So which are you? An MLMer, or a Professional Network Marketer?
Is there really a difference? Are we just trying to separate ourselves from the negative connotations of the phrase ‘Multi Level Marketing’ and all of the pain it brings to mind of the people who stepped into and out of the business model over the years? Do we instead call ourselves “Network Marketers” and escape the skeptical eye of the ‘real’ entrepreneurs who would never do one of those ‘deals’?
I say not at all- Network Marketing as a profession has come into its own – and there are hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs who would never work a business if it did not have the leverage that a Network Marketing business offers. A professional Network Marketer knows that by developing leaders – they can create true walk away income. You cannot do that with a traditional business – even if you are the ‘boss’.
So what is an MLMer? What makes them different from a Professional Networker? And how can YOU evolve from the MLMer mentality and become the professional you must be to stop running on the hamster wheel – getting nowhere?
The MLMer has the mentality of an employee.
Wow, thats a tough one – but right on the money. Most individuals are actually employees when they begin a home based business, so of course they have the mentality of an employee! How can that be a bad thing?
The MLMer’s focus is on retirement. Its on how quickly they can sit back and do nothing. Their first question is ‘how quickly can I make $5k a month so I can quit my job’. Now, wanting to quit your job is a natural thing… indeed, the true entrepreneur is smothered in a job and can see no other way of life than being self employed. But if your primary goal is retirement – we have some work to do!
The Entrepreneur’s drive is to do exactly what they desire
The entrepreneur is looking for an opportunity to work so that they can do what they are driven to do – they KNOW they are meant to do bigger and better things and are looking for the way, the teacher, the opportunity to present itself as the answer to the problem they have – a job!
The MLMer is also known as a MLM ‘Junkie’.
The MLMer is always looking for the next big thing – the next super duper comp plan that is going to pay them 2000% more for doing diddly squat. They are constantly jumping from one company to the next and have ‘shiny object’ syndrome which constantly distracts them from their goals. They rely on their emotions when making a decision. They let the over hyped launch calls, websites and and big promises of individuals guide their decision making. The are typically in multiple deals, and in many over many years. They never learn to laser focus to make the long term residual income… because they are living week to week, or at best month to month.
Be careful – because this affliction has a cousin. It’s the elusive search for the magic ‘system’. If you are up all night reading every so-called guru’s training on how you can make money in your sleep without ever calling your prospects… If you are spending your days in the technical side of internet Network Marketing instead of talking to humans… you are in the endless spiral of looking for the magic dust.
7-9pm is the Golden Time where you need to be talking to people. Your online marketing should be done after hours… yah hear???
The Professional Network Marketer aligns themselves with one GREAT company and builds for LIFE
The Entrepreneur relies on discipline – and truly does their due diligence before aligning themselves with a company that they will succeed wildly in.
(There is a reason that ViSalus has more people with multiple degrees and people who earned six & seven figures in other industries before coming to build a business here. ViSalus holds up to their keen scrutiny!)
An entrepreneur will stick with one company once the right one is identified. They will build one huge network and create as many leaders within that network as humanly possible! They will work to ‘replace themselves’ by training up people who can lead the masses…
So that they can go on to do bigger things, to give philanthropically, to travel, to inspire greatness in others.
The MLMer is always looking for an example of success outside of themselves.
They are waiting for their upline to provide the perfect training – the perfect system, the magic leads that are going to get it all done for them… or worse still- for spillover! What the heck is spillover? It’s a lottery mentality. It’s the get as much as you can for doing nothing – it’s the employee mentality that wants to get just enough done so that they don’t get fired… but never strives for excellence.
The Entrepreneur Leads by Example.
They make a definite decision and remained committed to the tasks ahead until the goal is met. They don’t do what they do for the money – but for the sake of creating something bigger than themselves. They do it in service – for the greater good. They don’t make excuses for themselves, and don’t give excuses when asked why the goal wasn’t accomplished. They state the facts… not lame excuses!
Dont Worry! Your Evolution can be swift!
I do think that most people begin a home based business with the MLMer mentality ~ But most of us will mature into the mindset of the Professional Network Marketer. Eventually it is no longer about how much money you can make ‘off of’ people, but instead its about how many people you can help to succeed in this incredible profession. Your ability to distinguish between a ‘great’ company, and a fly by night program designed to fleece people out of their hard earned seed money becomes honed. You will avoid money games like the plague – aware of the carnage they leave behind. Instead, you will seek to align yourself with greatness – with a rock solid company with all of the pillars in place so that when you bring a new person into the business you know with full certainty that you are doing something GOOD. You are making a change in the world.
You never know who that new entrepreneur might be- or how many lives they will impact. But you’ll know its your job to make sure they have what they need to move forward to be a professional Network Marketer.
As a pro – you will be able to see the MLMer mentality a mile away. You will hear it in your prospects and in your new business builders. What are you to do???
Be an example – that’s what leadership is and does.
If they are watching, they will learn. They will emulate. They will win. And then guess what??? So will you!
So are you an MLMer or an Entrepreneur using the Network Marketing business model? If you see yourself in the MLMer mindset – your evolution can be swift. It can be NOW. You can make the decision to avoid the MLM junkie behavior. Align yourself with a great company – and then get laser focused. Do exactly what you are told without deviation. Develop your own skill set within that company and build a rock solid future for your family.
Otherwise you are always just starting over… just trying to make a buck… just trying to get by… always thinking the reasons for your failure are outside of yourself.
If your company is not the best – then make one final jump HERE.
But if you think jumping from Visalus to another shiny object is the answer… then I KNOW your thinking is faulty! Change your mindset now- or sayonara!
One last thing…
If I tell you I’m laser focused – don’t show me your MLMer qualities by trying to woo me with your super duper next big comp plan thingy… I don’t care what it pays if you are selling crap products with no real value in the marketplace, or if your company is a dinosaur when it comes to marketing.
Really, I dont care.
I’ll respect you if you tell me you are laser focused. Sincerely I will. Respect my focus as well.











Twitter Updates


Hi Melanie,
In my opinion, there’s no separating the two. I’m proud to be a Multi Level Marketer/Network Marketer. There are thousands of MLM’ers out there who pioneered this industry and are very happy being retired on residual income created from their own blood, sweat and tears.
I do agree with you, though, about the MLM junkies. You can recognize them from a mile away. Hit and run. That’s what they’re all about.
The MLM’er who is trying to find the right company is a different story. I’m sure you’d agree, since you’ve been in several companies yourself. Me, too.
So whether we like being called a Network Marketer or a Multi Level Marketer, they’re one in the same. We’re all out here as professionals, spreading the same message. That there is a way out of the rat race if a person is willing to put in the work. Just my 2 cents.
God Bless,
Spence
Mel…I LOVE this post!
You have taken so much that is both good and frustrating about our wonderful industry today, and clarified it for many.
I hope you don’t mind..but your great explanation is going to the file that I use in my mind-set training classes. As usual, you hit the nail on the head!
Peace and Abundance,
Deborah Tutnauer
Spence,
Should have used the words MLM Junkie through the whole thing – because thats really the archtype I was talking about. But you must admit that people avoid using the words Multi Level Marketing. Its a deal crusher!
Deborah,
Got this training from our CEO, Ryan Blair – indeed, excellent for your mindset training!
Hi Melanie,
Way to represent the Network Marketing professionals. I appreciate a post like this. First you have the makings of an ebook or report with the way you clarified the difference between MLM’er and Network Marketer, both in mindset and tangible action-taking.
I also totally agree about the company you choose should have great and respectable products. I’ve always thought this way. To me, product is what drives it all. But I don’t necessarily agree that the company has to have great marketing. Granted, it would be a plus, but if you are a person who understands marketing then it seems like a great opportunity for an network marketing entrepreneur to come in and fill that need.
I’m going to start visiting here more often. I have another browser open with one of your other posts that I want to read. Say… do you accept guest posts? I would love to contribute to the quality of this blog.
Eric Walker
Thanks Eric,
Appreciate your comments-
but I must say as someone who once DID ‘step in and fill that need’ for a company, it absolutely took away from the time I spent actually building and developing leaders (and thus, residual income).
If you can leverage an excellent marketing system and training platform- and focus on BUILDING – you are in the best possible scenario.
I think that most people have no idea that a company can actually have a GREAT marketing system/platform. Most companies DO leave that up to the distributors – so most are accustomed to having to develop something for themselves/their team. I think that its fun/exciting/creative… but it detracts from the business at hand. AND its less than duplicatable.
You know what I say…
If your Network Marketing Company knows something about MARKETING, you’ll make a whole lot more money with less work!
Hey Melanie-
You have a very compelling point!
Your experience (and wisdom) come across here.
Thanks for the response.
Eric Walker
Hi Melanie,
You have such a gift for writing and conveying ideas about controversial topics!!! This article is right on the money!!
After these last few years and especially this last year, my mindset has matured and changed about the MLM/Network Marketing industry. I clearly see what it really takes to be successful for the long term after chasing all those shiny new objects for so long. It took some blood, sweat and tears to get here but now I have a crystal clear picture of the true value of what we have with ViSalus and I feel blessed.
Happy to have partnered up with you for what is destined to be a great journey that will help a lot of people finally achieve the success they deserve.
All the BEST!
Frank Metzger
Melanie,
Your are right on about the difference between MLM’ers
and Professional Network Marketers.
So many need to read this for a reality check.
Then maybe decide to truly have some success.
WOW! Finally it’s been said. Thanks for putting this out there Melanie. So sick of the MLM mentality, the “what do you mean I have to spend $100 to start my business?” Now, I only work with entrepreneurs who use NM as a business model, as you said so well. Thanks again!