Tom McDowell’s Barter Blog

Recently, I heard about a set of neighbors that are bartering services to help each other out. A neighbor is plowing the driveway for one neighbor and that neighbor is mowing the grass on the weekends while the other neighbor is away. Both of these neighbors could do something in exchange for something they [...]

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Barter is a great way to move idle inventory. The more customers barter brings your way, the quicker your inventory turns over. This will leave room for the newest, most advanced products in your industry. A barter exchange network can help you sell off your excess inventory and convert it into something you need. [...]

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Barter is transacting business without the use of cash. How do you get started? The first thing to do is contact Tom McDowell, a barter industry veteran, to enroll in the Barter Trainer Program. This intensive 3-day training is one on one with Tom and covers all aspects of the barter exchange business. Everything [...]

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When starting a business such as a trade exchange, it’s beneficial to have an industry veteran mentor you while your company grows. A mentor or consultant can help you avoid typical industry mistakes often made by start-ups. Take advantage of someone else’s experience in what works and what doesn’t. Save valuable start-up time by working [...]

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Barter is the simple concept of trading something you have for something you want…all without cash. Maybe you’ve heard of Kyle MacDonald who started with a red paperclip and traded 14 times to eventually make a trade for a house! Sounds outrageous I know. It’s also the power or barter.
Kyle started out by trading [...]

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Your start-up trade exchange is heading in the right direction but you find that educating the local businesses about barter is going slower than you expected. Marketing Concepts are powerful and effective direct mail newsletters that target specific industries in your region. Perhaps there is a large concentration of auto repair shops in your area. [...]

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Every business has its core customers. These people purchase your goods and services regularly and are loyal customers. A core group is important but how do you grow that core group of loyal customers? First you must win over new customers. Word of mouth, radio, print media and an effective web presence all contribute to [...]

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Virtually every business in your city, state and beyond is a barter exchange prospect. Every potential customer is a possible barter customer. Your current vendors and customers are possible barter associates. And, virtually all the companies you purchase things from are potential barter opportunities.
The barter industry revolves around the basic premise that all businesses [...]

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Barter is an age-old concept and time proven as well. We’ve seen a huge increase in the visibility of barter exchanges in this tough economy. Barter has always been around and thriving but now is in the media spotlight due to the hard times. Many opportunities come with owning a barter exchange. You are your [...]

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While the US economy was thriving, many business owners didn’t even consider bartering goods and services when customers were pouring through their doors. Referrals were up and new business was streaming in. Cash flow wasn’t a problem. Business was booming and there was no end in sight.
Suddenly, the third quarter of 2008 was rapidly [...]

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