Empower Network was founded in 2011 by David Wood and David Sharpe as a multi-level marketing (MLM) company that offered blogging systems and internet marketing training. Their products were marketed as tools to help individuals earn money online by sharing affiliate links and attracting others to join the network.
What Is Empower Network About?
Empower Network primarily offeres online marketing training through a subscription model. Their core product is a blogging platform that allowes users to publish content and generate income by driving traffic and selling affiliate products. The company quickly gained popularity, especially among those interested in making money online.
The business model is largely based on selling courses on digital marketing, lead generation, and sales, alongside memberships that came with a significant amount of upselling. Empower Network utilizes a commission-based structure similar to many other MLM companies, encouraging users to recruit others and earn income from downlines.
The Pros of Empower Network
- Focused Marketing Training: Empower Network offeres comprehensive digital marketing courses aimed at teaching users how to blog, build landing pages, and promote products. Many users appreciates this training, especially beginners looking to learn more about online marketing.
- Potential for High Commissions: Empower Network's compensation model allowed members to earn substantial commissions from their sales. This attracted a lot of individuals who wanted to make money by referring others.
- Community Support: Many users praised the community aspects of Empower Network, citing an active network of like-minded individuals. The emphasis on collaboration and motivational content fostered a sense of belonging.“The community was a big plus for me; people were always willing to help each other out. It was great to see so many people working towards the same goal.” – Anonymous user on a YouTube testimonial.
The Cons of Empower Network
- High Initial and Recurring Costs: One of the primary criticisms of Empower Network is the high entry costs associated with joining. Beyond the initial fee to start, there were many upsells for additional courses, which added to the expenses.“I spent over $5,000 on courses that were upsold to me, and it became too costly to continue without seeing any real return.” – Reviewer on Reddit.
- Focus on Recruitment: Empower Network operates under an MLM model, where significant income potential relies heavily on recruiting new members. Many users reported feeling pressured to continuously recruit others, rather than focusing on building skills or generating direct product sales.
- Regulatory Issues: Over time, Empower Network faced regulatory scrutiny due to its business model, which resembled a pyramid scheme.
- Lack of Long-Term Sustainability: The focus on upselling and recruiting without solid product differentiation was often seen as unsustainable. Many former members reported that they could not maintain their income once recruitment slowed down.“I found it difficult to keep earning after the initial rush of recruits. Once people realized how much they had to spend, they dropped out, and I struggled to maintain my earnings.” – Former member on Trustpilot.
Should You Consider Joining Similar Programs?
Empower Network is no longer operational, but similar MLM and internet marketing programs still exist. If you're considering joining such a company, it's important to be aware of both the potential opportunities and risks. Here are some things to consider:
- Evaluate Product Value: Make sure that the product or service being offered has intrinsic value outside of recruiting others.
- Beware of Upselling: If a business heavily relies on upselling expensive products to members, it may not be sustainable in the long term.
- Consider Regulatory Risks: MLM businesses can sometimes face legal issues, especially if they focus primarily on recruitment rather than legitimate product sales.
Conclusion
Empower Network provided a valuable introduction to internet marketing for many users, but its heavy reliance on recruitment and costly upsells made it unsustainable for many. If you're interested in online marketing or entrepreneurship, there are numerous other ways to acquire skills that do not require joining an MLM company. The key is to find opportunities with genuine products and a transparent business model.
“Looking back, it taught me a lot about online marketing, but I wish I had chosen a program that was more product-focused and less about recruiting.” – Empower Network member review on YouTube.
Note: This review is based on a combination of available user testimonials, company history, and a summary of online reviews. It’s crucial to approach any online business opportunity with caution, especially those involving significant upfront costs or recruiting.