How To Politely Say No To MLMs

⌛  By Kaylin R. Staten ⌛

I don’t know about you, but being in the midst of an international pandemic this year has really increased the number of people trying to sell me stuff. I admire their spirit to make more money for themselves and their families, but I really don’t want another kitchen gadget, purse I won’t use, or essential oils they’re telling me to ingest (uh, no). 

At the end of May, I wrote a blog post about the dangers of multi-level marketing. As a business owner, it makes my skin crawl to learn about how these companies manipulate their consultants and the general public. In many cases, MLMs use cult-like tactics to ensure that consultants push away anyone who doesn’t agree with their “business,” toxic positivity to essentially eliminate negative emotions entirely, and other tactics a non-shady business would never do to clients, partners, and other target audiences.

As you can tell, I still am very heated about MLMs, and I do consider myself as part of the anti-MLM community. It’s seriously heartbreaking to see women and men get caught up in these pyramid-esque schemes (not wanting to get sued for outright calling them what many people think of them). I want to tell them that they can do their own thing -- without being constrained by a corporate figurehead or upline representative’s opinions, and in some cases, abusive tendencies.

I always want to come from a place of understanding and compassion, so I do not intend to bash anyone who was or is part of an MLM. My issue is with the overall companies themselves and how they prey upon people. 

Just like I stated in my original blog post and other communications since, I have purchased products from MLM companies. At the time, I wanted to support someone I knew or just liked the product. To this day, one of my favorite (and signature) perfumes is the non-discontinued Bond Girl 007 perfume from Avon. Avon products take me back to a nostalgic point in time, with their legacy scents, lip glosses, and affordable jewelry. 

What I didn’t realize at the point of sale was that these types of companies just aren’t the moneymakers they’re portrayed as being. On top of not making the funds to sustain this venture even part-time, many consultants have to deal with the pressures of unrelenting high standards brought to them by their uplines and the C-suite. 

Guys, that doesn’t sound like owning your own business. That sounds like being in a prison.

Personally, I have never been approached about being part of someone’s downline. I’ve been invited to online and in-person parties and have received catalogs, so I have been recruited as a paying customer. When someone approaches you, they’re in at least one sphere of influence for you. It could be a close friend or family member, an acquaintance (presently or in the past), or someone who has cold called or messaged you. (Plus, targeted ads are a thing now, too, although some MLMs do not permit their consultants to advertise. That’s a story for another day!)

This is where I recommend Lillian Lalo’s “Toxic Positivity” podcast. She has given templates on how to say “no” to MLMs in previous episodes, and her interviews give insight into the predatory nature of MLMs.

I wanted to give you my own version of how to say “no” to an MLM, both from a customer and a consultant standpoint. (I am a PR practitioner after all, and I’ve written a great many scripts.) If you’re uncomfortable with supporting an MLM, these scripts, tailored to your own messaging as well, will hopefully help you be able to say a firm-but-fair “no.” The goal isn’t to hurt someone’s feelings or to lose a relationship in your life, but you have to remember that your thoughts and feelings matter, too. Always speak up for yourself! 

The Script for Saying No To Being A Consultant (basic script - it can be more personalized)

Hi [Name],

Thank you for thinking of me for this opportunity, but I wanted to message you to let you know that my career is going down a different path. I hope you find what you are looking for in terms of success with [company], but I do not participate as a consultant or customer of any MLM companies. I gather you are very passionate about what you do, but I wouldn’t be giving you due diligence if I didn’t urge you to look at the other side of MLM companies and their business and marketing practices. As you probably know, only about 5 percent of consultants make money in MLM ventures according to the FTC, and you’re likely living in a high-pressure sales environment that’s hard to keep up with in terms of inventory, time, and client bases. At times, you’re probably expected to do unreasonable things.

I wish you well with your goals and objectives for your career, but please take me off your prospective consultants list. It’s for the reasons above, as well as others, that I am not interested in ever being part of an MLM company.

Thank you,

[Name]

The Script for Saying No To Being A Customer (this can be more personalized, too)

Hi [Name],

Thank you for outreaching to me. Unfortunately, I am not in the market for [name of your product or line] at this time. I do wish you well in your ventures, but I would also like to give you a reason why I don’t purchase from MLM companies anymore. After extensive research from both sides, I have realized that most MLM companies take advantage of consultants, and only the top 1-5 percent of consultants actually make a livable income. Some of them also use severe pain points to manipulate people to join and purchase items, and I just don’t agree with that degree of marketing.

I do not want to contribute to these overarching business practices. I hope you understand my viewpoint, and I do wish you well. But, please take me off your prospective customer list.

Thank you,

[Name]

These are very basic scripts, so feel free to add your own voice, research, and opinions to them. My major rule of thumb is to make sure you’re not being judgmental or accusatory to the person on the other end. Speak your piece without demeaning others. If the person responds in a negative way, you can say something like, “Again, I wish you well. Take care!” Leave it simple, and do not engage in the back-and-forth negativity.

Kaylin R. Staten, APR, is an award-winning, accredited public relations practitioner and writer based in Huntington, WV with 18 years of professional communications experience. As CEO and founder of Hourglass Media, she uses her compassionate spirit and expertise to delve into the heart of clients’ stories. She is a recovering perfectionist, mental health advocate, wife, Luke’s mom, cat mom, and Leia Organa aficionado. Connect with Kaylin on LinkedIn.