"But I don't want to do MLM!"

Like many people, my first experiences with a Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) company were not all that wonderful.

• There was a lot of hype, but no real substance.
• There was an awful lot of grueling work, and nothing much to show for it.

So, when I was introduced to Young Living Essential Oils, and then STEMTech HealthSciences, Inc (I'm now focusing mostly on dōTERRA^®), I had essentially zero interest in pursuing either as a business.

A trail of tears

The truth of the matter is that, basically everyone I knew who was involved in Multi-Level Marketing was awakening to the fact that his or her hope was a false hope; yet, they were desperately hanging on, even as their dreams crumbled around them.

But, something else I saw was that these people were banging away at a duplicatable system, rather than building connections with other people.  Their emphasis was on making it rich, of realizing their dreams — however delusional those dreams might be.  There was little thought of working hard at an honest business (except for the short term, until they hit the MLM lottery) or of helping others meet their needs.

In other words: They were looking for a short-cut to life, not an honest business.

Training: The missing element in MLM endeavors

It readily became apparent to me that, besides having very unrealistic goals in mind, the thing these people lacked was training.  Yes, they went to meetings and heard these great stories of how some goof-ball turned his goof-ball friends into millionaires.  It was all very exciting, entertaining and inspiring; but, it never dealt with the real issues of having a real business.  It was all pipe-dreams; and these poor people were riding a roller-coaster of futility.

Instead of getting these people all pumped up and setting them loose on a system (which generally only make money for those selling it), what was needed was some coaching on how to think about the business (it's not a lottery) and how to connect with other people in a meaninful way.  Two of the best resources for this kind of coaching that I've found are:

• Tim Sales (the guy who did Brilliant Compensation and Professional Invitor). 
• Michael Oliver (the author of How to Sell Network Marketing Without Fear, Anxiety or Losing Your Friends!

Both Tim and Michael present the business in a business-like, professional manner, without hype or selling false dreams.  My feeling is that, if you want to work a MLM business, their materials are foundational.

"But, do I have to do MLM just because it's an MLM company?"

My answer to that is: No!  The most successful people I know in this business work within a health care office setting.  They are professionals, who offer the products to their clients/patients, educating them on how to use them.  They've established themselves as an authority, and present the benefits of the products from that foundation.  Most sales are retail, and have nothing to do with a MLM model.  And, of course, this model could work in other retail settings, as well.

However, as their clients/patients get acquainted with the products and see how well they work, there can be a shift in the marketing to allow the client/patient to enroll in the program, either for the wholesale prices or to share the products with others.  And, as often as not, they will continue the pattern of sharing, creating, almost by accident, a network of customers and business owners.

Almost anyone can be an authority for someone

But, you don't have to be a healthcare professional to build an authority stature with someone.  As you become familiar with the products and, as you gain a knowledge of how to use them and what they can do, you can become an authority.  And, you can take that stature and use it to build a business quite apart from an MLM model.

The key here is to develop a professionalism about how you conduct your business and present your product.  And, you can work within the network of friends and acquaintances you already have to build an audience.

Even worked out of the home on a part part-time basis, most people can develop the skills needed to turn a home-based business into a nice second income.  It can make a great way to enable yourself to stay home with the children and still meet some of your day-to-day expenses.

Of course, for the right person, such a home-based business can turn into something really amazing.