Why Affiliate Marketing is a far better business model than MLM!
Have you ever embarked on the challenging journey of Multi-Level Marketing? (aka MLM)
If so, you're probably no stranger to the uphill battle of securing a presentation with friends, colleagues, or family members. And even if you managed to convince one of them to host a presentation, the uncertainties loomed large. There was no guarantee of the audience's receptiveness, let alone their willingness to make a purchase.
Picture yourself navigating through an awkward presentation, palms sweating, and anxiety building with every slide. You dread the moment when the audience might unleash a barrage of unexpected questions, leaving you feeling unprepared and lacking the necessary knowledge to respond effectively.
Not to mention those countless evenings spent with a group whose interest seemed lukewarm at best, gathered mainly for the social aspect and perhaps a free snack. If this scenario strikes a chord, then you're in for an eye-opening journey as we explore a far superior alternative to the traditional MLM model.
Affiliate Marketing is the secret that blew my mind, when I discovered how simple it was (and it all started with some free workshops) I’m now building multiple businesses I absolutely love and am really proud of.
I've personally been involved in MLM businesses, and I also have friends who are part of various MLM ventures. While I often find their products to be of high quality, I have a preference for purchasing without enduring lengthy product presentations.
During my 28 year career in the travel industry, I reached a point where I yearned for opportunities that would grant me more quality time at home with my girls. Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) presented itself as an enticing option. Given my background in sales, I was swiftly recruited, and I experienced immediate success.
One notable aspect of MLM that I greatly appreciated was the exceptional personal development training provided by most of these companies. This training alone added significant value to my life and made the experience worthwhile. However, in my case, this was where the positives ended. Surprisingly (or not), I found myself working even longer hours than before, which was not what I initially anticipated.
My eyes were opened to Affiliate Marketing after I saw a YouTube ad offering the same free training you could access in the button below. It walks you through all the different types of Online Businesses you could start from home with just a laptop and internet connection.
Nevertheless, you might share my initial skepticism, finding it hard to believe in the promise it holds. Initially, I brushed it aside, but when I faced a job loss following the post-lockdown period, I finally decided to delve deeper into it. Soon enough, I regretted not having done so sooner!
I went on to invest in some world class education and have never looked back. Read on for pros and cons of MLM and Affiliate Marketing or hit the button below to get stuck straight into the workshops.
What is MLM?
Multi-Level Marketing, also known as MLM, Network Marketing, Referral Marketing, or Direct Selling, involves selling products and services while recruiting others into your team to do the same. You earn commissions on your sales and on the sales made by your recruits. It often requires you to buy inventory yourself, and you'll frequently see people selling this stock at various events or directly to friends.
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate Marketing offers a different approach to earning income from home, attracting what we call the "Modern Wealthy." In this model, you promote other people's products or services and earn commissions on the sales you generate. There's no need to buy inventory, recruit others, or deal with pyramid-style structures. Affiliate Marketing empowers you to leverage the vast online world to promote products you love, potentially leading to significant commissions.
Now, let's break down the pros and cons!
Pros of MLM
- Flexibility: MLM offers a flexible schedule, empowering individuals to work on their terms and select their preferred hours, making it an ideal choice for part-time work or side hustles.
- Low Start-up Costs: Compared to other business opportunities, MLM typically demands minimal initial investments, making it accessible for individuals with limited capital to venture into entrepreneurship.
- High Income Potential: MLM presents the possibility of earning substantial income. Earnings aren't restricted solely to personal sales commissions but also include commissions from the sales generated by your downline.
- Personal Development: MLM often provides comprehensive training and support for personal development and entrepreneurship. This enables individuals to enhance their skills and knowledge in areas such as marketing, sales, and business management.
- Social Networking: MLM creates opportunities for social networking, allowing individuals to forge new connections and build valuable relationships within their professional and personal circles.
Cons of MLM
- Overpromise, Underdeliver: MLMs often make grand promises of substantial earnings but frequently fall short of delivering on those commitments. A significant portion of MLM participants actually incurs financial losses, with only a minority achieving any substantial income.
- Pressure to Recruit: To succeed in an MLM, constant recruitment is essential. This can lead to immense pressure to pitch the opportunity to others, straining personal relationships and potentially diverting focus away from product sales, which can harm the company's reputation.
- Costly Inventory: Many MLMs require participants to purchase inventory for resale, which can become a costly endeavor. Selling all the acquired inventory can prove challenging, leaving individuals with excess and unused products.
- Limited Control: As an MLM distributor, you have minimal control over product offerings, marketing strategies, and pricing decisions, which can be frustrating if you have a distinct vision for running your business.
- Reputation: MLMs have garnered a negative reputation due to past instances of fraudulent practices, making it challenging for people to trust the legitimacy of such businesses.
- High Attrition Rate: MLM experiences a high dropout rate, as many participants struggle to make sales or recruit new members. Staying profitable necessitates continuous training, support, motivation, and recruitment efforts.
- Pyramid Structure: MLMs typically adopt a pyramid-style structure, with a small elite at the top reaping significant income while the majority of participants earn little or nothing, raising concerns about the fairness and sustainability of the model.
One of the most challenging aspects I encountered in the world of MLM was the relentless pressure to meet targets, compete, recruit others, and pitch products within my own circle of friends and family.
Pros of Affiliate Marketing
- Low Risk, High Reward: Affiliate marketing requires no costly inventory investments or team recruitment. You simply endorse products you believe in, whether through blog posts or other means, and earn commissions on successful sales, making it a low-risk, high-reward venture.
- No Pressure to Recruit: Unlike MLM, affiliate marketing liberates you from the obligation to recruit others into a team. You can concentrate on promoting products you have faith in and crafting your unique brand.
- No Inventory Hassles: Affiliate marketers steer clear of inventory concerns; there's no risk of being saddled with unsold or outdated products.
- More Control: As an affiliate marketer, you wield more influence over the products you endorse. You can opt for high-ticket offers that yield substantial returns and employ the marketing strategies that align with your preferences, whether it's through free methods like blogging and social media or paid ad placements.
- The Digital Gold Rush: In an era where approximately 2.14 billion online shoppers were active in 2021 alone, the digital landscape offers an unparalleled opportunity for growth and prosperity.
- Skillset Advancement: The online skills you acquire in affiliate marketing can be applied in various contexts, making you highly marketable in the job market or as a freelancer.
- Digital Nomad Freedom: Armed with a laptop and an internet connection, you can work from virtually anywhere, embracing the lifestyle of a digital nomad.
- Earn While You Sleep: Once your marketing systems are set up, you have the potential to generate income 24/7. Imagine making sales even while open water swimming; affiliate marketing offers this kind of freedom.
Cons of Affiliate Marketing
- Intense Competition: Affiliate marketing has gained immense popularity as a remote income source, leading to fierce competition, particularly in certain niches. Standing out and securing sales can be challenging, but with proper training, it's surmountable (and I'm living proof!).
- Limited Control Over Products: As an affiliate marketer, you lack control over the products or services you promote. If the product fails to meet customer expectations, it may reflect poorly on you as the affiliate, underscoring the importance of carefully selecting the products you endorse.
- Commission Rate Reductions: Some companies may decrease the commission rates for their affiliate marketers over time, affecting your potential earnings. It's crucial to conduct thorough research and choose to partner with companies you have personally used, adore, and trust.
- Income Fluctuations: Your affiliate marketing income can fluctuate based on product performance, market changes, and various external factors, introducing an element of income unpredictability.
- Need for Consistent Effort: Similar to any business, sustained effort is essential for affiliate marketing success. You must consistently promote products, cultivate your audience, and innovate marketing strategies. Unlike a traditional job, this could mean dedicating as little as 30 minutes a day or even less when equipped with the right system and product (our training will guide you through it!).
Many businesses offer poor returns, no resources for their affiliates, no community, and no support. Affiliate Marketing is a booming opportunity, and because of that there are many scams promising that you can get rich quick or make money overnight; spoiler – you can’t!
HOWEVER – I’ve been lucky, I was introduced to Affiliate Marketing the way you are now—by someone who invested in a World-Class Digital Education. A company that will help you to ‘Prepare, Launch and Grow your dream online business – an actual business, not just an affiliate account. A business where you can set up systems once, and earn a High Ticket Affiliate Rewards 24/7.
Conclusion
Your time is precious, and your desire for time freedom, personal growth and financial freedom is understandable. It's crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Hopefully this article has helped you towards making an informed decision.
I've found my favoritt business model and using the skills I’ve learned, I’ve also built a coaching business, an e-commerce business and there´s more to come.
My favourite product is the one where it all started for me. From here I’ve connected with a world-wide community of likeminded entrepreneurs who are using the training to build their own dream businesses with everything from coaching just about anything, selling just about everything via Amazon and other online stores, copywriting, running online marketing companies and of course keeping it simple and selling other companies product or service via Affiliate Marketing.
The education offers a full picture approach with numerous options that go way beyond the bog standard ‘how to’ training you get everywhere else.
You’ll be walked through every step of the way from that first rung on the ladder when you have NO IDEA what to do, no digital skills and no experience to running 6 to 7 figure online businesses like many of our members (not me yet, but I’ve never been closer!)
For me, this amazing adventure all started with the FREE training I mentioned previously and it can for you too.
You’ll discover several different online business models, not just affiliate marketing, to help you decide what’s right for you, your passions and your lifestyle.
What have you got to lose? (except perhaps that pile of products you were going to buy!)
Click the link below for the training that convinced me to ditch MLM – it’ll blow your mind!
And if you have ANY QUESTIONS, I’m more than happy to reply – just send me an email here: christin@csosolution.com
