Multi-level marketing(MLM) also
referred to as Network Marketing is a business distribution
model that allows a parent multi-level marketing company to
market their products directly to consumers by means of
relationship referral and direct
selling.
Independent unsalaried sales people of
multi-level marketing referred to as distributors
(associates, independent business owners, franchise
owners, sales consultants, consultants, independent
agents, etc.), represent the parent company and are
rewarded a commission relative to the volume of product
sold through each of their independent businesses
(organisations).
Independent distributors develop their organisation
by either building an active customer base, who buy direct
from the parent company and / or by recruiting a
downline of independent
distributors who also build a
customer base, expanding the overall
organisation.
Additionally, distributors can also earn a profit by
retailing products which they purchased from the parent
company at wholesale price.
Distributors earn a commission based on the sales
efforts of their organisation, which includes their
independent sale efforts as well as the leveraged sales
efforts of their downline.
This arrangement is similar to
franchise arrangements where royalties are paid
from the sales of individual franchise operations to the
franchisor as well as to an area or region
manager.
Commissions are paid to multi-level marketing
distributors according to the company’s
compensation plan.
There can be multiple levels of people
receiving royalties from one person's
sales.