I’m not a big fan of Network Television. I will watch an hour or two a week for shear entertainment value – but I can’t remember the last time I saw even a minute of Network News. It’s been years. I’d rather listen to an audio book, participate in a webinar or conference call or find a home study course to feed my mind as I continue to learn and grow. The only exception I make in arranging my schedule is during Football season, and that can turn into an entire day, typically on Sunday when I’m taking a break anyway.

Hey – I’ve been a Football fan all my life and this old dog ain’t about to turn a new trick when it comes to my Pittsburgh Steelers.

A show that I do have an interest in however airs on NBC tonight – the first of six primetime episodes entitled Breakthrough with Tony Robbins. It’s reality TV with a twist – it’s designed to inspire and enlighten you which is typical Robbins.

Some of the oldest tapes I have in my library (which should tell you how long I’ve been of fan) are from Tony Robbins. He’s one of the earliest mentors I can think of for personal development and self-improvement. In an effort to reach and positively impact even more people, Tony Robbins has created 6 one-hour primetime television specials that begin airing on NBC starting this Tuesday, July 27th at 8 p.m., 7 Central. They will run every Tuesday evening for the next six Tuesdays including tonight.

I applaud Tony for putting something positive out there in the main stream media. One of the reasons I haven’t watched a network news program in years is because it’s so negative. This person killed here – that robbery there – and the economy as always – in the toilet. If you really think about it – do you really need to know how many murders and robberies there are?

If something is important enough that you need to know – it’s going to make it’s rounds in one form or another. I certainly don’t need to go looking for it.

Tony has always been different. He’s offered tools and insights to improve people’s lives. If you’re a follower of Tony like I am, you’re going to want to tell friends, clients, family or anyone you care for about this show. Some will thank you – others will ignore you – while I’m sure there will be others that scorn you for telling them. (If that’s the case – maybe you need to reconsider who you call “friends”.)

Here’s a little bit about the show that came through an e-mail from Chet Holmes (more on Chet latter):

After more than a dozen offers and years of turning away producers and networks, Tony finally found a format that appealed to him and one that can really impact you, your friends, family and clients.

I was in the studio audience for segments of some of these shows, and there was not a dry eye in the house. You will be inspired, moved, motivated and profoundly affected. I mean this first episode is a knockout. Imagine you’re on your honeymoon and jump in the pool and hit your head on a step and, wham, you’re a quadriplegic for life.

That doesn’t just affect you. It seriously impacts your loved ones. In the very first episode, Tony shows you that “the story” you tell yourself shapes the entire quality of your life. Powerful. You have to see it.

But wait! There’s more! (I’ve always wanted to say that for some reason.)

Tony and Chet built a program called: Four Ways to Double Sales in 12 months. Because your reading this – you’ll be able to download that program as well. Even in this bad economic period, all four of these ideas help dramatically strengthen any company and give you paths to serious success.

Chet offered the free training in the e-mail —a 90 minute program from Chet Holmes and Tony Robbins absolutely free. (And no registration or e-mail required either.) You can download it here.

For more information and insight into tonight’s powerful new show, you can read more about it and watch a couple more videos @ www.breakthroughinsider.com. Everyone in the personal development and marketing world that I communicate with is talking about it. (About two dozen e-mails yesterday.)

Personally – knowing what Tony is all about and how he’s transformed lives – I can’t wait.

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Do You ZamZuu?

Do you remember the outrage a year and a half ago when the CEOs of Ford, Chrysler, and GM flew to Washington, D.C. in private jets to ask for $25 billion in taxpayer money to avoid bankruptcy? Not that selling off private jets would have covered the $25 billion these guys were asking for – but it would have been a nice start.

It’s unfortunate that we see this kind of arrogance and greed in the Corporate world. Millions of people were laid off from thousands of companies while big wigs like these CEO’s live in the lap of luxury. You saw very little about any CEO taking a pay cut during the turmoil this country went through during the latter part of 2008 and 2009. Instead, they cut out the jobs of average American’s while keeping their pay and perks intact.

Most CEO’s have a lucrative bonus plan in place – including the Founders of YTB. The difference between our Founders and the CEO’s of other companies is that Coach, Scott, and Kim’s bonus is based in part on the performance of the company. Some based on pay or salary, while another chunk is based on stock options. Unlike other CEO’s or companies (like the Big Three in Detroit) our three founders forfeited 355,000 shares in options each of the last two years because the company didn’t meet the performance goals they wrote down to achieve that would trigger each bonus.

In case your wondering – that’s called accountability.

While there were some riffs about the forfeiture of options from critics, I would have loved to see the outrage over actual shares being awarded. It’s one of those “damned if you do – damned if you don’t” scenarios we enjoy from Zealots who flip flop depending on how it furthers their own agenda.

Regardless of which side of the fence you sit on, the fact is our Founders aren’t the type who take big pay days when the company isn’t performing as promised. The buck stops with them so to speak – which goes back to their AL Williams days as “Reps”. (Not to mention its just good business.)

To further illustrate our Founders desire to create a healthy, viable company they’ve restructured their compensation based on overall performance rather than acting like the fat and happy Executives we see in traditional corporate models. The company announced the new pay structure in a press release on Tuesday:

In order to ensure the Company continues its best practices related to executive compensation, YTB is transitioning to a performance-based incentive compensation program. Effective for the 2010 fiscal year, certain Company executives are entitled to incentive compensation if the Company achieves growth in the number of Business Owners at fiscal year end compared to the beginning of the fiscal year; if the Company meets or exceeds certain financial objectives established at the beginning of the fiscal year; or if the executives meet or exceed certain personal or departmental financial and budgetary objectives established at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Nothing like taking personal responsibility and holding yourself accountable for the overall health of your company now is there? If our Founders and Executives don’t perform to acceptable standards – they’re not paid that handsome bonus other CEO’s are paid. Instead they created an incentive to meet or exceed goals which could compensate them above and beyond their previous pay structure.

Because YTB is a public company obviously all this was filed with the SEC and you can find details of the new compensation package along with a breakdown of objectives that are now required from the Executive Team. Compensation now rides on and includes the growth of business owners (or IBC’s), cash flow and available cash on hand, bottom line earnings reported to stock holders, and other discretionary objectives for each department.

Based on the Press Release that was issued – and the terms of the new compensation that were filed with the SEC – simple logic would have you conclude that the Founders and Executives are at the very least willing to do their part for the overall health of the company.

That being said – not everyone who read the filing was able to comprehend or discern what went down. In a very comical and incredibly bizarre “Google Alert” – some jack ass laid claim that our Founders could be getting ready to resign after landing a sweetheart deal.

I’m not kidding – our self-proclaimed “YTB Expert” thinks you can quit (or resign) AND collect severance to boot. His focus – a two year deal that’s structured under the old compensation package that he claims will enable Coach, Scott and Kim to ride off into the sunset. While they haven’t resigned (yet) according to this dolt – we all need to be cautious of this severance stipulation.

Typical.

For the record, the clause he didn’t “copy and paste” on his blog stated otherwise:

Accordingly, a beneficiary under no circumstances would receive any payment under the Program if he left YTB without good reason or was terminated for cause.

It’s not that a clause like this is really necessary. Can you imagine walking into the Boss’s office sitting yourself down and stating “I’d like to resign – what kind of severance can you offer me?”

You’d either be thrown out and most likely fired “with cause” (for being stupid) or suffer the brunt of company jokes for years to come. (Again – for being stupid.)

You might be wondering if this idiot wrote this out of desperation or due to sheer stupidity. While I’m certainly not a mind reader and I hate having words put in my mouth (like he does with me) I’m pretty certain that this zealot thinks we’re the suckers due to the growing number of YTB’ers (including myself) that make it into his “Dumbass Den”.

In his own arrogant and self-righteous way, our lack of intelligence can’t possibly uncover the obvious error because those in MLM aren’t smart enough. We’re beneath the almighty professionals who pick – poke – and pry at anything and everything our company does.

On the other hand: If you think Coach, Scott and Kim have even the slimmest chance of quitting and having the Board of Directors approve a single dime of the two year severance package that was written – you DO belong in a “Dumbass Den”.

Likewise, for those who are reading up on the internet about ZamZuu or YTB at this time – go back to Tuesday’s article and the statement that John is helping us weed out those that aren’t intelligent or responsible enough to uncover fact or truth. Seriously – If a big old red flag doesn’t come up warning you that nobody gets a severance package when they resign – how could they even be considered a viable prospect?

See my point?

Are his statements ridiculous, absurd, bizarre? Sure they are – that’s what we’ve all come to know, but not quite love about John. But trust me, there’s no way you’re going to convince an arrogant pompous ass like John Frenaye that he’s wrong. His ego is just too big and overpowering to allow anyone to knock any logic or sense in that brain of his. (That – or there’s just not enough room down there.)

At this point, the best you can do is smirk (or laugh out loud like I did) and be thankful and grateful that you’re not as desperate (or stupid) – nor are you likely to run into anyone who is because John’s pretty much got a lock on weeding out any bottom feeders for us.

Instead, turn it around and be thankful. If for nothing else – for ability to read and comprehend the English language.

Then you can move on and be thankful that our Founders are willing to do what it takes to provide a viable, profitable, and respectable business opportunity for those of us who see things for what they really are.

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Do You ZamZuu?

I’ve never been satisfied with being “average”. I’ve always been the type to welcome new ideas and try new things. To me, it just makes life more exciting. We’re only here for a short time in the grand scheme of things, so you might as well make the best of it.

I have an extensive library of books, audio tapes, CD’s and now MP3′s of personal development books that I truly enjoy reading or listening too. I rarely listen to the radio or music CD’s these days – not when I have something far more worthwhile and inspirational to listen too.

One of my favorite books of all time is from Brian Tracy called “Change Your Thinking Change Your Life“. The beauty of this book is that it’s so very simple – you are what you think about most of the time. If you don’t like how things are working out, it’s never going to change unless you change the way you think.

The reason why I look to guys like Brian Tracy for insight an inspiration is because they don’t just talk about it…

They live it.

If there was any doubt about the power of positive thinking you need to read this. Not many people know this, but Brian was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his throat a little over 90 days ago. After both a PET and a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis, followed by an expert second opinion, Brian began chemotherapy on April 15.

By June 7th, the tumor had disappeared.

What’s important to me as someone who has been taught to think outside the box from guys exactly like Brian Tracy is what he did. More remarkably, what he was willing to credit in aiding in the disappearance of this tumor. Some would certainly call him nuts, others would look at it with skepticism.

Not Brian Tracy. The man who has changed the thinking of millions of people listed the following possibilities that aided in the disappearance of his cancerous tumor.

From his blog:

1. People all over the world were praying for Brian and for his healing. Brian has always believed that God answers prayer. This was proof.

2. Two people treated Brian with “healing hands” during the 90 day period. This may have had a powerful effect on his healing.

3. Brian drank a special tea prepared by his housekeeper, Deborah, who is from Mexico. The tea is made from the bark of a tree found in Mexico, and it is supposed to cure cancer. This may have worked.

4. Brian was also introduced to a new technology called the “Amega Wand,” by his friends Mark Victor Hansen and Jason Boreyko. He received about 30 minutes of treatment with “zero point energy” with the idea that this energy would break up and dissolve the tumor.

Since he had already used the Amega Wand to get rid of arthritis in his hands and ankles, he was very open to the possibility of it working on the cancer.

5. He had eaten good foods, remained positive and optimistic, been busy and happy all the time, and gotten lots of rest-with no stress.

Here’s the thing…No matter how absurd, bizarre, or crazy you might think any of these “treatments” are – is there any question that Brian Tracy doesn’t give a hoot about how nuts people may perceive him to be? He’s cancer free.

For Brian, changing his thinking SAVED his life.

You don’t always have to go with the flow here. Truth is, “the flow” far too many times is average – and average just isn’t good enough. Why not be “exceptional” and enjoy what life has to offer?

Life is a journey that’s meant to be experienced – not something you do because you have too.

It’s not always easy, it’s not always comfortable, and there will be those who’ll want to criticize anything other than the “status quo”. Critics don’t live your life – YOU do.

Brian,

Thank you for the decades of expertise you’ve shared with me over the years. You’ve been instrumental in changing my thinking and breaking outside the norm. Like you, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’m thankful and extremely grateful that you’ve not only overcome your battle with cancer, but shown us all that this can be conquered with the right mindset and actions. You’re a true gift for those of us who welcome a change in thinking in the hope that it will change our lives.

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Do You ZamZuu?

Over the last five years, I’ve written on a number of topics, and about a number of people.

Having a blog that’s well read, well ranked, and well linked has its advantages. Quite often I’ll write about a certain company or person, they’ll find it and often times pick up the phone and call me directly to thank me. It use to blow me away, and I still gets me jazzed when someone takes the time to call about something I’ve written. It’s enabled me to connect to an number of really cool people that without this blog – I most likely wouldn’t have an opportunity to connect with.

I received such a voice mail this weekend – but this particular message took me by surprise.

What was remarkable about it was that it wasn’t anything that I had written recently. In fact I wrote it two and a half years ago – back before all the “drama” from our industry professionals started to stir and the constant shaming of the Founders, the Company, and our people who they claim have no interest in being legitimate “Travel Agents”.

The article I’m talking about was a post announcing YTB’s E-Campus training, and the person who called to thank me was Dr. Marc Mancini himself.

He found what I wrote and was so moved by my article that he immediately picked up the phone to call me to offer his sincere gratitude and thanks for my support.

I was on the phone at the time, and the caller ID said “Unknown Caller” so I let it go to voice mail. I wish I would have picked it up, because it was me who wanted to thank him – not the other way around.

Why? Because guys like Dr. Mancini are part of the solution – not part of the problem.

At the time I wrote that piece I had no knowledge of the battle that was about to erupt. We all knew there were “issues” stirring in the industry and E-Campus was a step in the right direction in qualifying and legitimizing YTB Travel Network as a true host. Come to find out years later is that you can take all the courses you’d like, attain all the credentials you want, but as long as your name is attached to an MLM host – it’s never going to be good enough for some.

These are simple minds who just won’t tolerate MLM because it’s a buzzword they throw around without having any true idea of what it is or what it means. It’s just bad. Very – very bad. Oh sure, they all claim to be experts, but have you actually seen the crap they think it is?

It makes me laugh it’s so ridiculous. So lame and comical I haven’t needed to defend any of it outside of this blog for years. If people who read that junk are stupid enough to fall for such nonsense, they shouldn’t be in business to begin with.

Dr. Mancini got his share of ridicule too just after E-Campus was announced. People called him all sorts of names, threatened to boycott his trainings – the standard threats that we’ve all come to know years later. What impresses me most about Dr. Mancini is that he had the guts to stick to beliefs. Yes, he was being paid for the courses he created for YTB (as he should be) but he never backed down due to pressure from traditionalist. We’ve seen plenty of examples over the years of just how nasty and irrational a small segment can be. Think back to MailPound and Davidoff Associates and how they were relentlessly scorned and chastised for attempting to offer value to YTB Travel Network as a Host Agency – not just some random MLM.

What’s so odd to me is that the “spin” from this small segment was (actually still is after all these years) that people like me aren’t interested in learning about the travel industry at all. The focus according to them is “recruiting” – and that my friend is a word that conjures up some of the deepest fears and phobias I’ve ever witness in human behavior.

I mean it REALLY gets some people worked up.

I’ve heard it said many times that if YTB would simply drop the MLM part of our pay plan, we just might be accepted as a legitimate agency. What these dolts can’t comprehend is that “somebody” is being paid in every Travel Host out there that charges a fee. (To the guy at the top of the pyramid no less!) We just happen to offer part of that “fee” to those who are responsible for making the sale. To me, that makes it not only fair, but a much more attractive compensation package than any other agency out there.

And for the traditionalist that are holding out hope that YTB would ever dump the MLM payment structure…sorry, nobody asked you.

No, we’ll stick with true leaders and mentors. Those who have the intelligence to see past some model and look at the people who are involved.

I recently wrote about how this industry (MLM) is chalked full of support and mentors. Nor have I been surrounded by more gratitude and love. Dr. Mancini may not be a part of MLM, but he’s got the true spirit of this industry down packed.

And for that – it’s me that is offering my sincere gratitude to him for not only acting like a true professional, but being part of the solution – not the problem.

Thank YOU Dr. Mancini.

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Do You ZamZuu?

Remember that as a kid?

Or how ’bout this one?

“I’m rubber – you’re glue. What bounces off of me – sticks to you!” or “I know you are – but what am I?”

Back in 2007 a former columnist for MSNBC came bursting on this blog to tell me what MLM was really all about. Amused that anyone would “Double Dog Dare” me to produce commissions to validate my worth, I found this person simply ignorant. Ignorance I can handle with proper documentation and information to enlighten anyone willing to learn. The very meaning of ignorant is uninformed; unaware.

But stupidity is a completely different animal which I have to admit, I have very little tolerance for.

Many in the industry were shocked that I would not only communicate, but befriend someone so full of hate and bitterness. I’ve always believed that people can change their tune given the proper information. I’m living proof of it. People who have never known me during my drinking days can’t believe I was a functioning alcoholic.

I’ve been told that part of my appeal is that I make myself vulnerable – being open and honest about my past mistakes in an effort to help others learn from them. Nobody’s perfect, and to act like you’re the only one who is, is not only distasteful, but foolish.

It’s my belief that everyone is capable of change and enlightenment.

An awakening.

Some however, are far more stubborn (or stupid) than others. To avoid change, they play childish games like double dog daring you, and I know you are – but what am I to deflect the attention off of themselves and slap it right back on you.

Two weeks ago I outlined yet another gross misrepresentation of John Frenaye’s who still can’t seem to check his facts before he opens up his mouth. He has a long history of gross misrepresentations and lies that we’ve documented here on this blog. All bent out of shape about girdles he stated (among other gross misrepresentations) that the products cost more through ZamZuu so the company could feed the “pyramid”.

Granted, I poked fun at him using him as an example of someone needing a girdle – but it doesn’t change the fact that ZamZuu provided a 23% savings to our clients over a direct sale with Ghiada. The MLM “expert” had been exposed once again as a clueless.

Instead of acting like an adult and making some sort of correction – the dolt spends the next three days lambasting yours truly for being an MLM loser and failure – not on MSNBC – or in a trade publication – or one of the 10 agency locations once dreamed of, but on a free Blogspot account that has been his home for that last three years.

My how the mighty have fallen from grace.

What’s even more amusing is that one of his best buds also decided to take pot shots at me through e-mail and comments here in an attempt to disrupt my peaceful and productive existence.

It’s not that I don’t want to take responsibility for their anger. Truth be told, I actually enjoy pushing their buttons and getting them worked up. I read them like a book. When Jeanie Sharpless told me about her NCL cruise, I told her exactly what would happen if I put it in my newsletter. Like clockwork – it was up on John’s blog within minutes of sending it out, with all the spin and hype we’ve all come to expect from YTB’s biggest goof.

And I just laughed because I just knew it would get his goat. Illusions of lime green T-shirts crawling all over NCL with the quote “I got here free – ask me how” dancing in his head.

Their perceptions and illusions have gotten so out of hand that it’s actually easy to poke fun at them – even when you know they’ll attempt to bounce it right back on you. And when they do, you’ve won because mindless ridicule and childish outbursts are only used when you have nothing left.

So why aren’t they able to get me all upset and bent out of shape in the same way? Why am I so willing to just sit there and take such words as “failure”, “loser”, or “dumb ass” so easily?

I’ll let you in on a little secret – it’s money.

Money and success have a strange way of taking anything that’s negative about you and turning it into a non-issue. In fact, it can be downright comical when money arrives at the same time you’re being lambasted by a bunch of critics and cowards as some sort of failure. Truth is, they have nothing better to do with their time. They trample all over someone in an attempt to elevate themselves by putting you down. They’re showing how frustrated and jealous they are by their actions. (Forget words to the contrary.)

Since the last time I wrote about John two weeks ago – I’ve deposited over $6500 into my bank account doing exactly what I told you I was doing with multiple streams of income. Since residuals are paid on the 11th of each month, and travel commissions are paid on the 25th – none of it comes from recruiting or travel sales with YTB. (Besides, any of those commissions are put on my YTB Pay Card.) You’ll also notice no particular time such as the 1st and the 15th or every other week, nor do the deposits look as if taxes were taken out for an interest free loan to the Government.

Yep, looks like life is pretty rough right now for the Bauknight family – because critics have said so.

And to think if I didn’t take that first step with YTB all those years ago – I’d still be stuck in the Corporate World making someone else rich off of my efforts.

Guys, I’m not posting my income to brag or to tell my critics to go pound sand. (Well…they can still pound sand cause they’re idiots and I don’t care what they say or do at this point.) I’m posting this because you should never – EVER – allow anyone to tell you that you’re not worth it. You should never – EVER allow anyone to ridicule you from fear or jealousy. If I can do it – so can you. All you have to do is apply yourself and never – EVER quit.

Sure, you’ll fall down and go boom – several times. But the trick is picking yourself up, and trying it again with a slightly different approach.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Taking a good look at critics like John Frenaye – you’ll quickly see how you’ll end up if you don’t change or adapt; Bitter, angry, destitute, and without many options at your disposal.

Guys like John Frenaye don’t own you. I realize they demand approval and permission because they think their opinions should matter. Fact is, they’re nobody worth listening to. The louder they are the farther you should run. Find some new friends who will support you and mentor you. It’s also important to find friends who are more successful than you are. Hanging around a goof like John will leave you bitter, broke and a member of his dumb ass den.

It’s time to grow up folks and take charge of YOUR dreams – not John’s illusions or perceptions. It’s a fairy tale that only exists in his head and they’ll never win and never quit because their oversized egos won’t let them.

So go for it! Go ahead – I double dog dare you! ;-P

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Do You ZamZuu?

Some time ago I wrote about an idea given to me called “The Happy File“. I created this file for special e-mails as a suggestion from one of my subscribers as a way to save all the compliments and sincere gratitude I receive to say “Thank You” for what I do. Every time I receive a thank you, a compliment, or gratitude as a direct result of something I’ve done for them – it’s moved to this file for safe keeping.

Yesterday morning, I got a “forward” from one of my subscribers that originated from one of the best (actually he’s not “one” – he “is” the best) internet markets and copywriters in the world. The marketer I’m talking about is a good ol’ boy from Macon, GA who is now living the good life in San Diego, CA named Frank Kern.

Frank is one of the most “real” marketers I’ve ever subscribing too. I fell in love with his honestly and style from the very beginning and he’s one of those guys that knows how to communicate to the masses – but makes you feel like you’re the only person in the world he’s writing too.

Be warned however, Frank’s personality isn’t for everyone because he’s so brutally honest and he pokes a bit of fun at like – stupid people.

Hey – kind of like me!

Anyway, my subscriber (who I don’t think even knows I also subscribe to Frank’s database) sent me Frank’s e-mail with a message that I exhibit “Total Coolness”.

Now let me explain…

“Total Coolness” isn’t about struttin’ your stuff around and thinking your all that. Total Coolness according to Frank is:

“never underestimating the power of being totally cool to people and doing good things for others. I’m not talking about being manipulative and lame. I’m talking about just being a genuinely nice person who actually gives a damn.”

More from Frank’s blog:

Picture this:

You’ve got a guy who subscribes to your “Cat Juggling” list. He wants info on how to get started in the exciting career of Cat Juggling. (The prestige!) So you send him a few videos about Cat Jugging and he digs them.

He still doesn’t buy your stuff, but he’s stoked you gave him the free videos.

Then you send him a pdf outlining a great step-by-step blueprint for really making it big in the exciting world of cat juggling.

Once again, he’s stoked. Loves it. Thinks you’re awesome.

You keep this up for another six months. All the way up until Christmas.

The guy gets his Christmas bonus check and the first thing he does is run home to your site and buys your Super Deluxe Triple Diamond Level Cat Juggling Bootcamp-In-A-Box!

It’s the most expensive thing you sell, and here’s this guy who joined your list AGES ago …happily forking over full price for it.

Why?

Because you were consistently cool to him. You were actually nice. You actually helped the guy out. A LOT.

That my friend is what you get from “Total Coolness”.

Over the last two and a half years, I’ve gotten more comments about how nice and unselfish I am for giving of my time, my knowledge, and my insight into YTB because of our Newsletter. There’s a TON of crap out there on the internet. (Big surprise there I know.) I not only write about news and events – I document it with third party links to add validity and substance. This thing is LOADED with information. If you’ve gone through my “7 Day Quick Start Guide” you’ve also seen all the free stuff I hook you up with. Free Video’s, Free CD’s, Free Seminar’s and Webniars, free e-books, and a free app that helps you hunt down the best bargains on the Internet.

Just last week, subscribers were hooked up with over a dozen free travel training webinars alone. They’re by far the most popular “clicks” in every newsletter that goes out.

When it’s time to buy, they buy because I don’t offer a bunch of junk. The trust is already there, the value is there, and when the solution shows up – they find a way to buy. It may be 6 months down the road, but they’re reminded of who turned them on, and the loyalty is unbelievable.

Don’t take my word for it – take it from a guy who’s made millions doing the exact same thing – Frank Kern.

Now Frank’s not a Network Marketer. He’s a copywriter and internet marketer. I’ve used a couple of his formulas however and they work like magic. (If nothing else – they work far better than the spamming I see from “network marketers” which is so lame and totally uncool.)

Frank’s doing – you guessed it – a free series this summer on marketing. All you have to do is cough up an e-mail address, and he’ll send you the first free report right away.

Frank’s irreverent, he’s bold, he’s funny and he’s filthy stinkin’ rich.

Oh…and one word of caution: Frank isn’t for the faint of heart – only serious marketers need subscribe.

If a redneck (and he talks like one too) from Macon, Georgia can do it – so can you!

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Do You ZamZuu?

Before YTB, I was living the American Dream – or so I thought. The “reality” was I had been bumbling through a number of companies that left me high and dry. Any illusions I had about the corporate world were quickly being shatter. Family Golf ran out of money and was bought out by an Asian group who promptly fired everyone. Anicom got caught cooking their books – was shut down by the FTC and the founders imprisoned. ISP lost its manufacturing contracts to the internet for the territories I covered. iAutomate never reached the internet dominance it aimed to achieve and was downsized. And my last stint with Hi-Fi Buys eventually ended in bankruptcy court.

The American Dream of getting a good education and finding a J.O.B. was a carrot I wasn’t willing to chase any longer. My discontent over the lie about working for someone else had me frustrated and looking for options when YTB came knocking.

Three guys – Coach, Scott and Kim turned me onto the idea of being in business for myself. They offered my first products I could offer and sell as an “independent representative”. Harv Ecker and Bob Proctor soon followed in my journey who showed me other income streams. All of the streams they create are “passive” – meaning I don’t have to be there to generate income. Guys like Mike Dillard taught me the value of branding myself. If you’re a newsletter subscriber, you’ve heard that name before – and many have bought Mike’s Magnetic Sponsoring courses. Mike’s primary business teaches the value of something called a “funded proposal”.

Coach, Scott and Kim taught the value of building a business within the YTB business, but I also like what Mike calls it.

“You, Inc.”

I became a student of “You, Inc.”. While everyone knows I’m tied to YTB, now ZamZuu – my brand is “Just Picture It Now”. With this brand, I now own a well visited blog with various tools and affiliate products that create income. I also own a list of subscribers that now reach thousands each and every week. Auto-responders within our newsletter create a steady stream of income that work on auto-pilot. Articles on this blog also create a steady stream of income with well ranked organic links. Articles I’ve written years ago continue to produce income almost every month. Those are the passive income streams that Ecker and Proctor taught me.

“You Inc.” provides me the option to pursue opportunities that interest me such as writing, up-in-coming technology, and pay-per-click income that keeps my brand diversified, fresh and profitable. I pick and choose who and what I promote with incredible flexibility and versatility. This diversity has enabled me to stay with YTB far longer without any worry of the outside forces attempting to tear it down. The economic meltdown of late 2008 and 2009 and the hit the travel industry took forced many to make changes. The needless “YTB bashing” that goes on about their “model” being something other than viable or legitimate has forced others to make changes as well.

Me? I was diversified enough that income actually increased while millions all over the country were being laid off, downsized or scrambling to find other sources of income which had dried up.

I’ve always been an independent thinker. I never would have gotten involved with YTB in the first place if I wasn’t. I saw right through the hype and trash talk about pyramid schemes that we often see from those who haven’t any experience to speak of. I’ve heard it said that if somebody tells you what they think – take it with a grain of salt. If someone tells you what they’ve experienced however – you better listen.

What I’m about to tell you may sound shocking to some – controversial to others – but it rings true for me. Based on my experience in the corporate world, the bickering and fighting going on by traditional travel agents who have seen commissions either diminish or completely vanish and the Directors in YTB who built large organizations who are now with different companies – I’ve come to this conclusion.

True independence and success comes from multiple opportunities and various streams of passive income.

Last week YTB announced its new Director level and enhanced compensation starting at 250 active IBC’s. The new level also provides additional guaranteed income with fully paid medical and life insurance paid for by the company. I didn’t write about it here, but I did put it in last weekend’s newsletter – because it’s news. Honestly, when I heard about the new level, I was surprised at me first initial thought’s. When I did put it out on my newsletter to my subscribers, it was uncomfortable.

Then, earlier this week I was asked to pick either YTB or my other “ventures” and my gut reaction was shocking – even to me.

As good as the Directors program is and as much as it provides to individuals and their families – it’s not the right goal or option for me.

I’m an “Independent Representative” not a “Director”.

How do you like them apples?

I got into YTB to create my own independence. Over the last 6 years I’ve built and now utilize several profitable income streams. It’s enabled me to survive the chaos and the slandering where others haven’t because they were counting on a single source. Directors who built large organizations are now gone because they relied on one company. Travel Agents have been bickering for years, or are out of business doing something else because they rely on one stream. Even I was forced to jump from company to company for years because I relied on a single revenue streams before I found YTB.

The true value for me in YTB are all the income streams – not the Directors program. The position lands me right back where I was 6 years ago and doesn’t provide the current options and streams I’ve been able to create and build on my own.

It’s not that I’m upset or angry with YTB. To the contrary – I couldn’t have dreamed of a better vehicle to start my journey. YTB has been a wonderful experience for me and was the first company to provide multiple streams. I had never been with a company with so many possibilities prior. Likewise, the Director program is a first of its kind. The medical, life and guaranteed income benefits not only rival but are the envy of the corporate world. With benefits like these – the company has every right to attach reasonable conditions for that privilege.

It’s their company and they make the rules.

But as good as it is and as much as I wanted it – along the way I found my own true independence and own income streams where I make the rules.

The world has changed. Likewise, the internet and technology continues to evolve and change at a rapid pace. It’s exciting – it’s fresh. The internet offers up endless possibilities and an abundance of opportunities to market and promote whatever I want. It didn’t really occur to me until I was asked to make a choice between my own business here on the internet and the one I run with YTB. Without realizing it until this week – I’ve successfully generated a brand that’s more valuable and meaningful on my own.

I don’t know what’s going to happen over the next couple of days guys. While my gut reaction was instant and sure – I told YTB that I had to think about it. But my gut has never been wrong. It’s a message from the Divine. There may be an applicable resolution to all this that I can do both – and I’d like to do both. I love YTB – and I especially love the people I’ve been able to help. Thousands rely and count on me each and every week to inform and mentor them. I’m not looking to steal anyone or trash YTB in any way. That’s selfish and unprofessional.

Overall, YTB has been far too good to me and I’m incredibly grateful to them for showing me the path to my own independence and freedom.

But I also own this blog and my list of subscribers which provided me the freedom and flexibility to speak my own mind and provide my own path.

I’m at complete peace with anything that may come my way. If I can survive horrendous economic conditions and needless trashing of a company I promoted wholeheartedly – I can survive anything.

That my friends is real – true independence.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

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Do You ZamZuu?