12 truths about Vector Marketing you should know before you join

You’ve probably had someone approach you to buy a new knife set and they were likely from Vector Marketing. They’re those sharp dressed door-to-door sales guys making generous commissions on Cutco knife sets.

They’ve been around for quite a while, and they don’t seem to be falling out anytime soon since they actually have a legit product. Does this mean I’m involved?

This video explains everything:

 

Make sense? Either way, here’s 12 truths about Vector Marketing you should know before you join.

#12. Marketing and sales for Cutco Cutlery

Vector Marketing sounds like an independent marketing agency, but it’s actually the marketing and sales wing of Cutco Cutlery, a manufacturer of high-quality knife sets.

They’ve been around for over 65 years, and they’re headquartered in Olean, New York.

And they do incredibly well in their sales and marketing. Over 15 million homes in North America have CUTCO products in their kitchen.

#11. Recruiting targets students

If you’ve been a student in the past 10-20 years, or are the parent of a high school or college student, there’s a good chance you’ve seen those little envelopes from Vector Marketing offering job interviews.

Vector Marketing is infamous for recruiting older high school students and undergraduate students. In fact, they are the largest recruiter of undergraduate students in the United States. [1]

While they send out job and interview “offers”, like most MLMs, anyone can become a distributor. You don’t have to have a specific major or any work experience.

Some would call this a smart recruiting strategy, but others consider it predatory.

#10. Growing Canadian presence

While they’re most widely known in the United States, Vector Marketing has been growing their presence and sales in Canada for the past 25 years.

In fact, their Canadian National Recruiting Manager, Sherrie Dickie, is a recruitment badass. She’s been building up their Canadian sales force since 1996 and is personally responsible for over $450,000 in merchandise sales. She recently won the prestigious Ontario Regional Recognition Award from the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers. [2]

#9. In-home…knife parties?

I’m not really sure how they swing this one.

While their distributors are starting to utilize virtual channels for marketing and sales, they still rely largely on in-home appointments for selling their product.

But in-home appointments are no longer very effective for sales and marketing, and haven’t been for years. People have become more and more wary of letting strangers into their homes, or even opening their doors to strangers, so it just doesn’t work like it used to. CITE

On top of that, this company is selling knives.

Would you let a complete stranger into your home to show you their knife set?

No thank you.

#8. Guaranteed commission

Distributors are offered a guaranteed commission on each in-home appointment they attend, even if they don’t sell a single product. This is almost unheard of in MLM.

They often market this on their recruitment advertisements as a “guaranteed base pay”, calming the worries people have about working solely for commission. The amount is $17.25/appointment.

According to Vector, they do this because they don’t want their sales reps to feel excessive pressure to make sales or get pushy with their tactics. They also claim that most people who are shown the product buy something anyway. [3]

Of course, there is a catch.

They have to be showing the CUTCO products to “qualified customers”. This is not defined on their website.

Also, because sales reps are independent contractors, they’re not reimbursed for the money they spend on things like gas or public transportation, which can sometimes add up to as much as the base pay for a given appointment.

Finally, they have to get the appointment. Again, I can’t imagine this is an easy task with an opening line like “Hi, you don’t know me but I’m Bob, I work for a company you’ve never heard of, can I come to your home and show you my knives?”

Still, it’s something, and it’s closer to base pay than any other MLM offers.

#7. 10% commission on sales

Their commission rates are embarrassingly low – 10%.

That being said, if reps sell enough, they can bump up their commissions a bit, all the way to 35%. But few do. [4]

#6. Top 20 direct-selling company

Vector Marketing has continually ranked as a top MLM.

Just this year, they were named in the Direct Selling Association’s DSA Top 20. This award is based on net sales, so it means that Vector Marketing has some of the highest sales numbers of any MLM in the United States. [5]

#5. Branch offices for distributors

With most MLMs, the work is 100% remote, and training is mostly virtual unless you’re lucky enough to be able to afford to go to the annual training conventions.

But Vector Marketing has 250 year-round district offices in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. They also open up hundreds (this year over 450 in all 50 states) temporary branch offices to accommodate their summer workforce.

Having the chance to work in person with your sales manager is huge in an industry that usually offers little to no sales training aside from a few brochures. [6] [7]

#4. Management opportunities for students

Accomplished student sales representatives have the opportunity to become summer branch managers, where they manage teams of 30+ sales people in their area.

Many of these branch managers are 18 or 19 years old, so while they might not always make bank, it is a leadership opportunity that they probably won’t get anywhere else (besides Digital Altitude).

#3. No start-up cost or inventory necessary

They used to charge new reps a deposit in order to loan them a knife set for sales purposes, but now they loan the knife set free of charge.

Reps can keep this set for showing purposes as long as they remain active, and they simply return it to the company when they don’t want it anymore. They don’t have to buy any inventory in order to make sales.

This is fantastic, especially for students, who can’t really afford to invest in a $300 monthly autoship.

#2. Students Against Vector Exploitation (SAVE)

Vector Marketing has a rep for spamming students in every way, shape, and form possible in order to recruit new reps.

They send non-stop emails, letters, make constant phone calls, and even attempt to contact potential recruits through Facebook and other social media channels.

The spam is so bad, that a group of college students across the nation actually banded together in 2003 under the name of “Students Against Vector Exploitation” (SAVE) to expose their “unethical” business practices. The Yahoo page has 1,219 members. [8]

Not a small number, although it is exponentially smaller than the amount of sales reps Vector still manages to recruit every year.

#1. Single-level marketing company

Vector Marketing is a little different in that they claim not to be an MLM at all. According to them, their reps can earn incentives and prized for recruiting new sales reps, but they don’t get paid on a multi-level downline.

—

Call it what you want, but the concept remains. Sell as many products as you can to your warm market (friends, family, coworkers). But after those run out, then what?

Not saying it’s impossible to make money, but don’t expect a substantial passive income stream.

If you like automated ways to build passive income, there are better ways.

(and you can trash those old MLM habits, too)

from MLM Companies

14 suprising facts about Univera you might not know

These guys are like the mad scientists of natural medicine, and they’ve created a super-powered, ultra-potent aloe blend that claims to have a lot of healing properties.

Their Frankenstein aloe has won them lots of sales and a near monopoly on the aloe market (well, Forever Living might disagree). Does this mean I’m involved?

This video explains everything:

Make sense? Either way, here’s 14 suprising facts about Univera you might not know.

#14. Based on the powers of aloe vera

If you’re pasty pale like me and have felt the relentless pain of a bright red sunburn at least a few times a year, you’re probably already convinced of the healing powers in aloe vera. Nothing else is quite as soothing.

What I didn’t always know, though, is how much it can help with skin and internal health aside from just making sunburns feel better.

Their aloe products come in both ingestible and topical forms, and together they help with everything from youthful skin to immunities to healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.

#13. Unique, patented aloe technology

Uh…what?

Isn’t aloe very just a gel that oozes from a plant? How do you have a unique, patented version of that?

Well, through some mad scientist efforts, Univera has basically created aloe vera superplants and ultra-potent products.

The power of the aloe plant comes from its polysaccharides. So, they just multiplied that effect by figuring out how to isolate the most potent, effective polysaccharides, and they only use these premium parts of the aloe in their products. On top of that, their products have a higher concentration of these superpower polysaccharides.

#12. Chosen as world-class goods for 12 consecutive years

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) in Korea has chosen Univera’s aloe as a world-class good for 12 years in a row. [1]

This means that they consistently achieve over $5million in annual exports, a market rank within 5^th, and they have a 5% share in the global market. Clearly they’re doing big things.

#11. International farms and sales in over 40 countries

Univera is a truly global company.

Not only do they sell in over 40 countries (which is pretty big, even compared to other established MLMs), but they also have international production. [2]

Farms for Univera’s aloe are located all over the map and include Texas, Mexico, China, and Russia.

#10. HUGE market share

Univera’s global raw material market share for aloe? Over 40%. [3]

Nearly half of the aloe around the world is sourced from Univera’s aloe. There’s a good chance you’ve even used it. They’re not going anywhere.

#9. Four decades of research and development

Part of the reason they’ve been able to achieve such a global presence is undoubtedly the fact that they’ve been researching and developing within the market for a whopping 40 years.

#8. Nearly two decades in business

Apart from having four decades of research and development behind them, Univera, as it is known today, has been in business since 1998.

Their super-potent polysaccharide “sweet spot” aloe formula was first discovered in 2000, so their product is time-tested. [4]

#7. Award-winning products

Aside from their awards in the aloe market, their premium anti-aging product and their health food products both won “Good Design” awards in 2014. [5]

This award is also given by MOTIE in Korea, and it’s one of the highest level awards in the industry. They’ve won it two years in a row.

“Good Design” means more than pretty packages. It means the product is aesthetically pleasing but also highly-functional and affordable. Basically, the three most important ingredients for creating a solid product.

#6. Good sales numbers, if they can maintain them

Their sales numbers are pretty good, even for a company that’s been around a couple decades.

In 2012, they made $121 million in sales and were ranked 79 in MLMs by Direct Selling News.

However, in 2013 they saw a small drop in sales to $118 million.

It’s pretty normal for company sales to drop and fluctuate occasionally though, and a little over a 2% drop in sales isn’t very alarming. [6]

#5. 7 ways to earn

Like many MLMs, they offer a variety of different ways to earn income as a distributor. Here they are:

1. Retail Commission
2. Unilevel Pay
3. Generation Pay
4. Promotional Pay
5. Xcelerate Your Drive (car allowance)
6. Incentives and Events
7. Blue Diamond Bonus [7]

#4. 20% retail commission

Distributors profit off the difference between their wholesale price and the retail price. In most cases, this is about 20%.

In order to have access to these lower wholesale prices, they do have to maintain a certain level of product on autoship each month.

However, if they’re selling to preferred customers, because of their discount, distributors only receive 10% commission. And you usually want these preferred customers, because they’re the ones who automatically come back every month. Unfortunately 10% commission on sales is very, very low, even for network marketing. [8]

#3. Up to 15% commission on recruits

You get 15% commission on the sales of your direct recruits, which isn’t the best I’ve seen, but it’s not bad.

Commissions for the rest of your downline range from 3%-10%. Still, not bad.

However, once you move up in rank, the commission you get off your direct recruits actually goes down. At top levels, it can be as low as 5% or 3%. And you only get paid commission 4 levels down, whereas most MLMs pay at least 7 or 8 levels down. [9]

#2. Generational pay is where most of the money is

Even Univera themselves say this in their compensation plan – generational pay “contributes toward a majority of the monthly residuals of Univera leaders.”

These are commissions you’re earning on your recruits, however they’re based on the rank of your recruits rather than amount. This encourages distributors to no just go crazy recruiting anyone and everyone to make more money, but to actually focus on quality recruits and helpful training, eventually building other leaders.

It’s a smart idea, and the commissions aren’t bad, ranging from an additional 2-5%. [10]

#1. Three ways to participate

You can be a part of Univera in the following three ways:

1. Customer: You, obviously, become a customer simply by purchasing product from Univera. At this level, you pay full retail price for the product.
2. Preferred Customer: These are customers who are signed up for an automatic monthly delivery of a certain amount of product. They get a 10% retail discount and don’t ever have to worry about re-ordering product.
3. Associate: These are people are their distributors. As long as they maintain a certain level of product on autoship each month, they get a 20% retail discount, bonuses, travel rewards, commissions, etc.

—

While you might be able to make a little money with Univera, assuming you had the right audience and focus, it’s not going to make you rich.

Not a Univera hater, but the MLM industry has its flaws.

If you like automated ways to build passive income, there are better ways.

(and you can trash those old MLM habits, too)

from MLM Companies

13 shocking facts about Vemma you should know

Sometimes the health and wellness MLMs really start to blur together, and this is one of those generic ones that sounds like all the rest but still offers an intriguing opportunity.

Vemma stands for Vitamins, Essential Minerals, Mangosteen, and Aloe. They want to make you healthy and they want to make you money. Does this mean I’m involved?

This video explains everything:

Make sense? Either way, here’s 13 shocking facts about Vemma you should know.

#13. Free product every 6 months

Vemma offers its distributors a loyalty program that sends them their monthly autoship products for free every six months, assuming they’ve been on auto-ship for a certain amount each month for those 6 months consecutively.

They have to pay taxes and shipping on the product, but it’s still one of the better loyalty programs out there. [1]

#12. $19.95 annual fee

In order to become a distributor, you have to pay a $19.95 fee to purchase Vemma’s Internet Marketing Tools. This fee is a yearly recurring subscription.

Through this subscription, you get access to Vemma’s back office, an affiliate marketing website, and a mobile app.

#11. Simple plan of action

They offer their affiliates (what they call their distributors) a simple game plan for reaching their goals and earning money with Vemma.

Upon becoming an affiliate, their first goal is to get 10 customers who purchase product, netting them commission.

After that, they mine their 10-person customer base for 2 people who are interested in joining the affiliate program. These two people become their first tier recruits.

They help these 2 affiliates duplicate their own success, and so on and so forth, thus building their downline. [2]

#10. You don’t get to earn right away

Most MLMs let you earn commissions the second you’re signed up as a distributor.

However, Vemma requires that you enroll at least one affiliate or PEQ customer on both your right and left teams before you’re eligible to earn any income at all.

This means you could put forth a lot of time and effort before you even see a dime.

#9. 20% Retail profits

Affiliates earn commissions in the form of retail profits.

Since they get a 20% discount for enrolling in auto-ship, they automatically earn 20% in commission on every sale.

#8. 10%-15% team bonuses

If you’ve got 50 PV every month as well as two affiliates or PEQ customers, one on each of your two teams, you get a 10%-15% bonus of the profit team’s weekly sales.

Your profit and power teams (right and left legs) both have to reach and maintain a minimum of 150 points each first.

Now, 15% of 150 only equals out to a $22.50 bonus for that week, so it’s usually not a huge bonus.

#7. 5% matching bonuses

If you generate 50 PV every month and have four personally enrolled affiliates or PEQ customers (2 on each side), you qualify for the matching bonus.

This bonus pays up to 5% on all of your personally enrolled affiliates’ team bonuses. If you’ve got some stellar first tier recruits, this can really pad your paychecks.

There are also matching bonuses available on your second, third, and fourth tiers.

#6. Sells the big three health and wellness products

Vemma products fall into the big three categories:

1. Energy
2. Nutritional
3. Weight management

Their product lines are Vemma nutritional drinks, Verve energy drinks (regular and sugar free), and Bod-e fat burning beverages.

#5. Aloe and mangosteen

This is Vemma’s selling point – their focus on essential vitamins and minerals and the health benefits of mangosteen and aloe.

These are two super popular ingredients in health and wellness MLMs (just look at Xango and Forever Living), but they’re popular for a reason. They seem to work.

#4. Over a decade in business

They’re certainly not the first MLM to try and turn a profit off mangosteen and aloe, but they have been around since 2004.

In 2013, they reported $221 million in revenue before even hitting their decade mark, which is impressive for sure.

#3. Shutdown by the FTC

However, less than two years later the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against Vemma, going so far as to completely freeze the company’s assets and seek relief for consumer complaints. [3]

The FTC alleged that Vemma was an illegal pyramid scheme and also cited its predatory recruitment practices that focus heavily on promising college students massive paychecks they never receive.

Judges first ruled that Vemma must cease normal operations and appointed someone to monitor all the company’s business practices. During this period, Vemma couldn’t pay out commissions, recruit new members, or offer rewards for sales.

#2. Settled recently and resumed operation

Vemma just settled with the FTC in September 2016.

The full details of the settlement are not yet available, but it included an agreement on the part of Vemma executives to submit to a permanent injunction and a monetary fine. [4]

#1. Future is unclear…

It’s been mere months since the settlement with the FTC was reached, so it’s impossible to tell what the future holds for Vemma.

While getting shut down by the FTC is an MLM company’s worst nightmare and often a fatal blow, they seem to have survived it, which is definitely promising.

However, whether or not they’ll be able to recover and get back up to the revenue levels they had in 2013 remains to be seen.

On top of that, they did have to submit to some restrictions by the FTC that have yet to be disclosed. How those restrictions will affect distributors and customers is unknown.

—

While the FTC shutdown put a damper on the company’s growth and sales, they still have some room to rebound. But should you waste your time?

It’s not that I’m a Vemma hater, I’m not. But as far as money making goes, I wouldn’t recommend it.

If you like automated ways to build passive income, there are better ways.

(and you can trash those old MLM habits, too)

from MLM Companies

13 important tips to know about TruIntegrity

TruIntegrity is a weight loss MLM with little that separates them from all the other health MLMs out there. But did you know that with TruIntegrity you can actually make commission profits without even selling any products?

Their compensation plan is one of the more intriguing as far as MLM goes. Does this mean I’m involved?

This video explains everything:

Make sense? Either way, here’s 13 important tips to know about TruIntegrity.

#13. Commission arrives via snail mail

That’s right. While other MLMs are introducing instant commission payments and creating their own branded credit cards, TruIntegrity hasn’t even figured out direct deposit.

They still send your commission via check, and it’s only sent out once a month on the 15^th. [1]

#12. Updating your information is a pain

As if the checks via snail mail weren’t outdated enough, they also don’t allow you to update your payment information online.

If you’re like me and lose your debit card on a monthly basis (just me?), you’ve got to send them a fax or, if that doesn’t work, an actual letter, with your new payment information before you can order more product.

Fax? I’m sorry, what even is that?

#11. No auto-ship requirements

Getting a surprise package in the mail feels like Christmas.

Until you open it and realize it’s the auto-ship package from an MLM you signed onto and you were probably already charged for this Christmas present you don’t even want.

Luckily, TruIntegrity allows you to be what they call an “OTP (one-time-payment)” member. Granted, you don’t receive quite as much commission (you’re eligible for levels 1 and 2, whereas “Auto-Ship Prime” members are eligible for all 6), but it’s nice that you have the option.

It’s also pretty easy to upgrade your membership, which means that you can start off as a an OTP member and, if you’re successful enough to build up more than 2 downlines, upgrade to Prime to start making money off them all. [2]

#10. You can make income without ever selling product

That’s right, you can make money with TruIntegrity without ever even selling a single product.

That’s because they allow you to make money on your downlines forever and have no purchase requirements in order to be eligible to receive commission. You can’t lose your downline team. They’re actually the only nutrition-based MLM in the world that offers this. [3]

It sounds great…until you realize that focusing too much on recruitment and having no product sales is exactly what causes MLMs to fail, time and time again.

#9. No international audience

TruIntegrity only services the United States (and its official territories).

While it’s good to know they’re not growing faster than they can handle, it’s worrying that they don’t seem to have aspirations of going international at all, especially when there are some really hot markets for MLMs abroad.

#8. Essential daily products

Their products are marketed as essential and should be taken daily. This works to the advantage of their distributors, not only because they can market the product as a necessity rather than a luxury good, but also because the daily dosage requirement means customers will come back consistently for more. Helloooooooo auto-ship.

That being said, whether or not their products are actually essential is up in the air.

#7. Only TWO products

So many MLMs out there seem to carry more products than a Wal-Mart, so in a way, it’s kind of refreshing to see one that really focuses in on creating a few solid ones. However, two is pretty minimal.

They picked the three biggies when it comes to health and wellness too: weight loss and supplements.

• Anti-Oxidant Super Blend is their nutritional supplement. Instead of targeting the next trendy plant from the Himalayas, TruIntegrity went with a tried and true #cleaneating favorite: anti-oxidants. They blend in a range of superfruits to maximize benefits, including acai, goji, mangosteen (like Xango), and pomegranate.

Because it’s not geared toward “health nuts” but average people, who can all benefit from antioxidants, the market range is wider.

• TruGarcinia+ is a weight management formula that controls appetite, increases metabolism, and boosts energy. It contains hydroxycitric acid, which is supposed to burn fat. It combines this with other daily essentials like calcium, potassium, and chromium.

#6. Weight loss formula contains 60% Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA)

Whereas most of these fat-burning products contain 50% HCA, TruIntegrity’s contains 60%. More is better, right?

Well, Dr. Oz, the face of weight-loss scams, was actually sued for his HCA-based weight-loss product Garcinia Cambogia, touted as a “miracle pill” when in fact “all credible scientific evidence proves it doesn’t work”. [4]

However, although Dr. Oz’s product was problematic, some research suggests that there may be weight loss benefits. You’re just not getting a “miracle pill” that’s going to cut 10 pounds in a month with no diet or exercise. [5]

#5. $49.95 Start-up fee

It costs $49.95 to get started, but then you technically never have to pay a dime again. Of course, you’ll have to sign up for the recurring $49.95 monthly membership to really earn any significant money.

You receive one bottle of product for this fee, which has enough daily product to last one month.

#4. Commission is 20%…max

The highest commission rate is 20%. This is what you earn on your level 1 recruits ($10 for every bottle they purchase).

You earn 10% on level 2 recruits and earnings stop there if you’re an OTP member. If you’re a prime member, you also get 20% on level 2 recruits, then 10% on level 3, 5% on level 4, and 2.5% on both levels 5 and 6. [6]

Really, this is not great, considering the only levels with decent commission are going to be fairly narrow (you’re probably not going to have a ton of direct recruits), and…

There isn’t a single mention of commission on sales. Browsing their website, you start to wonder if their reps even make sales, at all. They seem to fully and completely rely on recruits for income, moreso than any other MLM. That’s saying a lot.

#3. No width restrictions on recruits

There are no width restrictions on recruits, which means that, in theory, you could recruit everyone under the sun into your downline. This, again in theory, gives you “unlimited earning potential”.

The problem is, you’re probably not going to recruit a TON of people. In fact, statistically speaking, you’re probably not going to recruit anyone. [7]

#2. They claim you can earn $4,740 per month or more

This math is based on recruiting 6 people and each of them recruiting 6 people and so on. Pretty baller for a fairly passive monthly income.

But given the company’s archaic recruitment practices and the fact that they lack any real product, I’d be surprised if even one distributor has made that much. [8]

#1. Recruit by mailing postcards

Forget all those annoying 3-way calls, bombarding Facebook, or bothering your great aunt at the family Christmas party. Recruiting for TruIntegrity is as easy as mailing out postcards!

This is cute. Real cute. Yet another example of TruIntegrity being stuck in the past.

It sounds easy, sure, but how many people are going to sign up for your team because of a post card?

How many of you actually pay any attention at all to your junk mail, let alone respond with all your personal information and a check for $50?

Not many. They have issues to fix before they can compete with the big dogs, and they better fix them before they become the next MLM-of-the-past.

—

Not a TruIntegrity hater by any means. But would I recommend them for someone trying to make some extra side income? Eh, not quite. Not when I know where your time could be better spent.

If you like automated ways to build passive income, there are better ways.

(and you can trash those old MLM habits, too)

from MLM Companies

11 fascinating characteristics of Usborne Books you should know before joining

Amidst all the MLM shadiness of miracle weight loss pills, travel clubs that cost you more money than they save, and questionable financial tools, lies this gem of a company, with the most innocent of products: children’s books.

It’s really the perfect side gig for a stay at home parent with a kid in gradeschool – selling childrens books in the school library while their kid is in algebra. Does this mean I’m involved?

This video explains everything:

Make sense? Either way, here’s 11 fascinating characteristics of Usborne Books you should know before joining.

#11. Part of the “Books to the Rescue” program

One of Usborne Books’s distributors started a program in the United States that donates some of their books to police departments so that first responders can give them to children in times of crisis.

“(Books to the Rescue) is a way to provide comfort. It’s a way to strengthen relations between first responders and the community, and the biggest part is to provide comfort and distraction to kids,” she said. [1]

They also do book donation and matching programs often. Recently, a 5^th grade boy set out to raise money to donate over 200 books for a local nonprofit that provides therapeutic services to children. He was able to achieve his goals because Usborne Books provided 50% matching for all the funds he raised. [2]

#10. Philanthropy is a huge priority

Aside from that, Peter Usborne, Usborne Books’ founder, is a patron for READ International, charity that delivers books to schools in Tanzania. [3]

Him and his children set up the Usborne Books Foundation, which works to support literacy in early childhood.

They’ve also developed the Teach Your Monster to Read program, which is a series of award-winning, FREE, reading games. Their founder Peter has even been awarded a “services to the publishing industry” award.

Giving back is clearly a priority for Usborne, and not in a shallow, use our charity only for marketing purposes, kind of way.

#9. $75-$125 sign-on kits

Usborne Books offers prospective distributors two different options for sign on kits

The “Big Kit”, $125, includes:

• 20 best-selling Usborne books, worth over $200
• Start-up supplies, including a business website, worth over $75
• An Usborne Books branded box to hold everything
• Access to the Sunshine Team training website

The “Mini Kit”, $75, includes:

• 10 best-selling Usborne books, worth over $100
• Start-up supplies, including a business website, worth over $75
• An Usborne Books branded box to hold everything
• Access to the Sunshine Team training website [4]

#8. Based in the UK

Usborne Books is a UK-based MLM publishing company, where independent “Organisers” receive commission on the books they sell.

They’ve been around for several decades and are both a UK institution. In fact, they are the biggest and most successful book publisher in the UK.

In the United States, their presence isn’t quite so mammoth, but they have been around since 1989, which is a very long time for MLM. Folks can sign up to be independent “Consultants” for Usborne Books and More (their U.S. moniker) just like their UK counterparts. [5]

#7. Children’s books and young adult novels

Usborne Books publishes books ranging from baby books to young adult novels.

They have around 2,000 different titles to choose from, and with great variety. [6]

Books include Egyptian mummy sticker books, guides on how to code for kids, maze books, and farmyard tales. There’s a book for everyone (under a certain age).

They even sell ebooks and books with multimedia components. Their books are of extremely high quality, and kids love them.

#6. Lots of awards under their belt

Not only are they well-established in the UK market, but they’re also well-loved.

In 2015, they won the UK Private Business of the Year Awards, and in 2014 they were named both Independent Publisher of the Year and Independent Children’s Publisher of the Year in The Independent Publishers Guild awards. [7] [8]

#5. Started by a team of writers, editors, and designers

While most network marketing companies are started by ex-MLMers who are more focused on the business structure than the product (often they have little to no experience with the product itself), Usborne Books was actually started by writers, editors, and designers with a love for books and publishing.

Sure, they have less experience when it comes to building a money-making machine, but they have a passion for and deep knowledge of their products, which is refreshing in this industry.

#4. Published in a variety of languages

In order to support efforts for global expansion, Usborne Books doesn’t just publish books in English.

Their books are translated to and published in Korean, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Dutch, and Portuguese as well. [9]

#3. Educational consultant program

If you purchase the additional Educational Consultant Kit, you can sell your books in local schools.

Usborne Books offers discounts on bulk purchases for schools and libraries, who contact the company to be connected with a local Educational Consultant. That Consultant will then earn commission on their sales to local schools and libraries.

These Educational Consultants also have the opportunity to help schools pick out the best books for their needs and even organize, curate, and host book fairs in the schools. [10]

This sounds a lot more fun and rewarding than going over to someone’s house and showing them how well your Tupperware works.

#2. 20%-30% commission on personal sales

Consultants receive 25%-30% on their personal sales to private individuals. If you sell over $85 at a home party, you get 25%. If you sell over $85 via direct sales, you get 30%, but below $85, your commission rate drops back down to 25%.

This rate is nothing special, but it is pretty in-line with industry standards in MLM.

However, if they’re selling to schools or libraries in the UK, they only receive 20% commission.

Book fairs in the U.S. require a minimum purchase of $500, and consultants receive only 17% commission. School and library sales net 17%-25%.

That being said, they’re selling to these entities in bulk, so the grand total of these larger orders usually makes up for the lower commission.

#1. Recruiting via book parties

Consultants can encourage people to join their network by recruiting party hosts, who then get 10% of total party sales in free books, a free gift, and 20%-50% occasional discounts.

The focus on recruiting isn’t so heavy, which is good and bad. While MLMs that focus too hard on recruiting can be deemed pyramid scams and even receive legal penalties (remember Yevo?), companies like Usborne Books that have a solid product don’t offer a lot of opportunity for exponential growth.

You can only make so much money off personal sales, and that figure is nothing impressive.

—

Is it possible to make money with Usborne? Sure, if you tap into the right markets. Selling to your friends and family will only last so long.

If you like automated ways to build passive income, there are better ways.

(and you can trash those old MLM habits, too)

from MLM Companies