go after their dreams. Why not? Life is too short not to enjoy it or go after what you want.

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Filed Under: Network Marketing Tagged With: bad reasons to get involved in network marketing, Involved in network marketing, Network Marketing

Comments

Alan Eames says:

08/27/2010 at 4:05 am

Hi Angela,

This is great! All the wrong reasons to join a network marketing company (well, maybe not all, but definitely the top 5).

I wish everyone thinking about joining could see this list so they could know they were joining for the right reasons.

All the best,

Alan

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Yes, it would be nice if people could see this if they had the wrong motivation for joining network marketing. It would save people time if they were joining for the wrong reasons.

[Reply]
Lloyd Dobson says:

08/27/2010 at 6:01 am

Hello Angela,

I certainly enjoyed your article. It is amazing the amount of people who get involved in this industry for one of the reasons you stated. People fail in this business because that is their mindset and unfortunately they do NOT have a leader/mentor to help them get re-directed.

We as leaders must always give value and have a system in place literally showing our team how to market themselves and their business by attracting people to them and NOT their business. People will join you if you give value by helping them succeed.

I invite you to my blog, sign up for the FREE 8-day boot camp with marketing strategies you can use right now. Here are some action steps that the top marketers use on a daily basis:
(1) Always work on personal development – people don’t join companies, they join people!
(2) Build a list of targeted prospects
(3) Mastermind with other leaders
(4) Top producers are committed to their business and vision.
(2)

Go out and make it a great day!
Lloyd Dobson
Lloyd Dobson´s last [type] ..Smart and Safe Backlink Building Guide To Obtain Page 1 on Google

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
I agree that people fail a lot if they don’t have a mentor to help get them re-directed from those bad motivations. Thanks for your comment.

[Reply]
Gavin Mountford says:

08/27/2010 at 9:51 am

Hi Angela,

I’ve witnessed most of these reasons before. 10 years ago my friends joined me in Amway to help me out. 6 months later my business was dead and I moved on… so hopefully people won’t make the same mistake.

Every company has the ‘best’ products. Yeah right… If someone has just got into network marketing and is marketing a product, they ALWAYS defend their decision and say how great the product is even if they don’t believe it themselves.

Keep up the great work,
Thanks
Gavin Mountford
Gavin Mountford´s last [type] ..Get Comments &amp Traffic to Your Blog Fast! – 29 Videos- 497 value! Yours FREE

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Yeah, unfortunately it is all too common to run into people who have these reasons. I hope to help people thinking of joining for the wrong reasons. Thanks for your comment!

[Reply]
Joe Shaw says:

08/27/2010 at 4:31 pm

LOL… You TOTALLY nailed it with this article about MLM! I’m more than happy to tweet you. Let’s connect in the Unified Tribe!

Joe Shaw
Joe Shaw´s last [type] ..Mannatech Scam – Is Google Distorting Your Perception
Twitter: familybizguy

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Thanks Joe! I will look for you to connect on the Unified Tribe.

[Reply]
Christine Casey says:

08/28/2010 at 8:32 am

Hi Angela,

Everyone of the points you note are awesome & like you, I do wish that more people really understood what network marketing is, and isn’t. Just about everyone of the points are popular reasons why people quit or say that network marketing just doesn’t work. I appreciate you sharing

Christine
Christine Casey´s last [type] ..How do you use Facebook
Twitter: christine_tulsa

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Yeah, I think these reasons are why so many people fail or quit. Just so many wrong perceptions of network marketing out there. Thanks for your comment!

[Reply]
Peter Fuller MBA says:

08/28/2010 at 11:02 am

Hey Angela

Those are all great reasons not to join.

When I qualify someone I try very hard to determine if that is what they are thinking.

Thanks for the great read.

Peter
Peter Fuller MBA´s last [type] ..Why Are You Making It So Hard For Me To Share Your Content
Twitter: prfuller

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Yes, sometimes you really have to dig when you are qualifying someone as to their motives. It will save you both a lot of headaches if you can help them understand what network marketing is really about. Thanks for your comment!

[Reply]
Lori Robertson says:

08/28/2010 at 11:20 am

Hey Angela,

All of these are really bad reasons and we come across people who have each of these and this seems to be the top 5. Then when you think about it, these are also the reason why people quit and give up on the business because they were never really committed in the beginning.

Lori
Lori Robertson´s last [type] ..The Importance Of Building A List Of Paying Customers and Distributors
Twitter: Lori07

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Yes, I have seen people give up because one of these were their motivation. The more a person understands what they are getting into the better.

[Reply]
Internet Marketing Kris says:

08/29/2010 at 1:35 pm

Hi Angela,

Great post. I agree that these can’t be the only reasons. However, if you don’t love the product and completely agree with its benefits, you are definitely in the wrong program. MLM’s are like any other business, going in with reasonable expectations and a concerted effort is the only way it will work! Thanks for the post, and keep up the great work.

Kris
Internet Marketing Kris´s last [type] ..Is Google Aware of your Efforts
Twitter: playingbiz

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Yes, you do have to have a passion for what you are selling you can just think it is so great it will sell it self. Very true that you need to have reasonalbe expectations and put in the work, it is all well worth it.

[Reply]
Beverly Monical says:

08/29/2010 at 5:22 pm

When I hear people saying MLM is easy money I want to stop them.It is easy money once you have worked hard and built a big team with many leaders.It takes hard work but in the end it is awesome. Thanks for the points.
Beverly Monical´s last [type] ..How To Craft The Perfect Pitch

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I could not agree more Beverly. It is not easy money, especially up front. It can be amazing money of you want to put in the effort. Then not only do you start seeing the money but also the added benefits of working from home and having freedom.

[Reply]
Richard Petrillo says:

08/30/2010 at 3:51 pm

Hi Angela,

Another awesome post Angela. You really put things into perspective and I hope more newcomers read this article before they just jump in with all the wrong ideas of what owning an MLM business is about!
Thanks again,
RichardP
Richard Petrillo´s last [type] ..MLM Old School Tactics – DOA Beaten To A Bloody Pulp By A Wet Line of Code – Video
Twitter: RPetrilloMktg

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:32 pm
I hope people know and are made of aware of what they are getting into when they join a network marketing company. Thanks so much for your comment!

[Reply]
Eddie Espiritu says:

09/02/2010 at 11:31 am

Network marketing, over the long term, can produce wealth beyond our wildest dreams. People underestimate what they can do in 2 to 5 years but overestimate what can be done in 3 to 6 months. Having a “lottery mentality” when it comes to “get rich quick” expectations in network marketing only serves to bring disappointment. Focused, consistent, work over time is the ticket!
Eddie Espiritu´s last [type] ..Start Up Capital – 11 Ideas to Join or Grow a Business

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I like how you put that. It is true that in several years you can make amazing amounts of money but it is not going to happen overnight. That is very true that having a “lottery mentality” will be severly dissapointing. Thanks for your comment!

[Reply]
Bruce Cagle says:

09/03/2010 at 9:21 am

Hi Angela,
I think anyone who jumps into any business without due-diligence is asking for trouble. Network marketing is great, anyone can join and succeed, no matter who they are.
Of course anyone who joins any type of business looking for fast money are in dangerous waters.
But for those who are willing to work and increase their skills they can profit beyond their wildest dreams.
Why Networking? Because it does not discriminate towards anyone, young or old, educated or not, any color, any religion, any gender.
That is what I love about it.
God Bless,
Bruce

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
September 19th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
So true that anyone who jumps in without researching first will be in trouble. It is awesome that really anyone with any background can do great with networking. Thanks for your comment!

[Reply]
Debbie Stevens says:

09/03/2010 at 10:31 pm

Hi Angela,

This is a great article! I’ve known too many people who got into network marketing for any and/or all of those reasons listed . . . and they usually get out just as quickly. Maybe your post will prevent someone from having a bad experience. Thanks for sharing.
Debbie Stevens´s last [type] ..We Only Have This Moment- Today
Twitter: dstevenscpa

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
September 19th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I sure hope so, I know people get in for the wrong reasons all the time and then fail. I hope I can prevent that.

[Reply]
Tim Somers says:

09/03/2010 at 10:57 pm

Love Eddie’s comment – hits the nail on the head for me. I have seen many join network marketing based on the five reasons you have posted NOT to join – it’s to bad that most just don’t get it – maybe they will see your post and save themselves some time and money.
Tim Somers´s last [type] ..Direct Mail Marketing Using Greeting Cards

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
September 19th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Eddie did have a great cooment! Yes, it is too bad to see people join for the wrong reasons and then fail and think that Network Marketing does not work. Thanks for your comment!

[Reply]
Kevin M. says:

09/03/2010 at 11:49 pm

Great list Angela! Even though I am not a network marketer I can appreciate all the hard work and dedication it takes to make it.
Kevin M.´s last [type] ..3 principles for resolving conflicts
Twitter: KevinMartineau

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
September 19th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Thanks Kevin! I appreciate your comment and love your blog.

[Reply]
Belinda Cunninghamb says:

09/08/2010 at 3:37 am

Hi Angela
Great list of why not to join a network markeitng business and I think they may be the reasons most people do join. Direct selling can be a great way to start making an income and being in control of your income but definetly requires some understanding of ‘Why’ you are doing it and that needs to be the for the right reason.
Belinda
Belinda Cunninghamb´s last [type] ..1 – DESIRE – the starting point of all achievement
Twitter: bcun20

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
September 19th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
So true Belinda, it can be an awesome way to make income but you want it to be for the right reasons. Thanks for your comment!

[Reply]
Joseph McDevitt says:

09/08/2010 at 8:52 am

Angela, Wow, You are spot on with this post! I think many people get involved in network marketing for the wrong reasons. I also think that these are the same people that quit and then bad mouth the industry and say that network marketing doesn’t work. I think anyone that is thinking about getting involved should read this post first. Thanks for the great information! ~Joseph McDevitt
Joseph McDevitt´s last [type] ..How To Autoplay A YouTube Video
Twitter: Joseph_McDevitt

[Reply]
Melodie Kantner says:

09/11/2010 at 4:07 pm

Hi Angela,

That’s a good list of bad reasons to get into network marketing. It is true, if you don’t have a really good WHY and realistic expectations, you are destined to fail.
Melodie Kantner´s last [type] ..How to Become Human Dynamite &amp Attract Success

[Reply]
LGN Prosperity says:

09/12/2010 at 1:14 am

There is nothing free in life. No such thing as a free ride. If you think its too good to be true, it probably is. And it really pains me to say that because I wish life could be that easy. But if it was, there would be no challenges. You must always strive hard to be the best you possibly can in life. Rock on!
LGN Prosperity´s last [type] ..HUGE LGN Prosperity Commissions Update

[Reply]
Wendy Hewlett says:

09/27/2010 at 7:38 am

I think you definitely picked the top reasons NOT to join a network marketing company. Trying to change people’s understanding about what network marketing is and how hard you have to work is incredibly difficult. People have preconceived ideas about what it is and nothing you say will change their minds. It’s unfortunate. Hopefully, some day, the bad rap that network marketing has will be replaced by the truth.

Excellent post Angela!

Wendy
Wendy Hewlett´s last [type] ..Self-Discovery Through Social Media

[Reply]
Angela Reply:
October 1st, 2010 at 9:04 pm
I hope that someday the bad rap will be replaced too. There are unfortunately people out there that give the industry a bad name. Thanks for your comment!

[Reply]
Tristram Lodge says:

09/29/2010 at 3:12 am

Hi Angela,

These are 5 great points you have made. This is not a get rich quick industry but still many people believe it will be. This business takes tons of hard work and dedication and the companies should be telling people this and doing away with the hype.

Thanks for sharing this post.

Tristram Lodge
Tristram Lodge´s last [type] ..A Valuable Lesson From The Science of Getting Rich
Twitter: TristramLodge

[Reply]
Mike Sweeney says:

11/05/2010 at 10:47 pm

Angela,

You’ve got a good start on the Bad reasons and misconceptions people have with Network Marketing. It really is a great industry if people can avoid getting involved for the reasons you state. Though I believe more people are finally starting to see the light.

Mike Sweeney
Mike Sweeney´s last [type] ..Can Having Good Web Hosting Be Of Benefit To Your Online Business

[Reply]
Laura Paulson says:

11/13/2010 at 5:14 pm

Yeap! you definitely nailed it Angela. 5 very bad reasons and oftentimes it’s one of these reasons why you hear all the negative junk on the net about the industry – expectations were wrong and when the misguided expectations were not met, “it’s a scam”.

If you’re expecting no or little effort, making BIG money out of the gate, and not objective about the company and their product or service, it just ain’t gonna happen!!! You’re better off just getting a JOB It is definitely not required to spend a lot of money to get your business off the ground and making money BUT be prepared to reinvest back in order to help your business grow.

Good stuff Angela!
Laura Paulson´s last [type] ..Top 10 Network Marketing Newbie Mistakes – Part 4

[Reply]