Ownyourpower's Blog

Learn How To Take Control of YOUR Barter Power!

I’ve been bartering since 1994 and I’ve been amazed by the things I can get by striking up a deal. Since I’ve launched my own Barter Exchange, I’m even more impressed by the services and products you can get on barter. A lot of my colleagues don’t EVER spend a dime in the store, before they check the barter exchange store first.

I know a few that are actually pretty wealthy in “barter terms” and can afford to splurge in our barter store with over 40,000 merchants to choose from. An Own Your Power Member, Suzette Caloca is actually a web designer of mine who loves to barter. She provides quality work and has a high demand, so she doesn’t have a hard time building up her Barter Bank account. I just paid her in barter bucks to do my business cards! 

Her stories about bartering inspire ME to barter even more, check out why she’s barter ballin’!

What is the name of  your business and what do you do?
STUDIO Suzette Web and Print Design (but it not an official business name, I get paid to my name)
I design anything and everything for web and print marketing

How long have you been bartering?
Actively, 8 Months.

What makes an exchange like Give ‘n Take better than bartering on your own?
Give n’ Take’s Barter system allows me to trade with anyone in exchange for barter dollars that I can in turn use with anyone in the DoBarter Network (over 40k members!)

Why do you think you’ve been successful with bartering?
I think I’ve been successful, because I have a product that everyone needs to market themselves, their product or their business.

 Top three coolest barters so far?
$9,000 in dental work (including TEETH WHITENING)
$2,200 for a brand new wooden playset with swing for my kids. (Shown in photo).
$1,225 for credit repair.

Why do you think most people don’t get bartering exchanges?
I don’t think they understand the barter system and I still have yet to find a website that knows how to explain it in plain English to someone who is not familiar with barter at all.

What would you tell these people to change their minds?
I was skeptical at first, I didn’t know how this was going to work out for me or if it has anything to offer me, but I swear by it now. What would I tell people to change their minds? Hmm… how about, I’ve bought over $15,000 worth of stuff in the past 8 months with NO CASH… wouldn’t you want that too? 

Now how’s that for example of Living the GOOD Life on Zero Cash? I’ve said it time and time again; BARTER IS SMARTER!
Want to barter with Suzette for web design? Join Give ‘n Take for FREE today and we’ll connect you. Also add her as a friend in our community.

Own your power,

Simone

Are you burned out? Well, we probably know why… One of the biggest obstacles that entrepreneurs have is learning how to LET GO, AUTOMATE, DELEGATE, and TRAIN. Mainly it’s letting go of the feeling that only YOU can do it right or you HAVE TO do it alone. You’ll never have financial freedom with that mindset. Stop waiting on someday to come and get the help you deserve!

The other main reason is that you don't have a system in place. You're constantly putting out fires and don't have time to even think!

When you are in business for yourself, you can never have too much time management and organization. Some of the most important things to have are systems in place, so you are no longer a slave to your business.

During this call, we'll go over 7 Systems you can implement to help streamline your business to run like a well-oiled machine. The other beautiful catch is that many of these systems will give your business the ILLUSION of being bigger than it really is. (Even if you're a one-man operation!)
*We'll provide you with some tools that are FREE or some that ARE VERY LOW COST that you can implement immediately. The tips and tools will allow you to run your business smoothly, even if you are STILL making the transition from a full-time job.

* You'll learn how to develop focus days and set boundaries

*We'll offer tips on how to get FREE HELP! (interns, volunteers)

*How to have access to an advisory board (legal, finance, debt management, etc)

*Learn how to get your own personal assistant who can make calls for you (Improve the prestige of your business with no high overhead)

Tell a friend and get ready for an eye opening discussion.

Instructor for this event is:
Simone Kelly-Brown, Holistic Business Coach
REGISTER FOR THE CALL BY GOING HERE:

http://myaccount.maestroconference.com/conference/register/PFOGYJ1EDVN321PP

-Thriving in your career, but your personal and social life barely exists?

-Great family life, but have you pushed aside your dreams and put yourself last?

-Stressed out to the max from constantly putting out fires?-Juggling too much and not sure how to make sense of it all?

 

If you feel like you are always on the go to the point you've forgotten your passion or NEVER even had a breather to sit back and realize your purpose: I want you!

If you have no idea what "Me Time" is? I want you!

 Out saving the world, but who's saving you? I WANT YOU to finally take a stand for YOURSELF and do something for you without the guilt!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Client Who's Done It!

 

Towanda Braxton-Carter, Atlanta Georgia

"The experience I have encountered with Simone, was not only exhilarating, but enlightening...

I have been on the Emmy award winning show 'Starting Over' and was there for 12 weeks and was never able to understand why my life stayed the same or 'got worse'! Just speaking with Simone for an HOUR, I feel I can NOW more forward and completely say with confidence that I am truly 'Starting Over'! My life is finally heading in the right direction and on the right path. I am no longer on edge ... Saying that Simone is awesome is an understatement!! I will be calling her monthly ... Simone, thanks for sharing my tears, laughter and most importantly, my LIFE!!!!!!!"

I would love to be your coach to inspire you and introduce you to a support system that will lift you up, guide you, and cheer you on through your goals.

I'm so happy to announce that Own Your Power is launching AFFORDABLE group LIFE coaching as a new service starting in November so that everyone can gain access to affordable coaching.

You'll be apart of an intimate group and meet two to three times a month on the phone and also have access to daily audio clips and workbooks to get coached at your leisure during the week. Classes will also be recorded in case you miss one!

EVERY WOMAN DESERVES A COACH AND NOW, BY JOINING Own Your Power's Life Coaching group, you can get me as your coach for $39 or $59 a month. *(That's the price of a mani-pedi or a stop at the beauty parlor for many of us!)

I'm so confident in our program that you get to try out the first 10 DAYS FOR FREE. No kidding!

CALL ME TODAY, I'M ONLY TAKING 10 MORE CLIENTS FOR NOVEMBER!

(SIGN UP BY OCTOBER 30TH)

I WANT YOU AND YOU DESERVE A COACH!
877-545-7352!

P.S. All who join this month will get a COMPLIMENTARY ONE-ON-ONE (Valued at $150!)

Simone Kelly-Brown

CALL ME TODAY SPACE IS LIMITED!
877-545-7352

 

 

*** SPECIAL CONFERENCE DISCOUNT FOR BP MEMBERS *** SATURDAY OCT 10TH AT ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY, QUEENS, NEW YORK

This is going to be an awesome conference and I wanted to share this special discount with my friends and associates. We only have a few seats still available before we are officially SOLD OUT! Feel free to invite/share with others who could benefit from this opportunity, but do advise them that this special registration is on a first come/ first serve basis and this offer ends on FRIDAY OCT 9TH AT 11:30PM EST..BUY YOUR ALL DAY PASS FOR ONLY $19.00

Door registration is $99! (SAVE $80! WITH BLACK PLANET SPECIAL)

To register: just click HERE and enter BLACK PLANET in notes area for group affiliation.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE: Prepare for an empowering Saturday you'll never forget in New York! You will enjoy personal development, business, and financial workshops designed to broaden vision and bring clarity--for your business' future! The focus is Reinventing Your Business from the Inside Out! Own Your Power is all about Your Passion. Your Business. and Your Lifestyle! It's been a while since we've come back to NY, so make sure you don't miss this treat. The Own Your Power Biz Conference Features: Powerful Motivational Speakers Creative Workshops to Challenge your Imagination and Broaden your Vision Networking with Ambitious Businessmen and Women, Companies and Organizations

It’s about time you tapped into your buried treasures, don’t ya think?

I tell my clients all the time, that your list is GOLD. After years of
networking and cultivating my contacts, I’ve been able to build a nice
sized mailing list. I developed my own event and women’s network and
although I didn’t know it at the time…it was the start of something
big.

I started to see a demand to get in touch with my audience
of women entrepreneurs and the resources I have access to. I finally
realized what my buried treasure was. In addition, I have my marketing
background that can help out many of my business partners. My podcast
that can give them more exposure is definitely a plus as well. So, when
I need something that I might want to spend the cash on, I dig into my
pot of buried treasures and see if I can find a match for my prospect.

Now, I’ve seen many people shy away from the idea of bartering, because they
don’t realize what their buried treasure is. They don’t realize that
what they are sitting on is probably worth a lot more than they think.
Do you have something that you might not even realize is of value to
the next businessperson?

What’s your buried treasure that you haven’t tapped into?

Contacts:
Do you have a healthy mailing list and address book? Do you network a
lot and know who’s who. From business referrals to cool restaurants to
dine in, you never know what you can offer people. If you can be the
GO-TO PERSON for many, trust me, you’ll be a valuable asset to many!

Skills:
What are you trained in? Are you an amazing presenter or chef? Can you
design websites, teach Belly Dancing, make handbags? Are you a wiz in
Finance, Art, or Producing Commercials? What are some things you do
full-time and even in your spare time that is a talent that you can
offer to the world?
Knowledge (insider secrets): I’m not talking stock exchange now, I
don’t want you to get locked up. I don’t think you can barter bail.
LOL! But maybe you were the first in your industry to do something
different. Are you a copywriting pro for e-mail marketing campaigns? Do
you know how to beat parking tickets? (True story … a woman at one of
my events bartered these tips with another woman for business tips. She
used to be a parking attendant.)

Spend a few minutes brainstorming and build up your list of things you have access too and I’m sure you’ll be very surprised.

Ask yourself:

What do you have access to, what can you do better than anyone else you know?

Ask
yourself, what’s your buried treasure? What do you have that’s a pot of
gold to someone else? What do you have The key is bartering smart is
where you don’t have to use too much energy or time. It might be
something you have right now collecting dust in your garage, something
as simple as an overstock of inventory, maybe?

When you’re bartering with individuals on a one-to-one barter, here are some tips.

Some guidelines to keep in mind before you get started:

-When working on projects for each other, our goal should be to MEET AND EXCEED the needs of that person.

-We all have expertise in various areas and can do incredible things as
long as we see eye-to-eye and are in agreement before we get started.

-The barter can be considered a short-term partnership. You do your part
and I’ll do mine. Therefore, take the focus off of “me” and put it on
“we”.

- Don’t know the person’s work? Ask for up to three
referrals of past customers. It’s up to YOU and no one else to do the
research before you come to an agreement.

-Do your best. Your work and attitude is a reflection of you. People
make decisions about you based on your work ethics. Always remember,
your reputation is your wealth!

- Be professional. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

-Be responsible. Manage your time and commitments. Confirm meetings a
day before. If you are going to be late or can’t make a meeting, please
be conscious of each other’s time. Missing meetings and being
irresponsible doesn’t sit well with anyone and quite frankly you might
not get a second chance! Don’t burn your bridges … you never know who
can help you.

-Pay attention, listen, and take notes, so that “we” understand what the job entails and “we” can deliver on the
services. There may be details that are not included in the agreement.

-Professionalism, sensitivity, consideration, respect, and integrity are
key attributes to not only operating within a barter network, but in
business in general. It’s important to be authentic and be true to our
word. Our WORD is so important!

How Does It Work?

-Discuss exactly what you are doing for each other. Describe
services/products and expectations up front so that there are no
surprises in the end.

-Be clear about what you charge. It’s
hard to barter with someone who doesn’t have a set fee structure or who
can’t tell you how much they charge for specific services. Barter
dollar for dollar. I’ll give you $500 worth of work for $500 worth of
work. When bartering, keep a list of SPECIFIC deliverables for each
barter session.

- Put all details IN WRITING. What is the
monetary value? What are you both delivering? What’s the deadline? Have
both parties SIGN the agreement. It doesn’t have to be filled with
legalese that no one understands! Contracts are highly recommended. If
you’re not paying cash, that does NOT mean that you don’t have
expectations of deliverables. Bartering is a valid business deal just
like any other. If you start putting things down in a contract, the
other person is less likely to behave unprofessionally.

After the Barter is Completed…
Don’t just end it there, keep the relationship going:
-Provide each other with testimonials for your website and/or marketing materials
-Refer clients to one another and offer a finders fee of 10-15%
-Exchange website/blog links
-Offer discounts to each other for future cash paying projects
-Do a personal assessment. Provide them with a survey to get feedback on
your performance. See where you are doing a great job and where you can
use some improvement. You know what you did well and the areas that you
need to improve. Make a commitment to do better the next time.
I’m sorry, but I can’t end without telling you that Big Brother is watching
you. Good Old Uncle Sam does want you to tell him about your barter
deals.

In fact, the IRS offers no loophole whatsoever for bartered transactions.
According to the IRS, the fair market value of bartered products and
services must be included in income during the tax year it is received.
Make sure you speak with your accountant to find out how to file.

Come and barter with me here  in my Barter Exchange: The Give 'n Take Network!

Keep Livin’ Good,

Simone