We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode How Multi-level Marketing Became America’s ‘Unseen Propaganda Factory’

How Multi-level Marketing Became America’s ‘Unseen Propaganda Factory’

2025/6/3
logo of podcast KQED's Forum

KQED's Forum
AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
B
Bridget Read
B
Bruce
E
Ellick
M
Mina Kim
Topics
Mina Kim: 多层次营销公司承诺灵活的工作时间和收入，以及在知名品牌支持下成为自己的老板。然而，联邦贸易委员会的数据显示，99% 的参与者没有赚到任何钱，这引发了对其商业模式的质疑。 Bridget Read: 我发现多层次营销在经济不景气时会迎来小繁荣，疫情期间更多女性离开工作岗位，所以她们主要加入了多层次营销。这个行业存在许多矛盾和古怪之处，促使我写一本书来探究其本质。理论上，多层次营销公司类似于批发业务，分销商以折扣价购买产品并销售以获取利润。但关键问题在于，人们是否真的在销售产品，如果不是，那只是一个人们投资于庞氏骗局的无休止的链条。多层次营销的招募宣传一直强调低成本、灵活性和可访问性，吸引了那些难以通过传统方式提高收入和改变阶级地位的人。然而，其销售额的零售额定义存在疑问，主要跟踪的是分销商的购买量，而不是消费者。公司将其自身卖方购买产品的金额翻倍，以确定其产生的销售额。即使没有顾客购买，公司也允许将购买计为销售额。多层次营销行业利用女性作为掩护，并且与政治有着密切的联系。 Ellick: 我发现多层次营销中的销售者通常对产品非常投入，几乎达到了一种狂热的程度，这让我感到非常惊讶。 Bruce: 我曾经是安利的独立企业主，招募有前多层次营销经验的人是新人们成为赚钱者的最佳方式。但多层次营销变得不可持续，因为他们必须蚕食自己的销售额，并将其变成一个小商店，然后零售给任何人，并从中获利。我意识到我不是企业主，我只是他们商业机器的一部分。

Deep Dive

Shownotes Transcript

For decades, multi-level marketing (or MLM) companies like Amway and Mary Kay have made the promise that people could become their own bosses, earn extra income and work flexible hours under the umbrella of a globally recognized brand. But in reality, the success rates for people working in multi-level marketing “are closer to those of gamblers in a casino.” That’s according to Bridget Read, author of the new book “Little Bosses Everywhere.” We talk to Read about the rise of the MLM model and why she says it helped fuel the modern conservative movement.

Guests:

Bridget Read, features writer, New York Magazine - author of the book “Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices)