Rodan + Fields and Other Multi-Level Marketing Companies

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I’m sure by now you’ve all seen Rodan + Fields products blasted all over Facebook, along with It Works, Isagenix, Shakeology, Avon, Mary Kay, Scentsy and others.

I wanted to get your input on what you think of these products (if you use them) and what you think of multi-level marketing companies in general. Have you tried it before? Were you successful at it? I have a few friends on Facebook who seem to be doing really well, but you never really know (I don’t know them close enough to ask them!).

I have never personally attempted to sell any kind of product or service, other than through my blog and all of those products are blogging and freelancing related. I will admit, though, that I am tempted by some of these companies, most specifically – Rodan + Fields.

A blogging friend sent me some samples of the product and it made my skin extremely soft. My skin isn’t necessarily “bad,” but I do have some acne scars, some uneven spots, a wrinkle in between my eyebrows, etc. I definitely wear foundation every day, and I’ve heard Rodan + Fields can make your skin so good that you don’t even need to bother with foundation. I currently spend $50 every six(ish) months on either Naked or NARS foundation. Yes, Rodan + Fields is significantly more money than that, but if it did actually improve my skin and make it so I didn’t need foundation, I’d be stoked.

So, I am actually placing an order later this week. I plan on posting some before and after shots (assuming the product works) about a month after I start using the product.

Another question for you readers – Would you personally find it annoying if a blogger started trying to sell a product like that on their blog? Or would you just dismiss those posts and move on? I’ll be honest – if I DO like the product and decide to sell it, I would definitely want to use my blog as a way to connect with others interested in the product. I don’t use FB too much, so I wouldn’t post much on there. This blog would basically be my means of selling the product, but the last thing I would want to do is turn off my current readers.

Thanks for your input! I’d appreciate any feedback I can get! 🙂

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Comments

Janne Etz says
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Hi, Sarah–Well, it’s your blog and I would expect that you would use it to sell products you believe in. Personally, for a MLM product, I would delete the post and move on, but I certainly wouldn’t consider leaving you altogether (unless, of course, your face products became ALL you ever talked about!) I have a friend who is rocking It Works on Facebook. Don’t know for sure how much money she’s making at it, but she sure does talk about it a lot!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Oh that’s exactly what I’m afraid of!! That you have to talk about it CONSTANTLY in order to make any money; and I know for a fact that is not “me.” I don’t know; decisions decisions haha! But thank you for your input and that you wouldn’t leave my blog if I did decide to sell it! 🙂
Ashley Brooks says
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As I understand multilevel marketing based on what family and Dave Ramsey have said about it, the real money comes from getting new reps to sign up below you. If that’s the case, there’s nothing wrong with mlm, just as long as you understand that the real biz you’re getting into is recruiting people, not necessarily sales. I’d have no problem seeing mlm posts on a blog. It’s no different than a blogger offering their other products or services. If I’m not interested, I’ll just move on. It bothers me way more when people I haven’t seen in years message me on FB, acting like we’re best friends and trying to get me to come to their parties!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Hahaha oh yes, I agree there is nothing worse than FB “friends” reaching out who you haven’t spoken to in years! So annoying!! And yup, you are totally right in that the main goal is to recruit people. It just kind of seems like a lot to keep up with, and I’m wondering if the financial payout is even worth it. At this point freelancing might just be better!
Kristin says
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I love this! I am totally open to MLM and think it’s one great way to make extra income. I have several friends that do extremely well with R+F, as well as with It Works and Scentsy. I think your income can totally depend on how comfy you are sharing products with other people. I’ve used R+F and Scentsy products myself and like them! If my friends can make a living off of talking about something they believe in, why not?!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Yup I totally agree!! I also kind of wonder if it’s even worth it to sell it because I honestly do not want to talk about it all the time. And it seems like the people who make a lot mention it CONSTANTLY!!!
Candace says
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New reader here! I just wanted to let you know that R+F is amazing! I started using the products in December of 2015 and loved what they did to my face so much that I decided to join as a consultant. I’m not a “salesperson” at all, so I was very hesitant to join. My husband and I talked at length about it and he finally convinced me to just do it for fun money. I’ve only made 3 posts on my Facebook since I started as a consultant 2 months ago and it’s amazing how many people I’ve had reach out to me. The one deal I made with myself is absolutely no reaching out to people. They can reach out to me if they are interested. That approach makes me feel better about not pushing these products on anyone. I, honestly, just fell in love with them and all I do now is share instead of sell. I’m certainly not making tons of money using this approach, but I can also sleep at night knowing I’m not losing friends over being pushy and annoying. I actually have a really good friend who had a friend of her’s pushing R+F products so much, that she now no longer talks to her and…she ended up signing up as a preferred customer under me and LOVES the products! I’m curious to see your before and after pics and to hear what you think about the products! Even if you don’t become a consultant, I’d guess you’ll be a preferred customer ? I stopped using all foundation, etc about 3 months into using the products! Yay for awesome products!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Hi! Thanks so much for the feedback!! I am signed up as a Preferred Customer already haha!! So far I really like the products!! I’ve only been using them a week but I can already tell a difference. I’m not certain that I’ll go the consultant route, as I think I’d rather spend my time blogging at this point. But you never know!!
alicia says
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I’ve done MLM in the past, and when I made decent money it was because I was pushing it HARD. (well, for me it was hard, but no where near as crazy as some people can get.). I stopped because I realized that just wasn’t me. It’s all about how much work you put into it. If you want to make a decent income, you have to put in a decent amount of work.
I’m also totally open to MLM, some of them have some great products! 🙂
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Thanks for the input!! While I am loving my new R&F products, I don’t think that I’ll be selling it. Selling really isn’t “me” and I don’t think that’s where I want to spend my time and energy, even if it was just for an hour a week lol!!
ginnie kuhn says
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As a RnF consultant, who began as a PC, I have to say that it is NOT all about building the team, although that will augment your income, and considerably if you have a large team. But we are only compensated 5 levels down, and the much higher profit percentage is in your own PCs. So that’s a balance. I am not a “pusher”, nor do I believe in the RnF spew that some consultants ascribe to. No judgement, just not my style. I coach my team to understand that we are representing a first class product, and that calls for first class behavior in marketing. We start conversations and offer solutions. I would not be afraid to share RnF on your blog, as long as it’s part of a good mix; which is my social media rule of thumb. And, I focus on education in my posts, not selling. It’s working 🙂 Also know, I researched quite a few blogs before deciding to sign on as a consultant, and found that information very helpful. Feel free to message me if you have any questions…maybe you should join my Wilmington team!
Jayme Shulman says
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Hey there! I stumbled upon this post and thought I’d share with you my experience with MLM. I started my Mary Kay business last March. Before Mary Kay, I had a 4 month old daughter and was going back to work as a Registered Nurse doing a weekend home care job. Never ever did I consider direct sales, but I needed to supplement my income in order to be able to stay home and raise my daughter. I was invited to a girls night out, and instantly fell in love with the skin care and Cosmetics. I was very skeptical when the opportunity was shared with me. I thought it was a scam, and I’m not a sales person, I’m a people person. Honestly, this company was the answer to my prayers. I have choices now. Currently I am earning my first career car. Yes, you do need a team in order to get the car. You need 12 women that are brought into the company by you, but the director will train them in addition to the educational materials at your finger tips online through MK University. I’ve found so much joy in building women up, teaching them how to care for their skin, and prompting wellness. Our products are much less expensive than R +F and we earn 50 percent commission in addition to the love checks. However, you don’t have to recruit to make money. Every consultant gets the 50 percent. I’ve decided to leave my career in nursing this spring and take advantage of the opportunity I’ve always dreamed of. Hope this helps you out. Feel free to check out my website at http://www.marykay.com/jshulman for more information.