Why can’t we talk about money in MLM?
ByI started a discussion recently in an MLM forum that I participate on frequently. I wondered what the MLM veterans thought about check waving and making income claims. It all stemmed from an argument between two distributors.
Here’s a link to the thread.
MLM.com – Why can’t we talk about money
The answers for the most part were quite thought provoking and informative. We got into the legal aspects, ethical aspects as well as a discussion about what most people do. It was quite interesting.
First of all, I wonder why we don’t talk about money. For some reason, I’ve always been comfortable telling people how much money I earn. I guess I’ve always thought that if I never talk to anyone about money, then how was I going to learn how to get it! If I am ever coy about the income I earn it is just because society frowns on asking people what they make.
From time to time, there will be prospects that will want to know what you are making. Although it is rare, it is normal since some people are interested in joining because of the opportunity to make money. There is a right way and a wrong way to handle this question. If you become defensive or if you ignore the question, then it will appear that you are hiding something and it will turn your prospect off. It is best to recognize that there are laws in place that prevent income claims and most Network Marketing companies also have policies and procedures that prevent you from showing checks. However, there are many companies that do have published income statements that can give average incomes for the company.
In the end, I don’t really think that it is necesary to be showing checks. I think that between friends, it is exciting to celebrate success with each other, but when it comes to recruiting, it is unethical. It gives the prospect the wrong idea about what this industry is all about. Everyone has a choice on what they want to put into their business and what they want to get out of it.
