I’m not a big fan of multi-level marketing – MLM. I am most certainly a fan of trying to make extra cash, but MLM has too many problems. Less than 1% of people who get involved in MLM make money. Many people lose money – sometimes huge sums they can barely afford to lose. This is why I think that MLM sucks.
MLM can hurt your friendships and relationships. We all have that one friend constantly trying to push products on us. They become a “hun” – a term for people who continuously push MLM opportunities on social media. And far from making you money, MLM can lose you a lot of friends.
Why MLM Sucks
Constant Sales Pitches
No one likes to be the target of relentless sales pitches. And at the heart of it, MLM needs you to be pushy in order to make money. Friends become targets for sales pitches, leading to feelings of being used rather than genuinely valued. Friends might buy occasionally out of politeness, but no one wants to be on the receiving end of the hard sell.
Blurred Boundaries
Keeping work and friendship separate is always good, but MLM schemes blur the lines. This leads to awkward situations where friends feel obliged to support their friends ‘ businesses by purchasing products they don’t need or by joining the MLM themselves. This pressure can be uncomfortable, making friends feel like they are being used rather than valued as friends.
Lack of Trust
Trust is essential in any friendship. When a friend begins to push products aggressively, it can lead to distrust. Friends may question the motives behind every interaction with that person, wondering if there is a genuine interest or if they are just looking for another sales opportunity. This trust can be difficult to rebuild, leading to the gradual loss of friendship.
Social Media Overload
With virtually everyone now using social media, MLM participants often use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to market their products. MLM sucks as it leads to a huge number of promotional posts, private messages, and invites to virtual parties. For friends who follow these accounts, the constant barrage of MLM content can be irritating and tiresome, leading to unfollows, blocks, or even strained offline relationships.
Financial Strain and Guilt
When friends feel pressured to buy products or join the MLM, it can lead to financial pressure. Spending money on products they don’t need or can’t afford can create financial stress and guilt. Friends may begin to avoid them to prevent these uncomfortable situations.
Disappointment
MLM invariably leads to disappointment as the participants realise that the business opportunity is not all it is cracked up to be. They might then jump into another opportunity. This cycle of excitement and disappointment can be exhausting for friends.
Emotional Manipulation
MLM training often includes motivational tactics encouraging members to adopt relentless optimism and persistence. While positivity is generally good, in the context of MLMs, it can lead to emotional manipulation. Friends who are concerned or critical might be labelled as negative or unsupportive. This toxic environment hurts relationships in the real world.
Changing Priorities
MLM recruits start spending less time on shared interests and more time on their marketing activities, which makes friends feel neglected and unimportant.
Cult-Like MLM Dynamics
Some MLMs adopt cult-like principles, encouraging members to immerse themselves fully in the business and adopt an “us versus them” mentality. Friends not involved in the MLM are viewed as outsiders or enemies. MLM recruits might isolate themselves from anyone who thinks that MLM sucks, which makes them even more dependent on the opportunity.
While financial independence and entrepreneurial success are appealing, they are unrealistic for most people. The social cost can be high. The pressure to constantly sell and recruit and the blurring of personal and professional boundaries can lead to losing friendships. True friendships are invaluable and irreplaceable, far more precious than any potential monetary gain.
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