Who Really Sells Network Marketing Products?
Network marketing has become a serious business and deserves an updated look from the stereotype that the only people working in this type of business are stay-at-home moms who seek a break from the babies and toddlers on their hips.
In the boom of Tupperware and Avon, yes the majority of people who sold products through network marketing companies were indeed mostly stay-at-home moms. The target distributor and customer was the stay-at-home mom. The efforts of these moms formed what many know today as the network marketing industry of home parties, catalogs, order forms and cliches of neighborhood women gathering to discuss products and gossip.
The reasons at the time for doing this line of work varied but in the majority of situations there was an underlining economic need they filled through this work that contributed to the family budget. The growth of companies like Tupperware and Avon occurred during a time in history where more and more women were entering the workforce out of financial need and often that outweighed the desire and need to have more friends as to why they did this type of work. There was a gas crisis and major recession in the 1970’s that forced the change we see today of many families needing both adults working in the household to support the family.
There is also this myth that network marketing is all about social connections. While there are some opportunities to socialize through this work, it is challenging because many people are immediately turned off and go the other way when they see you because they think you’re selling them something. This type work has also been known to ruin relationships. There is a great deal of rejection and its definitely a tough way to make friends and get out of the house. After you get rejected a few times you really question if you want to leave the house. The idea that you enter network marketing to make friends is just not the reason 99% do so.
Trust me, there are easier ways to make friends than selling products!
Network Marketing Today
Today, almost 13 million people distribute or sell products through network marketing companies. This makes network marketing the largest industry employing the most people in the world.
The majority of people who sell products through network marketing are actually a very diverse group of people that includes:
Working women AND men where network marketing is a second income
Persons with disabilities
Seniors who need to supplement their retirement income
Single parents
College students
Women AND men who have network marketing as their primary income
Yes there are still stay-at-home moms too but they are no longer the biggest portion of who is driving sales for network mar