Devoted to the Multi-level marketing (or MLM) industry

Hi Ty:

You write:

"Viral Marketing be merged with Word of Mouth Marketing.

I don't think we are far away from seeing these terms interchanged with Network Marketing."

For purists, like me, word of mouth marketing comes with no hidden strings attached - it's info given from one person to another without compensation of any material kind.

That's why the opinions are so valuable - they're taken at face value BECAUSE it is NOT a marketer (or someone on the "take") speaking.

I've never believed that network marketing is like referring a restaurant or movie, except that you don't get paid. If it were that easy, how can we explain the 95% drop out rate?

We have a financial interest in our recommendations, and freely trusted word of mouth between friends has no such ulterior motives attached.

The sooner companies and trainers show networkers how to open the conversation by letting the listener in on that little tidbit, the better it will be when the other person wants to try the product. Then there's no squirming trying to explain after all the gushing that 'oh, I sell it.'

:)

I have two posts on that very topic - of disclosure for both P&G moms, and network marketers on my blog of May 21 and 19.

Kim Klaver

Kim,

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.

I would hope that our industry is going in the direction of honestly disclosing the fact that we are paid upfront.

For example:

Ty's Friend: My knees hurt.

Ty: Really? I am a rep. for such and such company and we have a product that helped me with my knees. I think it might help you. Would you like to try a free sample?

Ty's Friend: Uhhhhh, sure.

To me, that conversatation is still word of mouth, but it isn't sneaky and doesn't have any awkardness aside from two humans talking about joint pain.