Archive for the ‘On-Line Marketing’ Category

Free Series Teleseminar with T. Harv Ecker

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
12
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One of my favorite people in the whole world is T. Harv Ecker. His book “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind ” changed my whole perspective and financial thermostat surrounding life and money.

One of his creeds I live by to this day is: “Don’t believe a word I say – unless you can verify it on your own to be true.”

Harv is launching a brand-new 3-part Teleseminar/Webcast series called “Your Turning Point to Financial Freedom.”

And I am inviting you – your friends, family and colleagues to be a part of any or all sessions free of charge. Personally, I urge you to stick with the entire series. (Why not, it’s complimentary – and that’s hard to beat!)

In this Teleseminar, you’ll learn the 3 key strategies to creating your financial freedom in any economy.

You’ll become even more successful and watch your earnings and bank account soar.

And you’ll avoid the “feast or famine” cycle that millions of people go through.

Here’s what’s in store for you and your referrals at these life-changing sessions ….

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Session #1: How to Create Financial Freedom
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One of Harv’s students once asked him, “I wish I had enough money so I didn’t have to work anymore.”

“And, how much money would it take?” He asked him.

As with most people, he couldn’t say.

Listen: the key to financial freedom is to have enough money that you don’t have to work anymore if you don’t want to. Then you have the freedom to do only what you want.

The “Freedom Number” is the exact amount of money you need never to have to work again — and in this session, we show you how to calculate YOUR Freedom Number down to the penny!

Once you know your Freedom Number, your wealth-building efforts can focus on that goal. Make sense?

To register for this free Teleseminar/Webcast, click here now:
www.millionairemind.com/webinar

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Session #2: The 98% Mistake
============================

In this Teleseminar/Webcast, you’ll learn how to avoid the one mistake that 98% of people make in managing their money.

You’ll discover key strategies that flatten out the personal boom and bust cycles so many folks go through … and in this economy, it’s more bust than boom!

You’ll master the money rule of rich and successful people. And you’ll learn how to create a steady plan and follow it all the way to financial freedom.

www.millionairemind.com/webinar

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Session #3: Success with Balance
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In our third Teleseminar/Webcast, you will learn:

  • A new definition of success and how to define success for yourself.
  • How to create wealth with balance in all areas of your life.
  • How to build your net worth while making your life more meaningful.
  • The Big Rocks formula for achieving what’s most important to you.
  • The 80/20 rule for getting more done in less time.

Registering for “Success with Balance” is easy and free:

www.millionairemind.com/webinar

This is for you AND the people you care about.

Not only can this series make a major difference in your life, it can do the same for your friends and colleagues too.

Getting trusted information that can alleviate your financial struggle and help you and those you care about get ahead has never been easier.

** It takes almost none of your time – each session is just 45 minutes.

** You can do it from the comfort of your living room with only a telephone – no need to travel or even leave the house.

** It’s absolutely free of charge.

Take the first step and start doing something to help you – and your friends – achieve greater prosperity and abundance.

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!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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ZamZuu To Offer Family Security and Peace of Mind

Thursday, August 26th, 2010
17
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There are several things that make me proud to be a member of YTB and ZamZuu. I mentioned Flags4Vets just before Convention. The company has also been a part of Feed the Future in years past, which provide toys, computers, musical instruments, and other gifts to children. We also can’t forget Passport To Giving which provides a steady stream of income for non-profit organizations who no longer have to beg for money.

This fall YTB and ZamZuu will expand its community service to help even more people in the form of security services for the average person. We know all too well about nut cases who poke and prowl the internet for your personal information and end up posting it publicly for everyone to see. While the information age we now live in can be a huge benefit – there is a segment of society who is suffering for whatever reason – and in their own dysfunctional way, they believe that victimizing others will make their pain go away.

While these people may or may not take responsibility for their own wellbeing and happiness – there IS something YOU can do to protect yourself and your family from this ugly segment of society.

That’s why we have a special interest in what ZamZuu will roll out as a new premier identity theft recovery product called the Entrust America ID Recovery Plan. In the event of an identity theft, the covered member is assigned a certified “Rush ID Recovery Specialists” from Entrust America who performs all the recovery and restoration work on behalf of you, the victim.

Most other plans on the market today merely offer assistance and expense reimbursement, and the victims are forced to do their own recovery. Don’t be fooled by slick marketing tactics, partial solutions and fine print exceptions that protect them, not you.

Last year, as many as 10 million Americans were victims of identity theft according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.

We know how nasty and foul these perpetrators can be – but there is a way for you to remain in control and have peace of mind. Entrust your identity to local, regional, and national police associations and law enforcement (who also use THIS product) with Entrust America who fully recovers the victim’s identity, repairs the damage done, pursues the perpetrator, and takes legal action on your behalf.

The second product ZamZuu will launch is something we believe every parent needs in this day and age. Personally, I have no problem with people coming after me – but when it comes to my family that’s an area that’s so far out of bounds I can’t even put it into words. (And you know me – I have a way with words.)

KidZafe by Zamzuu helps you protect your kids from predators, bullies and sexting and helps you protect their privacy and reputation on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and on the mobile phone.

I could go on for days writing about this – but the mind doesn’t see in words – it sees in pictures – and I want you to get the full impact of what’s at stake here as a parent and what you can do to protect those you love. The video embedded below is powerful – especially if you’re a parent of young children. What I really like about this product is that it doesn’t force you to hide or lock up your children from the scum that may be after them – but it will warn and help you protect them. It puts you back in control of the information they now have at their fingertips.

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!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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Carnival Upgrades Agent Portal…

Thursday, August 12th, 2010
15
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Every challenge comes with an opportunity to learn and grow. Smart people and good companies take full advantage of such an opportunity while others – well…not so much.

Carnival has been an interesting “case study” over the last few years. The various challenges the with rising fuel prices and the eventual recession that followed keeping more people at home, Carnival has managed to handle the adversity very well with a willingness to make tough choices, and the ability to rethink and transform their operations to streamline their business and continue to turn a profit.

Automation has played a key roll in Carnival’s transformation and ability to remain “The Most Popular Cruise Line in the World”. It’s not that you couldn’t book and manage clients through Carnival’s agent portal prior, but much of the “call center” activities that lingering old timers have known for years is now gone. (And they’re visibly upset – as usual.)

Early Saver, Pack & Go and Interline Rates have been handled via automation for a while now. Resident Rates, Senior Promotions, Military Rates and Travel Agent Cruise Sales recently went into automation mode August 1st. With so many new features now handled online only, Carnival decided to streamline their Agent Portal for ease of use with a totally new agent portal called GoCCL.com.

GoCCL was created with the Agent in mind, making it easier-to-navigate, more information than ever before, and it’s even Google-search-powered. The end result helps agents speed up the sales process along with some innovative and creative tools to help market to clients and prospects.

Carnival focused on these key areas:

  • Improved design and organization – Carnival took all the constructive feedback and designed GoCCL.com around the concept that the right tool is only one-click away. You’ll always be ready when your customer is.
  • The right information – when you need it. Now, there’s no more searching around the portal for information you need. GoCCL.com features a completely redesigned Resource Center that gives you lightning-fast access to a comprehensive library of sales programs and product information. Finding the right link is a breeze with GoCCL’s Google-powered search engine.
  • Booking Tools – Create and manage reservations, access FunShipPay and verify Guest Document Status.
  • Marketing Tools – It’s the one-stop place for all of your marketing needs, including the updated Ad Wizard, eBrochures, Collateral Ordering Tool, Brand Center, Fun Itineraries – as well as our Carnival Fun Tees!
  • Training – Explore informative training videos, exclusive Webinars and learn more about how to advance your business at CCL University. You can also browse schedules and register for executive conferences, exciting shipboard events and our signature “Funtastic” Fam Weekends.
  • Resource Center – This is the place to get all the information you need. You’ll find Carnival news and updates, FAQs, forms and policies, and Carnival products and program details. Be sure to check out our value-packed Knowledge Center: a great reference resource with facts about Carnival procedures, ship and port information – and much more.
  • Specials – Get the scoop on Carnival specials, Early Saver fares, promotional programs, featured specials and other great deals for your clients.
  • News and Alerts – The home page news ticker displays Carnivals latest news and important advisories and remains visible throughout the site.

The GoCCL portal is a state-of-the-art sales and marketing tool that will not only keep Carnival number one, but possibly widen the gap as new agents embrace the technology that’s available today. From the looks of it, it will make sales and marketing faster, easier, and more powerful than ever before.

If you look back over this blog and all the articles we’ve written about Carnival over the years, you’ll see that change is in fact a good thing. It’s not about being broken or unproductive – it’s about tweaking and moving forward in today’s fast paced and information rich environment with more opportunities than ever before. Reminds me of another “business model” that’s near and dear to our hearts. (And we’ve documented plenty about THAT topic here too!)

So go check out GoCCL.com. I think you’ll like the upgrade once you come aboard!

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!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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YTB Travel Network Makes Power List – Again…

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
29
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You know, I looked for this list last week and didn’t see it. Then mid-morning yesterday, it dawned on me that it might be out this week. After writing about this Power List the last 4 years (because YTB has made the list all 4 years) I can go directly to the URL without even needing to look it up. I’ve enjoyed the publication (I enjoy it all year long actually) and it’s fascinating to see the chess match that goes on in the travel industry.

Ironically, Travel Weekly appears to see it as a chess match as well, but on a much grander scale – the last decade. There have been some new faces (like YTB) that have shown up in the last few years and others that have either gone completely out of business or have been acquired by or merged with other companies. (More of the latter from what I can tell.)

The biggest surprise to me was who knocked off the #1 and #2 positions the last few years. American Express and Carlson Wagonlit have had a lock on the the number one and number two spots respectively until this year. (American Express has had a lock on #1 since 1992, when the Power List first came out.)

Online giant Expedia jumped over both this year to take the number one spot.

Yep, online travel is now king.

The list also shrunk in size this year (from 61 total to 52) because – well 2009 was a rough year for travel. Bookings may have been up – but with prices cut in half to get people on board ships, into hotel rooms, and on vacation you literally needed to sell twice as much in order to even maintain your spot from last year.

How did YTB fair in all this?

Not too bad actually. YTB did drop from 25 to 29.

Considering the economy, the incessant and dysfunctional obsession from industry “professionals” about YTB’s MLM model and our fine group of ambulance chasers who can’t quite grasp the meaning of the word “NO” – 29 is actually pretty good.

On the other hand, most clients who book with YTB don’t know (or don’t really care) that there’s an MLM arm attached to the company. Technology plays a big part in that.

I’d highly recommend taking some time to read Travel Weekly’s cover Story “10 Years In Review” to attain their perspective on how technology has changed the face of travel. I’ve been writing about it for years here – but I’m just one of those MLM “Yahoo’s” – a newcomer to the industry who really doesn’t know how things work. (Or so some would have you think.)

Turns out that the internet and technology has not only changed the rankings considerably over the last ten years, but it’s essential in the growth and viability of the vast majority of the agencies who are still around. That’s not to say high touch and high service doesn’t continue to play a role like most of the old dogs would have you believe. (The ones who demand this type of service from YTB in order to legitimize the model.)

A total focus on high touch and high service however, would have certainly landed YTB on the outside of this Power List looking in.

Back in 2001 when YTB was founded, they saw a trend towards technology. Today, over $50 BILLION in travel was purchased online last year between Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline, and Travelocity. While all four certainly produced top 10 rankings, Travelocity didn’t provide sales numbers and wasn’t included in this years rankings. (See “What happened to…” in the Travel Weekly report.)

Those who have embraced this shift and taken advantage of the paradigm shift from brick and mortar to click and order have done very well for themselves over the last ten years.

Those who haven’t? Well, you can now find them on various message boards, forums and some have even created their own blogs to bitch and complain about how MLM not technology has ruined their business.

Change is a little more difficult for some – and honestly, some may never come around. (I certainly wouldn’t count on it.) I wouldn’t worry about it however. They’re the ones who are faced with another Power List with the name YTB Travel Network in it for the forth year in a row.

Instead, embrace the technology YTB has provided with new an innovative ways of booking travel.

In fact, you can do that tonight if you’d like. Carnival will be featured once again on our booking engine with yet another “Sail-A-Thon” to wind down Carnival Month with YTB. It’s a live 4 hour blowout sale and you could get up to $160 Cash Back from Carnival if you book with us tonight.

Technology and travel…

It appears to be the right mix if you ask me. ;-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!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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A Little Help Over Here!

Friday, May 28th, 2010
11
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One of the quickest and easiest ways to expand business is to hire “virtual employees”.

I first read about the idea of outsourcing certain tasks in an effort to be more productive a few years ago in a book by Timothy Ferriss “The 4-Hour Workweek“. While I’ve always understood the concept, and there’s a part of my that likes it – I’ve always been the type that likes to do things on my own. Especially when it comes to working on the computer. (I’m a computer geek – what can I say.)

Business however has gotten to the point that I need some help if I’m going to expand and grow beyond my current levels. There’s only so much of “me” to go around – so the time has come to start outsourcing.

Here’s the thing – there are plenty of companies I can do this with – but I’d kind of like to “share the wealth” so to speak with my readership. I mean why not? I know someone has the talent I need and it might as well come from someone who’s been faithful and responsive to this blog or our newsletter.

Here’s the deal:

I’ve got a couple of new newsletters that I’m producing and a couple new blogs that I’m ghost writing for. I’ve scoured the internet for just the right template and simply can’t find one that fits my criteria.

So the only way I’m going to get what I want is to create it myself or outsource it.

While I love programing and code – Microsoft in their infinite wisdom decided to base their HTML rendering in MS Word to be difficult. (It’s a huge thorn in the side of programmers and copywriters.) I just don’t have the time right now to create something on my own that would fit what I need for both formats.

But I bet there’s someone out there I know that can do it for me. ;-P

What I need is an HTML and CSS based newsletter template compatible with MS Outlook 2007 or 2010 Beta versions. (Among other formats.) The template newsletter will be distributed with Aweber and the template needs to display identically on MS Outlook compared to the preview page of Aweber. The template will have 4 main sections plus a footer and a header. Each section and corresponding subsection will also require the proper comment brackets inserted within the code so that each sub section can be easily identified and/or moved and changed via code only. Updated graphics and a Web 2.0 look is also a huge plus.

I can supply some examples and some of the key issues and difficulties I’ve run into to help clarify any questions.

I do have a budget for this particular project and if the work meets my expectations (solves my problem in a timely manor) there will be other projects that will be available as we grow and expand. (A number of lucrative JV opportunities are being discussed at this time.) Any programming will also be properly credited to the designer and linked to the proper contact information and/or website.

So what do you say? I’d much rather give this to someone I know – rather someone I don’t via some service.

If interested, feel free to contact me with samples of your work along with pricing.

Thanks! And enjoy your extended weekend!

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!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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Exhibits of Total Coolness

Friday, May 21st, 2010
12
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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!

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!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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You Inc.

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
19
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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.

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Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
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