To Hype Or Not To Hype... That Is The MLM Question

You know the type. "Make a million in your underwear"... "$100,000 with no selling and no sponsoring"... "We build it for you"... yada yada.

But why do we see so much of it? I don't think you can just shrug it off to "they don't know any better," or "their values are lower." It's too prevalent. In fact, some so called "gurus" teach it! You know, the "headlines that sell" type of info products, ezine articles, conference calls, seminars and such.

Why?

Well, I set out awhile back to do a simple little experiment testing "hype" vs "no hype". I found a few message boards that are really nothing more than a free for all, anything goes advertising stage (not hard to find, unfortunately). I posted a few ads with catchy (if I do say so myself) hype headlines and content (otherwise known as emotional drivel).

I also continued my normal "tell it like it is," "this is the real truth" marketing habits in my usual locals.

What happened?

To my dismay, the hype ads received lots of "hits" and a decent amount of sign-ups. The honest approach received the usual steady but not "massive" performance.

The results? (Pay attention, kiddies...here's the moral of the story

The folks who became customers and sub-agents from the honest upfront approach were much fewer in number, BUT more solid! The customers were loyal users and offered referals. The sub-agents actually grasped the concept that you have to sell product to earn income (hey Junior, it's called Network Marketing, not Network Recruiting, for a reason. Duh!) Plus those they recruited were brought in under the "honesty" label, too, and were taught to sell also.

Hmmmm....doing things the right way? May be slower (by appearance) but definitely the kind of structure to build.

The others -- those emotional "I'll jump" looking for a good time crowd? How did they fare?

Briefly... they didn't do diddly.

Customers dropped after a short time or never fully activated and paid. The sub-agents sat on their hands waiting for something to happen. They all had the attention span of my teenage son on a Friday night... in a theater full of equally hormonally challenged teenage girls.

No focus... no effort... all looks with no substance.

Now, see the difference?

You may get numbers and "massive growth" from hype, but it's all smoke and mirrors. Doesn't mean squat.

While the less flashy professional and honest approach gets results. Real results. It may not make the headlines. But it will sneak up on ya. Before you know it, you've got a heck of business the others won't have.

It pays to be a tortoise. Plod along to the finish line.

Let the hare run around like a fool. You can send him/her a post card from your yacht!

Hope ya learned something....

Be honest... be helpful... be yourself... and have fun.