Randy Gage is one of the most well-known names in the networking business. From his early training and generic prospecting materials (such as the famous “Escape the Rat Race” audiotape and “How to Earn $100,000 a Year in MLM” training series) to his books (How to Build a Multilevel Money Machine and Why You’re Dumb, Sick and Broke … and How to Become Smart, Healthy and Rich) and online “Randy’s Rants” newsletter, Gage has been a peripatetic presence in our profession for the past two decades.

On January first, at exactly sixty seconds into the new year, Randy launched into the online atmosphere a publication entitled The MLM Revolution: A Manifesto. A few months later we sat down with Randy to find out what his manifesto has to say, what kind of impact it’s having, and what he sees for the future of the profession. — J.D.M.

Randy, what’s your history in network marketing? What qualifies you to take a stand as a commentator on the profession?

I’ve been involved in this business from every aspect and perspective. As a distributor, I’ve been a million-dollar-producer, so I bring that viewpoint to the table. But I’ve also worked inside companies, from the corporate side of the fence. I’ve consulted to many companies, produced some of the most widely used training and prospecting materials, and have worked with hundreds of top leaders. I’ve probably trained more MLM millionaires than anybody alive today.

But I believe the thing that most qualifies me to speak up is the five years of abject failure I experienced when I first started out in this business.

I spent those first five years investing in tapes and books and trainings, going to meetings, attending events, and not making a penny. I actually lost money for five straight years, and still remember vividly all the suffering, indignity and frustration that entails.

So I’ve seen it from all the different viewpoints and perspectives.

What did those five years of failing teach you?

With all our talk about making millions, we get jaded in this profession and start to think if someone isn’t making $50,000 a month, they’re a pathetic loser. We need to keep some perspective. The truth is, helping someone make $400 or $500 a month can be absolutely transformational for them. Particularly in these economic times we’re in.

In my business we have people all over the world, in Nigeria and Singapore, Russia and Kazakhstan, places where $500 a month is just huge. It makes all the difference in the world in their lives.

And for people right here, too.

That’s true. Even in the United States, the U.K., Australia, in our “developed” countries, that still makes a huge difference. We know that 80 or 90 percent of all these personal bankruptcies would be eliminated if those people were making an extra $500 a month. That kind of money would let them pay down their credit cards, or make their car payment, or help on their mortgage payments, and for a lot of people, would make the difference between going broke or keeping their heads above water.

So part of the issue is that we don’t sufficiently honor that $500 level of earnings.

That, and we also have a lot of people struggling to make it to that level because we haven’t done our job as well as we need to help them be successful.

At the same time...

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