Here's wikipedia's definition:
"Multi-level marketing (MLM) is a marketing strategy in which the sales force is compensated not only for sales they personally generate, but also for the sales of others they recruit, creating a downline of distributors and a hierarchy of multiple levels of compensation. Other terms for MLM include pyramid selling, network marketing, and referral marketing.
Most commonly, the salespeople are expected to sell products directly to consumers by means of relationship referrals and word of mouth marketing. Some people use "direct selling" as a name for MLM, although MLM is only one type of direct selling, which started centuries ago with peddling.
MLM companies have been a frequent subject of criticism as well as the target of lawsuits. Criticism has focused on their similarity to illegal pyramid schemes, price-fixing of products, high initial start-up costs, emphasis on recruitment of lower-tiered salespeople over actual sales, encouraging if not requiring salespeople to purchase and use the company's products, potential exploitation of personal relationships which are used as new sales and recruiting targets, complex and sometimes exaggerated compensation schemes, and cult-like techniques which some groups use to enhance their members' enthusiasm and devotion.
In contrast to MLM is single-level marketing, where the salesperson is rewarded for selling the product directly to the consumer."
So... the bad reputation of MLM is in that 3rd paragraph, and it's illustrated perfectly on this forum with the constant pitching of your glop regardless of whether anyone asks you about it. That's what most of us experience with MLM'er's - that every conversation goes back to "buy my stuff" instead of a genuine interaction. Every person is seen as a mark.
It would be different if you had an opt-in list here, were collecting names of people who WANT to hear about this... something that is permission marketing based... but you push it out in all directions constantly, like MLM-VD... it just keeps spreading.
I don't think there are any cleaners here who are pounding on the doors of homeowners every day saying "want to clean your carpet yet???" - which is the typical MLM method.
I don't know if that was the intention of the first MLM designed... but that is how it's developed, and why it gives most a really bad reaction.
Lisa
Although many don't allow self promotion.)
