The Dark Side of MLM Marketing: Unveiling Shady Sales Tactics

The world of multi-level marketing (MLM) can be a murky one, with many companies employing questionable sales tactics to lure in potential customers. One such company that has gained notoriety is Beachbody, known for its sample packs and home workout programs. In this article, we’ll delve into some of the shady tactics used by salespersons, particularly within the Beachbody community, and explore the dark underbelly of MLM marketing.

Targeting Mothers with Overwhelming Responsibility

Beachbody’s primary target audience is often young mothers, who are made to feel overwhelmed by the many responsibilities associated with parenthood. These sales scripts often create a narrative of hope and desperation, appealing to the emotional aspect of their potential customers.

These scripts often go something like this: 'Don’t you feel like you need something to make it all better? Just press play and get your workout in. You deserve this time for yourself, and you are a better mother and wife for it.'

Creating a Multilevel Marketing Empire

Beyond just selling fitness products, many Beachbody coaches use these sales scripts to build a multilevel marketing (MLM) business. They create a sense of obligation and guilt, encouraging their customers to host high-end meetings and sign up more people to join the MLM network. Once they have you on board, they will push you to subscribe to workout programs and add on additional products like Shakeology and Energize drinks, which can be quite pricey.

Then, they will up-sell you on various detox programs, like a 3 Day Refresh, which promises to help you debloat and lose weight quickly. These tactics can be quite enticing, especially for those feeling overwhelmed and in need of a quick fix.

Manipulative Social Media Tactics

The effectiveness of these sales tactics is often boosted through the manipulation of social media, where coaches constantly post pictures of themselves working out or spending time with their families, always in the best shape possible. The goal is to create a sense of photo opportunity, where every workout is documented to show that it works.

These photos are often taken at professional retreats or events, where coaches invite those on the fence to attend and join the MLM network. Promises of free travel and financial stability are also frequently thrown into the mix, with claims that they can help you be the mom and wife you were meant to be while also improving your family’s financial health.

However, not all coaches who are part of the Beachbody network are full-time. There are commercials and testimonials from working mothers who turned to Beachbody for financial reasons. Yet, this is often used as a way to diminish the value of those who have not found this path. It’s a subtle form of shaming those who don’t pursue the Beachbody lifestyle, suggesting that unless you’re a full-time coach, you are less of a wife and mother.

Hidden Friends and Privacy Issues

One of the most concerning aspects of this type of sales environment is the potential for privacy invasion. Friends and family are regularly recruited, leading to a situation where mutual friends are selling to each other. This can get so bad that friends have to hide their friends lists to prevent unwanted pitches and pressure from their other friends.

Some of the most outrageous tactics include hiding behind the guise of a “I used to work full-time away from my home and family, but Beachbody allows me to be the mom and wife I was meant to be while helping our family’s financial health.” This statement is often used as a way to shame other mothers who might be struggling with work-life balance or financial strain, painting a picture that their success was all thanks to Beachbody.

The Ethical Implications

The ultimate ethical concern with this type of MLM marketing lies in the manipulation of emotions and the constant pressure to buy more and more products. This can lead to financial strain and dissatisfaction as customers feel obligated to continue buying into their success story.

The use of high-pressure sales tactics, constant photo documentation, and the perpetuation of an unrealistic lifestyle can also take a toll on mental health. It’s essential for consumers to be aware of these tactics and to approach these sales pitches with a critical eye.

Conclusion

While the MLM business model can be lucrative and provide opportunities for people to work from home, it is crucial to be aware of the shady tactics used by some salespersons to manipulate and exploit their customers. Beachbody, in particular, has a reputation for using manipulative and ethically questionable sales tactics. It’s important to critically evaluate any sales pitch and to recognize when a company is propping up a lifestyle and success story that may not be genuine or realistic.

Key Takeaways:

MLM marketing often targets individuals with feelings of guilt and responsibility. Sales tactics include creating a sense of obligation and pushing additional products and services. Manipulative social media tactics, such as constant photo documentation, are used to create a sense of lifestyle success. Accusations based on part-time versus full-time coach status can be a form of shaming competitors.