My Opinion on Network Marketing

What’s my opinion on network marketing?

In short: Mixed.

What about you?

Over the years, I’ve run into some people feeling very hesitant about purchasing doTERRA oils – they are really interested in using the oils at home and heard good things about this brand, but feel very wary about “this network marketing thing.”

Let me reassure you… if you would like to purchase doTERRA essential oils through me, you can feel safe and comfortable – I am not going to approach you to start a business, sell oils, or host classes or parties.

Why do I have a mixed opinion?

As in ALL types of businesses, there are good and bad players in the network marketing world.

Either the company itself is a good or bad player, OR individual distributors within the network are good or bad players.

Network marketing companies seem to be one of two types:

A. Sell the idea of getting people into the business network and find a product to go along with it. Especially with a big price tag to commit up front.

B. Sell a good product and use network marketing as the way to get the word out.

The “ick” factor

I grew up with an ick feeling about the idea of network marketing.

My very first experience of “being sold to” was in high school – I babysat for a family who was a firm believer in one of the oldest network marketing companies and they would lecture me to no end about the “evils” of going to the store, essentially shaming me every time. I didn’t babysit there for long. Ick.

On the other hand, we did also have a neighborhood “Avon Lady” and as a kid I loooved getting the tiny lipstick samples to play with. That was okay.

In high school, I also went to a couple of Mary Kay parties and loved the pampering and trying out different products. That was okay, too.

Fast forward many years, I was learning about essential oils and researching all the companies.

I kept landing with doTERRA at the top.

In quality, in locations grown, in safety, in research testing, in helping support the farmers, in prioritizing sustainability.

And I kept thinking, “But, I don’t like network marketing.”

Advertising

It wasn’t until I understood the difference between selling a business and selling a good product, that I thought maybe it’s okay. These are such GOOD oils.

It is VERY expensive to advertise. As a clinic owner, I know this first-hand. Companies spend a fortune paying for TV, radio, digital, and streaming ads.

Companies like doTERRA choose to not pay advertising venues, and instead reward the people who are actually using the products when they share with someone else.

The other reason I was okay with this – you absolutely do NOT have to participate in network marketing to enjoy doTERRA oils.

You can choose to purchase retail – no different than buying them in my waiting room.

Or choose a wholesale membership (like Sam’s & Costco) for a reduced price on all the products and purchase only when you want to.

And if you end up shopping regularly, you have the option of a monthly loyalty rewards program for extra perks.

No selling, no monthly requirements, stop when you want to stop.

Choice matters to me.

I love my doTERRA oils.

I have used them for over a decade now here in the clinic and also at home, and their effectiveness still impresses me.

There are other types of good-player network marketing companies that acquaintances, friends and patients have been involved with and I still enjoy their products today…

Most of my cleaning cloths come from Norwex (but sorry, not their oils). I love the Rodan & Fields facial sunscreen. I have a whole bunch of Pampered Chef kitchen utensils. – Good products, rewarding the users.

What about the haters?

Those who vehemently despise network marketing (of any of the companies) tend to fall into a few categories…

1.They tried their own hand at a business and it didn’t go well for any number of reasons. It is NEVER a get-rich-quick situation.

2.They worked for one of the shady companies and really got burned – huge up front costs or stuck with a large amount of inventory they couldn’t sell.

3.They have their own competing product to sell so it serves them well to put down other companies.

4.They have been approached too many times from friends and acquaintances to have party after party and now have the ick feel.

By the way, none of this is to shame anyone who has tried networking marketing and failed, or who has tried and succeeded – I applaud anyone putting themselves out there and trying something new to better their situation.

Why I stick with doTERRA?

Simply: I really love the products.

And I’m a middle-way/best-of-all-worlds kind of person….

Some people are skeptical about oils because they been over-sold on all the amazing things essential oils can do, but then didn’t work for them – I can help you sift out the useful advice from the hype.

Some people are using essential oils for literally everything when really a different treatment, technique, or tool will serve them better. Again I can help you with that.

Funny story – one time my husband and I were hiking down a steep hill and up ahead a person fell down on the trail (not the funny part), so I started running to go help them up. My husband called after me “Hurry, Laurie, get your lavender out!”

The image of trying to rescue someone fallen near the edge of a cliff with a little lavender was just comical.

The person was thankfully just fine – some scrapes needing first aid and an ice pack. (The lavender can be used later on the bruises! 😉

It’s important to know the right time and place for each tool.

How to buy essential oils from me

You are welcome to purchase the oils off the shelf in my clinic anytime – simply pop in during open hours to browse. I keep a few of the most popular oils and products on hand.

The better option for you is to purchase them through a wholesale membership giving YOU the best price and then you have access to the entire inventory.

If you use my referral link here, it will give first-timers a wholesale membership for free for the first year.

I do earn a small commission from the sale of oils that supports my ability to teach through my newsletter and occasional classes, as well as make myself available to answer questions from patients or others who have a wholesale membership with me.

Quality matters

You may think getting oils from a big box store or online mega-giant store is a better bet.

But for an oil to be that cheap, there had to be a lot of corners cut along the way. Someone is making money off your purchase, but most likely only the CEO and shareholders, and quite possibly doing some harm along the way.

I once saw jasmine essential oil at a store here in town for $4.97 and I would have laughed if it wasn’t tragic.

Jasmine oil is so rare and difficult to extract – it is in only a few areas of the world and has to be harvested at night for maximum potency. And the amount of flower to produce a small amount of oil is huge.

That $4.97 jasmine oil had to be synthetic. It’s important to avoid oils produced in a lab – especially if you are prone to sinus or respiratory issues, or if you plan to use these topically on your skin.

But going into all the details of synthetic is veering away from this post and better left to a separate one.

Let’s leave it at: Quality really matters.

Bottom line…

My approach with doTERRA essential oils is the same as how I promote acupuncture.

Just like acupuncture, essential oils are wonderfully helpful for the body.
Just like acupuncture, not everybody is going to be interested and that’s okay. I will never force anyone.
Just like acupuncture, I’m here to support those who would like my help.

If you would like really good quality oils and are not interested in the network marketing aspect, you are safe to purchase doTERRA oils through me. I will not pester you, or approach you about starting a side hustle. Simply enjoy the oils.