Another test for a pyramid is this:
Would a person buy the product for the price charged if they had absolutely no desire to join the company.

Education - that's what it all boils down too. Education and helping to open up more minds to this industry. :)

Great video - I totally agree we need to do a better job of educating not only people from the outside, but more importantly educate new distributors!

We do need to do a better job of telling the world our story. And we must be professional in the way we interact with people.

One of the important things that we need to do is to educate people. Whether they would join or not in our business.

yes we have a lot of work to do :)

True True... thanks Eric.
-The Rookie

Network Marketing is a skill that has to be learned. People think to work at home you do not have to be educated. - You DO ! -

Learning about MLM and how to do this professionally Anything can be illegal put into the wrong hands. Research your company before you join - learn about the person you will be working with.

Teach people about network marketing we have the chance to change lifes ! Become the pro they are looking for

Is`nt Network Marketing illegal? This misconception comes up quite frequently, and many people really think that what we do is not legal.

This video provides a comprehensive explanation about the differences between our network marketing profession, and the various illegal schemes out there. It also provides an address for finding out whether a specific company is indeed recognized by the Direct Selling Association, and is a reputable company.

Eric,
Great clip. Very useful information.
Lets make this industry better and bigger.
Bests,
Pato Coello

Great episode . . . again!

That's what I love about your work Eric. You actually practice what you teach.
"Don't over talk the subject - point to 3rd party to validate".

A great lesson within your message.

Hi Eric,

First: Thanks for all you are doing here, the interviews are great and the content is thought provoking.

Second: Five years ago I read the DSA "Code of Ethics". I came away from that reading with the impression that the DSA is Company Friendly but less than Distributor Friendly.

I'm glad RS Mallory spoke up about the DRA... a powerful voice for the Distributor. We should all belong to the Distributor Rights Association IMHO.

Kim Bolte

Good to see your, Eric, missed you over the weekend. You're sure right: We've got a better way.
QOTD: I don't believe the old way of earning will ever be what it was. If you look at the millions of people on the social networks you'll notice that most are entrepreneurs that have a variety of skills. People don't want to be bossed around any more. People want to own their lives and be masters of their destiny. P.Z. Pilzer, the great economist, says that within the next decade 10 million new millionaires will appear in the world, and many through network marketing. This is the most fair, ethical, people friendly business there is.

Thanks for this info.. It seems I get the question.. "network marketing...that's one of this pyramid things right?" most times I reply No, its not GM, Enron or MCI... Great info to pass along to the dream stealers

QOTD: Taken and Star Trek.... Angels and Demons was pretty good too.

Hi, Eric!
Let me share a few of my thoughts about today's NMP show.
Well, as long as no prospect asks this question, I would not stress a fact that has to be taken for granted.
Would You pick a physician that advertises "No casualties in 20 years!" or a restaurant that has an illuminated advertisement saying "No contamination since 1998!"?
I think, we should stop training all this defensive behaviour patterns with regard to our business!
When You get a question like "Isn't it illegal?" Your reply could be a friendly and positive counterquestion in terms of "Why do You think so?", "Where did You pick that up?", "What turns a mlm system into an illegal system?", "What are the reasons for Your question? Have You personally made any bad experiences?".
You will recognize, that most people become aware, that their question was without reason, because it was not based on facts but on mere hearsay.
You lead the talk with Your prospect by asking questions!
And listen!
Maybe he/she has a definite reason/experience for that question - than give a short answer and close the topic.
Most of the time people don't have a special reason for that question!

In Germany, You get asked whether mlm is an "schneeballsystem"/"snowballsystem" (= expression for a ponzi scheme - i think you get the picture behind that expression!) - everytime my answer is "Yes, but a legal one - and we even do it in summer!"

Best regards, Freddie

And as for your QOTD; not only as a screenwriter and producer but as a movie lover, I highly recommend Fugitive Pieces, a film made in 2007 which I saw on DVD, and am sorry I missed it in the theater. Based on the book of the same name, to borrow Roger Ebert's words - it’s about the healing qualities of life... Enjoy! But let me/us know what you think.

Great timing for me. I was just asked this question yesterday from an old friend and prospect who is the VP and Treasurer of a major communications company here in Canada. Thanks Eric, I answered my friend's question but am sending the link anyway.

The differences between a legitimate company and a ponzi scheme are hard for many to see. Ponzis do a great job of looking like a legitmate opportunity and many legitimate programs do nothing to show they are. The DSA and DRA are both places to look while doing due diligence checking out a program. Far too many spend their money first only discovering too late they have been taken. This is a difficult topic, especially when intelligent people cannot see the forest for the trees in the matter.

Great video! I like to start my day out every day with your video's and Randy's blogs. Just curious what your thoughts are on cash gifting, I see a lot of people promoting these days?

Eric,

Great Explanation for non-believers! You are doing such a good job at making us all Network Marketing Pros. Thank you for all your efforts.

Thanks Eric, it's important to educate people about this. It's just a matter of time before network marketing becomes as socially acceptable as a traditional JOB, but I truly believe it will.
Thanks to leaders like you and these shows, and all of us, and the wonderful world of the internet, we can make that happen sooner rather than later.

QOTD: I wish I had a good answer for you, but I haven't seen very many movies this year, especially at the theatre. I've rented a few good DVDs (Nothing But The Truth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Gran Torino)
but nothing has really blown me away.

All the best,
Jim

Thank you for this important clarification Eric. The DSA is a terrific organization that Self regulates & has established guidelines for companies that join it. The Distributor Rights Association, http://TheDRA.Org is another industry organization of import for our profession. The DRA is a non profit organization whose sole purpose is to protect, serve and educate those in MLM, Network Marketing or Direct Selling companies. We might support & act as liaison any distributor who finds themselves in a (bona fide) tenuous situation with their company, and might even find ourselves in Washington DC to fight unwarranted legislation for our industry, as we recently did along with The DSA.

As you pointed out, Eric, Network Marketing is an outstanding vehicle for those who take the time to build a foundation of knowledge, develop the right skills, choose "a good company" , and whose motivation is not only to build a financial empire, but to help others do the same thing along the way by becoming Compassionate Marketers.

RS Mallory
Executive Director of Education
www.TheDRA.Org

I think that the recent Ponzi schemes in the financial market and the recent corporate corruptions that are leading to their bankruptcy, all make network marketing a more attractive option.

Investing in the stock market is risky. Investing in real estate has been risky. Investing your career in a company with no promises for your future is risky.

All those options are now so risky, that starting your own network marketing business looks like the safe option. And when people learn how to apply tax reduction strategies, they can save thousands every year, which takes away the risk in regard to their financial investment.

Keep learning and growing!

David