What It Is Like To Sell Beauty Products To Your Peers About Social Networking? A New BBC Documentary Investigates
Years ago, it used to be the Avon lady. Now, it’s might be that person from your school seeking to sell you cosmetics on social networking. Multi-level marketing (MLM) –or lead marketing –has existed for decades. Personally, I am starting to notice it more and more. As a freelancer who belongs to numerous Facebook classes for remote workers, it’s surprising to observe the number of people hoping to recruit women to the industry. A new BBC Three documentary on MLM beauty firms assesses this career path and everything that comes with it.
Multilevel marketing sells a fantasy. Don’t get it!
MLMs’ promise to women is they can remain at home and make all of the money that they dreamed of. Even though some people today find success, for most the fact is a lot bleaker.
In the last several decades, I’ve noticed a strange trend on my FB feed. Family members, old friends, along with girls I have not seen for at least a decade are suddenly getting back in touch, asking me to combine”VIP classes,” or private messaging me to purchase”exciting” new products. Are up for grabs for what look like inflated prices.
These girls — and it is mostly women — have been caught up in the mysterious world of multilevel marketing. Also called MLM, network marketing or direct sales, the industry has annual sales of $250-billion. These companies, whose reach has extended thanks to social media, are crossing the globe — making a select few million while others tens of thousands. And, in some instances, the businesses have made their know-how from an unexpected source: organized religion.
In heartfelt testimonies, women declare that they have more time for their families, more optimism — and lots more cash, as a result of an “amazing opportunity” that helped them turn their backs on the nine-to-five grind and become self-made entrepreneurs. What’s more, they insist that you can do it, also.
Combine their staff, follow in their footsteps — and all you’ve ever wanted is just around the corner.
Except, in most cases, it is not.
MLMs are businesses that sell products through different vendors, supplying anything from cosmetics and essential oils to life coaching and utilities.
But delve a bit deeper, and you’ll frequently find a murky underworld of predatory tactics which have resulted in allegations of pyramid-scheme industry structures and psychological manipulations that mirror those used in cults.
While MLMs are legally operating businesses, in my opinion, a few capitalize on a gray area of law that allows them to take advantage of vulnerable individuals.
In my home country, Britain, there are more than 400,000 people signed up to MLMs. In Canada, this number rises to 1.3 million, while in the USA, there are over 18 million distributors. Worldwide, there are an astounding 116 million people involved.
JOSH REYNOLDS
“I recently spent eight months investigating this controversial industry to get a BBC documentary that took me around Britain, across the Atlantic and into the heart of the Mormon church. I signed up with just two firms and attended a range of training events undercover for a nerve-wracking exposé that led me to many young girls that had succumbed to the joys of among the greatest MLMs, Nu Skin Care and Younique.
Both Nu Skin and Younique are U.S.-based cosmetic firms, using a largely female market. Nu Skin was set in 1984 at Provo, Utah, and now has 825,000 sellers — known as”vendors” — in 52 countries. Younique was also based in Utah, in 2012, and today has over one million vendors — or”presenters” — worldwide.”
Before registering, I was struck by how pitiful the two companies appeared — and also how vague the work specification was. I had been invited to “start my own business,” yet I was signing up as part of a team and under an “upline” — the title given to the person who recruited you and anybody who sits over them in the recruitment structure. I was given the impression I could earn thousands of dollars a week, however, the confusing compensation programs meant I was not able to figure out how much money I’d really be earning. I was promised “time freedom,” but maybe not given an idea of the number of hours a week I’d need to spend so as to make my business a success. I was told I could “put in as much or as little as I like,” to “make as much or as little as I like.” If I wished to become a six-figure earner, that has been possible. If I wanted to”play with makeup,” which was fine, too — but I still felt I had no true comprehension of the way to achieve my dream target of 12 holidays per year and a giant mansion.”
It was not long until the message became a little clearer at both businesses: If I want to become a real six-figure earner, I need to recruit affiliates.
By Younique, I learned about “RITA,” which stands for “recruiting is the solution.” In other words, I needed to build a team, not just sell.
This isn’t a new concept. MLMs have officially existed since 1945 — if new vitamin goods, Nutrilite, were sold using the model. Nutrilite was finally taken over by Amway, which utilized the multilevel marketing model to sell their products along with other household things. But the notion of direct advertising from agents, with no necessity for a shop, dates way back into the early 1900s, with the first-ever Avon lady. Over time, we have observed everything from Tupperware parties to Ann Summers parties employing this model of earnings, while also encouraging recruitment — they constantly mostly target women (in 2018, 74.8 percent of vendors in the United States were women), with the promise of gaining financial independence.
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I lost $300+ on an mlm “selling” coffee. I drank it all myself ?? the worst is that my family was the ones who recruited me. I never talked to them again.
Well in all fairness you did end up drinking it all. Money well spent, no?
Hahaha ? you drank it all yourself? Lol
I’m sorry. I couldn’t help but laugh. But I understand your feeling of being betrayed by your own family 🙁
Was it Longrich. That coffee is yummy. ?
??????Im in tears???
“Nu Skin” sounds like the mask that Patrick Bateman peels off his face in American Psycho.
This is for you: https://youtu.be/O_F8VyQ08hg
Bateman+Durden+Damien666
*IM WORKING MY BUSINESS* = I’m scamming my friends, family and neighbors
Is that what they’re calling pyramid schemes now?
This isn’t a new term. It’s been around a long time.
This should be a 1.5 hour documentary at least.
Kerstin McLean it is! It’s on BBC iPlayer
What’s sad is I just knew that Younique had to be in Utah. I recognize the region so easily. My girlfriend is an ex-mormon and MLMs are pushed heavily in the mormon church. Cults are disgusting and they ruin so many people’s lives.
@Maranda Nickell yes, that is correct. it was bought by Coty Inc. for $600mil, but Coty Inc. announced in August of 2019 that they will be cutting ties with Younique, selling it back, and are ending their partnership. They didn’t give any details as to why.
Not sure if I got this right, but to my knowledge the founders (a brother and sister) sold Younique to a parent cosmetics company for $500 million. Crazy that someone wanted to buy them when their product quality isn’t good and you’re better off with drugstore.
Most of these MLM schemes are from Utah, or Mormon owned.
Younique
dōTERRA
Nu Skin
Young Living Essential Oils
Just to name a few of the Mormon owned MLM pyramid scheme selling industries that mostly targets young women with the opportunity to earn big money so they can be at home for their families. They try to brainwash you into a cult and scam you out of your money as well, and all in the name of “hope”. If you can sell fake hope, you can make billions of dollars off of the backs of others. What a shame.
Paparazzi is located in Utah as well! I think several MLM’s are.
Religion is a great way to manipulate people and, coupled with pyramid schemes or mlm, are dynamite for hoodwinking the public.
In my community herbalife completely took over but quickly disappeared thereafter. The people that fall for this are mostly middle aged women who are desperate for a buck.
Herbalife is one of the few mlm companies that I saw a lot of young males in. Gym buff type guys, and they usually brought their girlfriends/wives on board.
I’ve been saying for years that Younique is a CULT
All of these businesses are. LULAROE as well.
This should have been a longer documentary
@Scribblebytes iPlayer has been around much longer than Netflix and Prime believe it or not, but I haven’t heard of Showmax before.
@Nafisa Islam what’s that? Netflix, Prime, Show max, now iPlayer? No, it’s too much.
Sleazy, underhanded, pyramid schemes.
Look into mlm documentary, there are actually a few documentaries.
MARIAN – LOVE UR PIC AND HOW WELL U HOLD UR FACE/NECK UP 🙂 …BEST WISHES.
it’s a crime that they took bbc3 off air. the only bbc channel that spoke to the youth.
Because we don’t watch ?
It had such interesting and eye opening documentaries. Who even watches bbc 4 on tv it has the same old boring history documentaries yet it’s still on tv
@Miss Dionysius good point
Maybe it’s because most of this generation tends to watch it online anyway so they weren’t getting the views on the telly
facts
I have a hypothesis that 100% of women in North America and Europe have been exposed to some type of MLM company at one point in their lives through direct advertising or have been approached by a representative.
I haven’t
I was approached by Herbalife a week ago or so. They were extremely interested when I told them I was a university student but the tone of their voice changed when I told them I’ve heard about Herbalife and they were trying to excuse it.
Nothing happened at the end of the day. But still weird.
I agree. I’m a guy and despite being around mlms constantly (mainly avon and tupperware), I’ve never once been approached by them or asked by a friend to join.
100% is far fetched. My mum never came across such thing… and I know many more people living like that.
Avon and Mary Kay. My mom was selling and wanted me to sell
My partner and I joined juice plus about 4 years ago for maybe a year or so. The money we earned for the time and effort we put in was a pittance. And unfortunately that culture turns you into an annoying pest who wants to offer this “great opportunity” to every person you encounter and you’ll probably lose friends too. Video says it all, most that join these schemes have no real chance of success.
Sybil Francis ‘He’? Who are you talking about?
@Jim And so WHY is he not sitting somewhere on his own private island enjoying life….RETIRED ignoring the internet? Nope he isn’t because he isn’t all that successful after all is he?
Tara Wilson Well congratulations and have a pat on the back. You are part of a very small percentage. Fact still remains that MOST people will never make a living out of mlm’s. And it isn’t as simple as ‘hard work’. Relatability is a massive factor and most people that were involved in juice plus I noticed were either single or stay home mums and to a lesser extent dads. They didn’t relate to myself who is 6’2 much younger than them, covered in tattoos (apparently that is a recipe for intimidation) and have no kids. I imagine you are married with kids so that there is an advantage over someone like myself. I’ll stick to the more classic style of business where I know my hard work WILL pay off.
@Jim I have been at the top of four different companies, and failed at NONE. IT’s a skill set
Tara Wilson ? Four times? I have not seen any proof of anything…
Multi level marketing is just a nicer way of saying a pyramid/Ponzi scheme
Destiny Innocent Joof atleas Robert Ibert knows the difference between a organizational hierachy and exponentially growing recruitment(mlm) and why the last one is flawed . You clearly don’t.
Abraham Canche Great minds think alike !! Follow me on Instagram @destinyttm
Robert Ibert haha did your boss tell you to write this ? you’re being fooled don’t make them tell you it’s organisational hierarchy !! They don’t care about your success ?
@Destiny Innocent Joof lol yeah is that what your upline told you….wake up
Destiny Innocent Joof wow was about to say this but you beat me lol. I like the way you think! ??
Every time I see a friend on my Instagram has stated talking about “needing to recruit some boss babes” “for amazing opportunity’s” “Living your best life”
Me: Aw shiiiiit. Here we go again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6MwGeOm8iI send them this video every time you see it. Hopefully, it will get them out.
Loss Babes! MLMs use the same tactics as cults- deceptive recruitment, bait and switch and demand for purity. Amway was the first model and their “revival” type meetings were extremely culty (probably still are).
It’s always an “opportunity”. Like are we prospecting for gold or something? ?
You just know he’s lost a lot of money
Alone the term “boss babe” is so cringey. What kind of boss is that? A boss with Pampers on?
I joined an MLM company when I was 17 I’ve always been into entrepreneurship and I’ve always wanted more for myself. I was your standard naive idiot. Fell for one and it was all my life was about for about a year and a half. Can’t believe I got so consumed by something. It really is brainwashing
If possible hire a gang to beat these people up
What was it?
Nah, you were just young and hopeful of the future. That doesn’t make you an idiot. Now these people that are in their 30’s with preexisting debt who go from selling Mary Kay one day to Herbal Life the next, to It Works the next week; those are your idiots.
I joined so many MLMs myself because i was always into entrepreneurship as well. I totally agree with this video and i also have some stories about how people treated me and others in those busineses. What i went through emotionally, mentally in these businesses and it can change you too if you arent careful. How some women thought they could sleep their way to the top. I still know some folks that are still in these businesses for years and have not made it far. You are choosen to the top like the elite choose its people you have to be invited into the club. Some of the same people who were so mean and talked alot of BIG stuff quit themselves. I did receive some wonderful nuggets out of these businesses.
Appreciate the positive responses from everyone. Makes me feel alot better about the situation
The weird thing is that MLMs have always been a thing, but I thought the prevalence of the internet would quash MLMs, because the truth about how they *don’t* make money for anyone (other than the people at the top) would be so widely disseminated that it would render MLMs extinct.
Instead, it’s gotten even *worse.* Pretty much every other person I went to middle school with is trying to sell LuLaRoe or some other crap or recruit someone on Facebook.
I guess I overestimated the survival instincts and general intuition of others.
My exact sentiment. Assumed in 2019 MLMs would cease to exist BECAUSE of the internet.
Video about LulaRoe: https://youtu.be/L6eujSJ0-RU
@Masha Tarle this is true .. Had an old leader of mine who suddenly was selling it lol I was like,wow,thought you were smarter than that
@Sarah I agree. But its not only housewives. Its the thousands of people who are understandably unhappy about their work situation and dream of making it alone, living life without a boss, having a flexible schedule, etc. There are many young people in these, many men and women, with our without families. It can really affect anyone, like a cancer.
People seem to like the idea that they’re the special one who can beat the status quo and make it – and the recruiters just feed that lie and feed vulnerable, lonely housewives (mostly) the lie that they’re different, special and this is how they can make friends. They give them a family and threaten to remove it if they don’t comply and shill.
Pyramid scheme it’s just online and not meeting in a room like you they did in the 80s
It’s also like going to an office everyday from 9-5. Only difference is, with a “job” they can track your taxes easier otherwise its all a pyramid scheme.
Just think of the sleazy, underhanded, low lifes that start these schemes. And what about the Mormon influence. Who are the REAL sleaze bags?
Some do both its a disease that spreads by exploiting insecurities
Exactly
£320 for a brush set?! No way
Layla *cough cough* check out kylies jenners
Layla unless it is Wayne Gods, I don’t trust it.
Lol with quality same as $30 on aliexpress
@keith parkhill For some things I literally buy them from an art store. For tightlining, a fine detail paint brush is better than any makeup brush out there, and 10x cheaper.
@A(-ndre)J(-a) You can pick up better quality brushes as any art supply store.
Wow.. It’s a cult. Not knowing what your getting into and then being abused because you want to leave.. Great vid opened my eyes..
Baftagirl London These women may be victims, but they’re also victimizers. I would never exploit my personal relationships to sell some tube of crappy lipstick. It’s disgusting.
@mya mikka It works exactly like a cult. Steve Hassan, a world renowned cult expert goes into detail about how MLMs are run as cults. But, if you’re in a MLM/cult you’ll be told not to look at this information. The whole product is to sell the dream of money to friends and familly and recruit them, there is no demand for the overpriced crap MLMs pump out, except to those caught up in the pyramid.
@Diego Rodrigues You do know that the Direct Selling Association is actually run by MLMs? The massive profits MLM owners are scamming out of gullible rubes is used to lobby politicians in the US to keep MLM legal. 97% of people who get into MLM lose money- you can’t blame all the people for that, the whole business model is built on false promises and is pyramid scheme with products as mere window dressing.
@mya mikka what MLM product do you sell cupcake
It’s not a cult. To compare it to that is an insult to people who have made it out of cults. Look, not everybody is cut out to sell. You can’t blame an entire company because you failed and don’t have the strength and backbone to move forward.
isn’t this just a pyramid scheme?
@Jonny Le sure: https://www.reddit.com/r/antiMLM/comments/8iagyb/my_amway_story/?utm_source=amp&utm_medium=&utm_content=post_body
@Jojo Wilder prove???? I u prove what u saying???
@Jonny Le Amway is a cult
Define pyramid scheme.
If you make money mostly from recruiting instead of selling, then it is a pyramid.