MLM and SINALOA

The theory behind MLM is simple. You talk to 10 of which 3 join. Those 3 talk to 10 of whom 3 join. Those 3...you can fill in the rest. The reality is that most people who start in MLM talk to 3 who all say no, they become discouraged, start making excuses why they cannot attend training and quickly drop out of the business, telling everyone that MLM does not work and it is all a scam, especially if they made any upfront investment.

Well, the truth is that MLM only works for those who work. The other truth is that from all the people you might talk to Some Will, Some Won't, So What, Next...

You may or may not have heard of Bill Britt, one of the most successful distributors in Amway.

Some years ago, 20/20 did a feature story on Amway. In typical hit-journalism fashion, they spent 19 minutes interviewing whiners and complainers - several distributors who had failed and showed their garages full of products they couldn't sell.

During the last minute of the show, Mr. Britt was interviewed in front of his palatial home. He was asked, "Mr. Britt, this business has obviously worked for you. What's your secret?"

Bill Britt replied...
"There is no secret. I simply showed the plan to 1200 people. 900 said, 'No.' and only 300 signed up. Out of those 300, only 85 did anything at all. Out of those 85 only 35 were serious, and out of those 35, 11 made me a millionaire."

So, is it worth talking to more people? Another acronym used in MLM is SINALOA - Safety in Numbers And Law of Averages. Simply put, the more you talk to, the more will say yes. Remember the attitude to have is that you welcome a "no" because that means you are closer to a "yes". Think that you are paid for everyone you talk to, the "nos" as well as the "yesses". That should motivate you to talk to more people.

Or will you be one of the whiners who say MLM doesn't work? I personally know people who started from scratch in MLM, some heavily in debt, and went on to build businesses earning in excess of £100,000 per year, £360,000 per year and one couple £600,000 per year. Was it worth the tears, the disappointments, the rejections? I think they would say yes.

© Antonia Stuart-James 2007