As I sat with my accountant last week and watched him leaf through my 2011 financial transactions, I noticed that he paused here and there to remark about certain items. The categories that seemed to intrigue him the most had to do with my barter business. He finally looked at me with a smile said, “So you have a whole separate economy working for you with this barter; don’t you?  I’m amazed at all you’ve been able to buy and sell without cash.”

I explained to him that it’s all possible because of the large barter network to which I belong. Because of the size and scope of my barter club and its affiliates, I’m able to realize positive tax and business benefits I could never have with a one-on-one trade.  The following are just a few of the major plusses of using an established barter network:

I’m Organized for Tax Season

Because I work with a large network with official barter brokers, everything I buy and sell is thoroughly documented, and I’m able to instantly view every transaction and fee on the website.  I’m also able to categorize every transaction at the end of the year.  This is important because many of my barter purchases can be deducted off the gross income figure as business-related expenses.  My business is also invoiced every month, making quarterly tax filing simplified.

I Always Get My Barter Back

In the past when I’ve done one-on-one barter trades without a barter exchange, I’ve put myself at risk when I’ve bartered with companies in financial trouble.  If a company went under, I lost my barter investment. However, when I barter within a network, no matter what I decide to trade, I have thousands of member businesses I can interview and with whom I can spend my accumulated barter dollars. These businesses are motivated to be professional and do things right for me–or they are at risk of removal by my network and broker.

I Keep the Value of My Trade

My barter dollars are linked to the goods and services I provide. If I’m trading computer repair services for uniforms, for instance, I need to know whether or not I’m getting a good deal. By using a barter exchange, I name the price of my trade so that I will always get a fair value on the goods and services I provide.

I Expand My Network

When I join a barter network, my world is instantly expanded.  In addition to my exposure to thousands of new businesses I can barter with, I now increase my network of contacts and can access new marketing opportunities I would not have had without my network.

What about you? Does barter make sense for your business?  Could these benefits help expand your horizons, too?  Barter with confidence using the Southern Barter Club.  Join today!

News media increasingly highlights witty entrepreneurs who have discovered creative ways to “skin a cat” in business. Despite an uncertain economy, millions have found a unique way to keep their small businesses in the black, and it’s all about using a little creativity in turning barter into cash.
Here are a few easy steps to make it all happen… Continue reading →

The old adage of “survival of the fittest” has been replaced lately with a new slogan: “survival of the smartest”. The standard approach to advertising and the types of advertising that are most effective have been redefined. What worked in a flourishing economy is now being scrapped as new avenues of attracting buyers are being explored. Continue reading →

According to the most recent Performance Perspective executive briefing released by Madison Performance Group (MPG), non-cash rewards (trade dollars and goods/services you can buy on trade), in the right circumstances and in the right combinations, can actually be more effective and therefore more efficient than money alone.  MPG is the worldwide leader in developing employee engagement and incentive marketing programs for Fortune 1000 corporations The company implements customized strategies to motivate workers, applying sales and marketing techniques to maximize employees’ success.

Non-cash awards – merchandise, travel, gift certificates and gift cards, a simple thank you (anything that’s processed/delivered outside of the payroll practice) – are better investments and thus more affordable solutions for companies looking to “do more with less.”

Even in these recessionary times, non-cash enticements can be used to close performance gaps across a wide variety of enterprise-level metrics, or they can be used to encourage improved outcomes at the local level.  Contact your SBC broker to see the wide variety of health care and dental services as well as personal goods and services that you can acquire for your employees, contractors and clients using your trade dollars and holding on to your cash. (exerpts from Barter news)

Here Comes the Bride, Not a stressed-out crank;

She’s really really happy ‘cuz she didn’t break the bank!

This weekend two of Southern Barter’s newest members are getting married, and they’re employing almost a dozen barter members to service their wedding on trade!  How can this be done?  With the clever planning of SBCs broker services for members.

On October 1^st, Charle and Greg Sims will be married in a beautiful mansion in the mountains.  And along with their eighty invited guests, they will be joined by a host of barter vendors who will serve the couple in multiple areas of expertise. Continue reading →

So what are the secrets of die hard barter lovers? One of the big favorites is learning to turn barter into cash! How is that accomplished? Through a little research and creativity, say SBC members, and the willingness to meet someone else’s need with your barter power.

Gifts

For example, one barter member, Maria, is a teacher in charge of collecting funds and buying gifts for fellow teachers who are getting married or having babies. She collects about $50 cash per gift from the group, and then goes to the barter store–The Trading Post–and buys a beautiful gift basket of goodies with her barter funds, enabling her to both save the cash and delight the teachers with elegant gifts. Continue reading →