A former Amway executive, Raniere turned his self-help MLM into a literal cult and then a cult within a cult. The most notable example would be NXIVM’s Keith Raniere. Any challenge to them would be unthinkable. Their words are repeated, memorized, and cherished. They are geniuses and they are sharing their wisdom with you. If you aren’t seeing success, well, I guess you just have “ a lack of faith,” “ negative mindset,” or “ you didn’t work hard enough.” Charismatic “Guru” Leaders Are Infallible These organizations make these grand promises if you follow everything you’re told. For MLMs, it’s financial independence or self-reliance. They Promise Secrets To SuccessĮvery MLM and cult member is told: “ all you have to do is A, B, and C and you’ll be successful.” For cults, it’s enlightenment or freedom.

This is what you’ve been looking for, they’ll say. They will lure vulnerable people in with a seemingly safe, welcoming, and exciting environment. While a cult targets spirituality, MLMs target finance and work. It’s when you’re feeling low and desperate for help that attracts these organizations like blood in the water.Ī cult or an MLM will approach you with a solution to your problem, and they’ll do it with a smile. These states can be financial pressure, a dead-end job, loneliness, and others. You are at your highest risk of being recruited into a cult or MLM if you’re in a vulnerable state. Here are some MLM cult tactics you really should know. MLMs, while they may not shave their heads and commit mass suicide, rely on tactics that are nearly identical to those very same cults. How are they anything like those scary, wacky cults? MLMs just sell make-up, diet shakes, or leggings. Mass suicides, violent stand-offs with law enforcement, and jumping on Oprah’s couch can all be traced back to those wacky, scary cults. Much of our collective understanding of what makes a cult is based on what we’ve seen in the news.

MLM cult tactics are very real and very dangerous. It might seem a little hyperbolic to say that MLMs ( multi-level marketing schemes) are cults.

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