Network marketing is no longer a brand-new form of distribution; and precisely because some people have had bad experiences, there are negative stories about this earning and sales opportunity.
But there are also people who simply reject this system and actually spread falsehoods out of malice. And then there are still many today who try to get rich quickly with network marketing – and at the expense of others.
Network Marketing oder auch MLM – Multi-Level Marketing ist eine seriöse Vertriebsform, wenn ehrlich gearbeitet wird. In der Werbung und auf Social Media ist das aber häufig nicht der Fall. Schauen wir uns deshalb ein paar häufige Fragen, Missverständnisse und falsche Versprechungen an, damit du weißt, auf was du dich ggf. einlässt – und mit wem.
Buzzwords, superlatives, empty phrases and clichés
Flexible working hours
A job in network marketing is naturally not an employment relationship and there are no accountability obligations. The free allocation of time one wants to devote to their business is therefore a given and is the case with all network marketing companies.
The more important question is: what time commitment is needed to actually achieve something? Just sitting around achieves nothing.
Completely flexible
"You can do what you want, when you want, with whom you want."
That's a high degree of flexibility. This is also given with all network companies. The question is: can you handle this freedom, or do you need a system to work effectively? Those with complete flexibility and no self-commitment often do nothing.
Building something of your own
Anyone who dreams of creating something themselves can achieve this with network marketing. But it must be clear:
- No one gives you anything for free. Even in binary plans, new consultants are not evenly distributed, but usually only the outermost leg is built. So you don't get new consultants by doing nothing.
- You can realise yourself with the structure building and income creation. But at the end of the day, the structure and customers always belong to the company.
- If you want to build something of your own, you can do so in a network, but the question is: wouldn't you benefit more from creating something truly your own? Your own idea?
Building something is made easier by a network company because you only need to contribute your work effort, and the rest is already provided.
That's why the rest must fit: company, product, working method, target customer, remuneration. Then a network marketing company can also be a good step to realise oneself or earn enough money to later build something of one's own.
Network makes it easier, but it's not the only opportunity to build something. If you're only lured by this promise, you're not clear about what you're really looking for.
No prior knowledge needed
Even in an apprenticeship, no prior knowledge is needed. In every new profession, no prior knowledge is needed. But they are always helpful.
In network marketing, it's important to learn and ideally know more than just slogans from marketing brochures or perseverance slogans and sometimes dubious statements from leaders.
At the end of the day, you're not just presenting a product or a business opportunity, but also yourself, your knowledge, and your handling of questions and criticism. You shouldn't be unprepared.
Product knowledge is often not that extensive, as network companies take care of everything in the background and make it as simple as possible; but you should have the willingness to at least understand the necessary knowledge.
Online
Network marketing has always been a business from person to person. Those who rely entirely on online or highlight it as an advantage that everything runs online forget that it's a relationship business.
Online can support, expand, and enrich an activity. But if the focus is solely on doing everything online, it becomes
a) arbitrary
b) reckless
Arbitrary, because many such networkers simply play with large numbers: if the first doesn't bite, the next will. There's plenty of choice on the internet.
Reckless, because many people online are tempted to make statements that are not correct or simply lies. Online, behind your PC or mobile, you often feel like you're in a lawless space.
There are companies that heavily rely on messengers and invite partners and prospects into groups. Often, people are overwhelmed there and moved by group pressure to do or buy something. Would you do that in real life?
If someone says yes here, they still have a lot of personal experience and development ahead of them.
Meaningful
Every activity must be meaningful, otherwise you quickly lose interest and motivation.
That's exactly why you should take a close look at the company, product, concept, and people before getting involved with a company.
The people introducing you to an opportunity often try to convince you that this opportunity is meaningful and others are not. But how honest is it if you're not allowed to form your own opinion and just have to believe everything?
What is meaningful to you?
- Helping people? If so: what does that look like for you? Does this company/product support you in achieving that?
- Earning money? Money comes automatically when you do something that feels right for you. If the company and product are right: can you realistically earn money here?
- Receiving recognition? Does the company recognise you, are there things that appeal to you? Titles, badges, holidays?
- Gaining security? If security is important to you, a good structure can lead to a secure income source. But if you have trouble talking to people because you don't know how they'll react, you should look for a solution here.
- Having variety? The activity as a salesperson is very varied if you actually work, because you'll meet many people and situations.
- Developing yourself? Network marketing can be a good way to do this because you'll experience rejection, approval, highs, and lows and learn a lot about yourself. Network is by no means the only way, but it is a way.
So: what is meaningful for you? Does this opportunity, this company, this product, this sponsor support you in that? Do the company's values align with your own? These are important questions.
Gamechanger
In the decades of network marketing, there's hardly a dumber argument to get people to join than the claim that a product or opportunity is a gamechanger, changing the rules of the game.
People who respond to this don't want to miss this potential chance. But in recent decades, practically all these gamechanger companies and products have disappeared from the market, even those with financial backing.
- Who still remembers LetsBuyIt.com, the portal founded in 1999 where shopping communities were to be formed? Many people buy a product and get a better price.
- Who remembers the network DubLi? Good idea, long on the market, long gone.
- There are many companies in the network that started with a bang and are still active today but lead a rather insignificant existence.
A current real gamechanger is AI (artificial intelligence), and it's hard to predict what changes will really come with it. AI has already captured many areas of life and is not just a niche product but is found in society.
Unrivalled
If a product is unrivalled, it's usually not good.
Because if something has potential, there will be competitors and imitators. Only products that are insignificant have no competition.
So the question is: what aspects are unrivalled?
- Is there a special formula that cannot be imitated? (even Coca-Cola has many competitors)
- Is there intellectual property that is protected? (even Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings are not unique – there are many books within their genres. Not as successful, but there is competition)
- Is there a special quality? (can this not be imitated or even surpassed?)
- Are there special advocates, celebrities, etc.? (what real value does that have and is it truly unrivalled?)
- Is this product available nowhere else? (but are there similar products that do the same or comparable things?)
High-quality products
The argument that you offer high-quality products is not an advantage but a basic requirement.
What person working in sales wants to offer second-rate goods or junk? Who wants to buy cheap products, except out of financial necessity or because they only need them once and therefore durability and quality can be neglected?
What makes the products "high-quality"?
Our grandparents had a saying "Precisely because we have no money, we must buy quality."
So your product should be of high quality, but it's not a special feature, it's an expectation.
Growth market
Growth markets change in cycles. There are researchers who have studied the different phases. You have to see what has value and substance.
Some researchers say we are in the health market, others speak of the technology market. AI (artificial intelligence) will change a lot here.
At the end of the day, basic needs always count: am I well, do I have a roof over my head, can I survive and other things.
Anyone who helps meet people's needs will always have customers, whether you're in a growth market or not.
"We were exactly where you are now"
Diese Aussage wird gerne verwendet, um eine Gemeinsamkeit zu schaffen und auszudrücken „wenn wir das geschafft haben, dann kannst du es auch“. In aller Regel geht es den Leuten aber nur darum, jemanden neues ins Team zu holen und das Interesse endet mit dem Setzen der Unterschrift unter dem Beraterantrag.
If someone actually knows your situation, can describe in detail and accurately what's going on in your current life situation, you really feel understood, and they show you comprehensibly how they got further, then you might have encountered someone "real".
In most cases, however, this sentence is just simple marketing speak.
"We've waited x years for this"
A meaningless and insignificant statement.
Who has waited for what and why? Who makes this statement? Is this person saying it an authority? Why should I believe them and what does it have to do with me/us?
It's great when other people's wishes come true. The sentence "we've waited x years for this" often conveys that there's something special that hasn't existed before, and you easily fall for it out of gullibility.
But what is special about it? And is it really special? What impact does it have for/on you? Does it make your life or the work you have to do easier? How? And why hasn't anyone "invented" it before, or did it exist and didn't work?
"We've waited x years for this" is not a good statement.
"Such an opportunity comes only once in a lifetime!"
A relevant, real opportunity for you is noticeable when it completely speaks to you, when you feel it's something for you. When you can't think of anything else. When it keeps you awake at night.
It's a bit like being in love: you recognise that there's something for you and you have to act. Otherwise, the opportunity might be missed.
But you know what? In network marketing, it's like in love: there's more than one opportunity.
And if someone urges you to act immediately, without letting you sleep on it, the statement about the "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" is probably more of a marketing cliché to get people into the system quickly before they realise it's not that great.
If a stranger, an acquaintance, or even a friend urges you to do something immediately, it might not be such a good friend.
Except if they notice that the love of your life is standing over there and urge you to speak to them. You should give in to that pressure and opportunity.
Strong team
A statement without much substance.
What does it mean? And how does it show concretely?
Can I talk to everyone in the team and will I get help? Do I receive support? Do the people know and appreciate me?
Are there joint activities to really form a team? Is there no envy, or are customers poached?
Is there a sensible, actually applicable system that suits me, or is everyone the same and has to do the same? Is attention paid to me?
How does the "strong team" show itself? What do I get out of it?
Personal support
In every apprenticeship, you have a training manager who takes care of the trainees. In university, you have fellow students, lectures, and opportunities for support.
How is it in the network? How long and how much support do you get when "personal support" is promised?
Is it my responsibility to collect it myself, or is it the sponsor's obligation to deliver it?
Do I receive documents, training, answers to follow-up questions? Does someone sit down with me? Does someone accompany me to appointments? What does it look like in practice? Or does "personal support" simply mean short messages on the phone saying "You must..."?
Personal growth / spiritual
Everyone experiences personal growth when they dare to try something new. When they engage, experiment, stumble, get back up, learn, and have fun.
Network Marketing can be a great opportunity for development, as it involves a lot of interaction with new people and situations. You travel to cities, enter homes, make mistakes, face them, and grow as a person. You learn more about yourself.
All of this is true – if you actually do something and see feedback as an opportunity for growth and use it.
And the more you see others' reactions to you as a reflection of your own personality, the more spiritual a network activity can become.
Unfortunately, it also happens more often that spiritual people are targeted with the argument of personal growth, by people who have no interest in others and are just looking for new partners.
Network Marketing kann ein Weg zur Erkenntnis sein, es ist aber beileibe nicht der Einzige. Und jeder spirituell angehauchte Mensch sollte sich hinterfragen, welches Bedürfnis er gerade zu erfüllen versucht mit dieser Tätigkeit, welches Interesse hinter all dem steht und wie gut man gelernt hat, mit Ablehnung umzugehen und wie man darauf reagiert.
Do these superlatives annoy you too?
Legal questions
Note: this is not legal advice.
Is Network Marketing legal?
Ja. Diese Vertriebsform existiert schon sehr lange und ist im Grunde nur die Verlagerung von Groß- und Einzelhandel auf den einzelnen Berater. Es entfallen einige Zwischenstufen und die eingesparten Kosten werden als Handelsspanne und Betreuungsprovision für Berater, die man anwirbt und betreut, ausgezahlt. Man kann also ein eigenes Netzwerk (Network) an „Händlern“ aufbauen und an deren Leistung mit verdienen.
If Network Marketing is conducted ethically by the company/founder and the individual consultants, there is nothing against this form of distribution.
Do I have to register a business?
Die Tätigkeit eines Beraters im Network Marketing ist gewöhnlich eine auf Gewinnerzielung abgerichtete, gewerbliche Tätigkeit. Deshalb: ja. In aller Regel schon. Das heißt, dass man eine Gewerbeanmeldung bei der Gemeinde oder Stadt vorzunehmen hat und seine Einnahmen und Betriebsausgaben bei der Steuererklärung mit anzugeben hat.
However, check with your sponsor/consultant whether a business registration is necessary in your country and in cooperation with your company. Generally, yes.
What is allowed to be done/said? (Liability)
Je nach Branche und Produkten mit denen du arbeitest, gibt es rechtliche Besonderheiten zu beachten. Vermittelst du Versicherungen, Wertanlagen, Immobilien oder ähnliche Objekte, kann ggf. eine Prüfung vor einer Kammer notwendig sein, um überhaupt tätig werden zu dürfen und um Haftungsansprüche auszuschließen oder zu minimieren.
Therefore, it is best to use only officially issued material from your company, as this is usually legally reviewed, and your partner company assumes liability.
Avoid under all circumstances vague statements, loopholes, and unauthorised practices. Warnings for inadmissible healing claims (e.g., "our product helps with headaches") are expensive. Promising special advantages can also be warned against.
Vermeinde unter allen Umständen halbseidene Aussagen, Schlupflöcher und unerlaubte Praktiken. Abmahnungen wegen unzulässiger Heilaussagen (z. B. „unser Produkt hilft bei Kopfschmerzen“) sind teuer. Auch das Inaussichtstellen besonderer Vorteile kann abgemahnt werden. So wurde in einem bekannten Fall das Wort „bekömmlich“ in Bezug auf Bier abgemahnt.
Is Network Marketing a pyramid scheme?
Absolutely
Ja. Denn es wird nur einen Chef geben, der an der Spitze ist. Es wird Führungskräfte und Vertriebsleiter geben, die eine breitere Ebene darunter darstellen. Es wird eine sehr große und breite Basis an Beratern geben und eine noch größere und breitere Menge an Kunden, die von diesen Beratern betreut werden.
It's like asking if the Catholic Church is a pyramid scheme. Yes. At the top, there is a Pope, then there are Cardinals, then Archbishops, followed by Bishops, below them Priests, there are altar servers and the large community of believers.
The same is true for the military, there is a supreme commander. There are few generals, more lieutenants, even more sergeants and non-commissioned officers, and many more soldiers.
You can continue this forever: whether in football, at a concert, in a film (leading actors, supporting actors, extras), at school (headteacher, teachers, students) or in any workplace: boss, managers, employees.
We find pyramid structures everywhere in everyday life. It would therefore be highly questionable if a Network Marketing organisation/company did not take the form of a pyramid. Then you should be suspicious.
Is Network Marketing a Ponzi scheme?
No
In a Ponzi scheme, products are passed down from the top and continually marked up.
A simple example of a legal system:
If a customer wants to buy a Platinum product, they can purchase it from any consultant and receive it from any consultant at the same price.
In an illegal system, the product would be differently priced depending on who it is bought from.
Bei einem illegalen System wäre das Produkt unterschiedlich teuer, je nachdem, bei wem es gekauft wird. Die Berater „oben“ im System bekommen das Produkt günstig von der Firma direkt und reichen es an ihre Berater nach unten weiter, wobei es sich jedes Mal verteuert, damit sie einen Gewinn daraus ziehen.
A Network Marketing company can also be a Ponzi scheme if there are price differences. Generally, such companies no longer exist (or they quickly disappear from the market).
Is Network Marketing a Ponzi scheme?
No. A Ponzi scheme usually has no product being sold, and the only similarity to Network Marketing is that people are approached to see if they want to "join."
A Ponzi scheme (e.g., so-called gift circles or heart circles, etc.) is characterised by the fact that you pay (gift) money and move up through new members joining the respective gift circle until you yourself are in the centre of the gift circle and then "gifted" by the newly joined members.
Ein Ponzi System (z. B. sog. Schenkkreise oder Herzkreise o. ä.) zeichnen sich dadurch aus, dass man Geld zahlt (schenkt) und man selbst durch neue Mitglieder, die in den entsprechenden Schenkkreis hinzukommen, weiter aufrückt, bis man selbst in der Mitte des Schenkkreises steht und dann von den neu hinzukommenden Mitgliedern „beschenkt“ wird.
Do you have more questions about it?
Platinum as a Network Marketing opportunity is a sincere, legal, and highly ethical company. If you are interested in working with these products and this company but still have questions, contact us:
Unethical behaviour
SUHR – Get Rich Quick
There are people who only care about quickly covering their own lack. And their way to do that is you. Or rather: you should sign up with them as a consultant, regularly buy products, and recruit new consultants.
Es gibt Menschen, die denen liegt nur daran, ihren eigenen Mangel schnell zu decken. Und ihr Weg dahin bist du. Oder besser: du sollst dich bei ihnen als Berater anmelden, regelmäßig Produkte kaufen und neue Berater anwerben. Und du kannst nicht nachdenken, nicht überlegen, dich nicht mit einem Partner besprechen, denn „die wollen dir das alles nur madig machen“.
They promise you all sorts of things: money, recognition, cars. Because that's what they want themselves.
Sie verwenden Unterlagen, Aussagen und Versprechen, die nicht zulässig sind. Sie möchten gerne, dass du dein Bauchgefühl ignorierst. Sie wollen nur dein Bestes: dein Geld. Und versuchen, dich mit Gesprächstaktiken und schlechtem Gewissen dazu zu bringen, bei ihnen einzusteigen. Sie versprechen dir alles Mögliche: Geld, Anerkennung, Autos. Weil es das ist, was sie selbst wollen.
Yes.
Yes, you can get rich with Network Marketing. And no one has to be ripped off for it, you don't have to sell your soul, you don't have to persuade, overwhelm, or trick anyone.
Network Marketing is not a magical system that suddenly makes you rich, it is a way to work and earn money through continuity and even become rich.
Reputable companies in the industry publish transparently how many people have reached which bonus level in what time frame and what they have earned. This avoids false impressions.
In these publications, it is always clear that over 98% of all consultants earn some extra money and the high and top earners make up the remaining 2%. But they have also worked hard for it.
So don't be lured by the promise of wealth if you are not willing to work for it.
The newbie brainwashing
You've changed quite a bit
When you first get involved with Network Marketing, you might think your own company, product, and Network itself is "the best" there is and see everyone else as less intelligent, less experienced, or less supportive.
If you then hear at events that many "normal" working people are "stupid" because they are not yet doing brilliant Network Marketing and that you only get "real" information here and know things that no one else knows and uses,
this, combined with the exuberant enthusiasm you show after such seminars, can really seem strange.
Hört man dann noch auf Veranstaltungen, dass viele „normale“ Berufstätige „dumm“ sind, weil sie noch kein geniales Network Marketing betreiben und dass man nur „hier“ echte Informationen erhält und man Dinge weiß, die sonst keiner weiß und nutzt, kann dies zusammen mit überschwenglicher Begeisterung, die man nach solchen Seminaren an den Tag legt, wirklich befremdlich wirken.
Fakt ist aber: nicht alle Ärzte oder Therapeuten sind dumm. Ja, sie haben in ihrem Studium viel nicht vermittelt bekommen, was zur Gesundheit gehört, aber wenn man eine Vergiftung oder einen Knochenbruch hat, gehen wir trotzdem zu ihnen. Ein Arzt weiß nicht alles und manche benehmen sich nicht gut, das trifft aber auf viele Menschen zu und man sollte es nicht pauschal einer Berufsgruppe anlasten.
And yes: the world is not perfect. If you can make it better with your Network and through your product, then do so. And do it in a way that stays true to yourself and doesn't just parrot what someone told you at a seminar. Go your own way that suits you. Then your offer will also be accepted.
Suddenly a consultant?! "I just wanted to buy cheaper!"
Dishonest
It (unfortunately) often happens that a customer one day realises that they are not a customer at all, but a consultant for a company.
Not only is this behaviour unethical, as one has practically been "ambushed," it often has consequences:
Quite often, such a "consultant" then finds themselves in the situation that they cannot return products they only wanted to test and now want to return, as the extensive right of withdrawal (e.g., 90 days) is only granted to customers, but not to consultants.
You are then stuck with your costs and – legally – often at a disadvantage.
It is also not sensible,
for all customers to be made consultants, as a customer should be able to recognise the value of a product, and the product should be worth the price to them. If that is not the case and everyone is made a consultant – do the products even have real value?
And: a Network company that consists only of consultants and has no customers is seen in a strange light. dass alle Kunden zu Beratern gemacht werden, denn ein Kunde sollte den Wert eines Produktes erkennen können und das Produkt sollte ihm den Preis wert sein. Wenn das nicht der Fall ist und alle Menschen zu Beratern gemacht werden – haben die Produkte dann überhaupt den echten Gegenwert? Und: ein Network Unternehmen, welches nur aus Beratern besteht und keine Kunden hat, steht in einem merkwürdigen Licht.
In presentations, the example is often used that, for a certain/important level in the career plan, you need to have 2 or 5 direct own consultants.
Then it is often further calculated: if these 5 consultants each bring 5 consultants and they also bring their own sales, what earnings do you get then.
Seeing the potential is perfectly fine. It becomes questionable when this work is portrayed as easy and that this kind of multiplication actually happens and you are lured and tempted by the prospect of high income. The technical term is: greed eats brain.
Because in reality, some people bring 10, 50, or even 100 consultants directly into the business, and most of these consultants bring no one.
Those who work seriously will make many people consultants. But really large salaries are usually earned by less than 1% of consultants.
Good companies publish transparently how many consultants have earned which incomes in what time frame, to avoid false expectations or "calculating wealth" for interested parties.
Wer ernsthaft arbeitet, wird viele Menschen zu Beratern machen. Aber wirklich große Gehälter verdienen erfahrungsgemäß weniger als 1% der Berater. Gute Firmen publizieren transparent, wie viele Berater in welchem Zeitraum welche Einkommen erwirtschaftet haben, um keine falschen Erwartungen zu wecken oder Interessenten „reich zu rechnen“.
If that were true and everyone followed the system, the whole of Germany would be working in Network Marketing – with this one company – after just one year. Utopian, nonsensical, unreliable.
In manchen Präsentationen wird gefragt, wie lange man wohl bräuchte, um 5 Menschen („die sich für Gesundheit und Business interessieren“ oder „die duschen und waschen“ oder „die Geld bei xyz sparen möchten“) ins Geschäft zu bringen. Eine häufige Antwort ist „1 Monat“. Wenn das stimmen würde und jeder sich ans System hält, wäre nach nur einem Jahr ganz Deutschland im Network Marketing – bei dieser einen Firma – tätig. Utopisch, unsinnig, unseriös.
Had enough of such behaviour?
If you don't like such unethical behaviour or work with a company that promotes or at least tolerates such behaviour and want to do something new, there are some companies that work ethically correctly. One of these companies is Platinum. Talk to us and listen to your gut feeling:
Mistakes in daily work
Sudden change in behaviour
If you are new to the Network, you may suddenly start wearing suits or expressing yourself differently or want to integrate new habits into everyday life because "successful people" do it that way.
If your style is jogging bottoms and a T-shirt, a switch to a suit seems too drastic and probably doesn't suit you. Stay true to yourself – and be aware that, for example,
a suit gives you more charisma and self-confidence; but if you have developed that from within yourself, it doesn't matter what clothes you wear.
Wenn dein Stil Jogginghose und T-Shirt ist, erscheint ein Wechsel zum Anzug zu krass und passt wahrscheinlich nicht zu dir. Bleib dir selbst treu – und sei dir bewusst, dass z. B. ein Anzug dir mehr Ausstrahlung und Selbstvertrauen gibt; wenn du das aber aus dir heraus selbst entwickelt hast, ist es egal, was für Kleidung du trägst.
Breaking off contact
Terrible
It occasionally happens with newcomers to the Network that they perceive themselves as "better" or "smarter" than the rest of the people who weren't smart enough to join this business or take these products.
A very foolish and superficial behaviour that doesn't make friends.
Buying expensive equipment
Unnecessary
Newcomers to Network Marketing often want to appear particularly correct, do everything right, and believe they need special equipment or appearance for this.
The fact is, however, that no one joins a company just because a particularly good laptop was used in the presentation or because the consultant serves Fiji water or uses a fancy pen.
Your company has published enough approved material that has gone through the hands of many people who have thought about how to describe the business and products sufficiently well and simply enough.
Use these materials and work with your sponsor instead of wanting to reinvent everything.
Deine Firma hat genügend zugelassenes Material veröffentlicht, welches durch die Hände vieler Menschen ging, die sich Gedanken gemacht haben, wie man Geschäft und Produkte hinreichend gut und einfach genug beschreibt. Nutz diese Materialien und arbeite mit deinem Sponsor, anstatt alles neu erfinden zu wollen.
In summary:
it is not a "get-rich-quick scheme," you have to work
most "Networkers" only use products for themselves and hardly recruit customers or additional partners
money is earned by those who work, and those who take Network Marketing as seriously as a profession can earn good money
don't be lulled by superlatives, buzzwords, or even friends
if you have to decide "now," say "No!"
if an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it usually is
always remain sincere, honest, and always remember who your true friends are
Sebastian Schertel
A very creative person who enjoys mowing lawns, Tai Chi, and bad jokes. Health scientist (B. Sc.), hypnotist, and problem solver.
