What my friends have been successful in doing is:
Use it with non-profit, charitable organizations as a fund raiser. They have gone to the boards, and made one an IBO then that IBO makes other members of the board their downlines etc.

They are selling what people buy everyday, tp, food, snacks and coffee, laundry detergent etc. They all buy the products and make the non-profit organization make some fund raisers. In the process, they get their kick back. It seems to be working and I live in a small area too but there sure seems to be a lot of amway soap and cleaning supplies (empty's) at the curb on garbage day!. Must be working.
Dmcgill