Building a team in MLM: why the foundations nobody sees decide everything

When I was digging the foundations for the seating area my wife Lenka wanted so much, it was hard work. Soil, roots, a string stretched between pegs.

And with every spadeful one thing became clear to me. A team works in exactly the same way:

• Nobody sees the foundations.
• Everyone sees only the terrace.
• And if you rush the foundations, the terrace cracks within a year.

Building a team in MLM works the same way. People admire big teams, but they don’t see the work underneath. This article is about those foundations.

What does building a team in MLM mean?

Building a team in MLM (in network marketing) means finding people who want to do business, teaching them the basics and helping them until they can lead others. It isn’t about the number of sign-ups, but about the people who stay.

A team in MLM consists of the partners you brought in and the people they brought in. Each of them is an independent entrepreneur. You can’t order them to do anything, you can only lead them.

That is why building a team resembles construction more than recruiting. First you dig, then you build.

Why is it so tempting to rush in MLM?

In MLM it is tempting to rush because the growth of a team shows immediately, while the foundations don’t. Everyone wants to show a result as soon as possible, to themselves, to their family and to the people around them.

But whatever grows quickly without foundations also wobbles quickly. Rushing when building a team usually looks like this:

• You take everyone who says yes, regardless of whether they really want to work.
• You promise more than you can deliver.
• You teach nobody anything, because you are already chasing the next person.
• Everything depends on you and you can’t keep up.

After a few months the cracking starts. People leave, you are tired and you begin again.

What are the foundations of a solid team in MLM?

There are three foundations of a solid team in MLM: people you trust, a simple system that can be passed on and regular contact. Without them even the best product won’t help.

The foundations of a terrace and the foundations of a team: what happens if you rush them

Foundation	For a terrace	In a team
Solid ground	Without it the paving sinks.	People you trust and who trust you.
Marking out and levelling	Without them water runs under the paving.	Clear goals and rules that everyone understands.
Drainage	Without it the terrace cracks in winter.	A system that solves problems before they grow.
Regular maintenance	Without it the terrace fills with weeds.	Regular contact and support.

None of these things shows up in a photo. All of them show up after a year.

In what order should you build a team in MLM?

I build a team in MLM in this order: first people I trust, then a system that works without me, and only then speed. The reverse order looks faster, but it lasts for a shorter time.

1. First, people I trust. I look for a few people who want to build with me. Not under me. Quality comes before quantity.
2. Then a system that works without me. Simple steps for a newcomer that they can pass on. If only I can run the system, it isn’t a system.
3. Speed only after that. When the people and the system are in place, growth comes by itself. And it won’t wobble.

I’m now building a new network in exactly this order. Anyone who starts again knows why it matters. I write more about it in the article Starting again in MLM: why you aren’t starting from zero.

How do you know your team stands on solid foundations?

A team stands on solid foundations when it works even if you disappear for a few days. People know what to do, can help each other and newcomers learn from others, not only from you.

• A newcomer knows what their first step is, even if you aren’t the one calling them.
• People in the team help each other without you telling them to.
• Someone from the team is already leading other people on their own.
• When things aren’t going well, nobody leaves straight away.

If this isn’t true yet, never mind. Foundations can be finished later. It just takes a spade and patience.

What mistakes do beginners make when building an MLM team?

The most common mistake beginners make when building an MLM team is chasing numbers instead of looking after the people they already have. Right behind it comes promising results that nobody can guarantee.

• Recruiting without teaching. A new person signs up and is then left alone. Within a month they don’t know what to do and they leave.
• Copying someone else’s style. What works for one leader may not suit you. People can tell when you are playing a role.
• Everything in your head. If you don’t have the process written down, you can’t pass it on.
• No time for your own people. Whoever keeps looking for new people forgets the ones who are already building with them.

All these mistakes have one thing in common. They are shortcuts. And shortcuts don’t pay off with foundations.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to build a team in MLM?

How long it takes to build a team in MLM depends on the time you put in, on the people and on the company. A solid team is usually built over months to years, not weeks. Anyone who promises a quick team without work is promising something they can’t guarantee.

How many people do I need to start?

You don’t need dozens of people to start. A few people who are serious and want to learn are enough. Two or three reliable partners will build more than twenty people who merely signed up.

What should I do if people in my team keep leaving?

If people leave your team, ask them why and listen. It is often about unmet expectations or missing support at the start. Departures are common in MLM, but a recurring reason shows where the foundations need finishing.

Do I have to be there for everything myself?

You don’t have to be there for everything yourself, and if you are, the team isn’t standing on solid foundations yet. The aim is a system that others can pass on too. Your role gradually changes from the person who does everything to the person who teaches others.

When we finally sit on the terrace

It may take longer. But when we finally sit on that terrace, nothing will wobble.

If you want to build a team like this, slowly and properly, get in touch for a private presentation.

Tom