Success in MLM
There are many articles and products on the topic of success in MLM. Is success in MLM in fact achievable for most of us or is it reserved for a privileged few who know some special tricks?
I was inspired to write this after reading a great post by Adrienne Smith, titled How I Stopped Failing in Network Marketing. Jump over there and have a read. You will see many of us commented on Adrienne’s use of the word “fail”.
If you Google the phrase “failure in MLM” you will see numbers between 95 – 97%. The question here of course is how many of these people actually attempted to succeed. And what is success anyway? Success in MLM?
My history around the MLM industry is more “from the outside” until recent years.
When I met my husband 31 years ago he did Amway as a side business. He had a very busy Farm Machinery dealership so his time for his Amway business was very minimal. I concluded that people did MLM part time if they had time. Success in MLM!
Several years later I was working as a CPA in a practice that had lots of Amway distributors as clients. I prepared their tax returns and saw most of them make losses in their business. However it was a good write off against their taxable income from their job resulting in tax refunds! So now my view of the MLM world was – it is part time and you lose money. Hmm Success in MLM!
I then changed careers and we had a financial planning business. It was during that time that I met the first few people who made serious money in MLM. Again they were in Amway (not sure if there were any other companies back then) and they were making six figure incomes, which in the eighties was considerable. Hmm Success in MLM was happening around me!
So now my view of the MLM world was – it is part time and MOST PEOPLE lose money – and just a few make big money.
Over the following decade we joined a few MLM companies as customers with the intention we might do the business one day if we had time. I guess we were included in those 95-97% failure stats. Hmm still no success in MLM!
My next serious encounter with the MLM industry was during my time as the CEO for the company that promoted Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, in Australia and New Zealand. Robert also wrote a book for the Network Marketing Industry and as a result had a strong following in the industry. His events in Australia attracted lots of networkers.
It was during this time that I met many serious income earners and my first seven figure earners. My view of the MLM world was changing and I could really see it was possible to have success in MLM. I was prospected by many people but felt it was a compromise of my position to join any one company. And I was on the road touring and working so many hours I did not feel I had time to devote to another business. I found many of the people that were prospecting me very pushy. In fact my personal assistant would run and hide when some of them came into our office.
My view of the MLM world became– it is part time , MOST PEOPLE lose money – and just a few make big money and they are pushy.
During my time in this role I started taking some high quality supplements which are sold by the MLM model. I honestly do not know how I would have got through the time without those supplements given the late nights, early mornings and constant travel we did. This was later to become my first real attempt at Network Marketing (MLM).
My upline could not have been more supportive for me and her team. I had some success but in short bursts. I was not consistent. In reflection I had brought with me the belief system the MLM world is part time , MOST PEOPLE lose money – and just a few make big money and they are pushy. So it was not the best mindset to start with.
In this company there were plenty of people making good money so I started to believe it was possible.
It was my first attempt at MLM and I made some classic mistakes. I think one of the greatest mistakes I made, and see others make, is expecting to be able to succeed without learning the skills. I used to look at successful people in MLM and assume they just knew what they were doing from day one. I also assumed that the skills I had from my previous careers would get me through. I did not understand this is a profession and like any profession needs to be learned.
One person I had grown to admire was Terry Petrovick. I heard him interviewed and found out he had built his business online. That seemed like a great idea so I decided to venture into the world of the internet. I came online just over two years ago and got lost in bright shiny objects for far too long.
I was constantly learning and watching what other people were doing online. Two of the people I came to admire most in the industry are Terry Petrovick and Ray Higdon. I admire them because they are successful and they have a mix of online and offline skills.
If you go over to Adrienne’s post you will see she mentions Terry and if you watch the video you will get the full story. It is worth it!
If you scroll down on Adrienne’s post through the comments you will see one by Terry Petrovick. You will see he also did not start with instant success 🙂 Terry’s blog is TerryPetorvick.com . If you are serious about MLM I recommend you follow him he has had Success in MLM!
The other person I mention is Ray Higdon. rayhigdon.com another blog anyone in Network Marketing should follow.
I used to know bits of Ray’s story and actually told people he was an instant success and had come into his current MLM, being the first he had tried and within 7 months had a $40,000 month. Oops then I heard Ray say he had been in eleven companies before Numis! Now Ray is really achieving Success in MLM.
So we all start somewhere and we all have to learn. It depends if we are prepared to persevere.
Ray Higdon recruited Terry Petrovick into Numis. I watched these two powerhouses with great respect. So it was a no brainer for me to contact Terry when I saw their company was coming to Australia. It commenced pre-launch on the 2nd April.
What I had observed from afar did not disappoint me. Their systems and support are amazing. If you live in the USA, Canada, UK or Australia and want to join a powerful team then please contact me or you cancheck it out here at Success in MLM.
Terry Petrovick says
You share great wisdom and several truths Sue. Many people think that MLM, Network Marketing or Direct Sales is a get rich quick thing.
That is not reality.
When I first dove into this profession I had moderate then little success. It was company #4 that I created the success that I had dreamed about. And, oh by the way… this was after my wife, who believed in me for 3 years and began to doubt whether I could really do this.
I went on to build an organization of over 38,000 reps in 16 countries.
Like almost everyone else times change, events happen and I was re-evaluating where I was in life and more importantly where I wanted to go.
I came across Numis and the timing of silver and gold assets in today’s economy just made sense.
I saw it as the vehicle to create my legacy.
Then I did something most people in MLM do NOT do.
I went sponsor shopping.
I looked at all the leaders, their past interactions with people, their successes, failures, everything I could find.
One thing I learned in business is that is it is critically important to aligned with people with high integrity. ( I have had too many experiences with people with no integrity)
I found Ray on a video from him that said he was the hardest working guy in the business. In fact, he worked from 6am to 1am. I was watching this at midnight so I called him.
And he answered. WOW!
We chatted briefly then I called him again and signed up under him. The power of online marketing is people can really get who you are and what you are about before you ever speak with them.
The Lesson here is…this is a profession and who you partner with matters.
With Ray coaching and my effort, I’m now a top leader in Numis.
I admire who you are Sue and what you and Ivan are about. I know together we’ll be able to help 100,000s of people around globe to create, collect and built their wealth.
Sue says
Hi Terry
Thanks for your comment. I remember hearing the story of Amy being upset when you joined your 4th company.
I had never heard that you went “sponsor shopping”. I am so glad you did as it means we get to work with both you and Ray. I heard
Ray say you once called him at midnight now I know the full story 🙂 Very cool!
Ivan and I are very excited to be on the team with you and Ray and yes we plan to build a large global organization.
Sue
Violette says
You have written an awesome website.
Sue says
Thanks Violette for your comment
Sue
Ray Higdon says
Thanks so much for the mention Sue, this is a great article. Yes, before I became the number one earner I had failed at 11 different companies..glad I rolled the dice one more time!
Excited to be working with you!
Sue says
Hi Ray
Thanks for your comment. I must confess when I found you about the other 11 companies I was relieved, not coz I am glad you failed but it gave me hope 🙂
I am very excited to be on your team Ray. You set such a great example for others to follow.
Thanks
Sue
Adrienne says
Ah, great post Sue and you know I’m able to resonate with you on this one. Thank you so much for mentioning my post and the thing I have come to love about network marketing is that all of us have had preconceived notions about it.
Heck, I had a very bad taste in my mouth about it because I had failed so miserably in my eyes. I also later learned that it truly wasn’t my fault due to being told what to do yet not being told about all those missing pieces.
As so many top income earners will share with you, it’s very rare to join one company and have instant success. In my opinion we have to go through the ups and downs before we can align ourselves with greatness such as Terry and Ray. They are living proof of what hard work, dedication and the love of the industry can do for us all.
Terry is my saving grace, I truly believe that. He is what I’ve been needing to help me understand the missing pieces of that puzzle and to help encourage me to carry on. I’ve achieved so much in the short time I’ve been with him more then in any other company.
Thank you for sharing your views on this Sue and I do hope it will help others understand that this truly is the place to be and we truly are aligned with the very best.
Have a beautiful day young lady!
~Adrienne
Sue says
Thanks for your comment Adrienne. You really got me thinking with that post so I was very happy to pick up on it. In fact it had been going through my mind since I read yours and then I woke up in the middle of the night and was writing in my head!
I agree it seems most of us had preconceived notions about Network Marketing and I think even more dangerous about others. I laughed when I heard Terry read a 17 page Script to someone. When we hear him now he is so relaxed and articulate in such a lay back way – I love it!
As an added bonus I am so glad we have met Adrienne and we are on the same team. We were destined to meet given in one week we connected both in Numis and through Ken Pickard. No accidents here lady!
Have a wonderful day and Easter weekend. It is already Thursday here so tomorrow is Good Friday.
Sue
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Sue says
Thanks for your comment Rebbeca
Sue
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Sue says
Thanks for your feedback Allan.
Sue
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Sue says
Thanks for your comment Dolores
Sue
Don Enck says
Sue,
You have written an exceptional post. I think many including myself can relate to the phases you describe in your journey. I have been fortunate enough to be around many successful people in MLM and to witness and hear their stories. All of them never made it right from the start. It took time, patience and education to master the skills needed to be successful. Sadly, too many people have the impression that they can make quick money and find instant success and become disheartened if it doesn’t happen in a couple of months. It takes hard work and dedication to do well in this business…and time. I’m still working on my time but I know this is the right industry to be in.
Thanks for sharing your insight and experiences.
Sue says
Thanks for your comment Don. It is a great industry and I know we will enjoy the success we see others achieving in time.
I agree with you that too many people have that idea this is a way to create quick money. Of course it is not. I hope over time that expectation changes. I think the more of us that tell it like it is the better for setting expectations.
Sue
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Sue says
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Sue says
Thanks for your comment Kavin. I appreciate it.
Sue
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Sue says
Thanks and I am glad you found me. 🙂
Alexarrie says
Hi Sue… Success is never easy to achieve and I think there are a lot of things we need to know and be aware of when we want to have the success in mlm…Thanks for this…
Sue says
Thanks for your comment Alexarrie. I agree success is not easy it takes work and commitment.
Sue
Robby says
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Continue the good work!
Sue says
Thanks for the feedback Robby I appreciate it.
Sue
Jazmine says
Building a downline and bringing in residual income in your network marketing will further provide you with unlimited possibilities in wealth. Now what you need is a formula for success..
Sue says
Thanks for the comment Jazmine. Do you have a formula?
Sue
Pete Goumas says
Hi Sue,
Its an interesting article. I also strive for success and it is not an easy task to achieve success in mlm, there are lots of ups and downs but all we need is hardwork and determination along with lots of patience.
Sue says
Thanks for your comment Pete. Yes I agree we do need those things and I think sadly many people do not hang in there long enough to achieve success.
Sue
Syeda Mehwish says
Thanks Sue for sharing your life experience related to mlm success. Your article gives hope and encourage many newbies who are still working hard for success.
Sue says
Thanks for your comment Syeda. I hope the article does encourage others to stay with it.
Sue
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Sue says
Thanks for your comment
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Sue says
Thank you!
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Sue says
Thanks Elizabeth!
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