Small Business
5 Real ‘Work From Home’ Alternatives to Scammy MLMS like Avon, Young Living, Rodan and Fields
I wrote an article a few months ago called, The Truth About Mary Kay, Stella & Dot, Scentsy, and Other Female-Oriented ‘Home Business’ Schemes.
And as it were, I got such a strong response to that piece (and continue to!) that I believe it deserved a proper follow-up.
Just as many of you have expressed to me, I was very surprised when I first began to research this topic! Growing up in American suburbia, it seems like everybody gets involved in MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) companies like these at one point or another.
But as it turns out, 99% of all MLM sales representatives lose money, making “even gambling look like a safe bet in comparison.”
And that’s coming straight from the Federal Trade Commission. Not a random website; not someone’s opinion. An actual government agency, with access to a ton of honest-to-goodness data.
(Crazy, right?)
It doesn’t matter whether it’s Mary Kay, Avon, Stella and Dot, Premier Designs Jewelry, Lia Sophia, Scentsy, Thirty-One, It Works!, Body by Vi, Herbalife, Undercover Wear, Petra, Fine Choice Food Club, Partylite, Arbonne, Amway, or any of the similar companies out there, the odds of success with an MLM company are not good….
In American suburbia, it seems like everybody gets involved in a direct sales MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) company at one point or another.
But as it turns out, 99% of all MLM sales representatives lose money, making “even gambling look like a safe bet in comparison.” And that’s coming straight from the Federal Trade Commission: not a random website, not someone’s opinion, but an actual government agency with access to a ton of honest-to-goodness data. (Crazy, right?)
It doesn’t matter whether it’s Young Living, doTERRA, Rodan and Fields, Avon, Plexus, Melaleuca, Amway, Herbalife, Scentsy, Beachbody, Advocare, Mary Kay, Primerica, Younique, Arbonne, Monat, Petra, Stella and Dot, Lularoe, It Works!, or any of the similar companies out there, the odds of success with an MLM company are virtually zero.
Call them network marketing, direct sales, or MLMs. Companies like these should be considered pyramid schemes, plain and simple. These jobs set people up to fail.
That said — there are real ways to make some extra money online. Here are a few.
1. If you were considering selling beauty products like Avon, Mary Kay, Younique, Rodan and Fields, and Monat…
How about teaching beauty on social media?
Choose a unique angle– like beauty for fair skin, or eco-conscious beauty, or beauty tricks for “lazy people.” Then create makeup tutorials and product reviews targeted specifically for this group.
First, you’ll make videos and post them YouTube. Then you can share clips and stills from the video on Instagram. Over time, with research and trial and error, you can develop a following on both channels.
In regards to income, you can make money through things like:
- Ads on your YouTube channel
- Paid posts on Instagram
- Affiliate relationships with beauty brands
- One-on-one video chat consulting for women who have makeup conundrums, want looks tailored just for them, need advice for an upcoming event, etc.
- Info products like e-books and video courses on beauty topics
2. If you were considering selling fashion like Stella and Dot and Lularoe…
You have an eye. Maybe you could sell design or photography?
The Fiverr online marketplaces makes it very easy to sell services like graphic design, writing, translation, and more. You can sell an easy gig for $5 or set your price as high as you like.
Another option is to sell photography to stock photo sites such as Twenty20. Just be mindful of photographing beloved family members for your stock images, as photos can end up being used for all kinds of commercial purposes that you or they might not like (think: ads for adult diapers, images accompanying unsavory news stories, etc.)
3. If you were considering selling scented products like Young Living, doTERRA, Arbonne, and Scentsy…
Why not sell an e-course or book about aromatherapy (or anything else that interests you)?
First, imagine a unique niche like “aromatherapy for women with high-stress jobs.” This will help you stand out from everything else out there.
There’s a ton of how-to videos online for making your own online course, but it all typically starts with setting up a basic website.
You can get one cheaply by signing up with Bluehost (the no-bells-and-whistles plan), then taking advantage of their 1-click WordPress install. Finally, here’s a video that will you teach you how to use your new website!
You may also consider publishing a book on Amazon; it’s easier than you think!
4. If you were considering selling wellness supplements like Plexus, Melaleuca, Herbalife, Beachbody, and Advocare…
Why not review wellness products on a money-making affiliate blog?
Consider writing blogs such as “My Review of the 10 Most Popular Protein Powders on Amazon.”
If there’s anything people like better than a good wellness success story, it’s a good success story in-the-making. And it’s easier than ever to tell yours while helping others, linking to good products, and making some money in the process.
To create a blog, just sign up with Bluehost (the no-bells-and-whistles plan), then take advantage of their 1-click WordPress install. Finally, here’s a video that will you teach you how to use your new website!
There’s tons of information online about how to use a WordPress blog and drive traffic from search engines.
In regards to monetizing, you can earn through things like:
- Becoming an Amazon affiliate (such that you get a cut from any sales you send their way)
- Info products like e-books, diet plans, etc.
- Google Adsense advertising on your site
5. More rapid-fire ideas!
- Complete odd jobs online via Mechanical Turk
- Don’t need to be at home all day? Try dog walking through smartphone apps like Rover or Wag
- Drive for Uber or Lyft
- Deliver food via Uber Eats or Postmates
- Grocery shop for others through Instacart
- Clean houses through Handy
In Conclusion
If you want to make some money on the side, it will take work and time. And most people don’t replace their full-time income. But I can tell you that making extra money online is possible.
If you were previously considering joining an MLM network marketing or direct sales company, I hope this article has inspired you to seek alternatives.
Note: This post contains affiliate links.
