Overview
The basic crux with health and beauty products wrapped in a network marketing model is that you would use the product yourself, see the results, take the before and after pictures, and then become a poster child for the product, earning yourself a healthy income as a success story. This would give you the conviction you need to sell the product effectively, and it would allow others to see the proof that it works in the fresh face of the sales rep standing in front of them. But of course this is just theory, and real-world results often differ considerably.
The Claim
Nerium uses the word “real” so much it almost becomes suspect. They say that there’s real science behind their product, and that they provide a real business opportunity. They say that their product can help with the treatment of wrinkles and fine lines in the skin, help shrink pores, help with texture that’s uneven, as well as smooth out any discoloration you might be experiencing. Their compensation plan claims you get anywhere from 10% to 25% commission on products sold, and then 10% of anything that is sold by members you recruited.
In addition to the straight commission, there are also a series of bonuses that you can qualify for, as long as you’re ranked high enough within the company for that month. This can range anywhere from thousands of dollars to a monthly bonus paid to afford yourself a new Lexus.
The Hype
The hype for this company and product, as with most network marketing companies comes from the savvy affiliates already enrolled and trying to run their business. They’ll set up phony review videos and blogs that sound like they’re earnestly trying to help you decide on whether to use Nerium or if it makes a good choice for a start-up business, when in actuality they’re hoping you click on their affiliate link and buy from them or become part of their downline. To cut past the hype you need to listen to those that don’t like the product and have no interest in selling it.
The Cost
In an interesting twist you can buy Nerium on Amazon for around $90. Many times a product like this won’t be able to be found through a major online retailer because they try to funnel all sales through agents so that you get pitched to become one yourself. It’s $100 to receive a Brand Partner launch kit, which has marketing and promotional materials for you to get started, including a website that you can direct people to and start taking orders and collecting leads.
The Commitment
Any business requires commitment, and if you’re looking for a way to do nothing and sit back and collect checks you should try to come up with a catchy Christmas song that gets played Ad nauseam each year. MLM businesses are exceptionally challenging because they involve sales, which many people aren’t very good at and therefore require a lot of training. It also relies on getting involved with a company that can provide that training as well as a product worthy of personally endorsing and resting your hopes on.
Evaluation
When choosing a multi level marketing company the importance should be placed on how great of a product it is, but most people focus on the eye-popping compensation plans. These plans usually involve graphs and projected incomes based on selling a certain amount of product each month, and recruiting a certain number of reps that do the same as you.
You can safely avoid Nerium, both the product and the business opportunity.
What we noticed with the different pitches disguised as reviews was that they said it’s going to require a nearly Herculean effort to get to the point where you could count on this as your full time income. When going through their earnings projections we saw the same signs you’d see if someone was pitching you on a pyramid scheme. For example to attain a new Lexus in 90 days you’d simply need to sign up 3 people, and they sign up 3 people, and once again all of those sign up three people. Now you’re on top of a pyramid-shaped structure with 27 unlucky saps at the bottom hoping for their Lexus. Makes you wonder if you’re one of those 27 for someone else driving around in their brand new car.
Our Recommendation
MLM, aka Network Marketing, aka Relationship Marketing, or whatever fancy name they come up with in the future is not inherently bad, it’s just that in order to be good it has to create realistic expectations and it has to have a fantastic product at its core. J. Paul Getty once said “I’d rather have 1% of the effort of 100 men than 100% of my own effort.”, and that’s the principle at work here, but in order to make that happen it requires work in the form of training those other people, and you can’t train until you yourself can do a good job at it, so be ready to work no matter which MLM business you go with.
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View Comments
Don't fault me for being honest. I'm mid 40s on my second marriage, with kids. Was the "thrill gone, yes. To be young again in more than just spirit, I needed that. Then Nerium came into my life thru my wife, and I noticed a difference. I'd joke about putting the night serum on, where's the cucumbers and mayonase. The next morning my face looked refreshed and I thought, wow this stuff might work. My curiosity sold me on this product an evening when I was home by myself, enjoying the peacefulness of a quiet home. I applied the night cream to my face before settling down and thinking of the new me I would see in the mirror tomorrow and wondered, will it work everywhere? Yes, from neck to ear lobes to hands, and rest, I see a younger me. Nerium does what it says. That's why I now us Nerium on my balls. I can wait till my wife sees these wrinkle free nuts on her face.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about cream bottle. Regards
Very interesting info!Perfect just what I was looking for!
WARNING!!! Do Not Buy NeriumAD on Amazon.com
Nerium International™ does not authorize any sales through Amazon.com. Purchasing from Amazon instead of from a certified Brand Partner might result in a lower quality product, reduced effectiveness of the product, and increased likelihood of being scammed. We want to make sure everyone that purchases NeriumAD® gets the most out of their purchase to help their skin look and feel amazing. When you purchase from Amazon or related online retailers we cannot offer warranty on the product or any refunds either.
Buy from nerium website through reputable brand partner! http://Www.nerium.com/marypickles
I would not take the time to be involved in any MLM opportunities. time and time again it has be claimed that about 1 or 2 percent make significant and the other 98 percent make no money or quite within the first 30 days. Nerium may be a thriving company, but its not because of its products, its because every BP has to buy products to stay active.
I just became a brand partner...i have been using the product 30 days. I have seen my friends pictures and it appears her skin has improved, Im still waiting, although want to give it at least 90 days. As far as the business side, its all about how you work the business...its not easy or else everyone would be doing it. For type A personalities it will most likely bring in some income, but for others if your WHY isnt strong enough to get you to put in the time you wont succeed. Just like any other business being self employed....LOTS of work upfront in hopes you can relax in the future. Finding others who have a strong work ethic, working independantly is going to be the biggest challenge, finding customers who use the product most likely will be the easiest part. Good Luck!
Honestly, I have been a brand partner for over a year....after putting in TONS of work I get a few dollars here and there and have several BP's under me who don't sell at all. Aside from the massive amount of SELLING you have to do (I say it like that because they feed you the line "We don't sell, we SHARE *gag*) they want you on conference calls and events nearly every day of the week EVENINGS and WEEKENDS! This after they throw you the line "I have time freedom to do what I want and be there for my family"...oh really?? In my home, evenings and weekends are family time. If you don't go to all these cult like events they pretty much shun you!!
Now, to the product. For many months it seemed to be amazing! Right around the one year mark I felt like I looked terrible. Crows feet and other wrinkles back and deeper! My sponsor said "probably a faulty batch. Try a new bottle". Still nothing. In desperation I went to my medspa for botox (which really DOES work miracles!) before the holidays. I spoke to my doctor there pretty extensively and he explained that it may work great for quite some time due to the irritating effects of oleander. It can often cause swelling which will make it appear that wrinkles have magically vanished. After awhile though, you build up a tolerance just as you would to medication and it's less and less effective.
Do yourself a huge favor, and your bank account too, and don't bother with the product OR the business. They're all brainwashed zombies anyway.
" If you don’t go to all these cult like events they pretty much shun you!!"
Sounds like the Jehova's Witnesses.
@Kelly
Thank you for your honesty. I have a friend who just became a brand partner and was so wanting to join. You have helped me decide.
Do you still feel this way? I am still going back and forth.
i'm only on my 2nd shipment right now and not as "Wow'd" as the person who got me interested in purchasing the product... i inconsistently think i'm seeing a difference...one day i say 'yeah, maybe it is working' and then the next day i say 'this is def not working!" Not sure if i'm imagining it or not, but it seems to be working more as a skin bleaching cream for me, than a wrinkle cream. But, just when i think my brown spots are fading, they reappear w/a vengeance. i've also experienced some itchiness around the crow's feet area...and sporadic acne break outs (which i haven't experienced in years) At this point, i can NOT give this product a rave review. As far as the marketing side -- i find the pics and posts on Facebook of people standing next to their new Lexus' quite annoying. For now, i'm giving it 'thumbs down'.... but i'm willing to try it for one more month; i think that's fair.
Just curious...did you take a before picture? have you compared them side by side? How many years did it take for your skin to need help ? Neriums motto is give us a year , we will give you ten. One month? and your giving it a thumbs down? its an amazing product,however its not a miracle product. one month is hardly fair to base your opinion on,.
The slight edge...Read it. It explains all about the troubles and triumphs of network marketing. There is a modest living to be made in this industry, you just have to make sure that you can DO THE WORK, before you get in. We are so used to being handed a check for two weeks of tedious and boring work, but most of us can't manage our own lives. Normal jobs give you a checklist of to-do's and with this industry, YOU are the one responsible for your own success. Most people can't handle this reality, NOR can they figure out how to begin! It is ALL too easy to blame the business, but let's be real. It is you, and your reliance on instant gratification. Results NOW! Have some patience, and do a little more than you are normally used to. It is a SELF DRIVEN business. You are your boss. Say all you want about the product, knock it all down, but if you know anything about business, you know that it takes HARD work, and due diligence to get anywhere of importance in EVERY business. P.S. As for so called "Pyramid Schemes", how is YOUR day to day company structured? A CEO at the top? Recruiting some employees with promises of promotion with hard work? Then they recruit a bunch of grunt workers, (You), with the same promise? Let's just look at the Girl Scouts....Must be easier to support a bunch of teens selling cookies, but the structure works for a reason. It is Everywhere, you only need to filter through the compensation plans, and try the products. If that is too much for you, by all means, stay on board selling paper products....
10 to 25 percent commission for mlm marketing is a bit on the low side and I agree that nerium pushes their product and their company a little too aggressively to feel comfortable about their marketing strategy. You don't feel confident about a product or a company when they try so hard to make a sale and I'm really not sold on nerium. Still, I'll do a little more research before I pass judgment on them.