The Psychology Behind the MLM’s “Fast Start”

Now That Everyone is Watching….

Photo by Napendra Singh on Unsplash

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission, also known as the FTC, identifies Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) companies to fall under this business structure: products or services from the company are sold through person-to-person either in home or online. Once you join an MLM, you will be called something along the lines of “distributor,” but your exact title is contractor. Those purchasing items or services are the customers. MLMs pushing the boundaries between an ethical business and a pyramid scheme is one that earns commissions based on recruitment of new distributors rather than on products or services sold. For further details on consumer information and recommendations, please visit the FTC website and make an informed decision for yourself.

The purpose of this article is not to encourage anyone to participate in an MLM and not to shame anyone for their engagement either, but rather education on the reasons behind fast start programs. In this article, you may find terms: “fast start,” “quick start” or other similar terms and they will be used interchangeably. Every MLM company I have researched has the same program with slight variance. For reference on popular MLMs: Younique, Arbonne, Monat, Young Living. A basic Google search will lead you to an MLM quick start bonus, but do not explain the purpose behind the strategy.

A manipulative soul once told me, “Taylor, you can only trust what motivates someone.” So, I ask myself, “Taylor, what is motivating the MLM by the fast start?” Let’s break it down.

The company sets monetary and other incentives for you, the new distributor, to engage and build a team within your first 30 to 90 days. With the carrot of money hanging over your head, you will have 30–90 days to make a meaningful impact and to build your reputation, or so the uplines say. Based on reports, Uplines have unofficially made it clear that the first 90 days will indicate if you are worthy of further mentorship or support from your upline and your uplines upline.

Let me explain more. Buying that new product pack, some prices starting at $99 “to invest in your future” some even going all the way up into the thousands. I call this “Pay to Play.” Before the sticker shock has time…