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People can get a little hesitant around multi-level marketing (MLM) or network marketing.
They might think it’s a pyramid scheme (spoiler alert: it’s not).
However, they might also be wary because of the unethical approaches they have seen some network marketers use in the past. It’s an example of a few bad apples ruining the whole bushel.
Those unethical moves give all of us network marketers a bad name.
And they can be costing you business.
So, which recruiting approaches do you need to be aware of so that you can steer clear?
7 Sketchy Recruitment Tactics (and What To Do Instead)
We compiled a list of recruitment tactics with questionable ethics.
Here are the seven tactics, along with what you should do for MLM recruiting instead.
1. Medical Claims
You may have spectacular results with a company’s product, but you can’t use words like cure, heal, treat, or prevent. Claims like this are not only misleading; they’re also illegal.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) does crack down on claims that violate their compliance laws, so don’t get yourself stuck in a lawsuit.
Instead of claiming to cure or heal a particular ailment, you could say that your products can help soothe the symptoms of that problem.
You can point out actual peer-reviewed studies that have shown how a certain ingredient may help with a particular symptom.
If you share personal experiences, be very clear that they are your own experiences with the products and aren’t a guarantee from the company.
2. Income Claims
Just like the medical claims, telling potential prospects that they are guaranteed a certain amount of money in a specified amount of time is also illegal.
You also can’t guarantee any of it.
You might have found success yourself, but that doesn’t mean that any new recruit you sign will have the same results as you.
You can say that joining this company gives someone an opportunity to build wealth, but you can’t claim that they will be rich by next Tuesday.
If you can’t back it up completely, don’t say it.
3. Simplicity Claims
Telling your prospects that making money is easy is misleading.
You know everyone has to put in the work while building up your network marketing business.
It isn’t something that happens overnight.
You will attract the wrong type of people for your downline if you are telling them that they will just have to sit back and watch the money roll in after they join.
Be honest with your recruits and prospects about how you need to put in some effort to get the most out of this opportunity.
You want lead generation for your MLM that will produce quality, honest individuals.
If you are honest with them, they will trust you. And that trust will go a long way on your path to becoming the best leader you can be.
4. Harassment
Many people have heard stories of MLM recruiters who have harassed prospects if they turn down the opportunity to join.
Don’t do that.
Be respectful of everyone’s decisions.
This goes for your downline, too.
Don’t harass them for not reaching recruitment goals or for not selling as much product as you thought they should.
Be encouraging. Be helpful. Be a leader.
The amount they bring in will become zero if you drive them away completely.
5. Public Bashing
Public humiliation doesn’t look good on most people, least of all a leader.
No matter your personal opinions on competing companies, you should keep your thoughts on the matter private.
When you slander and invite in the negativity that comes with smack-talking, you aren’t creating an environment where your recruits will feel safe.
People around you will be walking on eggshells.
Instead of pointing out what you don’t like about other companies, highlight what you do love about your company.
Sing its praises all day long.
Your positivity will be refreshing, and the opinions on the other companies aren’t even necessary.
6. Employment Claims
You might find some parallels between your pre-MLM situation and another person’s job-searching situation.
Regardless of how many similarities there are between the work you are putting into your business and a traditional job, you can’t claim them as the same.
Don’t tell someone that you’d like to “hire” them.
Be very clear that joining your team is an opportunity, and money is not a guarantee.
Make sure all your recruits understand they are 1099 contractors and not employees.
And don’t advertise joining your team as a “job” online.
Be transparent about what you are offering.
7. Unprofessionalism
Don’t take the rules and regulations your company has as suggestions.
Rules are in place for a reason.
You aren’t the exception to the rules.
Keep confidential information private.
Be respectful in all of your interactions as a representative of the company.
If you want to know how to build an MLM business, this is at the heart of it. Use integrity. Be honest, trustworthy, and supportive.
So, the next time someone is wary of your business because it is an MLM, give them time to see for themselves that there’s nothing unethical about what you’re doing.
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