Take Back Our Narrative

Increasing the positive brand perception of direct selling. A community-driven initiative to highlight entrepreneurship, consumer impact, and part-time opportunity.

Learn Our Strategy
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About

Our Objective: Proactively share positive, accurate information about direct selling to expand public understanding and protect the channel from misinformation.

Direct selling faces a pivotal moment. A unified, modern approach to storytelling, PR, and education will help preserve opportunity and trust.

Why Now?
  • Competition for both customers and business builders has never been greater.
  • Innovation challenges are causing many companies to struggle or decline.
  • Critics are more effective in controlling the public narrative than we are.
  • Bad actors, especially in crypto, are damaging our reputation.
  • The shift to affiliate models creates a perception that direct selling is a dying business model.

This is the moment to take back the narrative.

Challenges

Critics, online communities, and unethical actors have shaped a negative narrative about MLM and direct selling. Key concerns include pyramid accusations, exaggerated income promises, overpriced products, and reports of consumer harm.

Anti-MLM Coalition

Extensive resources and activism online.

MLM Conference

Academic critics, regulators and media attention.

Social & Reddit

Large communities sharing negative first-hand accounts.

TINA.org

Consumer advocacy and legal actions.

Behind MLM

Daily coverage of legal and regulatory issues.
Bad Actors

From crypto scams to predatory recruiting, unethical practices amplify harm and make it harder for legitimate businesses and distributors to be heard.

Marketing Strategy

Goals

Create consistent, positive marketing collateral

Engage and expand our community​

Increase brand visibility inside and outside the channel

  • Social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube
  • Podcasts & media partnerships
  • Events & education: DSU, universities, leadership trainings
  • Messaging: Side Hustle, Empowered Independents, Rewarding Effort

Case Study: UK DSA Transformation

Challenge: An industry hidden, ashamed, and resistant to PR.

Result: Today, the UK DSA is proud, visible, adding value, and driving PR interest.

Change Process:

  • Strategic PR and media engagement
  • Education and outreach, including government programs
  • Rebranding as a direct-to-consumer association
  • Highlighting consumer impact and part-time success stories

UK DSA Facts & Figures
Media Examples
Entrepreneurial Pathways Program

Next Steps

Key questions for our community:

  • Do you see value in this initiative?
  • How do we build an engaged and unified community?
  • How do we fund this initiative?
  • What is the best way to collaborate as a group?

Phase 1

Define goals, secure support & funding, form a strategy committee.

Phase 2

Launch PR campaign, develop community hub, centralize communications.

Community

Build an engaged, unified community by enabling simple ways to participate, share stories, and access resources.

How to join

Sign up or share a testimonial.

Volunteer

Join committees for PR, education or community outreach.

Contribute

Support the initiative through funding, in-kind services, or media introductions.

Direct selling faces a pivotal moment. A unified, modern approach to storytelling, PR and education will help preserve opportunity and trust.

Be Part of the Movement

Join a growing community of companies, leaders, and advocates committed to protecting and promoting the future of direct selling. Together, we can change the narrative.

Get Involved
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