MLM Opportunities – Can You Still Look Forward to Long Term Residual Income?

There seems to be a belief or theory out there that MLM opportunities are basically dead, so far as achieving a long-term or lifetime residual income is concerned.
Some are saying that faith in achieving the desired dream of lifetime residual income with any of the traditional MLM opportunities is “old school”  thinking that will ultimately lead to frustration and failure.
Here are the basic thoughts and theories that I see being tossed about.

• the concept of residual income in MLM is dead or at the very least dying

• people are moving from opportunity to opportunity more often than ever before

• the cost of sponsoring someone who has a chance of succeeding has gone through the roof

• the pursuit of “hotter, bigger, and better” MLM opportunities is a growing trend that won’t stop

• downlines will have to be continually rebuilt, adding new distributors to replace those who go elsewhere

The reason for this change in the nature of MLM is said to be the Internet. We live in an age where the dynamics have changed. These days, when someone signs up and doesn’t experience success pretty quickly, they can easily go online and find something they think is better and jump ship.
In part, this belief is true because the Internet has made information readily available to anyone at anytime. Years ago, before the Internet, MLM opportunities were built mostly around local groups within small geographical areas. You went to meetings in your own town to learn about a business, and after you signed up you worked with a local support group that often included other people you knew personally.
In those days, there was a culture you became part of. It was harder to just up and leave, and information about other MLM opportunities was not usually readily at hand. You didn’t see fresh new possibilities in your email box each morning. You weren’t tempted to do a lot of research into other options, because research just wasn’t that easy to do.
So, how do we deal with this? I think MLM is still very viable, and these issues can be addressed. Some thoughts:

• stay in touch with your downline and build relationships – get to know them

• help them learn the basics of making money with your business quickly

• help them get into profit and start making money right away

The last point is a big one – making money right away is huge. Yes, you do have to be patient to build a large MLM business that provides thousands a month in residual income, but you need encouragement along the way. Good MLM opportunities provide the vehicle, the rest is up to you.
What happens when someone signs up and works hard for six months, and has at most a check for $50 to show for it? That’s pretty discouraging, and only the most dedicated and focused will work through that. Figure out the fastest way to make decent money with your business, and help your new people do it.
MLM opportunities that provide residual income are far from dead – but today, more than ever, the relationships and “seeing the money” quickly are huge.