Did Bill Clinton Endorse Network Marketing?

A reader sent me a video that has been making its rounds onFacebook. Apparently all the network marketers are promoting this one in an attempt to add validity to the MLM business model.

The thing is, Bill Clinton DIDN’T endorse network marketing. He endorsed direct selling. There is a difference.

On the video, when Bill Clinton says the words “direct sales,” the words “network marketing” appear. No doubt the person circulating this version of the video wants those two phrases to be interchangeable.

But direct selling means just that: selling directly to the consumer outside of a retail location. Think AVON. Think Tupperware.

That said, it is true that most of the organizations that are members of the Direct Selling Association have a multi-level component to their business, meaning if you recruit others into the business you make commissions from the sales those recruits make in addition to your own sales.

The endorsement of direct selling is not an endorsement of the pyramid-like structures of network marketing companies, although many of the people envolved in these MLMs are really trying to make it so.

Here’s the video. Enjoy!