So you've just gotten started with your Network Marketing business and wondering, "What's up with all of the jargon?". What is an upline, downline, sideline, any line? Read on to find out.
If you expect to build a very large network, you had better get familiar with the terminology!
Builder
A builder is a distributor who is actively looking for downline partners. A builder is not the same as a customer who only consumes the products or recommends them to friends. However, a reputable builder also consumes the products or services he or she sells.
Upline
You are in their organization. An upline usually earns commission from your group volume. You may have several upline partners, possibly up to 10-20 levels in depth. Normally, an upline is instrumental in your success. However, an upline may not necessarily be a leader or mentor. It is up to you to identify and seek out upline leaders that can help you succeed in Network Marketing.
Upline Leader/Mentor
This is an upline that you actively seek counseling from on how to build your business. They are there to guide you, mentor you and make sure you succeed in the business. Your upline leader/mentor may not be the person who sponsored you into the business.
If you expect to build a very large network, you had better get familiar with the terminology!
Builder
A builder is a distributor who is actively looking for downline partners. A builder is not the same as a customer who only consumes the products or recommends them to friends. However, a reputable builder also consumes the products or services he or she sells.
Upline
You are in their organization. An upline usually earns commission from your group volume. You may have several upline partners, possibly up to 10-20 levels in depth. Normally, an upline is instrumental in your success. However, an upline may not necessarily be a leader or mentor. It is up to you to identify and seek out upline leaders that can help you succeed in Network Marketing.
Upline Leader/Mentor
This is an upline that you actively seek counseling from on how to build your business. They are there to guide you, mentor you and make sure you succeed in the business. Your upline leader/mentor may not be the person who sponsored you into the business.
Sponsor (Enroller) You are directly under him or her. They are the one who introduced you to the company, and enrolled you in the business. Typically, the term "sponsor" does not commit a financial obligation to enroll you in the business. Downline They are in your organization. Depending on the nature of the compensation plan, the commission you earn from a downline group usually gets smaller the deeper they are in the organization. Sometimes, your downline could be many levels deep in the organization so you may not even know them personally. |
Sideline / Crossline
These people are not in your organization and neither are you in theirs. Basically there are no monetary relationship between your group and the sideline’s group. However, depending on the culture promoted in the company, they are either perceived as the worst competitors, or valuable allies. Take note also, that somewhere along the line, they are also in your upline’s group, so helping your sideline means helping your upline and his group.
Front Line
These are downlines that are personally sponsored or enrolled by you or they are directly under you. You must be directly responsible for their success because you are the one who introduced them to this business. The development of your frontline will determine the success and failure of the entire downline group.
Leg
A leg is a downline group in your network, starting with the person you personally enrolled. He (or she) and all the downlines under him (or her) are considered one of your legs. A distributor usually develops many legs simultaneously.
Width
The number of people you can personally sponsor. Matrixes and Binaries usually limit the maximum width. Normally a strong downline is one that builds and develops a very large width.
Depth
Depth refers to the level of your downline’s downline. A person who has to build depth usually has a secure organization.
Override
An override means you are paid a certain percentage over your downline’s group. Normally an override is calculated on your frontline only.
Profit Sharing Pool
Profit sharing is a bonus that is paid out to achievers who have reached certain conditions in the marketing plan. A pool is a collection of sales volume from distributors all over the company regardless of whether the sales volume comes from your sideline.
Maintenance
A mandatory (sometimes optional depending on certain criteria) sales volume a distributor must achieve. Often maintenance is done to override your downline, become eligible for profit sharing, or maintain a certain rank or even the distributorship. Normally this is enforced because the company needs to make money as well.
Total Payout
This means that a percentage of a product sold by the company that is set aside for distributors and retail sales only. The company only keeps the remainder.
These people are not in your organization and neither are you in theirs. Basically there are no monetary relationship between your group and the sideline’s group. However, depending on the culture promoted in the company, they are either perceived as the worst competitors, or valuable allies. Take note also, that somewhere along the line, they are also in your upline’s group, so helping your sideline means helping your upline and his group.
Front Line
These are downlines that are personally sponsored or enrolled by you or they are directly under you. You must be directly responsible for their success because you are the one who introduced them to this business. The development of your frontline will determine the success and failure of the entire downline group.
Leg
A leg is a downline group in your network, starting with the person you personally enrolled. He (or she) and all the downlines under him (or her) are considered one of your legs. A distributor usually develops many legs simultaneously.
Width
The number of people you can personally sponsor. Matrixes and Binaries usually limit the maximum width. Normally a strong downline is one that builds and develops a very large width.
Depth
Depth refers to the level of your downline’s downline. A person who has to build depth usually has a secure organization.
Override
An override means you are paid a certain percentage over your downline’s group. Normally an override is calculated on your frontline only.
Profit Sharing Pool
Profit sharing is a bonus that is paid out to achievers who have reached certain conditions in the marketing plan. A pool is a collection of sales volume from distributors all over the company regardless of whether the sales volume comes from your sideline.
Maintenance
A mandatory (sometimes optional depending on certain criteria) sales volume a distributor must achieve. Often maintenance is done to override your downline, become eligible for profit sharing, or maintain a certain rank or even the distributorship. Normally this is enforced because the company needs to make money as well.
Total Payout
This means that a percentage of a product sold by the company that is set aside for distributors and retail sales only. The company only keeps the remainder.