I am sad and sorry to see the end of Eiro Research, not because I was involved with this company but mostly because I relate to the pain and the horrible sense of emptiness, panic and “what now” feeling going through the discarded distributors.
I was a distributor in ILG when it sank last year……
I was building a team online last year when ILG stopped operating as a network marketing (MLM) company. No wonder our industry has such a poor reputation. I didn’t join the company that my leader went to because I could not promote numismatic gold coins ( just isn’t in my heart). This event caused me many months of questioning the value of network marketing and the players within it. However, in November 2010 I found a company with a wellness technology and a leadership team that aligns to my core values, my experience and my heart.
The people who really lose out in this deal are the distributors who are starting out in their network marketing career. Many will just give up and turn their backs on network marketing forever.
However, like every industry, Network Marketing has its great, good, bad and ugly participants. It all comes down to knowing how to choose a company that has the core foundations of a winning team. Yes, this may seem boring to those who want to make a “quick buck” but in my opinion, a “quick buck” wears down reputation and honor.
My other interest in the end of Eiro Research is that I focus on the wellness industry. I help companies in the health, wellness and fitness sectors with their social media presence, branding and messaging etc. I educate on cellular wellness. It is never good to see a company fail in our sector but sadly there are just too many me-too companies without a unique product.
I hear about new ones entering the market each day. If a company really does have a technology breakthrough product, and they are well capitalized at the start, with the best leadership team and field sales team then they have a real chance of making it through the first five years and becoming a legacy company.
For more on how to choose a network marketing company to partner with, read Work with Clare
How to weather the demise of your company?
You have to grow your skills if you are going to weather any storm in our industry. Don’t rely on others to take care of you, but know that you are skilled and can transfer your skills anywhere at anytime. Your ability to network, add value to your community and market both online and offline will never go away.
So sign up below and get a copy of my E-book FREE and start learning the skills of Attraction Marketing and How to become the Hunted. This does not depend upon your company but upon your ability to network and attract others to you.
{ 14 comments }
I\’m going to have to say I completely agree with Beth Hewitt. Diversify!
Hi Clare,
It is sad that companies fall like that. What I noticed about you and is a great quality is that you did not cause you to give up on the industry. This is a great industry and by you refocus and keep on going shows your dedication.
This is happening all too often in the multi-level marketing world. I’m glad you found a place where you’re happy, after losing your company. Many in that position never do get over it, or see that not all companies are like that.
Education is so important, before taking that step to join a company. It’s so important to do the homework first!
Willena Flewelling
Willena Flewelling recently posted..I Never Believed Him – Before
Hi Clare,
It is so true that MLM companies come and go. While you can never be sure, one way to make it a little bit more certain is to join a company that has at least a 5 years track record, over $100m in sales, and a steady $1m plus a month.
You would be surprised how few fall into this category!
Network Marketers all want to make money fast, and the allure of a new start up offers that. Unfortunately most of these fail in a year or less, leaving your reputation tarnished, and a devestated prospect list! We always need new blood.
Of course, attracting customers and partners via the internet makes it all much easier. I can tell you it is great having everyone come to me! After all, I am not a Social Bunny or Sales Type.
John Gaydon recently posted..Choosing A Network Marketing Company – A Radical Approach
Dear Clare,
I have always been a part of very old stable network marketing companies, so I have never had this experience. It sounds like it would be really frustrating and discouraging, especially if you had done the work to build a downline and they were doing well.
On some level, I guess there are no guarantees, even when we have our own businesses. I think that it is wonderful that you are supporting people who are in this predicament. You can really help since you have been there and have come out the other side.
Keep up the good work!
Mentor Mama
Claire, I an feel your pain. All companies come and go. It’s probably better that yours went sooner rather than later, before you invested too much of your time, energy, and resources into them. Just remember, that many companies (of all kinds) fail within the first 2 years. I’ve even seen statistics that 80% of all startups fail within the first 5 years, so you might want to focus on companies that have passed the 5-year hurdle. Good luck to you.
Angela
Angela Arnold recently posted..Professional Development- Your Ticket to a Prosperous Future
Hi Claire,
This is a really important post for Network Marketers to read. It is important to not put all our eggs in one basket.
Whilst the Health and Wellness Business continues to boom and make billions a year the market is totally saturated.
It is always important to be ahead of the game and keeping up to date with current trends. As well as that it is always useful to do other things like affiliate marketing, creating our own products and helping others do the same.
Thanks for the Post,
Beth
Beth Hewitt recently posted..How to Build a Community on Your Blog
Hi Clare
I can really identify with anyone who has been let down by an MLM company folding. I was a top producer many years ago with a company that folded. Devastating. I was also doing pretty well with Success University when it too folded a litle while ago. It goes to show that people really need to make objective decisions when choosing their MLM. The principle behind MLM is great – it works. Just choose wisely your sponsor and company.
Sounds as though you are on the right track again. Great news.
Best wishes
Peter
peter chapman recently posted..Blogging to MLM Success
Hello Clare:
Good Post,,,I have been in the \’MLM Game\’ since the late 70\’s…usually made a nice \’side income\’,,,& as you relate here, sadly I myself have been through this myself at least twice,,,,that is why in this day & age a person must FIRST know who they are & How to BRAND themselves. Learn to Market yourself & your own original Products.
Matt
Hi Clare,
Found you thanks to TSA.
Unfortunatly MLM is not immune from the stats… a high persentage of all businesses fail within 5 years..
The advantage we have as network marketers is that we can lead our people into another income stream provided we have show the right type of leadership…
There is no reason your downline should ever have to loose too much income if the MLM company went belly up…
Great psot
Cheers
Bryan
Bryan McHeyzer recently posted..Comment on Traffic Travis by admin
Clare
You have covered a very important point here – what to do if your MLM goes out of business. This is not something I had thought of, so building a passive income is not quite as secure as it seems. There are still the possibilities of something happening and your income potential disappears. I agree if you have the skills finding another MLM is the way to go.
Belinda
belinda cunningham recently posted..Bach Flowers for Over-sensitivity to Influences and Ideas
Clare I know that this is a subject that you have experience with and I know that you can relate to the people who no longer have company to promote. It is like being fired from your JOB a very empty and scary feeling.
If you are reading this and you are one of those people, I know personally that you can learn a lot from Clare… she went through this same thing. It was difficult but she came out a stronger person.
This is also the reason that people should brand themselves and not their company because when the companies are gone you still have your brand to move forward with.
Thanks Clare,
Kathy
Branding Yourself
Hi Clare,
It really is a shame that so many companies go of business, and as you say, it kills our reputation. That’s why it is so important that you have a blog that is generating traffic and you are building a list. At least, the rebound may be a little easier.
You got a great smile.
Guy
Guy Santeramo recently posted..Have You Joined a Tribe Yet… To Grow Your MLM Business
thanks Guy, yes it all about attraction marketing in the end. However, we build our business and whatever tools we use, our network becomes our net worth. if you treat people right, they will continue to work with you no matter what happens to your NM company. Of course, if they never see you or hear you then you are nothing in their lives and if the NM company goes, so does your connection to them so it is advisable to be a visible force in your team and company!
thanks for dropping by.
Clare
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