Barter Blog

Barter is pretty simple in it's essence. That's true. But do you know how to launch your business into space with barter trade? Metaphorically I mean..

Once you get your hands on this ebook you will.

We've got one more brain to receive input from,
then the final editing by our professional proofreader,
then we send out the notices!

We've been working long and hard to make sure the ebook will give everyone a full grasp of the potential of barter in business, as well as inspire you to take the steps described to grow your business exponentially with the barter and trade markets.

So keep your eyes open for that notice,
you'll want to read and apply this stuff as soon as possible!

Barter online is sought after by over a thousand people per day, in the u.s. alone. Barterfest is one of the most visible online barter sites, so not only are you looking at this page, so are many others! What this means is that your barter listings are going to be seen and checked out and contemplated by an active audience. Be sure to include pictures and details to get those folks interested in sending you offers to trade.

Here are some of the facts. Over the last 25 years of my professional and business career I have viewed barter both as a primary income source and as a secondary or back up income and “purchasing power” system. I have had a lot of experience in both systems. I have had a lot of cash go through my hands in my lifetime. I have participated in many thousands of barter transactions.

I have always wanted to have the capability to purchase something when I needed it or wanted it, though many times I did not have this option. Of course there were times when my cash flow has been quite fluid, but there has been just as many times (maybe more) when I was either dirt poor, broke and or busted. Frankly, not everything I touched in the past turned to GOLD in my professional life. A lot of times my business ideas have bitten me in the butt. Either I would not think through these decisions objectively or I would make to quick of a decision, not doing my due diligence, (OUCH), and of course this is not very wise. Over a lifetime of doing these unhealthy behaviors, you either learn, or you don’t. Fortunately, I learned.

For me, barter and trade is easy because I understand these key things. In barter, you must always take care of the other person first, and secondly, you must make it a “win – win” situation for everyone involved. Barter is not just about the money. First and foremost, barter is in the relationship. It is about being fair, just, honest, and clear. Whenever two people can see how they can help each other and it becomes a natural mutual benefit, well I believe that is right next to incredible! I have also discovered that two out of three of my barter transactions have yielded me–either directly or indirectly– new cash income as a result of these barter business relationships.

Bartering and trading with another person can really be a lot of fun. I like the challenge of it.

I decide what I want or need and then I scout around to see who may offer it for sale. I might even get a list of two or three businesses or individuals. (That is just in case someone says, “No”). I approach them asking questions to determine if there is a way I can meet their needs some how. Most often I will find something that they need or want; most people have something. Hopefully it will be a service that I can provide. Make yourself a list of your talents, abilities, skills, knowledge you have, items you own, etc. and with this list include what you would consider an honest and fair price. Build value into your product or service.

I was reflecting back this last week on one of my favorite bartering successes. Years ago I had a client that was a hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota. They had a big need for some printing services for their restaurant menus, letterhead and envelopes, etc. It was totaling several thousands of dollars. They were tight on cash due to the winter season in a tourism-based community.

I also knew of a gentleman who owned his own printing company in a small town 90 miles from Rapid City. He was sending a sales representative into Rapid City to sell his printing services. This would result in over night stays and cash layout. I happened to know that each needed the other.

So, I simply introduced these two business owners together. Each needed the others services. They did a flat $5,000 trade with each other. They each gave me 10% in trade as a bonus for bringing them together. I ended up with $500.00 in printing and $500.00 in hotel credit. They ended up doing several of these transactions together over the years. I was very happy for the both of them.

When a hotel room is empty at midnight the inventory is gone forever. Never to be recaptured. It is just gone. When inventory like this is bartered for something that is needed it is just like gold. When a printing press is running it is like printing money because of the massive amount of duplication that is possible.

I worked a grand total of 10 minutes for this $1,000.00 paycheck. Barter is awesome when you are an opportunist.

Why Barter?

Well I’ll tell ya why..

The First and possibly The Most Important Reason;

Prosperity. Already prosperous? Prosper More with Barter.

Let me give you an example. Suppose your regular income was 1000 one month. With 250 barter exchanged, you would’ve earned 1250 total value.

The 250 barter may already be ’spent’ on hotel rooms, printing, etc. because it was bartered. However, this value could be things we would like to purchase with cash if only we had enough income. The values may also be tax deductable business expences.

Barter 1000 the next month, and the normal 1000 cash as well, you would be earning Two Thousand dollars worth of value. That’s Doube the Income through use of barter!

Barter is a way of expanding earnings.

Prosper : Barter

I will scratch your back if you scratch mine! Each year millions of transactions occur just like this. Friends will exchange links with each other to broaden the scope of their respective websites. Newspaper and other forms of media will take your article or newsworthy story for some kind of promotion about you. Friends will help each other move. Mom’s babysitting each other’s kids to get a break from the daily grind. This is all barter in the simplest form. What is so amazing is that it works beautifully and simply.

This is what makes barter the most fun. When everyone wins and is happy. It is wonderful to enter into a transaction like this with a friend or family member. This is where the relationship can really grow. Barter and trade is really people helping people. Barter is giving and then getting. Barter is not faceless and nameless and done and over in an instant. Barter takes time, and energy, and effort to really work well. Barter requires patience. Barter requires a person to deliver exactly what was promised.

Barter’n Bob’s Tip of the Week:
Google barter and learn a lot about barter on the internet. Read about the big swaps between countries for rice and oil or other items entire countries are bartering for that they need or want.

Read how our U.S. government is one of the biggest barterers on the planet. You can also be notified by Google if and when any news story pops up on the subject of barter. I have subscribed to this service now for a couple of years and love it, especially with all my favorite key words.

Make sure you listen to Episode #5 on Bartercast as it is a doozy. I was interviewed by Big Bob of the EZ Help and More Radio Show. Big Bob asked me a pile of questions about barter and I slipped in a few positive comments about Barterfest.net! You can find the link to the EZ Help and More Radio Show at www.prairiebeaconradio.com.

Barter is such a wonderful concept because at its “core” is the concept of people taking care of people. Trusting people is the first step. “How far do you go with people?” I am often asked. I believe you should give anyone an opportunity at least once–maybe even twice–but certainly not three times to mess up a deal. Three strikes and you are out! If there are any red flags waving, you’ll probably be aware of them by the first strike.

Get things in writing. Whenever my business dealings with someone would go sour, my dad would ask, “Did you get it in writing?” And boy was he right! So remember to always get things in writing. Repeat: Get things in writing!

Do what you say you will do. If you promise to pay the shipping in cash, then pay the shipping in cash. Do not try and scam out of it. Building a solid business reputation with people is absolutely vital. In barter and trade the opportunity is so great, and that is why you need to be so careful. Make sure you always do your due diligence and you’ll barter smarter!!!

I think one of my favorite barter transactions was with a print shop. It was like I was able to print money. The more printing I could get done the more I could spread the word about my business and develop a cash client base. He printed my brochures, business cards, flyers and any thing I needed. The printer took items he could use to bonus his employees and add to their benefits. Absolutely everyone was a winner in this transaction.

In order for there to be a successful transaction to occur someone must step out of there comfort zone and ask if someone is interested in doing business on barter and trade. Fear so often is what holds us back from asking. Fear of what someone will think or say if we mention the words barter or trade is what most commonly causes us to hold back. Do not hold back. Do not be afraid to ask. The worst anyone can say is that they are not interested.

When we started looking for a dentist for my families health care needs, the first 3 dentists I asked said no they were not interested in bartering. The fourth dentist I asked…said YES!!! This dental firm took care of my family’s complete dental care on barter for 10 years just because I asked them and showed them the benefit to them. We had of eye care from an eye doctor on barter, we had a medical doctor on trade too. Complete family medical care for my growing family all on barter and trade. What could be better?

Barter’n Bob’s Barter Tip:
ASK, ASK, and ASK again. Show people how they will benefit first. Talk in terms of their benefit not yours.

I think this is great how we have been brought together on this earth. I have been agonizing for years on how to make this Barter information I have available to all of mankind on this planet. One purpose I have is to educate people about the POWER of barter. Let me begin this process and explain why I think this is so.

The hotel was able to purchase my services at their wholesale cost and I was able to own their services at my wholesale costs. I was selling them my motivational speaking skills for their staff and employee development. My costs, well lets just say there is a very nice profit in being a motivational speaker. I just had to find some way to build my business in the early years and develop a client base and I used barter as a vehicle to accomplish this.

A successful barter transaction will 100% of the time conclude in a win-win situation. If not, someone was taken advantage of and this must be corrected. I want a long-term relationship with my clients and I will do everything in my power to make it right.

Barter’n Bob’s Barter Tip of the week!
Think CASH when you are selling, Think BARTER when you are purchasing. Become a member of barterfest.net and expand your horizons.

Welcome to our new blog! You should expect weekly posts from me to challenge you to tap into your bartering potential.

Yes, you should sell your excess, unused and unsold inventory on barter. This simple act of exchange will enhance the bottom line in your business. I have been bartering for 30 years in business. I will never stop as there is no reason to.

In the weeks, months and years ahead I am going to show you how to benefit your life and business with the simple act of exchanging what you have for something that you may need or want.

The process of barter has been happening since the beginning of time. Volumes of information have been written about what barter is and not necessarily how to do it properly. Thus, my goal here will be to show you how to go about using barter to make your life better and much more enjoyable.

One of the earliest trades or barters that I remember as a boy was trading marbles with my buddies. If I remember correctly it was a “Stealie” for a Cats eye! When the deal was completed everyone was happy. This is the cornerstone of barter- It must be win-win or shut the deal down.

Today, I traded some advertising for a case of coffee. My barter associate was happy and today I am happy. This win-win makes the world a much happier place. Plus, now my coffee pot is able to percolate my morning brew and I am not so grumpy.

This is the bottom line of my advice. When you are thinking of purchasing something, please think barter first, and then cash second. When you think of selling something, think cash first, and barter second. This is the most powerful way to insure your business and bartering success. I promise we will dig further into this specific subject into the future.

Barter’n Bob’s Barter Tip of the Week:
Success in your transactions will be measured by how many people enjoy doing business with you over and over. Bonus or “spiff” the deal. Juice it up a bit with a little something extra. Everyone loves a little something extra or bonus. People will respond and they will want to do more trading with you.