Has everyone on here given up on MLM then?

SparklyMum

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What is the lifestyle though do you think?

From the outside looking in it just seems to be endlessly calling every female friend you have babe or hun lol

Haha! I think it’s the appeal of setting up a system where by at some point in the future you might not have to do any work but still get paid! Also being able to choose the hours you work, very appealing to students and parents of little ones.
 

Chammy

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What is the lifestyle though do you think?

From the outside looking in it just seems to be endlessly calling every female friend you have babe or hun lol

It's that laptop by the beach, the "inbox is buzzing", it's being paid to "play with make-up/drink coffee/be healthy", it's the social side of having a team above and below you so you've always got someone to talk to...they're not stupid. They know how to make it appeal to the lonely and desperate ones who want to feel like they're doing something productive with their time.
 
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BreeziOG

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What is the lifestyle though do you think?

From the outside looking in it just seems to be endlessly calling every female friend you have babe or hun lol

Oh god, this is so painfully true. :D:D:D
 
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leighm88

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Hi there,

I'm new to this site after noticing it being mentioned a few times on the Martin Lewis forums. I have recently joined something which has been put to me as a referral program. Basically I purchase a greeting card from the website every month and refer others to do the same. I am paid a percentage on everything they buy and everything that anyone they recommend buys. There is an example of the possible referral earnings on the site and it does seem to show that if you build a decent team there is money to be made. I would like to give this a try, as I purchase greetings cards regularly so I'm not losing anything.
However I am completely new to this. Is a referral scheme MLM? What it the difference between MLM and pyramid schemes> How would I build a team? Any advice would be much appreciated as I clearly know nothing on my own :Do_O

Thanks
Leigh
 

Cas

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Hi there,

I'm new to this site after noticing it being mentioned a few times on the Martin Lewis forums. I have recently joined something which has been put to me as a referral program. Basically I purchase a greeting card from the website every month and refer others to do the same. I am paid a percentage on everything they buy and everything that anyone they recommend buys. There is an example of the possible referral earnings on the site and it does seem to show that if you build a decent team there is money to be made. I would like to give this a try, as I purchase greetings cards regularly so I'm not losing anything.
However I am completely new to this. Is a referral scheme MLM? What it the difference between MLM and pyramid schemes> How would I build a team? Any advice would be much appreciated as I clearly know nothing on my own :Do_O

Thanks
Leigh
i Guess there still alot people doing MLM.

must be hard work , going and pitching on all of these websites
 

leighm88

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i Guess there still alot people doing MLM.

must be hard work , going and pitching on all of these websites

Is this what MLM is? Sorry I genuinely don't know how to tell the difference between MLM and a pyramid scheme. Is there a difference? I haven't pitched to anyone on any forum, had just briefly looked on the other about boosting incomes etc and noticed a few people talking about this site. Since joining here today I've applied for Appen as that seems to be something that a lot of people recommend to others.
I did search both forums for the site I previously referred to as I wanted to see if anyone else had heard of it or had any experience with it. I haven't found anything on either forum.
Sorry if my last post seemed that I was trying to pitch something. I was actually looking for advice from anyone who might have had experience from something similar, hence why I didn't post any links or make any claims about how much money I have made etc. At this stage I really would value the knowledge of someone that has any experience of building a team, keeping it going etc than having a small handful of dead end sign ups from posting on random threads.
 

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Is this what MLM is? Sorry I genuinely don't know how to tell the difference between MLM and a pyramid scheme. Is there a difference? I haven't pitched to anyone on any forum, had just briefly looked on the other about boosting incomes etc and noticed a few people talking about this site. Since joining here today I've applied for Appen as that seems to be something that a lot of people recommend to others.
I did search both forums for the site I previously referred to as I wanted to see if anyone else had heard of it or had any experience with it. I haven't found anything on either forum.
Sorry if my last post seemed that I was trying to pitch something. I was actually looking for advice from anyone who might have had experience from something similar, hence why I didn't post any links or make any claims about how much money I have made etc. At this stage I really would value the knowledge of someone that has any experience of building a team, keeping it going etc than having a small handful of dead end sign ups from posting on random threads.


If you are encouraged to build a team and you can earn money from that team selling then it is most definitely an MLM. The difference between that and a pyramid scheme isn't much - there is a product being sold in an MLM whereas there normally isn't for a pyramid scheme, they're also illegal in this country.

That said, an MLM is a barely legal pyramid scheme. Most of them offer a poor quality but over-priced product such as Younique or Juice Plus. The products have to be expensive so they can make sure that everyone entitled to a piece of each sale can get there's while still making money on the product and they tend to be poor quality for the same reason - they need to ensure they're produced as cheaply as possible. A friend, Elle Beau, and her readers worked out that Younique's 3D Mascara can't cost more than £3-4 to produce in order for everyone to get their slice of commission - they sell it at £29.

Anyhoo, being an ex-rep there aren't many tips I can give you because it's so hard to build and keep a team, nevermind make a profit while ensuring they make one too. Just keep your morals, don't spam, don't lie and don't fake it until you make it. Whoever you joined under should be giving you guidance throughout this whole thing (you didn't say who you were with).

If you have the time, just take a few minutes to check out this post of mine and Elle Beau's story.

My MLM Makeover: Transforming Me Into A Stranger
Elle Beau - The Anti Blogger

A final piece of advice, whatever you do KEEP RECORDS! Make sure you write down everything you spend money on (that isn't personal use) and every penny you make (for tax reasons obviously). Every website domain or business marketing tool they encourage you to buy, stock you order in, samples you prepare. There are some teams who are discouraging their members from keeping these records and stating "You need to make a loss before you can make a profit".
 
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leighm88

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If you are encouraged to build a team and you can earn money from that team selling then it is most definitely an MLM. The difference between that and a pyramid scheme isn't much - there is a product being sold in an MLM whereas there normally isn't for a pyramid scheme, they're also illegal in this country.

That said, an MLM is a barely legal pyramid scheme. Most of them offer a poor quality but over-priced product such as Younique or Juice Plus. The products have to be expensive so they can make sure that everyone entitled to a piece of each sale can get there's while still making money on the product and they tend to be poor quality for the same reason - they need to ensure they're produced as cheaply as possible. A friend, Elle Beau, and her readers worked out that Younique's 3D Mascara can't cost more than £3-4 to produce in order for everyone to get their slice of commission - they sell it at £29.

Anyhoo, being an ex-rep there aren't many tips I can give you because it's so hard to build and keep a team, nevermind make a profit while ensuring they make one too. Just keep your morals, don't spam, don't lie and don't fake it until you make it. Whoever you joined under should be giving you guidance throughout this whole thing (you didn't say who you were with).

If you have the time, just take a few minutes to check out this post of mine and Elle Beau's story.

My MLM Makeover: Transforming Me Into A Stranger
Elle Beau - The Anti Blogger

A final piece of advice, whatever you do KEEP RECORDS! Make sure you write down everything you spend money on (that isn't personal use) and every penny you make (for tax reasons obviously). Every website domain or business marketing tool they encourage you to buy, stock you order in, samples you prepare. There are some teams who are discouraging their members from keeping these records and stating "You need to make a loss before you can make a profit".

Hi. Thank you for replying. The blogs made me laugh. I remember when just about everyone I knew sold Juice Plus and all the "ohh emm gees" and the fake pictures of their dinners and how they all lost half a stone every week but never actually looked any skinnier. This thing I'm looking at isn't really like that, although you do have a downline so there is some similarities.
I don't want to be that total pain in the arse on fb with all the shite quotes. Its greeting cards that the site I'm talking about sells. I like them as they can be customised etc, its basically like moon pig and funky pigeon etc but with a referral program. The person who I joined under advised me just to promote the site for the cards and the referral program as a bonus. I haven't promoted either aspect of it.
If I was to send you the name of the website (NOT the referral link) would you mind having a quick look at it and telling me if you think it's legit? I have no previous experience of this and wouldn't want to promote something that might not be what it claims to be.

Thank you again for replying. I really appreciate the advice.
 

Jon

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Hi. Thank you for replying. The blogs made me laugh. I remember when just about everyone I knew sold Juice Plus and all the "ohh emm gees" and the fake pictures of their dinners and how they all lost half a stone every week but never actually looked any skinnier. This thing I'm looking at isn't really like that, although you do have a downline so there is some similarities.
I don't want to be that total pain in the arse on fb with all the shite quotes. Its greeting cards that the site I'm talking about sells. I like them as they can be customised etc, its basically like moon pig and funky pigeon etc but with a referral program. The person who I joined under advised me just to promote the site for the cards and the referral program as a bonus. I haven't promoted either aspect of it.
If I was to send you the name of the website (NOT the referral link) would you mind having a quick look at it and telling me if you think it's legit? I have no previous experience of this and wouldn't want to promote something that might not be what it claims to be.

Thank you again for replying. I really appreciate the advice.
Have you paid to join this thing?
 

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Have you paid to join this thing?

Bear in mind, not all MLM's charge you to join. NuSkin, Pamper Boutique and a few others are free but you obviously then have to build up your own stock levels to show potential customers.
 

leighm88

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Have you paid to join this thing?

No I haven't paid to join, or paid a fee. I did buy a card that I liked for someone's birthday which seems to be the aim of the site. Even if I decide not to go down the route of referring people then I would be likely to purchase another card.
 

Jon

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No I haven't paid to join, or paid a fee. I did buy a card that I liked for someone's birthday which seems to be the aim of the site. Even if I decide not to go down the route of referring people then I would be likely to purchase another card.
It’s not flamingo is it?
 

Jon

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No I haven't heard of them.
Ah right they rose from the ashes of another card selling company called Phoenix Trading which died a death because the reality is that people want he functionality and flexibility sites like moonpig give you with gifts bundeled in as well!

That’s the problem with a lot of these MLMs (apart from maybe Ann summers) if these amazing products so was damn amazing they would have distribution deals through Tesco / boots / John Lewis and not you mate down the roads Facebook page!
 

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Ah right they rose from the ashes of another card selling company called Phoenix Trading which died a death because the reality is that people want he functionality and flexibility sites like moonpig give you with gifts bundeled in as well!

That’s the problem with a lot of these MLMs (apart from maybe Ann summers) if these amazing products so was damn amazing they would have distribution deals through Tesco / boots / John Lewis and not you mate down the roads Facebook page!

:D
 

leighm88

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Ah right they rose from the ashes of another card selling company called Phoenix Trading which died a death because the reality is that people want he functionality and flexibility sites like moonpig give you with gifts bundeled in as well!

That’s the problem with a lot of these MLMs (apart from maybe Ann summers) if these amazing products so was damn amazing they would have distribution deals through Tesco / boots / John Lewis and not you mate down the roads Facebook page!

I vaguely remember seeing people talking about phoenix trading years ago although I never had any clue what it was.
 

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it does sound like MLM, although I don't really get the part about buying a card every month - I would run a mile from any company that made me purchase something to stay active. You should definitely do some reading on exactly what MLM is and what to expect, its not how most people think it is and you really do need to fully understand what you are getting into (particularly if there is a compulsory purchase involved). you wont find many people on forums like this who do MLM these days (I do) most have moved on to other money making ideas and as much as I love it here, there is a pretty negative attitude to MLM as I'm sure you have noticed from reading this thread. the truth of the matter is there are some awful ones out there and some awful people in the industry, but if you are realistic about what you want to get out of an MLM and what you can achieve, you can make a bit of spare cash doing it. I echo what Chammy said above, keep a record of everything you purchase and everything you make because in MLM it can be really easy to get caught up buying products to demonstrate/use yourself/give away as samples/prizes and not realise how much you have spent vs how much you have brought in.

As for tips: Be yourself and don't be that person who spams everyone on their friends list asking them to buy from you.
 
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leighm88

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it does sound like MLM, although I don't really get the part about buying a card every month - I would run a mile from any company that made me purchase something to stay active. You should definitely do some reading on exactly what MLM is and what to expect, its not how most people think it is and you really do need to fully understand what you are getting into (particularly if there is a compulsory purchase involved). you wont find many people on forums like this who do MLM these days (I do) most have moved on to other money making ideas and as much as I love it here, there is a pretty negative attitude to MLM as I'm sure you have noticed from reading this thread. the truth of the matter is there are some awful ones out there and some awful people in the industry, but if you are realistic about what you want to get out of an MLM and what you can achieve, you can make a bit of spare cash doing it. I echo what Chammy said above, keep a record of everything you purchase and everything you make because in MLM it can be really easy to get caught up buying products to demonstrate/use yourself/give away as samples/prizes and not realise how much you have spent vs how much you have brought in.

As for tips: Be yourself and don't be that person who spams everyone on their friends list asking them to buy from you.

HI, thanks for your reply. I get the theory about buying a card every month as it's obviously the only way that anyone makes any money. For example, I could just refer loads of people and not personally buy a thing, but everyone I refer could have the same idea, meaning there would be no sales at all. The owner of the website seems more focused on the designing cards aspect of the website and not so much the referral scheme, and would prefer that everyone promoted the actual cards as opposed to the potential earnings. I did order a card for my daughter's birthday and it was nice, good quality, affordable etc but I think it would be extremely hard to promote the cards to people who like myself are more inclined to just pick up birthday cards in asda etc.
And I could never spam my social media friends lists, hence why I asked if there was another way. I don't see myself going anywhere with this, because as Jon mentioned, there is just too much competition out there for people to be attracted to a small greetings card website.
I have been trying other ways. Really keen to get something with Leapforce or Appen but neither seem in a hurry :D
 
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MuchMoreWithLess

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I've never tried MLM. Think I'd be hopeless at flogging stuff to my friends and family. Remember my mum trying to do Tupperware parties when my sister and I were young. She was truly rubbish at it - ended up with one free carriage clock plus a suitcase of Tupperware she had to pay for.
 

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