MLM - Viable Work From Home Opportunity?

MLM, or multi level marketing, has a stigma on it in some circles. We've all seen it. Overzealous reps hoping to get rich quick, and in the process bugging everyone in sight, have contributed to this perception. But still, the question persists, "Is MLM a viable work from home opportunity? The answer, as with most things, is not so easy.On one hand, there are many reputable companies that sell fantastic products and pay out generous commissions. In that regard, yes, MLM is a viable work from home opportunity. If you are a people person, like to have parties, and possess the sales skills necessary to sell product and build teams, then MLM is a probably a good fit for you. Find yourself a company that you identify with and go for it!Honestly, I think the reason that MLM has a bad reputation, and gets the name "scam" by people is that most folks don't understand it when they first enroll. Too often, someone told them that all they had to do was sponsor 2 people and the money would roll in. Ha! That doesn't work in any business. Anyone that says you get something for doing nothing is a liar or a thief. Don't do business with either one. You can make money with an MLM company, but it takes work. This is a business of relationships. You have to build trust, you have to provide value, you have to be able to lead by example, as with any business. MLM is really for those folks who don't want the structure of a 9 to 5 and want control over their own destiny. MLM is, in essence, a free-lance sales job. You have to find the leads, you have to build the relationships, you reap the benefits of your labor in proportion to your work. So, for the person who is willing to work, MLM can provide a very good living and freedom as well.If you do not possess master level sales and team building skills, like 99% of humanity, you may have some difficulty. Most companies will have their own "Game Plan" that they will want you to follow, for consistency of their brand. It's understandable, but requires some heavy lifting through contacts, exposures, presentations, etc... Be prepared to spend time cold calling people that won't be interested, or be financially able to join you. Chances are, these people won't be very good team members for you anyway, and will require lots of babysitting. Also, as I said above, if you are looking for a get rich quick scheme, move on. There's no such thing, that's legal anyway.The good news for those of us weren't born with a silver tongue or hypnotizing charisma, is that we still can succeed. The internet has brought about a revolution in the way marketing works. Print advertising for example, is reeling. Why bother placing an ad for something in the newspaper, for a fee, when you can put in on Craigslist, Twitter, Facebook, or 12 other places for free and get 1000 times more exposure. It's the same with MLM. Gone of the days of Tupperware parties and handing out cards to strangers at the mall. Professional marketers, the kind that make real money at MLM, don't work that way. They leverage technology to get leads, but still have to use the time-tested methods of customer service and sales to build their teams.So, there's no question that MLM can be a viable work from home opportunity. It's not a scam, nor is it a get rich quick vehicle. If you are willing to learn new skills and work at it, you can be successful. Like most things in life, you get out what you put in.