MLM Duplication Myth

I recently read an interesting thread on another BLOG and thought it might be useful to cover the concepts here. It involves the ever elusive theory of "duplication" in MLM. Maybe you can relate. I welcome your comments.


Here's what was written -


"To get duplication, keep the system so simple that even stupid people can do it." (I'm quoting my upline here who used to say, "Keep it simple stupid," or "KISS". He later changed this to "Keep it short and simple," which still stood for KISS... I imagine because some were offended by the word 'stupid.')I think this famous network marketing motto is completely off base.


It puts people's focus on the wrong side of the fence. My upline who used to say "KISS" made $300,000+ a month, but I didn't notice one person on his team who he worked with that wasn't a star player--he attracted them because he knew the principles that make you INFLUENTIAL.


And THAT is why he saw the duplication.


There was a time when I could enroll a lot of people into my organization by working hard all day, every day, at an intensity few would endure for long--The end result was OK, but nothing close to my potential and it wasn't at all rewarding because I knew I wasn't tapping into my potential. I knew I couldn't help others tap into their potential if I wasn't.

Mike Klingler


My thoughts and response -


I took my business online over 9 years ago; a network marketing business. I was told then, and am still told today, that what I do is not duplicable; too complicated; that no one can "do what I do." Ouch.


Hmmm, and yet many of the strongest leaders in my organization are forging their own path through internet marketing. And, interesting to note that I am the highest paid in my company with the largest downline. (I certainly don't take credit as getting this done all by myself.)


I'm glad I didn't and don't buy into that misguided theory. After all, I'm a stay home mom who didn't have a lot of time, or a ton of money, but did have a BIG desire. I've never taken a computer class in my life and everything I have learned is self taught, so why can't another do that?


It's vain for anyone to think that "others can't do what I do" or to doubt that another could follow such a complicated system. Take the very shy person and tell them to join BNI or the Chamber of Commerce to generate leads and that person will be out of the business in short order.


Show me any leader or top income earner in any company and I will show you how they somehow forged their own path and differentiated themselves in some way. Nothing wrong with that; all success stories in any profession do this. And, there are always those who will follow and forge their own path as well.


Why do we tell people evaluating network marketing to "think outside of the box" and then when we sponsor them, we want to put them back into a box – "our box"; the box called – simple duplication; the cookie cutter approach?


How many people really succeed at working their warm list? Is this method duplicable? Sure. But if it were really such a "simple" process then we would have less people quitting the profession of network marketing and more people quitting their jobs.


Success in a business, ANY business, requires developing a successful skill set. PERIOD. Good communication; speaking and marketing skills; and leadership are all part of the equation. These are the things that must be duplicated to be successful in MLM, and the way to develop these skills will vary based on the individual and their PASSION.


People often ask me what the BEST way is to generate leads online. For me, the BEST way is the way you feel drawn toward and passionate about. What is BEST for me will not necessarily be BEST for you. That's okay, it’s not a right or wrong, it’s just a FACT.


Once a person moves into developing their own skills, the process does become (dare I say it?) EASY. It really does. It is EASY for me to sponsor 10-20 people a month now. It was NOT easy to do this before I developed my own skill set.


I worked harder BEFORE I developed these skills and made a LOT less money and had a LOT less fun.


10 years ago, I decided that the theory of "Duplication" being taught by so many is a complete myth. I am not interested in a cookie cutter business or being forced into someone else's "box."


It takes time, money and, more than ANYTHING else, a commitment to "going back to school." Going back to school involves learning, researching, and getting rid of the desire to say "This is too hard." It is "hard" to make a lot of money, in anything. And, "hard" is relative.


Understanding the reality of the 2 – 5 year plan is imperative in Network Marketing, and , in most cases, even with internet marketing, because one still has to develop that skill set.


How fun, though, to earn while you learn and develop those skills following a passion and helping others. So, to echo a sentiment, before you ask –


When will I earn $5k a month? $10k a month, and so on; ask this – what value am I offering another? What skill can (WILL!) I work to develop today that will make me better, even if it doesn't yield an "immediate" gratification result?


Like the analogy of going to the gym, the first week that you set out on a workout routine, you don't look in the mirror and see dramatic results. We don't see what is happening behind the scenes. But, it's happening none-the-less.


Same with developing our business skill sets in Network Marketing. I cringe when someone quits after a month or two in the business and says "I'm going to try something else." I want to tell them to save their money.


Here is the reality, until the SKILLS needed are developed, the results will be the same. Guaranteed.


So here is the very simple business plan for success – decide what you are truly willing to commit your time, money and energy toward learning and mastering.


Once you have that determined, write it down and then seek out a mentor who is doing what you want and will coach you (not just teach, there is a difference) in developing your skill set. Pull out all of the stops to get it done and resist the temptation to quit when it seems just a little tough.


I look forward to YOUR insight and comments.

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer