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I’ve always been fascinated by MLMs.  I’ve said for a long time that I wanted to be in an MLM.  In theory, they are good, and it’s the kind of game I have won all my life.   I can’t bring myself to do it because of the sleaze factor, the fact that it would dissipate my personal brand, and because I have a severe distaste for people that ruthlessly monetize their friends and family.

Still, I’ve always wanted to do MLM.  It’s on my checklist of ‘novel ways to make a living,’ along with selling cars, be a writer, and being an executive assistant.   It’s always fascinated me because I’ve seen the income statements of some true successes, and they’re not the brightest people in the world.  

I like the kind of people that MLM attracts, the goal oriented, church-of-success Polyannas, the would be and wannabe contenders.   It also attracts the same ‘get rich quick’ jerks that are around in Real Estate, the kind of ruthless lunatics that caused our industry to blow up.  I digress.

My past experience has with MLM been this: a highly emotional (they call it ‘holistic’) pitch that as my high school buddy Sam says, "Stresses the upside, but leaves some details in the dark," or even deliberately making them obtuse.  When I press for details, the MLMers keep me out, after saying that ‘all my questions,’ would be answered.  I want to get first, the financial details; most specifically the velocity: how long will they hold your damn money up before they get it to you.

Anyway.  Bumped into a former Otterbein classmate some time ago at church.  She’s involved with Usana, and she invited me, passively, to hear more about it.   Initially I said not so much, but I’ve heard from tons of people that it’d be a good fit. 

#1 Insist on a Meeting–Even Blow Off Phone Calls.

I contact her after something makes me a little more interested, I ask very specific questions, phrased clearly.  I even called with questions.

I get a, "Hey, are you wanting to meet now."

More curt and brusque than necessary, I say, "before we meet, I have questions," all revolving around velocity of payout and transparency.

I got more closing info for a meeting. 

#2:  Don’t Answer Questions Simply, Require People to Watch a Flash Video that Barely Works.

I get links to videos that have nothing resembling the information I was looking for.  I was looking for info–one or two words.   I sent this:

I intend to know:

1.) Pay structure, mostly how soon after a realized sale do I get my cash. this is significant because I want velocity. I want to ensure my people get the cash on time every time, without fail, and I’d prefer it if they’d have maximum possible cash control.
2.) income: How many levels deep?
3.) participants: I want to know the score, I don’t have a ## in mind.
4.) key personel and past Bankruptcy, indictments, or legal hassles.
5.) efficacy of the product: am I going to be selling my network up the river? no. I must deliver the goods, even if the price is premium.
6.) price point.
7.) chargeback exposure.

I got links to video

Nutritional Info:

[[url]]

Comp. Plan

[[url]]  (and the  17 minute video comp plan here was opaque and didn’t answer my questions).

#3: Make People Feel Used, and Insult them For Asking Questions

Look, a 17 minute video that trickles content is an insult.  Especially when the info can be done in three-four sentences.  Who would watch a video?  I’m a high-D on my DiSC profile, but seriously, 17 minutes of video without many words is not what we want.

When I said "I don’t do videos" meaning, I wasn’t gonna invest (and why should anyone) my time in a video without info first….I got this in response:

Chris. For what it’s worth Usana pays weekly. I’m not trying to ignore your questions…they are not just a simple answer…a wider explanation is needed.
We are trying to build a team of coachable people and it doesn’t seem you are flexible. We feel Usana is the best, most fair compensation plan with really top notch products. But, I find it extremely frustrating that you won’t take the time to consider the company to the extent that is needed to give you your information

Coachable.  That’s code for people that do what we want.  I was called uncoachable for asking questions.  Remember:  She approached me.  

All of the questions above are answerable easily…but the fact is they weren’t read.  At all.  Just send me to a video.

#4 Require People Invest Time Before You Invest With Them.

Again–how do you feel unimportant?  I get scads of MLM opportunities thrown at me.  I have a great contact base that basically trusts me.  719 "A" contacts, 1400 "B" contacts, and 4500 "C" contacts.  This was built over a decade of selling real estate, mortgages, and other things.   (Aside: I have 45-50 people that dislike me in my database as well.)  I was begging for information in the facebook conversation.

Just stiff armed.  Given the opportunity.  I respected the person that came to me.  She didn’t honor my time, or value me, because she could take 4 minutes to evaluate the questions. 

#5  Blow People Off When They Are Begging for Info

I’m not trying to ignore your questions…they are not just a simple answer…a wider explanation is needed.

No, simple questions get simple answers.  Actions speak louder than words. She had no interest in connecting, and the attitude of finding talented people.  I don’t learn exactly like others, but this is not the way to  do things.  The videos answered no questions, they were either condescending and controlling variants of the Ben Franklin Close, or emotional pulls with no real info.

In 2008, we have to have companies acknowledge what they do right and what they do wrong.  Sending

Three sentences would have given the info video, and I hit Alt-F4 after about 1 minute wasted.  I couldn’t see them providing me with anything.  The questions remain unanswered.  I know that Usana people will find this blog and comment on it, but not answer my questions.

#6: Misunderstand that communication is the message received

Here’s the deal:  Communication is what we’re hearing, not what’s being said.  I’m pretty sure that this chick was a communications major, too.  

It was obvious that I was interested.  I am STILL interested.  If I can add true value to my contacts, help people and get paid, I’m 100% in.  But, I’m not going to join something But I want transparent answers to important details.  Example:  How much exposure do I have to chargebacks.  If someone calls AMEX and pretends they didn’t order it, what next?  

A relationship is built on trust, and if there is trust, a little at a time.  If we do what we say, and understand that we’re asking, then trust is built.  If we take objections as threats and nuisances, then trust is dissipated.  Even an authentic FAQ generated by the user would have done this.

Anyway, this is largely notes for the future.  Social Media + MLM is a viciously cool combo, and I want to get in at some point.  But it’s gotta be something I’m enthusiastic about, I don’t want my friends thinking–as I did–that I see them in terms of dollar signs.  I want people to know that I’m recommending this because it’s in their best interests.  I recommend GTD/ZTD because it’s in their best interest. 

So I keep on searching.  If you’re willing to answer questions, feel free to contact me here or on twitter.

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