There are two issues that have surfaced in recent years: 1) social networking, and 2) frequent migration of distributors between companies. With social networking concerns, companies have had to decide on positive protocol for consultants who socialize through technology. In terms of the migration of consultants, companies have often found themselves constantly revisiting policy that both protect the livelihood of all its distributors while also protecting the interest of the company. These issues are constantly under review. Most companies continue to revisit these issues multiple times.

Certainly, it’s not a good idea to make frequent changes in a compensation plan because it undermines faith in the company. Companies should also try and limit the number of changes in basic agreements and also be able to justify any of the changes being made. Companies that claim to be partners with their consultants should walk the talk. They should be saying that their interest lies in protecting distributors and consumers, not just the company. They have a responsibility to protect the livelihoods of thousands, or millions, of consultants who depend on income from the company. This is important because when companies disassemble, consultants who have spent all of their time building organizations and find them being stolen or taken elsewhere are deeply hurt.

In the direct selling industry, the word ‘change’ can send a certain group of people into orbit. Companies that are making adjustments or enhancements to their policies and procedures or compensation plan must carefully communicate those changes to sellers, especially the leadership of the company. Leaders need to be prepared to deliver messages and to have the messages palatable to the rest of the sales force.

If you are interested in attending the Starting and Running the Successful MLM Companyconference visit our conference page, view our speaker list, or get more details. All executives/owners of direct selling companies are welcome to attend. Call 800-231-2162 to register.

Visit us at www.mlmlegal.com to learn more.

Because network marketing is a person-to-person business, most companies feel as though the personal relationships developed by distributors are undermined if mass merchandising or retail sales replace direct selling. However, social networking websites are communication tools. The industry has faced the question as to whether social networking is a true communication tool or a recruiting tool.

The fact that social networking is anonymous and impersonal makes it questionable as to whether it’s a valuable business building tool.

Social networking certainly won’t enable consultants to gain instant success by simply creating a Facebook page and inviting “friends.” A social media account doesn’t instantly promise a large sales organization, although occasionally it can help grow a consultant’s business. Social media is a clever tool for staying in contact with customers and potential customers; therefore, MLM companies are still adjusting to the flood that is social networking.

Be sure that you read your company’s policies and procedures to understand your rights regarding the of use your social networking accounts for business.

MLMLegal.com is bustling with educational content for direct sellers and startup/existing MLM companies! Be sure to visit us often!

If you are interested in attending the Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company conference visit our conference page, view our speaker list, or get more details. All executives/owners of direct selling companies are welcome to attend. Call 800-231-2162 to register.

Our next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference takes place October 27 and 28, 2016 in Las Vegas. View our conference flyer and speaker list online. Participate in our Innovation Campaign for your chance to receive TWO FREE TICKETS to attend our next conference.

If you’re reading this blog post and the conference dates above have passed, check our website for the current conference dates.

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Promoting your network marketing business can be done in many ways. Here are three ways to begin promoting your MLM business:

1. Warm Market

Most network marketers first approach their warm market, that is, their friends, family and acquaintances. Friends and family can easily become your first customers, and in some cases, will also join the company in your downline.

2. Social Media

Secondly, social media is an excellent way to advertise your business. Create a Facebook page and Twitter account used only for business purposes. Invite your existing friends and family to “like” or “follow” you on your business pages. Update your feed frequently with company promotions and special product pricing. Another underutilized method to advertise your business on social media is online groups. Search Facebook for local moms and dads groups if you are selling a parenting-related product. Search for business groups and groups that allow for business promotion and join them. Make sure the group allows sharing of businesses before you begin to post. Or, start your own Facebook or Google+ group! Online groups are great ways to network and share your home business with like-minded individuals in your community.

3. Online Advertising

Thirdly, there are many online advertising websites that offer free classifieds posting. Write an ad and post it online for free. To find online classified websites, Google “free classifieds online” and choose one of the many websites that allow advertising of MLM products and services.

The key to success in any business is being able to sell to anyone and everyone. Successful consultants sell products to teachers at their child’s school, neighbors who they meet at the park, and even other parents at the PTA. Keep the success of your business at the front of your mind, no matter where you are or what you are doing and this will help you achieve success in your business!

If you are interested in attending the Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company conference visit our conference page, view our speaker list, or get more details. All executives/owners of direct selling companies are welcome to attend. Call 800-231-2162 to register.

Our next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference takes place October 22 and 23, 2015 in Las Vegas. View our conference flyer and speaker list online. Participate in our Innovation Campaign for your chance to receive TWO FREE TICKETS to attend our next conference.

If you’re reading this blog post and the conference dates above have passed, check our website for the current conference dates.

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Some legal case authorities claim that if a consultant announces that they are going to join another MLM company on Facebook then it’s protected under freedom of expression by the First Amendment. Therefore, a company cannot accuse a consultant of raiding their downline for distributors. Other courts and cases have suggested that consultants separate out their Facebook downline from those of friends and family.

It is very common for consultants to have friends on their social media accounts who are friends and customers, or co-workers and friends, or family friends and work friends, as well as also being someone they know in their direct selling business as customers or sponsors. Since many consultants often sell to their warm market first, distributors often know their customers or sponsor as friends, relatives, or church members. This causes some issues to arise for the MLM company.

A common issue that the industry is grappling with right now occurs when a consultant leaves a network marketing company and joins another MLM company, then begins promoting the second company to their Facebook friends (or other social networks) and to the people who are in their downline organization from the first company. The question is often asked as to whether or not this is considered distributor raiding. The industry has not come to a consensus on this issue yet. Many MLM companies, however, do ask that consultants who leave their company and start selling for another company, not raid their sales organization because they’re damaging the livelihood of all of the other consultants left behind. The industry is working its way through this issue but has not come up with concrete solution to the problem yet.

There is conflicting legal case authority on the issue. Some legal case authorities claim that if a consultant announces that they are going to join another MLM company on Facebook then it’s protected under freedom of expression by the First Amendment. Therefore, a company cannot accuse a consultant of raiding their downline for distributors. Other courts and cases have suggested that consultants separate out their Facebook downline from those of friends and family. But, as we saw above, Facebook friends do not always fit into black and white categories. Often, your friend is also your co-worker. Your relative is also your customer. Your neighbor is also your friend. The courts have argued that Facebook is, in a way, simply a sophisticated means of sending emails because each post is like sending out a bulk email to several hundred people. From this prospective, deciding on whether or not there is a conflict is complex.

We will let you know if the courts come to a deciding factor anytime in the future. In the meantime, if you are in a similar position, we recommend that you read your company’s policies and procedures to see their specific policy on the topic of consultant raiding. You will also find hundreds of articles on our website(s) and blogs on the topic of distributor raiding.

Here are a few that may be of interest to you:

Why do MLM Companies Require Distributors to Use Replicated Websites Rather than Distributor-Created Websites?

Executive Interview by the DSWA – “Legal Hotspots for Direct Selling Companies” with Jeff Babener – Video

Can I and should I join multiple companies and establish multiple downlines?

MLM Company Policies on Social Networks and Distributor Raiding

How Have Raiding Rules Evolved in Direct Selling Contracts and Policies and Procedures? – Video

How Have Raiding Rules Evolved in Direct Selling Contracts and Policies and Procedures?

Has There Been Cases Won or Lost on the Topic of Social Media and Distributor Raiding?

If you are interested in attending the Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company conference visit our conference page, view our speaker list, or get more details. All executives/owners of direct selling companies are welcome to attend. Call 800-231-2162 to register.

Our next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference takes place October 22 and 23, 2015 in Las Vegas. View our conference flyer and speaker list online. Participate in our Innovation Campaign for your chance to receive TWO FREE TICKETS to attend our next conference.

If you’re reading this blog post and the conference dates above have passed, check our website for the current conference dates.

Sign up for the MLM News Global newsletter for top headlines, news stories, scam alerts, videos, articles, and more information on the network marketing industry.

Visit us at www.mlmlegal.com to learn more.

View the video on our website: mlmattorney.com or mlmlegal.com; or view it on Youtube.

In this hour-long video, Jeff Babener addresses network marketing industry topics such as:

–          Distributor raiding

–          Pyramid scheme

–          Personal Use

–          Legal

–          Social media

–          Recruiting and communication

–          Noncompete agreements

–          Distributorships with multiple companies

–          Company and consultant responsibility

–          Startup

–          Trademark

–          Regulatory

–          Compliance

–          Funding startups

–          Training and education

–          Federal Trade Commission

–          Keys to startup success

–          Passion for company vision and products

–          Determination

–          Success strategies

–          Regulatory environment

–          Legal services

To download the entire audio file visit http://dswa-org.s3.amazonaws.com/audio/2014-03-19_InterviewWithNickiAndJeffreyBabener.mp3, or visit our blogs to read more: www.mlmlegal.com and www.mlmattorney.com.

For more information on the network marketing industry visit www.mlmlegal.com and www.mlmattorney.com.

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Our next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference takes place May 15th & 16th, 2014 in Las Vegas. Call 503-226-6600 or 800-231-2162 to register. If you’d like to see how you can get free tickets to the next MLM Startup Conference, visit our Innovation Campaign page.

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1)      Relate to your readers. Many business professionals using social media, like Twitter and Facebook, are uncomfortable with sharing “trivial” information on their social media networks, such as their hobbies. However, engaging readers by displaying your personality is crucial in building relationships online. You may be selling cosmetics through Mary Kay to earn extra income, but you may also enjoy gardening, and therefore, could share a picture of your latest backyard project. It is always nice to have a face behind the brand and the product that is relatable and real.

2)      Engage your followers. Ask them questions, tell them our business story, allow them to have fun, and involve them in problem solving. Your followers will remain much more loyal to you if you are engaging and fun.

3)      Let go of control. Create a marketing campaign in which your followers can participate, vote for or create something themselves. Motivate followers to participate in discussions, product ideas, etc. An article at YP.com titled “4 Steps to Connecting with Social Media Fans” states, “By actively seeking and incorporating feedback from your fans, you are shifting control to them and make them brand ambassadors.”

4)      Pay attention to your followers. Be sure to pay attention to your social networks and respond to messages and notifications. You don’t want to appear distant or alienate your social media contacts by ignoring them. In addition, address any negative feedback as soon as possible and be sure to be positive.

There are many more ways to improve your brand using social media. What works for you? How do you attract and maintain an active audience of friends and followers online?

This post paraphrases a YP.com article located here.

For more information and updates on the direct selling industry visit www.mlmlegal.com and www.mlmattorney.com.

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Our next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference takes place October 24th & 25th, 2013 in Las Vegas. Call Charity before September 1st to receive a discount! 503-226-6600 or 800-231-2162.

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