Can Barter Help Increase Cash Sales and Visability for Your Small Business?
Barter is becoming an increasingly popular method of commerce. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that 20 to 25% of world trade is now barter. Corporate barter is now a 20 billion dollar industry. It seems as though everyone from the big corporations on the New York Stock Exchange to small home-based businesses are jumping on the barter bandwagon. I never thought about barter as a tool for building my businesses. That changed in April when I joined a local barter network in Vermont. For a small membership fee and a small commission on each trade, I now have access to almost 200 (and growing) local merchants' products and services including everything from popular restaurants, to spa services, electricians, hotels, rental cars, landscapers, and yes, even flying or sailing lessons! How does it work?(Most of the big networks function in this way.)
- When you join the network, you receive a no-interest line of barter credit. Barter credit is similar to the credit line on your credit card. You can use the credit as you please and when you trade your company's goods or services, you receive barter dollars (par with US dollars) credited to your account.
- Your business is listed in the network membership directory. The listing provides basic information about your business and buyers contact you directly.
- When someone in the network wants your product or service, you authorize the transaction according to the agreed price and the system keeps track of the details for you. It isn't necessary to purchase goods from the person who purchased from you. Your trade dollars can be used to purchase from any other network members.
- You receive a computer-generated monthly statement showing your barter activity. You pay a small commission based on the amount of barter dollars transacted. Think of it like an interest rate on a credit card only it costs much less and has more benefits.
Benefits include:
- Barter increases new business: Attract customers and referrals who wouldn't have known about your business otherwise. Members of the network are likely to choose you over the competition if there is no outlay of cash. This in turn, will increase your cash sales, simply because your product is gaining exposure and referrals.
- Barter expands your customer base: Expand your market while maintaining your existing cash customer base. Please your barter customers and they are sure to tell other potential customers all about you.
- Barter enhances your lifestyle: Use your barter credit for whatever you want in the network without using credit cards or spending cash. If there is a service or product that does not exist in your network, recruit a business that provides that service. Many barter networks pay you a referral bonus in the form of barter credits if you recruit a business they accept into the network.
How does one choose a barter network?
- Do an Internet search on Google to find a reputable network. The beauty of the Internet is that you don't have to live in the state where the network is administrated.
- Talk to the person administrating the network. Make sure he/she answers all your questions to your satisfaction and doesn't try to hard-sell you.
- Make sure all of the conditions are in writing and be sure you understand all network trading rules and limits before you sign or pay anything.
- Check to see what other businesses participate in the network. Are they businesses you respect, admire, and with whom you'll want to do business?
- Tell your friends and other business owners. Spread the word about barter. You'd be surprised at how little people know about this method of conducting business.
- Get involved. Go to meetings or mixers. You get as much out of the experience as you are willing to put into networking. Remember, networking and sales are all about creating relationships.
Barter has created new power for my businesses. I feel good that I am supporting small companies like my own who I may have never met otherwise. Could barter work as part of your marketing plan? Copyright 2005, Ann Zuccardy, All rights reserved. Ann Zuccardy is a freelance technical and copy writer with 17 years of industry experience in marketing and technical communication. She currently consults with IBM in Essex Junction, Vermont where she writes software user manuals, training guides, and release notes. Ann is also the owner of Vermont Shortbread Company. She can be reached at Wordbrains.com.
|
|
 |
 |
A Report on the Scenario of UK Adult Personals and Adult Dating Web Sites
Computers and the Internet have had a tremendous impact on society. Together they have become the dominant aspect within our social, business and personal lives, and have completely altered our cultural landscape. From accessing information to shopping, from sharing email to finding life partners, everything is now possible online. Essentially we have created a new world: the virtual world. Let's explore one of the new features emerging from these integral tools that have become so essential to our lifestyle:
Health Insurance Lead and Health Insurance Leads
Health insurance lead generation systems provide a stead stream of potential clients for health insurance brokers. Health insurance leads are considered to be people who may need health coverage to supplement the health coverage provided by their employer.
YouLoveMe.com Free Online Dating and EliteMate.com Paid Dating Site Announce New Partnership
Free Online Dating Site (http://www.YouLoveMe.com): YouLoveMe.com is pleased to announce a marketing partnership with traditional monthly-fee based dating site: EliteMate.com
The Beauty And Benefits Of The Family Health Care Insurance
In the United States alone, the prices of the health care of the ordinary American people will increase for up to 76%, this is due to the fact that the prices of the prescription drugs that the big and commercial pharmaceutical companies are selling on the market today have been on the constant rise as well
Florida Health Insurance Web Approves Crist Health Insurance Plan
"Gov. Charlie Crist has a plan for the 4 million residents without health-care coverage, that according to health insurance news correspondent: Florida health insurance (http://www.floridahealthinsuranceweb.com) consultant Morgan Moran. "The future of insurance in Florida comes with "robust" benefits for as little as $150 a month."
Free Online Dating : Stop Paying And Join A Free Site
Free online dating sites are plentiful, but finding the best ones is as easy as finding the right link A dating site will help your social life, so why not take advantage of free services
Affordable Student Health Insurance - Why Student Health Insurance Can Be Cheap
Student health insurance can be affordable, and even cheap, if you choose a plan that offers the exact coverage your student needs, and if you understand the coverage your student has. By choosing the coverage your student needs, you won?t have to worry about paying for any medical costs that you know your student will acquire. And, by making sure you thoroughly understand your student?s coverage, you won?t be hit with any surprise costs along the way.
Free Online Dating Site - Online Dating Generation X Service
Would you have ever come across two people of opposite beliefs become intimate lovers Or for that matter have you come across a two people who met on the net and turned into lovers
Womens Reproductive Health: Where To Turn For Womens Reproductive Health Answers
When it comes to womens reproductive health, there are a lot of questions that can be asked. If you have a question it's always best to see a doctor and ask him or her in person. After all, they went to school for years to specialize in the subject, it'd be a shame if they never got to utilize their skills. Besides going to a womens health specialist, your best bet is to get online, head to a library or even ask your friends. Usually, a poll of ten or so female friends can tell you if something is normal or an issue you should be concerned about.
Florida's Family Health Insurance Rates Usually Unaffordable, Says Health Insurance Consultant
The average family insurance policy in Florida comes with a $6000 per year deductible, and a premium that amounts to more than $7000 per year; the total coming to more than $13,000 for a family of four. Many Floridians have no choice but to go without health insurance. This "do-without" attitude actually costs Florida taxpayers in the long run more than if coverage was offered free to all.
Online Dating Site IamFreeTonight.com Ranks Top 25 Colleges for Online Dating
Free Dating Site IamFreeTonight.com has released its rankings of the Top 25 Colleges for Online Dating for the week of April 9th. The rankings, which are similar to the popular polls found in NCAA Basketball and the College Football BCS , are based on a complex mathematical formula incorporating numerous variables relating to how college singles interact on the website. The University of Houston, which ranked #2 last week, surged to the top spot replacing Duke University as the top College for Online Dating last week. Marquette University ranked #2 with Duke falling to #3.
Affordable Health Insurance Unemployed - Health Insurance Options for the Unemployed
Being in between jobs and unemployed can bring in many financial problems to your doorstep You might need to depend on someone else to help you with covering your day to day expenses
Free Internet Dating Site - Tips For Women And Join Free Dating Sites Today
Even if women join free internet dating today, you can get complete assistance in dating with the person you want to Be sure of finding the right person
World of Jewish Launches Networking Site For Business, Politics, Dating, Jobs, Health and Culture
World of Jewish social and business networking website has been launched offering everything from dating, jobs and real estate to business, politics, music, art and video and health.
International Health Distribution Launches Women's Health and Beauty Web Resource
International Health Distribution (IHD), a global provider of scientifically advanced, all-natural cosmetics and supplements, launches an informative web resource, http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com. It was designed to enrich the lives of women of all ages through the offering of topical articles and an innovative Blog - it will be the most comprehensive resource for identifying health and beauty products.
1st Xmas Personalised Lullaby
|
 |
|
