The Better Business of Barter
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!
BarterCare: A Health Plan that Actually Works in this Economy!
You can’t turn on the TV without hearing ObamaCare, or RomneyCare… You know–the plans from politicians that hope to force companies to secure health insurance for their employees? The downside, of course, is that this idea comes with an astronomical price tag, which has many small business owners nervous. But what if we, as small businesses, could prove to “Big Brother” that we were providing for our employees in a unique way that satisfied the needs of families but didn’t hurt the bank account? Might that work even better? We think so!
Turning Barter into Cash
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
Leveraging Existing Customers for Your Small Business
You may be like so many small businesses this month–staring at the end-of-year spreadsheet containing an itemization of your annual income and expenses. Perhaps you’re grateful you even made it in a down economy, but also a bit discouraged because there’s so little left over in the coffers. Maybe you’re like small business owner Sandy, whose husband needed dental work here at the year’s end, but who had little cash or insurance to cover it. Fortunately, Sandy found an unusual, creative answer – just in time!
Why Bartering for Advertising Makes Sense for Your Restaurant
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
In Today’s Economy Motivate Employees Using Your Trade Dollars
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)
Wedding Bells on Barter
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 1st, 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
Starting and growing a Business with Barter
Have you ever wanted to start another business or expand an existing business–but the thought of paying tens of thousands scared you away? Well, tremble no more because the world of barter just might have your answer.
Medical Clinic Sees the Light
Last year a multi-specialty medical clinic in Norcross joined the Southern Barter Club, and its skeptical Director sat across from SBC President Laurie Sossa to figure out how to make barter work for him. Dr. Mel Colon of International Medical Clinics had a stack of invoices in one pile, and a list of needed services in the other. Within minutes, Laurie sorted through the piles and quickly demonstrated how the clinic could save over $25,000 of their hard-earned cash–simply by switching to barter-friendly vendors for projects. Continue reading
Content, Content, Content!
Written by Lisa A. Rice
One of my favorite hobbies is the barter club I belong to (where I do a service and receive ‘virtual’ dollars, which I can then spend on products and services I need from other barter members). This club is one of the most excellent I’ve seen at getting their messages out in relevant ways.
For example, on one day, I’ll get an email about the latest Scuba Diving trip to a Caribbean resort, and on another day I’ll get a Face book message about an event they’re throwing. Continue reading