Is Network Marketing Worth It or Not? The Honest Answer in 2026

Network marketing (NM) is one of the most controversial sectors in which to work. There are those who have made a career of it, those who have lost money, and those who simply cannot understand how it works.

I have been doing it since 2015 with Partner.Co. In this article, I answer the question “is it worth it or not?” without filters — including the uncomfortable data.

What network marketing really is

Network marketing, also known as multilevel direct selling or MLM, is a business model in which:

1. You sell a company’s products as an independent representative
2. You earn a commission on each customer sale
3. You can build a team of other representatives and earn a percentage on their volume of sales to customers

The key point: earnings must come primarily from selling products to real customers, not from simply enrolling new representatives. When this is not the case, the model becomes an illegal pyramid.

Industry data on NM

Before discussing a specific company, it is useful to look at what research says about the network marketing industry in general.

Available industry analyses show that the distribution of earnings in NM is highly concentrated: most representatives in the basic tiers of the industry earn less than €500 per year. A smaller minority achieves significant earnings. These figures vary by company, market, and individual effort — and they are general industry data, not specific to Partner.Co. For specific Partner.Co data, refer to their official Income Disclosure Statement.

These figures answer a specific question: why do most NM representatives not earn much?

There are structural reasons:

• High percentage of sign-ups with no real intention to sell — many register to get a discount on the products, not to build a business
• Lack of sales training — NM is sold as “easy”, but selling requires real skills
• Unrealistic expectations about timelines — those who expect quick earnings drop out before seeing results
• Concentration on recruitment instead of sales — those who focus only on recruiting rather than selling

When network marketing works

NM works when the following conditions are met:

1. The product is viable on its own If the product is only sold within the network of representatives, it’s a negative sign. A good NM product must be purchasable by normal customers with no interest in the business.

2. The compensation plan is transparent and accessible A serious plan is public, verifiable, and does not require becoming a representative to understand it.

3. The company has a history and certifications NM is a field full of companies that open and close within a few years. Companies with a decades-long history and international certifications are more solid.

4. You are willing to actually sell There is no NM that works without sales to real customers. If the idea of selling makes you uncomfortable, NM is not for you — regardless of the company.

5. You have the support of those who are already doing it well The team you join determines the quality of training and support.

Why I chose Partner.Co

In 2015, I evaluated several direct selling companies. I chose Partner.Co for specific reasons that I still consider valid today:

• Products with verifiable certifications: TRU-ID™ (authenticity of raw materials), NSF Certified for Sport® (sports products), Halal, and Kosher certifications. These certifications come from independent third-party organizations.
• Public and reviewed compensation plan: the plan is downloadable from the Back Office and is updated. The September 2025 version is the one currently in force.
• Specific rules for Italy (AGCM): Partner.Co has adapted the qualification rules for the Italian market. In Italy, the qualifying volume must come from sales to real customers — not from personal purchases. This is a requirement that distinguishes serious companies from those that use representatives as captive customers. (Source: Italy PV FAQ AGCM, Partner.Co, October 2023.)
• Weekly payments: Earnings are paid every week — not monthly as in many companies.

The mechanics of the Partner.Co plan (verified)

The mechanics of the Partner.Co compensation plan — data from the official Compensation Plan, September 2025 revision:

Method	How it works
Retail profits	Up to 30% on each product sold at full retail price
New Volume Offset (NVO) Bonus	From 15% to 30% on purchases of your new customers (first 4 weeks)
Base Commissions	15% of your team’s Pay Line volume each week
Savings Bonus	Additional 15% when Base Commissions exceed $250/week

⚠️ Income Disclaimer: Earnings are not guaranteed and are the result of personal work and experience. Results are not guaranteed and may vary based on commitment, personal network, and market conditions. Consult the official Compensation Plan and the Income Disclosure Statement for complete information.

To understand what is mathematically possible with this plan, read: How to Become a Partner.Co Representative →

Things they will never tell you in NM presentations

“The first 3 months are the hardest and earnings are minimal” In almost every serious company, the very first months are for building. Expecting a salary after 30 days leads to quick disillusionment.

“You actually have to sell” NM works when products are sold to people who buy them because they want them. It is not enough to build a network of internal buyers.

“Not all companies are equal” There is a huge difference between a company with 30 years of history, certifications, and a public compensation plan, and a new company with products that have no history. Evaluate the company, not just the opportunity.

“The team you choose matters as much as the company” Poor training in an excellent company still produces poor results. Join only where there is a serious support system.

My answer to the question

Is network marketing worth it?

It depends on three things:

1. The company — real product, transparent compensation plan, solid history
2. The team — serious training, direct support, replicable system
3. You — willingness to learn how to sell, consistent commitment for at least 6–12 months, expectations aligned with real timelines

If all three are present, yes — it can become a solid second income, and over time, even more. If even one of the three is missing, the probabilities drop drastically.

I made it work. Not immediately, not easily, but with a precise method. If you want to understand if this method can work for you — without promises and without pressure — we can talk about it.

---

Anna Soave has been an Independent Brand Partner of Partner.Co since 2019. Income Disclosure Statement · How to become a Partner.Co representative →

---

← All articles