• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 07:26
CET 13:26
KST 21:26
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT29Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book19Clem wins HomeStory Cup 289HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview13Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info8
Community News
Team Liquid Map Contest - Preparation Notice4Weekly Cups (Feb 23-Mar 1): herO doubles, 2v2 bonanza1Weekly Cups (Feb 16-22): MaxPax doubles0Weekly Cups (Feb 9-15): herO doubles up2ACS replaced by "ASL Season Open" - Starts 21/0258
StarCraft 2
General
Team Liquid Map Contest - Preparation Notice How do you think the 5.0.15 balance patch (Oct 2025) for StarCraft II has affected the game? ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT Nexon's StarCraft game could be FPS, led by UMS maker Weekly Cups (Feb 23-Mar 1): herO doubles, 2v2 bonanza
Tourneys
Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) PIG STY FESTIVAL 7.0! (19 Feb - 1 Mar) RSL Season 4 announced for March-April Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament SEL Doubles (SC Evo Bimonthly)
Strategy
Custom Maps
Publishing has been re-enabled! [Feb 24th 2026] Map Editor closed ?
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 515 Together Forever Mutation # 514 Ulnar New Year Mutation # 513 Attrition Warfare
Brood War
General
BW General Discussion Soma Explains: JD's Unrelenting Aggro vs FlaSh It's March 3rd BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ CasterMuse Youtube
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues BWCL Season 64 Announcement The Casual Games of the Week Thread [LIVE] [S:21] ASL Season Open Day 1
Strategy
Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2 Fighting Spirit mining rates Simple Questions, Simple Answers Zealot bombing is no longer popular?
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread Diablo 2 thread Path of Exile
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine UK Politics Mega-thread NASA and the Private Sector
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion TL MMA Pick'em Pool 2013
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Laptop capable of using Photoshop Lightroom?
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Just Watchers: Why Some Only…
TrAiDoS
Unintentional protectionism…
Uldridge
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1599 users

Network Marketing

Blogs > TheFlashyOne
Post a Reply
TheFlashyOne
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Canada450 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-02-09 09:03:28
February 09 2009 09:02 GMT
#1
Last week we were starting to have a nice discussion in a thread about Network Marketing until dear Mr.EvilTeletubby, armed with his legendary objectivity, decided to close it on the grounds that ...well..i guess he doesn't like network marketing.

Thread


Anyhow, i felt inspired to continue it here;

There was not too many comments about people here who actually tried this. Most of it was just 'i heard someone say'. Please contribute ^_^ ... network marketing pretty much consumed my entire mind for more than a year.

*
Don't Spend your Life Dreaming, Live your Dream
29 fps
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States5725 Posts
February 09 2009 10:41 GMT
#2
someone will always lose in this "network marketing". otherwise, nobody will make any money.
4v4 is a battle of who has the better computer.
TheFlashyOne
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Canada450 Posts
February 09 2009 10:47 GMT
#3
If that was the case, don't you think that network marketing would have been outlawed? When you understand the system, you realize that the more money those at the bottom make, the more money those at the top make. The inverse is true, the less money those at the bottom make, the less money those at the top make. It's not a zero sum game. But that hardly means anything because, like i said, the general population is not open to the idea of network marketing. And to be honest, i don't think it ever will.
Don't Spend your Life Dreaming, Live your Dream
Manifesto7
Profile Blog Joined November 2002
Osaka27166 Posts
February 09 2009 10:48 GMT
#4
So why don't you explain the "system" and how everyone can make money? All your posts on the topic are rather cryptic.
ModeratorGodfather
TheFlashyOne
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Canada450 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-02-09 11:35:18
February 09 2009 11:15 GMT
#5
My posts are not cryptic. I never attempted to explain the functioning of network marketing. I simply wanted to discuss 1.the report card of the industry. The end result. Its viability as a side business for the general population. and 2. The distinction between theory and practice in this area of the business world.

Going back to your question; how everyone can make money.

Well, when you have some experience in the real world practice of network marketing, this question is ludicrous. The real question to ask is ; how come everyone, except the very very very top performers, is not making any money?

In theory, however, yes it's possible for everyone to make money. Network marketing is extremely simple. You pay a license to become a distributor. You then distribute a few services or products to your entourage. Then you build your own distribution network, and you get a percentage in the monthly sales of everyone that you directly or indirectly brought into the business. What most people fail to realize is that each new distributor is not a slave to the system. he is by no means limited in his income potential by anyone or anything. He can talk to as many people as he wants to in his recruiting quest. To illustrate this point, while i have failed to make any decent income with my network marketing company, i can guarantee you that some people will join the exact same company in 2010 or later, and go on to become millionaires. The markets in which good network marketing companies operate in are immense.

Basically, to succeed in network marketing you need two things;
1. you need to be open to the idea. Which already cuts off the masses.
2. You need to be a truly exceptional salesman. Just being a really really good salesman won't cut it. You need to be A+

Experience tells me that 1 out of every 10 to 15 person will pass the first test.
Around 3 persons out of every 1000 people who passed the first test will pass the second test and go on to live an extraordinary life.
Don't Spend your Life Dreaming, Live your Dream
stenole
Profile Blog Joined April 2004
Norway869 Posts
February 09 2009 11:34 GMT
#6
The wiki site about MLM seems to exactly explain what a pyramid scheme is. Salesmen recruit other salesmen and take percentages of their income. Even if there are real quality products/services involved, it still remains a pyramid scheme.
TheFlashyOne
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Canada450 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-02-09 11:47:30
February 09 2009 11:38 GMT
#7
Actually let me quote wiki;

"It is sometimes difficult to distinguish legal and reputable MLMs from illegal pyramid or Ponzi schemes. MLM businesses operate in the United States in all 50 states and in more than 100 other countries, and new businesses may use terms like "affiliate marketing" or "home-based business franchising". However, many pyramid schemes try to present themselves as legitimate MLM businesses."

End of quote.

Pyramid schemes have such a strong negative connotation attached to them that people often times forget why they are inherently a bad thing. Now, when you try to promote a legitimate concept that shares a few of their attributes, it becomes virtually impossible to so.
Don't Spend your Life Dreaming, Live your Dream
Manifesto7
Profile Blog Joined November 2002
Osaka27166 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-02-09 11:44:12
February 09 2009 11:43 GMT
#8
Going back to your question; how everyone can make money.

Well, when you have some experience in the real world practice of network marketing, this question is ludicrous. The real question to ask is ; how come everyone, except the very very very top performers, is not making any money?


Answer my question.

Until you are willing to explain to the people who do not practice what network marketing is, it will be seen as a pyramid scheme. It is nobody's fault but the industry's, if it is legit, to be perceived otherwise. You are just talking around a rather simple question.

ModeratorGodfather
Ganfei
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Taiwan1439 Posts
February 09 2009 11:46 GMT
#9
Are you FlashyFinancier?
You are crushing me like a cheese sandwich
TheFlashyOne
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Canada450 Posts
February 09 2009 11:57 GMT
#10
Mani, i briefly explained the concept in the fourth paragraph of my 3rd post. But again, i don't want to get technical here as there are many variations and we could easily get lost. Wiki gives a fair description; Multi-level_marketing

I believe that most people are familiar with the concept anyway. My goal with this blog was to discuss issues concerning the industry as a whole rather than to lose my breath by trying to explain the intricacies of its functioning and to highlight the differences between this and you know what...
Don't Spend your Life Dreaming, Live your Dream
MamiyaOtaru
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
United States1687 Posts
February 09 2009 11:58 GMT
#11
On February 09 2009 19:48 Manifesto7 wrote:
So why don't you explain the "system" and how everyone can make money?


On February 09 2009 20:15 TheFlashyOne wrote:
The real question to ask is ; how come everyone, except the very very very top performers, is not making any money?


So they don't all make money. Thanks for clearing that up.

brain@me:~$ urPyramidScheme > /dev/null
Manifesto7
Profile Blog Joined November 2002
Osaka27166 Posts
February 09 2009 12:18 GMT
#12
On February 09 2009 20:57 TheFlashyOne wrote:
Mani, i briefly explained the concept in the fourth paragraph of my 3rd post. But again, i don't want to get technical here as there are many variations and we could easily get lost. Wiki gives a fair description; Multi-level_marketing

I believe that most people are familiar with the concept anyway. My goal with this blog was to discuss issues concerning the industry as a whole rather than to lose my breath by trying to explain the intricacies of its functioning and to highlight the differences between this and you know what...


Your third post in that topic does not have four paragraphs.

I see. You want to talk about the issues of the industry, yet you have not brought up any of your own concerns about it.

I find it hard to imagine that you could have a discussion about this topic without having to clarify the difference between legitimate and illegitimate businesses, since they are so closely related.
ModeratorGodfather
stenole
Profile Blog Joined April 2004
Norway869 Posts
February 09 2009 12:36 GMT
#13
One problem with pyramid schemes (I will continue to call it that) is that the further down the chain you go, the salesmen will have to pay more and more to the higher-ups. Essentially it becomes harder and harder to sell the product at a profit the lower down you are in the chain. So being at the bottom level is crap. And anyone with any kind of sense will not want to be recruited by you as a salesman because of the the poor prospects of being at the bottom.

Another bad part about the system is that you are "spending" your social connections in order to sell a product. And you will also be using your social connections as your base of recruitment material. It ends up with all your friends hating you or pitying you.
Too_MuchZerg
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
Finland2818 Posts
February 09 2009 13:51 GMT
#14
Okay so I put 50,000 dollars to this and they promise 400% (200-300% is good range too) profit per year. Wonder how much money I have in 10 year period (if 200%, next year I put 150,000 and 200% for that). Sounds scam to me :D
Schnake
Profile Joined September 2003
Germany2819 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-02-09 14:04:17
February 09 2009 13:53 GMT
#15
Well, network marketing is comparable to affiliate marketing on the internet. Let's take Project Wodnerful as an example. You can sell your ad space via them but you can also have potential marketers sign up via your referral link and you will get a small percentage of their revenues as well.

The difference between a pyramid scheme and network marketing is that in a pyramid scheme, you cannot make money by yourself,i.e. you have to recruit other people in order to make money. This is not the case in NM, because you can sell stuff on your own. Sometimes, as a new affiliate you are indirectly forced to buy a starter's kit to start your business but this practice is highly questionable. Consequently, if you'd bought a starter kit for $500 and you were unsuccessful, you lost money but your referrer did actually get paid.

There are a couple of very successful network marketing companies and they work absolutely legit. On top of my mind, Avon should be a good example. They are a very successful cosmetics and beauty products company, selling mainly their products via door-to-door business but you can also recruit friends.

The main problem I have experienced is that the products itself are oftentimes too expensive/overpriced (all consumer goods), you do not have the authority or competency to sell it (financial products), the companies DO NOT have a sustainable business plan, i.e. they go out of business or last but not least that they are lying throught their teeth about important things (products/hierarchy/minimum sales requirements etc.).

Personally, I checked out a couple of those network companies myself in the financial services and nutritional supplements but I was not successful. Recruiting friends for a business is not my style and I am not a good saleman either, so I guess I don't have the core skills to be successful in this industry.

edit: there is also the Direct Selling Association, where you can find direct marketing companies which have agreed to a certain code of conduct.
"Alán Shore" and "August Terran" @ LoL EUW - liquidparty
IntoTheWow
Profile Blog Joined May 2004
is awesome32277 Posts
February 09 2009 15:17 GMT
#16
Herbalife works like Avon too.
Moderator<:3-/-<
TheFlashyOne
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Canada450 Posts
February 09 2009 22:07 GMT
#17
On February 09 2009 21:36 stenole wrote:
One problem with pyramid schemes (I will continue to call it that) is that the further down the chain you go, the salesmen will have to pay more and more to the higher-ups. Essentially it becomes harder and harder to sell the product at a profit the lower down you are in the chain. So being at the bottom level is crap. And anyone with any kind of sense will not want to be recruited by you as a salesman because of the the poor prospects of being at the bottom.

Another bad part about the system is that you are "spending" your social connections in order to sell a product. And you will also be using your social connections as your base of recruitment material. It ends up with all your friends hating you or pitying you.



I completely disagree with your first paragraph.
I completely agree with your second.


and Schnake from Germany. Very good description. However, my company was offering everyday services and i would never ever imagine them going out of business.

You don't have the required salesmanship skills? Well, welcome to the club. I guess we're both part of the 997 out of 1000.
Don't Spend your Life Dreaming, Live your Dream
Insane Lane
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
United States397 Posts
February 10 2009 00:18 GMT
#18
My mom spent years doing network marketing, going to all these conferences and meeting with all these people. Though we still get the occasional check, I don't believe it was worth it at all. Like many other methods, network marketing really manipulates some people and their desire for a get-rich-quick scheme. I've seen first-hand all the types of bull these companies throw at you and I am frankly sick of those people. It feels almost like Scientology to me.

With that being said, I am probably exaggerating it all and it was a great way for my mom to meet new friends. I'm just saying she put in waaaay too much effort to be worth the money.
29 fps
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States5725 Posts
February 10 2009 01:43 GMT
#19
You have to put in a WHOLE lot of money to all these functions, trainings and stuff, and you're not even guaranteed to make a lot. It's all based on commission, so if you cant sell anything for whatever reason, you'll be down a lot of money. If you have to pay a lot of money in order to make money, it's probably a scam.

And the friends pitying you/hating you - that's terrible, too. And it'll happen. Sometimes people you know might buy your product only because they pity you that you can't get a real job.
4v4 is a battle of who has the better computer.
TheFlashyOne
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Canada450 Posts
February 15 2009 04:58 GMT
#20
@Insane Lane, is your mom out of the business by now? i know it's hard to get out of this when you really are hooked to 'the dream' ...you really need a reality check but it's really really really hard to accept this. it took me more than a year.
Don't Spend your Life Dreaming, Live your Dream
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 11h 34m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
LamboSC2 164
Lowko95
SC2Nice 16
StarCraft: Brood War
Sea 41272
Britney 33054
Calm 7959
Hyuk 1282
Horang2 1174
GuemChi 837
Larva 345
PianO 306
Mini 277
Aegong 269
[ Show more ]
Soma 250
Light 201
Last 168
ZerO 159
Rush 105
Soulkey 99
Sharp 75
ToSsGirL 63
Backho 54
soO 50
sSak 34
Free 32
sorry 31
JulyZerg 28
Hm[arnc] 28
Yoon 24
[sc1f]eonzerg 22
Icarus 18
910 18
Shine 18
GoRush 15
Noble 11
Sacsri 10
ajuk12(nOOB) 10
NotJumperer 1
Dota 2
qojqva1248
XcaliburYe62
Counter-Strike
olofmeister1366
x6flipin398
allub206
Other Games
singsing1938
Liquid`RaSZi1001
B2W.Neo972
XaKoH 258
Fuzer 202
crisheroes184
ZerO(Twitch)12
Organizations
Counter-Strike
PGL129
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 16
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 11 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Other Games
• WagamamaTV176
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
11h 34m
The PondCast
21h 34m
KCM Race Survival
21h 34m
WardiTV Winter Champion…
23h 34m
Classic vs Nicoract
herO vs YoungYakov
ByuN vs Gerald
Clem vs Krystianer
Replay Cast
1d 11h
Ultimate Battle
1d 23h
Light vs ZerO
WardiTV Winter Champion…
1d 23h
MaxPax vs Spirit
Rogue vs Bunny
Cure vs SHIN
Solar vs Zoun
Replay Cast
2 days
CranKy Ducklings
2 days
WardiTV Winter Champion…
2 days
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
3 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
WardiTV Winter Champion…
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
Replay Cast
4 days
Monday Night Weeklies
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-03-03
PiG Sty Festival 7.0
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Jeongseon Sooper Cup
Spring Cup 2026
WardiTV Winter 2026
Nations Cup 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025

Upcoming

ASL Season 21: Qualifier #1
ASL Season 21: Qualifier #2
ASL Season 21
Acropolis #4 - TS6
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
CSLAN 4
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
RSL Revival: Season 4
NationLESS Cup
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.