Why We Banned MLMers from Our Business Community
Why We Banned MLMers from Our Business Community
In 2007 we dramatically increased the depth and breadth of business development resources available to our members through an on-line business social networking hub called My Speed Business Network (www.betterbusiness.speedbusinessnetworking.com).
We quickly found ourselves flooded with overwhelming numbers of MLM consultants, most of whom clearly had no idea of business or professionalism. The work involved in trying to prevent spamming, and cleaning up when something slipped through, was horrendous to say the least.
We had no choice but to enforce a blanket ban on MLM of any kind.
However at the same time we recognize that MLM (network marketing) is a phenomenal business model that has benefits across almost any context one could think of: economical, social, political, ethical, philosophical, and so on. It actually does contain some of the most highly-skilled and respected business people on the planet. And yet its reputation amongst the corporate sector is in tatters because of the actions of well-meaning folk who buy the dream without having proper business skills (or attitudes) who simply don’t understand the right way to go about business development.
So while we continued to ban MLM from My Speed Business Network, we launched MLMprofessionals.biz in a massive effort to support the sector in a bigger and better way than ever before.
This networking hub for MLM/network marketers provides all of the resources of My Speed Business Network, but also:
• Protects you and others against MLM scammers who don’t deserve to be in business
• Helps attract better educated and qualified people to your downlines
• Helps your downlines sell more product
• Helps consultants to network and expand globally
• Provides personal and professional development so that your downline participants can increase acceptance in their corporate sector
• Generally raises the profile and credibility of network marketing as an important and valid business model
• Allows free classified advertising
• Lets you announce company meetings or other events
• Provides you with a private “club” for your own downline
• And much, much more
There was just one pitfall. We knew from past experience if we made this resource totally free then we would once again set ourselves up for a nightmare of administration, and be subject to flaming and other abuse as thanks for our troubles. Yes, as well as having amongst it some of the finest and most inspiring business people on the planet, unfortunately the sector is also rife with people who behave like that, including well-meaning souls who simply don’t understand better.
There was only one sane way we could prevent that, and that was to charge a small fee which would still ensure accessibility to anyone who was serious about developing a business, but would discourage others from joining.
We set a fee of just $US25 per annum. Small enough to be inconsequential to bona fide marketers, but large enough to be not worth the trouble for those who just wanted to spam, or who wanted to behave in ways that they knew would get them banned, with the associated loss of that fee.
There is a huge mass of genuine, ethical, professional network marketers out there, including many who are keen to learn better and more productive strategies. It is those people whom we welcome into MLMprofessionals.biz, and if you are one of them, we look forward to working with you to develop your business even beyond your dreams.
Http://www.mlmprofessionals.biz is not associated with any particular MLM company, and does not benefit in any way from MLM product sales or recruiting activities. At all times we remain an independent resource with the sole mission of helping the sector to professionalise and thrive.
What do you think of this article? What are your views on MLM or network marketing? This article invites your comment, which you can make by visiting http://www.mlmprofessionals.biz and clicking on “Articles”.