Financial Freedom Quick Tip #19: Forget about network marketing
Of all the clever things Mr. Robert Kyosaki (you know, the Rich Dad, Poor Dad guy) said, someone should really give him a kick in the but for this one:
If I had to do it all over again, rather than build an old style type of business, I would have started building a network marketing business.
I will spare Mr. Kyosaki a second kick, only because in theory, most network marketing schemes can work, and result in a good, honest business.
However, in practice, network marketing doesn’t work for the greater majority of people, it warps motives, and it turns friends into irritations, after they’ve convinced themselves through mumbo-jumbo network-marketing-positive-talk that they’re helping the people they get to join under them.
If you want to help me, pray for me to be a man of God. Encourage me to live my purpose and become the person God intended for me to be. When I’m sick, bring me chocolates, and help me do the things I cannot do. Help me to rebuild my motorcycle’s carburettor, when I don’t have the savvy to do it myself (thank-you Wilhelm, you are a real friend). If I’m struggling financially, teach me how to be a good steward of my money.
If I’ve offended anyone with this post, let me say again, it is possible to build a good, honest business through network marketing. About as possible as it is to have debt and be financially free. Perhaps you’re one of the exceptions.
But even if you are, please. Don’t try helping me by getting me to join your scheme. You’re not helping, you’re irritating.
Network marketing is not the silver bullet. There is only one secret to financial freedom: Spend less than you earn.
This tip is part of the Financial Freedom Quick Tips series. If you want to receive a notice every time a new quick tip is published, you can subscribe to Liberta.
August 8th, 2008 at 05:58 pm
oh man! does this one hit close to home. for about three years, we tried to make network marketing work. someone shared the business with us when we were in a desperate place financially (called immaturity). We went to all the meetings, even flying across country, one time leaving our kids with virtual strangers (we still cringe at that decision).
On the positive side, I learned A TON! About leadership, psychology, and a little about business. I got to see John Maxwell twice. And…we got to experience failure, which we learned from.
But in the end, we learned it wasn’t for us. The thousands of dollars of debt was a small clue. We did see people who did accomplish it, but it was a small percentage of who was actually participating. We didn’t understand it takes time and money, and money and time – just like any other business. I did feel like I was either taking advantage of people or just being an irritant.
So, like my grandpa graciously told us, it takes time and hard work. Period. You can work smart, yes. You can network, yes. But to build a successful business, it will always be time and hard work–and using money smartly.
If you can make it, I applaud you. But I am not your man.
August 8th, 2008 at 06:21 pm
You know the old saying? If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. I don’t know who said it, but I believe it.
August 8th, 2008 at 08:35 pm
I actually blogged on this a while back.
I don’t necessarily think that network marketing as a principle is wrong. I do however argue that people have a warped sense of what they are going to get out of it.
Setting your sights too high is bound to lead to disaster and disappointment. Instead be realistic about what you are looking to get out of it….