If you’re looking to enter the world of network marketing, you’re most likely aware of the many perks that come with it. You get to learn how to sell products, build a team, and most importantly, you get to live a life you’ve always aspired to. From a new car to a beautiful apartment, the luxuries of network marketing are endless. So it comes as no surprise that many aspiring entrepreneurs want to dive in headfirst.

What if I told you there was a way to enter the world of network marketing and avoid the many pitfalls that come with it? What if I told you there were ways to scam people and get rich off them?

If you’re even thinking about dipping your toe in the water, let’s first discuss what not to do. The following are some of the most common scams that newbie affiliate marketers fall victim to, and I’ll teach you how to avoid them. After all, you don’t want to ruin your opportunity do you?

Looking For Quick Money

One of the primary reasons people join network marketing is to make quick money. It’s no secret that the industry is plagued by scam artists looking to take advantage of desperate individuals. While it’s not impossible to make a legitimate, honest living through network marketing, it’s rather difficult to do so. The quick money schemes usually involve asking you to invest in a product that gives the impression of high earnings potential. The products are usually in some way related to health or beauty and the promise of high earnings is usually accompanied by some sort of generous compensation plan. It is often difficult to determine the difference between a scam and an opportunity in this case.

Get Rich Quick By Signing Up For Free Websites

Another common money-making scheme in network marketing is to sign up for free websites. The free sites usually provide some sort of monetary compensation for each visitor that clicks a specific link or buys a specified product. Because these sites don’t make money through advertising, the income they do generate is based off of a limited number of products sold via affiliate marketing or a small number of high-quality, in-house products. The promise of quick riches through these sites is so appealing that many would-be entrepreneurs ignore the warnings of experts not to get involved with free websites. The fact is, the majority of free websites are likely scams.

Getting Rich By Selling Your Personal Info

Although we have established that network marketing is not necessarily a scam, there is one way in which you can get rich quick in the industry. It’s called data mining. Essentially, you buy personal information, such as name, email address, and phone number, from people who have signed up for various free websites. You then use that information to solicit money from people you’ve never met in the form of webinars, mlm shows, and other offline marketing tactics. The goal here is to build a list of names and email addresses you can use to sell digital or physical products. You can of course do this lawfully, but why jeopardize your opportunity in a legitimate business when you can make quick money in an illegitimate one?

Don’t Get Fooled By Unsolicited Social Media Promotions

If you’re reading this article, I assume you’re either already involved in network marketing or trying to decide whether or not to join the industry. If that’s the case, then you’re probably well aware of the various social media platforms and how important marketing through these channels is. When a company or brand sends you a tweet or post with a link to an online store or offers some other kind of compensation for sharing a product, you should automatically assume that it’s a scam. The reason is simple. Most companies don’t pay you to drive traffic to their websites. They’ll pay you to buy merchandise or services that they promote through social media.

Don’t Fall For Multi Level Marketing Schemes

Finally, don’t fall for multi level marketing schemes. These are where you purchase a product and then you are supposed to sell that product to your friends and family. The pitch is usually something like this: “If you’re familiar with Amway, Arbonne, and Herbalife, then you know what a multi level marketing scheme is. Simply put, you become a distributor and then you can enroll others in your downline to earn a commission when they sell a product.”

What you should know is that these products usually do not provide any value and the idea of earning a commission off a product you’ve never even tried is extremely dubious. Most multi level marketing schemes are pyramid schemes and are designed to defraud individuals. Don’t waste your time or anyone else’s.

At the end of the day, just remember: Network marketing is not necessarily a scam. It’s a legitimate industry with a lot of opportunities. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that you might encounter scammers who try to take advantage of you. Do your research, learn from the experts, and use your common sense. Most importantly, if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Legitimate businesses are out there, but finding them is much easier said than done.