With recent hype around their appearance on Celebrity Apprentice, we decided to do another ACN review to answer the question once and for all:

How does ACN stack up? Find out above.

MonaVie promises the world. How can it possibly deliver? Are rumors of the MonaVie Scam really true? Watch to find out.

With a reach of over 8 million viewers per week, how is ACN’s appearance alongside the American billionaire going to affect product sales, representative enrollment, and the overall credibility of the business?

The ACN founders appeared on Celebrity Apprentice in 2009, on an infamous episode that included a meltdown by basketball bad boy Dennis Rodman. The most shocking result of the show, however, was the 49% increase in both new customers and representative recruitment for the company.

Here, we’re offering a complete ACN review:

The Early Days – The Story Behind ACN

In 1993, four businessmen launched ACN: Greg Provenzano, Robert Stevanovski, Mike Cupisz, and Tony Cupisz. Over 17 years later, the four are still actively involved in day-to-day activities.

They started with 20 representatives, and in the first year alone made about $2 million dollars. Five years later, it was listed on the Inc. 500’s list of fastest growing businesses (it ranked #22) and was generating $98 million dollars in profits.

Today, the company operates in over 20 countries, and offers products tailored to the specific countries they’re sold in. They operate out of a facility in Concord, North Carolina.

Product Offerings – What Exactly Does ACN Do?

ACN offers a wide variety of business services and solutions: phone services, home security, video phone services, wireless solutions, satellite TV, computer support, high speed internet, and even energy.

There are a few different ways ACN operates with this broad variety of offerings. They sell branded telephone services (like long distance) by purchasing from bulk providers like AT&T, and reselling the service in their own name. They also act as service providers for bigger telecommunications services, signing up new members to receive service under the original brand name (like AT&T or Verizon). Finally, ACN sells specifically ACN services, like VOIP and videophones.

ACN Review – Scam, or Good Investment?

There’s been a lot of criticism behind ACN, and for valid reasons. Although the company’s been around for awhile, there are many, many disgruntled former reps. Stories of reps leaving ACN penniless have been a huge factor in the criticism.

The first real “red flag” for many potential reps is the initial investment. At $499 for start-up costs (dubbed “the investment in the company”), ACN’s barrier to entry is higher than many other MLM’s. But with so many reps claiming that it’s an incredibly tough market, why the high initial fee?

That question goes unanswered. Although ACN board members and founders have publicly spoken about their company, they claim that no money is made from reps unless the reps acquire new customers. One of the company’s legal advisors, Bob Stephan, also admitted in an interview that in fact, most reps don’t make much money.

Adding to the “scam” criticisms are a slew of lawsuits and charges against the company, originating in Canada, Australia, France, and even Pennsylvania, concerning pyramid scheme laws. In most cases, charges were dropped or settled, or ACN was forced to pay a small fee.

With this information, it seems like ACN has a questionable reputation. But looking at the other side of the coin, it’s a completely different story.

Donald Trump so strongly believes in ACN as a business model that he’s endorsed his name to it, and included the founders in speaking and public events. Many reps, like Brett and Kim Morelock, have had huge success with the company in only a few years. ACN has operated successfully for 17 years.

The bottom is that, while there are a lot of unhappy reps who haven’t found success with ACN, it’s not a scam. Legally or ethically.

The real criticism doesn’t necessarily belong to the company, but to the network marketing industry as a whole. New reps, often with little business experience, believe that by aligning themselves with an MLM company, they can find huge profits with little work and little knowledge.

This just isn’t true. While you don’t need an MBA to be an expert network marketer, you do need to take the time to learn about the inner-workings of the business.

You need to be able to target specific groups of customers. Manage a credible web-front to reach millions of potential users. Understand the psychology of buying. Create great SEO for your personal branch. Have an in-depth understanding of business practices, managing money, and making good investments.

Many people have taken time to learn these principles and apply them. And many have succeeded in MLM’s like ACN. But the true determination of success is really up to the individual, to seek out learning opportunities to create a successful business.

An Analysis – What Will Increased Exposure do for ACN?

As ACN ramps up it’s PR and prepares for another Celebrity Apprentice, consider how this is going to affect you as a new representative. Product knowledge will be higher than ever before. But there also may be a slew of new reps in the market who are also just learning about the opportunity. If ACN is something you’re interested in pursuing, it may be in your best interest to get a jump ahead of the curve, and start learning how to succeed with the program before the market fills.

It’s tough to research MLM success stories without hearing about Johnson. But amidst all the media attention she’s received in the last few years, how can Johnson’s story help new network marketers reach their own success?

Is her story applicable to the rest of us? Or is it just another home-business consulting scheme that has made her millions?

From Homeless to Millionaire

Dani Johnson is an author, speaker, and radio host. She recently appeared on ABC’s “The Secret Millionaire,” telling the world her story. In the episode, she lives on $40 per day and works alongside volunteers in non-profits. At the end, she writes them checks to help with their dedication to helping others.

Johnson grew up in an impoverished home, with her parents on welfare. After the birth of her first child at age 17, she started a business out of the back of her car, using only a payphone. Now, at age 41, she’s written books, hosts a radio show, and has even appeared on Oprah.

Hers is a rare story of explosive success. And not just in the network marketing arena. She has also written books with relationship and financial advice, helping others find success when they actively look for it. She is also a spiritual counselor.

Dani Johnson’s Products

Her flagship product is Call to Freedom, an organization that helps spread Johnson’s message. The programs offered are meant to help all types of people create change in their lives: moms, housewives, students, and executives.

She has also written a book that will be released soon, entitled First Steps to Wealth.

The big question lingers: Can following in Dani Johnson’s footsteps bring everyone this type of fame and fortune?

Can Her Story Help You Achieve Success?

Johnson’s success is largely based on her personality. Watch a Youtube video or two and you’ll immediately see that she’s a natural saleswoman.

Her teachings are largely based on how to talk to people and convert them to your downline. That’s how she built her own business, for more than one MLM company. For people who are looking into being on the phone several hours per day to get leads, and doing a lot of cold-calling, Johnson’s program may be worthwhile.

But recently, many network marketers are finding that this is a completely oudated way of targeting your markets. After wasting money to buy leads, and then hours to actually call all of those leads, it’s become a technique that simply isn’t worth it.

Especially with the power of the internet. Most new-school marketers are saying that it makes much more sense to instead learn how to harness the internet to get free leads, target a specific market, use SEO to drive the right kinds of traffic, and ultimately get more people to contact you to become a part of your downline.

The Real Story Behind Dani Johnson

A big key in the last sentence is people contacting you. Dani Johnson’s program is excellent for face-to-face skills and creating personal relationships with your downline. But if you’re looking to add thousands of people to your business, face-to-face or cold-calling simply isn’t going to cut it.

Johnson’s products all focus on personal growth and development, though, and that’s something that some new network marketers may find helpful. But when it comes time to build your business, you should first take every precaution and learn all you can about new techniques in the industry.

Everyone out there is trying to find the system that works best for them. And truthfully, the most important element is the individual. We all have the power to create opportunities for ourselves, by selecting the right information tool and applying newfound knowledge in effective ways.

So is Dani Johnson’s business a scam? No. She legitimately rose to the top by working hard and helping others. But whether her product is the right one to help you find success is up to you. All the tools are out there. You just have to select the ones that fit your needs, and start making change.

A huge part of success in the network marketing industry depends on where you get your information, and how you choose to use it.

So we’re taking a look at the top MLM consultant. Who are the contenders, and how can you use their tools for success?

We’ve selected four MLM consultants for brief review. Who are they? What’s their motivation? Why are they better or worse than the competitors?

Mike Sheffield

Sheffield created the Sheffield Resource Network about 26 years ago, and has since helped consult with or launch over 700 MLM programs. Needless to say, he knows his stuff. He admits to the difficulty of breaking into network marketing, and aims to help newcomers navigate choppy waters.

A big part of his focus is on global MLM. The international scene is “exploding,” he says, and he aims to keep on the cutting edge of new potential profits.

Dani Johnson

Dani Johnson has been in the industry for a little over 20 years. Her story is unique; she started in her early twenties after having her first child. Within two years, she was a millionaire. Now, she’s a motivational speaker, spiritual guide, business leader, and personal growth consultant. She speaks on her own radio show, and has appeared on daytime talk shows like Oprah and The View. A few months ago, she appeared on The Secret Millionaire, sharing her story with the world.

As an MLM consultant, Johnson focuses primarily on cold-calling leads and how to speak to people face to face (or over the phone). She is all about personality as a huge key to success.

Jonathan Budd

Jonathan Budd is an MLM consultant with little experience and lots of credibility. In his mid-twenties, Budd helps thousands of new network marketers use the information he’s gleaned in the past few years. He started as a poor college kid, and made is first quarter-million when living in his parents spare bedroom. He now consults for a huge network of people, and offers informational products as well.

Mike Dillard

Mike Dillard used to be a waiter in Austin, Texas. He wanted out of hospitality, and tried creating his own freedom using MLM. He struggled for 6 years. But when he finally figured it out, he went from waiter to millionaire in just 18 months.

His success seems nearly impossible, but then again, all of the “gurus” in the industry have incredible stories. Now, Dillard is an MLM consultant for many, even now-famous marketers. He is a big believer in the law of attraction as it applies to network marketing. He proposes that if you believe in your success story, it will eventually happen.

So Who Is the Ultimate MLM Consultant?

Of course, these are all legitimate and incredible network marketers with interesting stories to tell. Many choose an MLM consultant based on history: Who is most like me, and can help me reach their level of success?

Any level of success is possible. But it might not require an actual coach to get there.

Most of these gurus made it on their own, with bits and pieces of information along the way. They all have different techniques that may or may not be a fit for you. Unfortunately, until you purchase the product, you won’t know exactly which MLM consultant is best. And many consultations (especially from this list) are pricey. Budd, for example, has been known to charge $2000 for initial services.

The truth is that you don’t need to spend several thousand dollars to get started. To start, you just need to begin learning. Download free books. Check out the features on all sorts of sites, and do your homework.

The best MLM consultant will vary from person to person. But the most important thing to do right now, is to start learning and keep moving forward.

So how can you learn?

This is a look at the secret techniques of network marketing prospecting.

What Does Network Marketing Prospecting mean?

For those who are new to the industry and haven’t started with an MLM company yet, this might seem tricky.

Prospecting is just what the dictionary says: Looking for people (prospects) to share your products and business opportunity with. It’s the entire building block of getting your business off the ground.

People who are good at network marketing prospecting meet others easily. They have attractive personalities and aren’t afraid to put themselves out there. They are personable, trustworthy, and credible.

Everyone isn’t born with those skills. But luckily, many presentation techniques can be used to grow into a trusted leader in the network marketing industry. Along with other tools to make yourself a good prospector, learning the entire arena (strategy plus personality) can help marketers immensely.

The First Secret of Network Marketing Prospecting

Determine your demographic. You don’t want to just talk to everyone walking by. You’ve got to target exactly who would be interested in having you as a supporter, and buying the product. Otherwise, you’ll waste too much time on hopeless leads. So what does your ultimate prospect look like? Do they own a home? Are they between the ages of 35 and 65? Do they have a drive to succeed, too? Define your ideal prospect.

The Second Secret of Network Marketing Prospecting

Practice your speaking skills. It’s imperative that you come across as well-educated, well-groomed, and personable. You might benefit from taking a public speaking class, or an improv class. Videotape yourself practicing pitches. Get comfortable in your own skin.

The Third Secret of Network Marketing Prospecting

Organize, organize, organize. You’re going to be making cold calls or managing an online presence, and it’s crucial to be organize with your prospecting from the start. Know who you’ve called, and when. Know who is signing up for your products, and who is looking to be a part of your downline. Find out what target market they are a part of, so you can market more effectively to that demographic next time.

Organize your inbox so that you never miss a prospect. Make sure you get back to people in a timely way, so that they trust you and your ability to be counted on.

Take notes when you talk to others, and store them in one place. Use organizational tools on your computer to track finances and keep up-to-date.

Organization seems like simple tool, but truthfully many people fail because of poor organization skills. Know what is where, and don’t let prospects fall through the cracks because you frequently “lose track.”

The Last Secret of Network Marketing Prospecting

Learn. Learn in whatever ways you can. Download information. Google your questions. Emulate those that have the skills and techniques you like.

This doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money to learn, but it also doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t spend anything. Look for things that are going to help you learn in the best way you can.

Ask people questions. Visit forums. Find out who’s doing what, and what types of things are working. We can all use a few basic rules, but the truth is that network marketing prospecting will be different for each individual.