The Misconception of Multi-Level Marketing


The Misconception of Multi-Level Marketing

 by: E. Christopher Keenan

Ever wonder why people are so turned off at the mention of Multi-Level Marketing? Is it legal? Is it a pyramid? Who benefits the most? Where does the money flow? In this article we will examine basic differences between Multi-Level Marketing and a Corporate Structure.

Let's take the corporate structure first. Almost all of us work in this type of hierarchy everyday. A CEO heads the corporation or company. Below him/her are upper management people i.e. Vice President, Controller, Senior Sales Exec...etc. Below them are middle management people i.e. Department Heads, Retail Directors, Consultants and various Supervisors.

Finally we reach the Sales Representatives, Customer Service Representatives, Stockers, Cashiers, Cleaners, Drivers, etc.

So who makes the most money in this type of structure? If you were to draw a flowchart this, it would look like a Pyramid The CEO makes the most money as he/she sits at the top. Then a few upper management people, then more middle management, then most of the workers. It is the person at the top of this pyramid that makes the most money, because in this type of structure, you are paid based on where you are in the structure. So, how do you make more money here? The only ways you can truly increase your earnings are if someone in the structure gets fired, dies, or quits. As a result, everyone in the structure can move up.

So.... Let's take a look at a Network Marketing Structure and then compare. On the surface, both structures are mirror images of each other. BOTH look like a Pyramid structure. Flowchart it out again. An affiliate sponsors someone, they sponsor more, they sponsor more...etc. But...who makes the money here? The worker at the top? Possibly, but most likely not. Here's why:

Even though this structure looks identical to a corporate structure pyramid, in the MLM structure you get paid STRICTLY on the work you do, not on where you are within the structure. Wouldn't it seem fair that if you do more work, you should get paid more money? This structure is simply a structure of business owners. Pay is based ONLY on what you do, not your position within the network. This is what differs Network Marketing from a typical Corporate Structure Job .

In the MLM structure YOU are in control of your income. In the corporate world, someone else will always be in control of your income. Always.