A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that ignorance and injustice has never been something I’ve tolerated very well. It’s not that I expect everyone to know everything – people make mistakes (including me) all the time. But – I do expect people to be capable of learning. These “mistakes” are the lessons learned that helped people like Edison invent the incandescent light bulb. I’ve heard that he “failed” anywhere from 1000 to 10,000 times before he figured it out. The actual number of times isn’t important – but the concept that you adjust and correct with each mistake made to end up with success is.

It’s that type of thinking and determination that has helped YTB return to the original name – better, stronger, and with more conviction I’ve seen in a long time.

I’ve had more subscription signups to our newsletter in the last few weeks than I think I’ve had all year. I also had to create a separate category in my Outlook for the private YTB Facebook pages and the notifications that are coming in. My inbox became flooded with YTB posts. (There’s some really useful information there, and it’s always needed a special folder.)

Not everyone appears to be on the same page in sharing the excitement and passion for success that we do. Make no mistake, they certainly see it – and they know exactly what it all means. Our passion and excitement unfortunately gives them a nervous twitch.

From the day it appeared on my blog, (which I can still recall) one guy has produced an entire comedy of errors, missteps, and mishaps. This self-proclaimed “expert” decided to make it his personal mission to pick a fight with me, you, or anyone else associated with YTB. John Frenaye got more than he bargained for when he came trolling onto this blog to pick on what he assumed was just another “lowly MLMer”.

Instead of cowering or avoiding, I responded to both him and his illusions. His perceptions of MLM and YTB simply don’t match my reality or experience. I did see John’s charade as a valuable lesson in exactly what not to do, and how not to think. His so called “problems” with MLM, gave insight into what to avoid. Although by doing this you couldn’t avoid his pessimistic rants, which helps tremendously.

Although John never mustered up enough courage or strength to sit down with YTB face to face to discuss his “issues” with the company and our model, his Internet persona and constant bullying in every nook and cranny associated with YTB did provide insight for not only myself, but YTB to look at the perceptions and adjust accordingly.

I have no idea how this whole thing has worked out for John, but I don’t think it’s been all that pleasant. Nobody likes to be made the fool like I’ve highlighted and documented here. Not that it’s been a bed of roses for me either. Personally, and for others who have gone through this battle with me in YTB however, it’s been a great experience and lessons learned because unlike John, and others like him, we actually know how to learn and adjust from the mistakes we all make.

It makes us stronger, more resilient, and better than ever before.

John on the other hand, just doesn’t make them. “Mistakes” I mean. He’s still just as stubborn and bull headed as ever. Sticking to his illusions that MLM and its people are inferior to him or anyone outside of the “cult” that hasn’t been drinking the Kool-Aid.

And that my friend is exactly why this personal crusade of his and this battle that’s waged inside his head has been going on for at least the last four years. He hasn’t learned a blessed thing.

You might be thinking to yourself, “If an old dog like TravelPro can learn a few new tricks, certainly someone like John can – couldn’t he?

Not exactly.

I’ve heard it said from more critics than just John, that cynics think we MLM’ers are so caught up in the cult and drunk on the Kool-aid that our identity becomes attached to it. Without a YTB or another MLM to hang on to, we’re lost without any meaning. Truthfully, I think that concept speaks more about themselves than it does about any of us.

See, the whole idea of MLM is to teach the average person how to change from an employee mentality to a business owner mentality. The heart of MLM, what makes it tick and beat, is ground floor access to a business that will teach anyone who is willing how to become a real true entrepreneur and business owner. The problem as I see it, isn’t actually the MLM business itself, but the actual person running the business.

I look at the traditional business I came under contract with a couple weeks ago. The territory was run into the ground, and the old manager is filing for bankruptcy. If it were MLM, critics would be yammering about how the model failed. Now that I’ve been working this new business a few weeks and have done a couple P & L’s – I can’t for that life of me figure out how he couldn’t make this work – other than the fact that he didn’t know how to control expenses, and honestly was just plain lazy.

In other words, the model and the territory are just fine – it’s the business owner who didn’t put the proper time and effort into it that landed him in bankruptcy.

Network Marketing is not different. There’s a reason why the word “work” is in there – it takes “work”. This idea that you pay money and just sit back and collect checks is the most absurd notion there is in the MLM industry. You’re paid based on activity and results. No activity equals no money. To put it another way, you get out of it what you actually put into it. How it’s perceived by some as any different than any other business is a big red flag that they actually don’t know anything about business or what it takes to succeed.

For critics and cowards like John or the folks in the Class Action who have an average of 6 months of business experience among them, it’s just easier – or rather more comfortable to point the finger at MLM. They never notice the three fingers pointing right back at them.

I know commissioned sales can be a real drag – even overwhelming. It used to create its own nervous twitch inside me way back when. You have no idea how lucky you are to have a company like YTB, a product like travel to sell, and a mentor like Coach, Scott and Kim to learn the ropes and overcome that fear. And, yes, you’re even lucky to have someone like John to show you exactly what not to do and how not to think as an added bonus.

Considering where I’ve been and where I am today, I wouldn’t trade any of it in. I feel nothing but confidence and success because I knew who was right and who was dead wrong.

You too can rid yourself from that nervous twitching when you know who and what to join up with.

Ain’t no doubt about it for me.

It was Y-T-B.

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It’s post-Convention, and the kids head back to school on Monday so it’s time to put the pedal to the metal and get to work.

Which means – most likely a little less time here on the blog.

To keep everyone up to speed on what’s going on – a fantastic opportunity landed right in my lap that’s already producing a decent six figure income that I believe can double if I put my internet, marketing and sales talents to good use. The territory opened up this summer, and after being introduced to the Southeast Regional Sales Manager and taking a look at the contract, the investment, the territory and the compensation – I’ve decided to take it over and run the 10 county area.

The investment into the business and the monthly overhead and expenses to run the business is obviously more than $50 per month with YTB. I also looked at the Independent Contractors who I will be responsible for paying and working with in the territory. Only one has any type of Network Marketing experience, but everyone involved appears to be true sales people who appreciate commissioned sales like MLM. After speaking with the team, everyone agrees there is money to be made and like our Founders at YTB – there’s no amount of money they can think of that I won’t be willing to pay them – if they actually go out and earn it.

Oddly enough – my experience with YTB over the last 6 years was a huge asset for the Regional who handed over the contract to the territory to me this week. My unique qualifications made me a perfect candidate to take over and run this territory to realize its full potential. It is after all the largest concentration of customers in the Southeast Region this National Company has.

Imagine that? An Executive who not only knows – but appreciates the MLM and Direct Sales model and the qualifications and work ethic it creates for strong business prospects.

Who knew?

Prior ownership and management of this territory blamed the poor economy for dwindling sales. After further review, it appears management itself was to blame for the poor performance. Looking deeper, we found little or no involvement from management in the field, a lack of marketing and prospecting, and poor financial management when sales fell which finally landed the former Territory Manager in bankruptcy.

Having the proper answers and tools available to me as I move into ownership of this same territory and client base these are comforting assets at my disposal while turning this territory around. Many of the same tools and marketing techniques I’ve used and learned over the years will be used in this business as well. I’ve hung around and learned from some of the best marketers in the world in YTB. While the new company already has a website, newsletter, and marketing materials – this territory will see cleaner, fresher, and more relevant information from me to build customer unity and loyalty. These tools are already in place at no additional expense (other than time) to assist in the rebuilding process.

Furthermore, I truly believe this company can learn a thing or two about how marketing is done in this modern age from yours truly. But we aren’t going to just tell them about it – we’re going to show them by actually doing. ;-P

That being said, this new venture and responsibility may bring up the question if I’m actually leaving YTB for this new company.

Let me try to answer that as delicately and succinctly as I possibly can:

What – A – CROCK!

Are you kidding me? I love this company and the people. It’s because of YTB that I have the money, the tools, and the self-confidence to get into this new business venture. On top of that, now that YTB is refocusing its efforts on travel once again – I happen to see a unique opportunity for a very large group cruise with this new customer base next summer that could produce another six figures in travel commissions to me from YTB. In the meantime, this new company will generate at least that much for me and my family over the next year.

Remember, opportunities never go away; they simply go to those who are ready for them. Like YTB all those years ago, it wasn’t cause I couldn’t afford to do it – I couldn’t afford not doing it. An opportunity and a territory of this size doesn’t come along every day, and since it landed right in front of me – the challenge and the income potential was just too enticing and lucrative to pass up.

I’ll still be around – and still promoting and reporting on YTB. Over the next few weeks however, I need to get my arms around this new business venture and get the proper responsibilities delegated to the proper people who now work with me. There’s more money and responsibility involved as we move into this business than we ever had with YTB. But isn’t that what personal development and growth is all about? Didn’t we join YTB to change our mindset from “employee” to “business owner” and help change our financial future in the process?

Some, both inside and those on the outside looking in, believe that YTB is the only answer in gaining financial independence. For some it may be, because it’s a very good opportunity and strong business model with multiple streams of income. Where people fall short however is this belief or accusation that it’s the “only way” to gain financial freedom. Real security and independence over the long haul comes from diversity. The YTB Founders do it, the Directors do it, and the smartest most successful business minds in history have done it.

Didn’t know that? Well, for starters, you might want to look up Henry Ford and his relationship with Kingsford Charcoal.

Thing is – nobody knows that because they’re all brainwashed to think like an employee.

Not me…I have my own mind, and my own business opportunities now thanks to what our Founders and the people in YTB gave to me. It may have been the first investment I made to create my financial future – but from my experience, including this latest development, it’s still the best.

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By now, just about everyone has caught wind of the current Administrations “faux pas” surrounding the a once thought of guarantee of Social Security checks and the possible delay for current benefactors in August.

While the White House is doing some major damage control right now due to the way the media reported it and how the American public perceived the “warning” – it should be noted that the days of Social Security checks are numbered regardless of what Congress can accomplish with the budget and our debt ceiling.

To this day, it’s still odd to me how we find an abundance of pin heads out there that proclaim that Network Marketing is an unsustainable model. Yet, when push comes to shove, nobody has ever been able to provide a single solitary example of one MLM or Network Marketing company that has ever exhausted the world’s population. Heck, you can combine all Direct Sales and MLM companies in the industry and still couldn’t find that last person who didn’t have at least someone to talk to or sell product to.

Idiots who throw this “pyramid scheme” lingo around simply to place the fear of God into others aren’t smart enough to realize that this theory is just that – a theory. The reality of MLM and it’s real world applications are vastly different from their false and very limiting beliefs.

On the contrary, the model has proven its stability and longevity for over a century now. You have the Direct Selling Association (DSA) that was founded in 1910 to protect and serve this industry over the last 100 years. You also have companies like AVON who has been doing business since 1889 still selling and still recruiting women all around the world. Tupperware, Amway, Mary Kay all founded before I was born and just blasting this “fear” about sustainability right out of the water by selling billions of dollars a year.

To add insult to injury, these same pin heads will tell you to go out and get yourself a “real job” – exchanging 40 hours a week of your time for a fixed amount of income.

I don’t know how or why so many in this country became so complacent, lazy and stupid.

The debt ceiling appears to be covering up the real issue of our Social Security system. Nobody seems to be asking the real question of why the money isn’t there for these benefactors. I mean, you hand over 12.4% of your income to be placed in reserve for when you retire – so where is it? Very few understand that this system we’ve all taken for face value (because the Government is supposed to “protect” us) is doing nothing more than paying for the benefactors who retire before you.

In other words: If you want to take a look at a real – practical – and legitimate “pyramid scheme” you need to look no further than our Social Security system.

Back when I first got involved with YTB, Social Security reform had been place at center stage. The Bush administration saw there was a problem and was searching for ideas to address it. We all have short memories, and there are those who want to forget the Bush years. This USA Today piece however pretty much sums up what was going on in that day and age – just six short years ago.

The idea at the time was personal accounts as a way to fix the cash crunch. Money invest in would be reserved for those individuals only. The USA editorial explained perfectly why the current Social Security system is your classic pyramid scheme.

“Given low birth rates and rising life expectancies, in time, Social Security won’t be able to sustain our elderly population without punitively taxing workers.”

It goes on to state:

“For Gen X, though, this program sounds awful. No matter how poor you are, you pay 12.4% of your income, every year, to maintain Mossman’s cash flow.

Sure, Mossman paid in, funding other retirees. Their taxes funded original recipients who didn’t pay a dime. This is the classic definition of a pyramid scheme, which eventually has too many folks to pay off with too few suckers paying in. Thanks to the 1946-64 baby boom, Gen X is firmly in the “too few suckers” bin.”

And we’re right at the cusp of this dreadful reality. For the next 20 years there will be more than 10,000 baby boomers per day looking to retire for the next 20 years. Some 78 million people all “worthy of” a Social Security check because they’ve been “buying in” all these years.

Knowing what you know now – including the current economic climate – what do you think your chances are of seeing even a penny of your “buy in” when you’re ready to retire?

Are you beginning to understand just how silly and irrational this idea of pointing the finger at MLM’s and Network Marketing when a real – practical example like our Social Security system looms over every tax payers head?

That being said – I’m not going to tell you that MLM or Network Marketing is the only answer in solving your issue of Social Security not being there for you when you retire. There are plenty of options to protect you and actually provide a very comfortable retirement. But if you think you can count on Social Security being there for you – dammit – you need to wake up and see the writing on the wall.

A very real and legitimate example of a “Pyramid Scheme” is staring you right in the face – courtesy of the Government that many believe is there to protect them from such evils.

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We’ve been writing our weekly newsletter for the last three years now for YTB and ZamZuu business owners. It’s been one of the most rewarding things we’ve ever done. The compliments and appreciation we get from subscribers means more than we can truly express. What started out as a team newsletter has spread throughout the company. Today, we send broadcasts reaching thousands of YTB and ZamZuu subscribers.

While our publication is designed and written for existing members of YTB and ZamZuu only, there are those who have subscribed under false pretenses. Opting to lie about their identity under an assumed name and e-mail address with the intent to play “Mall Cop”. After the California Settlement was reached two years ago, I was contacted by the Home Office with a list of “violations” from the Attorney General’s Office in California.

The AG had incorrectly charged that our publication was being used as a “recruiting tool” which was most certainly expressed by overzealous critics who desperately wanted to have my publication shut down.

After seeing so many desperate and childish stunts which feed Zealots uncontrollable obsession over YTB, we were well prepared for such an outlandish accusation. We set up our newsletter to verify our members with a valid ID and website address. We also used a double opt in feature to ensure that everyone who signed up actually verified with us they did indeed want our publication.

No shenanigans on our end.

These precautions were two fold. One, I wanted to make sure that everyone receiving this information was actually in YTB or ZamZuu already. And two, I fully expected the trolls to sign up – which they did – and were promptly deleted.

While their first attempt under real names and e-mail addresses were banned from our system, the sleaze then resorted to lying. Finding a YTB member in their local area that mirrored a location close to their own IP address, these parasites sucked off the other site owners ID and website address with a newly created gmail.com account and presto! Success in having our publication diverted to their inbox anyway.

Pretty elaborate scheme don’t you think? That’s the kind of bizarre behavior I’ve come to know while they pretend to be this noble, honorable “Mall Cop” for pour, unsuspecting souls. Truth is, they’re as dirty as the day is long.

A quick fix for the entire Attorney General debacle was a report of my entire list of subscribers with valid ID and website address, verification IP address, minus the user last name and e-mail address. The report clearly validated all subscribers were already in YTB and opted in under their own free will. A letter explaining that it was highly improbable that I was “recruiting” existing YTB website owners based on this report was also sent to the Home Office.

Not sure if it was the last time the AG or the Home Office ever heard about these “violations” again, but I certainly haven’t.

Interesting how morals, ethics, and honesty have no place for an obsessed Zealot that has to be right. When it comes to justifying their perceptions and perpetrating their fears and misconceptions to the general public, all this ethical stuff is mere window dressing they like to hide behind. It’s not just my newsletter they’ve infiltrated either. They’ve signed up as free Reps with the company, have become Fans of every Facebook page YTB or ZamZuu has, and have subscribed to every YTB and ZamZuu publication and newsletter they can get their hands on in order to feed their uncontrollable addiction.

With the latest settlement with the Attorney General in Illinois behind us, a new push by these imbeciles is once again in full swing. Obviously, they’re a bit upset that YTB was able to come to an agreement with another Attorney General and we are able to continue our business model. That’s what normal adults do – come to an agreement. Critics however have resorted to intercepting a new round of private correspondence, making its way to the internet with lists of supposed “violations” to say “see I told you I was right”.

While it’s clear that these correspondence are designed for “members only” – it’s upsetting the owners of these publications. Therefore, I’m offering up a list of items or precautions that you should implement in order to protect your publication and our fine company.

First, you need to accept that there will be sleazy little liars who will do and say anything in attempt to save face or to justify their position. Its part of the game they play. While I certainly don’t agree with it, getting upset and frustrated about it gives them the power and the control. You can take every precaution you want, and they’ll find a way to gain access. They’re that desperate for information and they need something they can spin against you and the company.

Second, most systems have a double opt in feature – use it. With the current CAN-SPAM Act that is in place, it’s not just jerks you want to protect against; it’s the FTC. Signing up someone to your mailing list is a practice we’ve never used. If your information and content is the quality it should be, you’ll get plenty of subscribers the right way. Every single subscriber we have has verified with our system they want our publication.

Third and I know this kind of sounds obvious – but put a disclaimer on your sign up page and in your publication something to this effect:

This newsletter is for information purposes for existing Website Sellers and Website Owners only.
It is not to be used as a recruiting tool for anyone outside the YTB company.

It won’t keep the pin heads out – but it will protect you in the event a pin head tries to play “Mall Cop” and claim you’re trying to recruit the general public or violating any rules.

Forth, and I know you’re not going to like this – but either turn off the “forward to a friend” feature or make sure your subscribers know that it’s only to be sent to existing team members. We’ve never used the “forward to a friend” feature for this reason: There may be some really good content that your subscriber wants to share with team members. Those team members however, may not want or feel the information is necessary. An issue we’ve had for years are folks who forward our publication out to team members and the team member unsubscribes the subscriber who sent it – because they don’t want it. (An unsubscribe link is also mandatory with current SPAM laws by the way.) Disabling this feature keeps complaints to a minimum because it’s only going to folks who actually subscribed.

An alternative for team members is having them forward your opt in link and have team members subscribe on their own. What you’ll find is an open rate that extraordinarily high, and a complaint rate that is practically non existent.

And finally, look over your data. We were able to spot our unauthorized troll by looking over our data. When Aweber changed their pricing along with their terms and conditions on us about a year ago, we had to upgrade. While we were upset at first having to pay more for exceeding 2500 subscribers, the new system and reports it offered showed just who was clicking what.

Low and behold, we found that one edition of our publication that was ripped off and posted publicly on a Zealots blog had over one dozen clicks from a single subscriber. A dozen clicks on the same link? Maybe two or three, but that amount raised a red flag. While the subscribers ID matched his website, and the IP matched where he lived – we found this subscriber based in Annapolis, Maryland had two subscriptions. One with a legitimate, unique domain, and the other with a Gmail account. The high click count came from the Gmail account – so we knew who was real and who the liar was.

It took me no time at all to delete the overzealous little twit.

If you have a newsletter and send correspondence to your team, I realize that you’re doing your team a service. I know all about offering news, support, training, mentorship, and positive reinforcement. It does have value and is a worthy and important part of being a true leader. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to acknowledge those traits because they’re so jacked up on hateraide. They simply can’t get past this idea that all you do is recruit and pick the pockets of poor unsuspecting souls. That’s the mantra rattling around in that empty space where a brain should reside. While they have no practical experience to base this limiting and false belief on – trying to change it is a complete waste of your time and effort. Just realize that they own that belief and you don’t have to.

So there you have it folks. Take it from me. These idiots have done it to me dozens of times and to no avail. Follow these simple steps and you not only protect your publication from being squashed, but you protect our fine company as a whole.

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.

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I would start off with “I hate to say it” but that wouldn’t be accurate or true. Fact of the matter is – I’m rather pleased that “I told you so“.

In a press release announced yesterday, YTB has agreed to enter into a final judgment and consent decree by the court without trial or adjudication of any issue of fact or law concerning yet another slanderous and erroneous lawsuit against YTB – this one filed by the Attorney General in Illinois.

Total damages of this lawsuit – basically restitution for approximately 300 people. I’m being generous with this number, simply taking the $500 start-up fee in the purchase of an online booking engine and not accounting for any monthly fees. We’ve learned from the Class Action that has been thrown out of court a half dozen times (and counting) that most who look for this type of refund or restitution don’t give the business much time or effort before they throw up their arms and quit.

Total cost of the restitution – $150,000 which represents 0.002% of everyone who’s ever signed up with YTB Travel as a Referring Travel Agent.

It’s important to note that all this money should go to former RTA’s of the company. There’s never been any fee for the right sell these websites to anyone (known as a “REP”) – although someone in the Class Action suit never paid a dime, but wanted restitution anyway.

Even when you combine the restitution to “victims” in the California suit settled two years ago, that still totals less than $300K. If you’re thinking – “wait a minute that was settled for $1 million?” you’re partially correct. Almost 90% or more exact – $875,000 went directly to the State of California, leaving a measly $125,000 for the “victims” that suit was designed to protect.

Look – I know how all these law suits put some people in a tizzy. Frankly, some who don’t know squat about Network Marketing (and never will the ignorant Zealots) became raving lunatics about the claims filed. Problem is – these suits were just that – claims. Most simply skipped ahead and proclaimed YTB was guilty of what was said simply because it matches their limited knowledge about the industry as a whole.

Now those who claim to be experts but have no real – practical experience will certainly have egg on their face. Truth is and always has been that nobody ever paid for the opportunity to recruit others. In addition and like it or not, other Host Agencies do charge a startup fee and monthly maintenance to partner with them.

And let me tell you – there was just no way any court would allow anyone to bypass those facts. Not even an Attorney General.

So here I sit today, with the same company, pretty much the same booking engine, and an even better opportunity I had three years ago. My commissions have actually increased from 60% to 75% on travel, and I’ve got an online store that gives me additional commission and provides cash back to my customers.

Instead of going out of business like some had speculated – I ended up with a better business. And I didn’t have to move an inch.

That’s what YTB has always been for me. Nor was there ever any doubt that it would survive. The clowns with the circus act with tails about a “house of cards” this and “endless chain” that don’t have a clue what their talking about. I know the industry from experience, I also know that Founders from personal contact. It was very clear to me that people totally underestimated both. That’s why I stuck around.

Sure there will be those that will continue to harp on the failed attempts to put the company under. They need someone like Jerry Brown or Lisa Madigan to justify their meaningless existence and limiting beliefs. There will also be those that want to focus on the recruiting aspect of the company. If they do more power to them – it’s their problem and misinformation, not mine. Network Marketing has been available and sustainable for the last 125 years. So get over it.

To me – honestly – some acted like such crazed dogs they need to be shot and put out of their self-inflicted misery. It never ceases to amaze me how some will just prowl every nook and cranny to find something they can get upset about. Or even worse, just make it up as they go along. And when challenged with an opposing view, they pretend to talk to someone else who agrees with them. Like that’s healthy or even normal.

I have to admit – it’s hard to believe that all this started three years ago. It sure has flown by. Probably because I always knew the bark was far worse than the bite. While some can’t seem to distinguish the obvious difference between a legitimate Direct Sales company or MLM and some long winded and very broad terminology that scream “pyramid scheme” it’s good to see that right still wins over wrong.

Happy to have all this behind us and I’m certainly ready to move on with a stronger, more lucrative, and diversified company. In that regard, I’m certainly not sorry any of this happened. Times like these always separate the weak from the strong – and the strong always get stronger.

Maybe now with this last suit out of the way we can get back to what we initially set out to do three years ago – Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Travel.

It’s been long overdue.

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.

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One of the events I’m grateful for in my life is finding YTB. When I signed on some six years ago, I started on a wonderful transformation. Changing from thinking like an employee to thinking more empowered as business owner.

I don’t know why they don’t teach this kind of stuff in school, I really don’t. Simply by opening up the door to YTB provided an amazing amount of information, training, and support that I never even knew existed. It’s  changed my mindset, my attitude and my self confidence dramatically.

Truth is, YTB is one of the most empowering and gratifying choices I’ve ever made. It ranks right up there with all-time great choices I’ve made, such as my sobriety, my wife, and my two adorable children. Like those life changing experiences, I wouldn’t trade YTB for anything – nor is there anything anyone could do or say that will diminish that.

An item that has impressed me most about YTB, is how they can pick market shifts and trends. Honestly, I’ve never really sat down with them to discuss how they come to the conclusions they do, or how they pick where to focus attention. However, because of my own independence created by YTB, I learned how to spot market shifts and trends on my own with my own set of tools. By using the knowledge acquired through learning and training, I not only know how to spot trends, but now can tell you how much money is being thrown at it in an attempt to capture market share, and how much money is there for the market to capture.

This site has been a great resource to see what’s on peoples minds and what interests them. For example, when I see search terms and hits, Google and other tools can tell me what that search term is actually worth for someone wanting to purchase PPC (Pay Per Click) advertising.

I do things a little different – I’ve never bought PPC. Never had to. Six years of content and links here put me on the first page rankings for any number of search terms. One such niche I tested was the “green” or “eco-friendly” search terms that I started writing about middle of last month. When I saw these search terms, and then matched them up to the amount of money being spent on PPC and the money that could be made – my eyes bugged out. I started looking at other keywords, how competitive they are, and how much money is involved. My experience with YTB and other ventures also gave me the proper mindset to look at this as with my business cap on, not as an employee.

So, I had to make a decision. While changing the focus of this blog was an option I considered, and would be the easiest to implement because it’s already well read, well ranked, and well linked – I don’t want to give up the main focus of this site. It was started to promote YTB and Travel – and it will remain just that. So I decided to try something new, something bolder, something that I could dedicate exclusively to being more environmentally focused.

On March 1st, 2011 OurSharedEarth.com was born. Our Shared Earth is a site dedicated to finding alternatives that make cleaner, more economic sense that we all can implement – now. Healthy, green, low-impact choices are not only investments in our future, but investments in your financial well-being that save energy, water and money.

I decided to take this route because I know what works, and how to implement a brand this new site. How to acquire maximum exposure with a large following – and I know how to write content that gets traffic organically. (Pun intended) You’ll see some of the same tools found here, with some new tools that I’ve been working on that will make OurSharedEarth just as impactful as JustPictureItNow. Heck, in only two weeks OurSharedEarth’s Alexa ranking is already around 2 million. (Down from 16 million) That in itself is a feat some can’t even match in years of writing. (Because they have no clue what they’re doing or what they’re writing about.)

Now, before I go, I want to make one thing perfectly clear. In the past when I’ve ventured outside of YTB to produce additional streams of revenue there have been some that have made claims that I’m signing off – or getting out of YTB. Frankly, that’s more a wishful fantasy than it is any type of assertion. I’m a huge thorn in the side of those who oppose YTB, Network Marketing, and Direct Sales. I’m also one who’s not easily intimidated by blathering rants that attempt to shame someone into submission.

I can and do bite back when necessary and while some don’t like it or call it arrogance – I call it undeniable confidence. Many admire the way I stand up for not only myself, but others who want to get involved in MLM or Direct Sales. Besides, there’s still a small part of me that gets amusement from the way they react to what I do or say – and I like making them nervous or uncomfortable while being a voice of reason for others who want to believe in themselves and their own abilities.

Network Marketing is an excellent industry, and YTB is one of the finest companies I’ve ever had the honor of working with. Nobody (and I do mean nobody) will ever be able to convince me and my past six years of experience in this industry and company any differently. While some will moan, whine, attack and bicker – I’d simply say “Thanks for sharing” and focus my time and energy on more important subjects I can control and profit from.

That for the time being would be another stream of revenue from OurSharedEarth.com.

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I was working on another article yesterday, and decided to bump it for a video I wanted to share. It’s an attitude that I’ve seen all too often over the years.

Pick your subject – whether it’s politics, religion – even Network Marketing. You’re bound to run into someone who’s all bent out of shape and offended by what you say or do. While this can be bothersome and uncomfortable hearing someone else rant about being offended by something you appear to have caused, the responsibility doesn’t lie with the accused – but rather the accuser.

I learned a long time ago that when it comes to feelings and emotions – they’re yours and yours alone. Everything we look at in this world is neutral and nothing has any meaning except for the meaning that you give it.

What really cracks me up about these “issues” is that most of the time, instead of moving on and spending ones energy and time on something more productive (and healthy) I’ve seen cases where individuals will engross themselves in the very subject that offends them. All in the name of trying to rid themselves (and others) of the offensive subject or thing they find offensive.

Does that really make any sense?

Now I’ve read about this peculiarity from several authors, and have heard about how it all works and what to do about it in various seminars. I’ve yet however, seen anyone explain this anomaly in such a clear, coherent way before. I really don’t know that much about Dr. Gary Daniel, but I do know a thing or two about NLP. That’s short for Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

I’m sure some will get this – and others will find a way to be offended by it.

Just realize that if you are offended, he’s talking about you. ;-P

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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