The 10 Types Of Network Marketers

The 10 Types of Network Marketers

During the past 10 years in this great industry, I have met 10 types of network marketers. I’d like to take a few moments and describe each type of network marketer, so you know how to identify them in your own team.

As a quick disclaimer, I am not telling you to JUDGE someone. Just because someone is in a certain category does not mean they are not a good PERSON. You should also know that people can move from category to category. I’ve been part of at least five of these categories during my own career.

And most importantly, knowing the differences between each of the different types of network marketers will allow you to work smart, and spend your time where it is deserved.

With that being said, here are the 10 types of network marketers as I see them. They are listed in no particular order.

# 1: Product Enthusiasts

From time to time, you will find people who are just head over heels about your company’s products. They eat, sleep, and breathe your company’s products. These are good people to have on your team. They love the products. They use all, or most of, your company’s products.

They might not sign up a ton of people, but they order the products every month, normally lots of them. If you are lucky to have people like this on your team, treat them very well. Never pressure them to do more with the business than they are currently doing.

I can’t speak for you, but I’d love to have hundreds, even thousands, of happy product enthusiasts on my team! This is where your residual income comes from.

# 2: Social Club

Many people join network marketing for the social aspects. I don’t blame them. After all, network marketing is a great way to meet new friends, travel to new places, learn new skills, and have fun.

You should easily be able to identify these types of people on your team. They normally don’t do much to build a business, but they are on every call, and every webinar and they attend every live event. They also order the products every month.

Treat these people well. They typically stay in the business for a long time because they have built great friendships with many other team members.

# 3: MLM Junkies

These folks you want to shy away from whenever possible. They are like a drug addict looking for their next fix. They are normally VERY excited when they first learn about your opportunity. They normally stay excited for 14 to 90 days, however, after that initial euphoria wears off, they drop out of the business looking for their next fix.

Most MLM Junkies are in a new MLM Company every 1 to 3 months. Many of these junkies have been in the industry for decades and have joined 50-100 companies! MLM Junkies can’t commit to anything for any period of time. They never do the work. They just like the feeling they have when they first join. They love the excitement and hype.

Any amount of time you invest with an MLM Junkie is time wasted. Tread cautiously.

# 4: Part-Timers

I love the part-timers. This represents maybe 10 percent of your team. These are people who are coachable, hungry, and willing to work. They have a family and career and cannot do the business full-time, but they will work their business consistently 5-15 hours each week, with no excuses.

They are consistent and persistent. They plug into the training. They do what you teach them. They are good people to invest your time and money with. Many of these people eventually become leaders and top earners.

 # 5: Go-Getters

These are your leaders. These people normally have BIG personalities. They are typically RED personalities. They are doers, leaders, and high achievers. They catch the vision and go all in, normally from day one.

This represents no more than one to two percent of your team. From the time they first learn about the business, they are ALL IN.

They are coachable, hungry, and willing to work, just like the part-timers. They have an ALL-IN attitude. They do not dabble or waste your time.

They are recruiting and retailing new people every month, and duplicating themselves. They build their business with or without your help!

They have a job or career, but they still work their business 30-40 hours or more per week.

# 6: Network Marketing Professionals

These folks are a rare breed. These are normally people who started out in the ALL IN or part-timer category, but at some point made the decision they wanted to do the industry as their profession or career.

They are trained well. They are constantly learning new things. They invest in their professional development. They are just as serious about their business as a doctor or lawyer is about their profession.

They are skilled, confident, have a great attitude, and are very successful. People like, know, and trust them. Finding one or two people in this category in your team can easily lead to six-figure income.

Everyone doing network marketing should strive to work their way up to this category.

# 7: Big Talkers, Non-Producers

To me, these people are worse than the MLM Junkies. I have met HUNDREDS of people in this category during the past 10-years.

In many cases, these people were successful in network marketing 10-20 years ago. Perhaps they were a top earner at one point in their career. They tell you about their past success and get you all excited, yet they join your team and they do absolutely NOTHING.

What makes me feel bad is when an inexperienced network marketer signs up someone in this category, they get very excited. They think their ship has come in. However, after a month or two they realize the person was a big talker, but a non-producer. As a result, THEY get frustrated and give up on the business.

Whenever I sponsor someone and they start talking a big game, I know they are in this category. Whenever I sponsor someone and they say things like “I’m going to make you rich” or “I’m going to be your biggest leg” I know I have sponsored someone in this category. Remember, actions speak louder than words. Normally, your best producers will not talk about a big game. They will just get to work and build it!

When you sponsor a big talker, hope for the best, but expect nothing. That way you are not disappointed.

# 8: The Amateur

This describes most people in our industry, at least 80 percent. These are people who do not have the skills, attitude, work ethic, or right mindset to be successful in the business.

They don’t take their business seriously. They dabble. They try things out. They treat their business like a hobby and wonder why they don’t make money.

Most people start out in this category and either evolve to one of the other categories or fizzle out of the business.

# 9: The Con

Every industry, even the church, has con men (and women). Bad people are attracted to every type of industry. Thankfully, these people don’t last very long in the MLM Industry. They get weeded out pretty quickly.

The Con Man is a person who lies, deceives, and mistreats others. They are unethical. They will say or do anything to make a quick dollar.

They have ZERO interest in helping others. Instead, they only care about themselves and will do anything to make money off someone.

I’ve only met a few people in this category during the past 10 years. Sometimes they are smooth and cunning. Other times they are abrasive and downright offensive.

In most cases, you will know one when you meet them!

# 10: The Hype Man

Like the Con Man, the Hype Man gives the industry a bad name. They promise people easy money. They tell people they can get something for nothing. Just sign up, buy the biggest kit, and I will build your team for you!

The Hype Men are typically MLM Junkies as well. The only real difference is that they only use HYPE when they are talking with prospects.

Final Thoughts

In review, these are the ten types of network marketers as I see them. I hope you will take a few minutes and evaluate yourself, to see where you stand. We all start where we start and we can all improve and change.

I’ve been in most of these categories myself, at different points in my career. However, I eventually made the decision to be a network marketing professional. When I did that, things began to change for me. I hope you will make that same decision yourself.

More importantly, you need to be smart about where you spend your time when working with your team members. Evaluate each person (not judge them) and make sure you spend your time where it is deserved.

What are your thoughts about the different types of network marketers? Leave a comment below to let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you.

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