I think what bothers me the most in all MLMs (the recruiting aspects) is the "psychology" used to gain recruits and the cult like behavior of so many MLMs, especially the religious theme based MLMs. I posted extensively here about this: http://www.realscam.com/f9/mlms-cults-129/
All MLM operations have one thing in common. At least monthly or biweekly, usually weekly meetings and rah rah phone calls of regional distributors, where as many people gather as the organization can muster. And what a party is being held - reminding you of a lively church or happy family meetings. A lot of cheering - success stories are being told - tales of how much money is and can be made, the product is being hyped - people stand up and give their testimonial (by the way - it is a very common practice to find some of those who give testimonials traveling from meeting to meeting to give them in whatever form they are needed…)
And all of that - the atmosphere loaded with confidence, promises of a better future and health (for health realted products) creates a synergy effect, that is hard to resist - especially, when some of those around you are friends and neighbors, that you know and trust. People have an innate desire to feel needed, welcomed and like they belong. MLMs play right into these needs. They do it every single time and at every single opportunity. And then comes in play something that all the MLM marketers calculate and bank on - the power of suggestion.
These events and procedures do not by accident resemble the way cult work and sort of brainwash their followers. People are getting conditioned, made immune against criticism - for they have witnessed people walk - who were in the wheelchair, or could move, where they couldn’t before! They listen to "testimonies" of people who were on the verge of or were bankrupt, living with a mountain of bills and debts, been laid off from their jobs and in financial collapse, hopeless and worn out, only to be saved by this marvelous MLM floportunity. If they then are Christians and believe in God and "sincerely" want to help you, how can they not be trusted? No true Christian would rip you off would they?
How powerful and suggestive is all of this?
What they don't know, is that there are professionals testimonial providers under them, they don’t realize, that the suggestive power of all of that makes them even believe that they feel better themselves. They feel the energy boost, short lived as it is, the power and control and the euphoria from taking a sip of the miracle fruit juice - so it all must be true. They don't see past the lies, past the phoniness of the product, past the no real proof of income claims, none of it. This is where the phrase the "drinking of the Kool Aid" (reminds me of Jim Jones) came into use.
And they take this energy that they have been empowered with by those meetings and bring it in into their conversations with potential prospects, and if you believe in a thing and use it yourself it’s much easier to convince someone, as if you’re just selling something. After all, this product and this company "will change your life." So you sign up and buy these products, convinced that you will have no problem in selling not only the marvelous products but also the floportunity to your friends, co-workers and family.
Are these convinced distributors/members soley to blame? No, not entirely. They are as much being deceived on so many levels as all potential prospects are and will be. It is the MLM system and it’s makers, that without morals, ethics or a conscience and with the full knowledge on the reality of the product and the compensation plan, that exploit the people under them.
A combination of endorphins, mass suggestion, mass enthusiasm, the fillfulling of needs on a psychological and emotional level, paired with false and real testimonials (from those at the top- raking on the real monies) and the prospect of huge amounts of money coming your way along for better health or a better life and voilą, you have a new recruit!
Then you are told how cheap it is to join! Only a small monthly fee and you are given the opportunity to then pay more fees monthly for advertising and a cookie cutter website, given to all the members. For additional monies you can buy expensive promo materials like fancy folders, containing a brochure, DVD, Video CD etc. to promote the product and cheap looking but over priced "business" cards. You are urged to buy literature on how to succeed, encouraged to visit quite expensive training sessions, motivational tapes and books often written and recorded by the owners/founders and the leaders or the shills they bring in to rah rah up the troops (think Lenny here) and last but not least to sign themselves and the people in their downline up for Automatic Shipping, so that they will receive their products automatically, regardless, whether they need it or not.
In truth, while the phony, over hyped, over priced, worthless products are promoted and demonstrated and touted, they are merely the hook. The real focus and emphasis and purpose is to recruit new distributors and create a downline and then get those recruits to do the same. So go forth into the world and bring in more suckers, aaahhhhh.....recruits into the fold, brother!
Now, you are really living the dream!
Bookmarks