When I ran into this marriage of eco-friendly travel and iPhone app – I fell in love. Both happen to be two of my favorite subjects in the whole world right now. I’ve always been a technology geek, and love how it’s used to increase productivity and speed. When it helps out the environment too – it’s simply a slam dunk.

I’ve collected an entire page of “green” applications on my iPhone over the years. (Probably installed at least two pages, but condensed it down to the applications I use most.)

Catherine Mack is responsible for creating a brand new application in iTunes called Ireland Green Travel. Catherine is a travel writer specializing in green, eco, responsible and ethical tourism. She also holds a Masters degree in Responsible Tourism Management. Her new application for the iPhone features the best green accommodations, activities and hiking adventures, along with eco-friendly places to stay in Ireland.

Green places to stay include lakeside lodges, yurt camps, island retreats, eco-castles, grand houses “with more than just grand green gestures”, yoga retreats, community-run hostels, switched-on hotels and activity centers throughout the island of Ireland, North and South of the border. The application also features how to get there without using a car.

Catherine wrote a book called Eco Escape: Ireland some years ago and wanted to update it. What she ended up with was not only an update on all the eco-friendly places and activities that are popping up all over the Ireland – but an update in technology with this cool new mobile app.

According to Catherine, she was a bit hesitant about creating an application instead of the tried and true guidebook. After launching the new application however, Catherine admits there are a myriad of benefits for both her and the end user. Her biggest surprise was how she could update the application with new tours and activities without having to re-write a new book or application. End users also have to capability to interact and connect through the application with Google Maps, YouTube videos, train timetables; links to walking trails, and eye catching photos.

The new iPhone app is moderately priced at $2.99 and can be found in the iTunes store. You can also search for the application directly on your iPhone under “Ireland Green Travel”.

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When I bought this domain back in 2004, I had no idea it would turn into something like this. The name actually came from another business I created at the time that did okay – but honestly, had no clue how to market at the time. When I purchased the domain, “Just Picture It Now” was a business that put your pictures on hats, coffee mugs, t-shirts and even underwear.

Year’s later, this domain is well known for YTB Travel, ZamZuu along with an experienced and accurate account of the Direct Sales and Network Marketing industry. Because I’ve been consistent in my writing with hundreds of articles and never shy away from controversy – this site is now well linked with hundreds of outside sites and domains pointing here.

In Internet terms, this is called a backlink, which is like a vote when it comes to search engines. The more backlinks you have pointing to your site from unique IP addresses and servers the more credibility you have in the eyes of Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines.

When I see an backlink in my dashboard I check it off as another vote. (And no, Google doesn’t care one iota about what’s actually being said; just that someone is pointing Internet users here.)

Building backlinks to your pages is an essential part of SEO (short for Search Engine Optimization) for two reasons. The first reason is that it helps your pages get indexed faster, which is very important because you want the search engines to find them as soon as possible and crawl them regularly. (I’ve seen brand new articles of mine index within 5 to 10 minutes.) The second reason is that it helps your pages get higher search engine rankings for the keywords of your choice.

The more backlinks you have, the better. Period.

However, building backlinks can be a time-consuming process. I’ve been writing for years on various subjects. I’ve also garnered both positive and negative attention over the years, and a lot of people point to this site for information and articles. Some outsource the process to an agency and pay a lot of money. Or you can do it yourself with a very cool little tool that was recommended to me called SocialMonkee.

When talking with a friend of mine about our new site OurSharedEarth.com, I mentioned how I wish I had the type of links there that I have here. He’s been helping others with SEO and site management for years. When he recommended SocialMonkee as an instant backlink builder allowing you to build 25 unique backlinks, every day, for free I want to check it out. When I saw that all links are on unique C-Class IP addresses and domains that was a huge plus. (As the video on the page mentions, it would cost an arm and a leg to do it yourself.) Imagine being able to create 25 unique backlinks every day from separate domains, separate IP’s and separate servers, with the click of a button?

So, 25 unique backlinks every day. That’s a total of 175 backlinks every week, 750 every month. You can also upgrade and build 100 unique backlinks, up to 3 times a day. That would make a total of 2,100 backlinks every week, 9,000 every month. The good news is – you can get a Premium Account, free! All you need to do is to refer 12 members, and your account will automatically be upgraded. If you’re not really into referral marketing, you may upgrade right now for a low one-time fee.

Submitting a page or an article to Social Monkee via the member’s area takes under two minutes. They’ve also created a Firefox plugin (Which I’ve installed and currently use) that allows you to submit your page to up to 100 sites in just a few clicks, using nothing but Firefox. If you have a Premium Account you will also get access to link reports and RSS feeds, which are great to keep track of your backlinks and get them indexed fast. Submitting your RSS feeds to RSS submitters is actually a very important step in link building.

I’ve heard that Social Monkee won’t be free forever, so it’s best to get on the ball now if you’re looking to build backlinks to your site. Honestly, I think it’s worth it, even if they do charge a fee, but because it’s free now – it’s really a no brainer for anyone looking to create more recognition and search optimization to your site. In a few days or weeks, you’ll have a ton more backlinks to your site adding brand recognition and search engine credibility.

It’s worth a try – get Social Monkee here.

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I’m not a big NBA fan. Hardly watch any basketball to be honest. The closest I ever got to watching the NBA as a kid was “The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh“.

Like most, I was aware of an NBA move this past off season. LeBron James left Cleveland in favor of Miami in the biggest free agency move the league might have ever seen. The hope for LaBron would be a title with better talent surrounding him in Miami. He tried it with Cleveland the last seven years, without much luck, so LeBrone figured a change was in order.

The move really upset everyone in Cleveland – including majority owner of the Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert who called the move “selfishness and cowardly betrayal” in an open letter to fans. Proclaiming that the Cleveland curse will follow LaBron and “until he does ‘right’ by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.”

Which proves you can still be petty AND very rich at the same time.

The “open letter” gave Cavalier fans permission to be just as petty and vocal towards LaBron all summer long – who hadn’t made a shot for Miami until last Tuesday night in the season opener – and lost.

This wasn’t an entire team that left. Not like the Browns who moved to Baltimore in 1995 – which by the way also ended one of the biggest rivalries in the NFL at the time. Believe it or not, Steelers fans also felt the impact of that move – and most felt a partial loss with Cleveland in a Monday Night Football game in Pittsburgh against Cleveland just after the announcement was made.

LaBron is a single player – a one man show if you will. True he was considered the keystone of the franchise to build around with other talent to capture a title and a home town boy to boot – but there’s no “I” in “Team”. Still, LeBron became the poster child in Cleveland for everything that’s wrong in professional sports. I didn’t realize how bizarre and emotional it was until I started to research for this article. You’d think the guy joined a Travel MLM based on some of the comments and emotion surrounding this move.

LaBron, in one of the most interesting commercials I’ve seen in a long time finally came up with a response all the bantering this summer. This isn’t about what LeBron James has done, or hasn’t done. This is about the difference between the expectations others may have of him versus the expectations he has of himself.

His answer is a question – “What Should I Do”? As if to ask critics and detractors who have taken to verbal abuse and burning his jersey directly. Pretending as if anyone else knows what’s best for the NBA star better than he does. It is after all his life – his goals – and his decision.

Too many times, we get hung up on the opinions of others. We allow it to stand in the way of what motivates us or what we believe would make us happy or successful. If you’re able to step outside the emotional baggage that others carry into the equation and look inward to your own core beliefs – none of the screaming going on outside really matters.

I love this commercial because it’s exactly how I feel towards the critics and cynics who are under the illusion that their opinions and perceptions actually matter when it comes to what I do and who I choose to associate with.

Like T. Harv Ecker taught me so many years ago in three short words – “Thanks for sharing”.

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If you’ve paid attention to some of 2010′s biggest launches, you probably noticed one thing they had in common.

List Control
Product Launch Formula 3.0
Video Boss
Outsource Force

All these guys had a little link at the bottom that said “Powered By Kajabi” and until now, not too many people knew what that was about.

Today, FINALLY, answers!

Kajabi has already changed the way John Reese, Andy Jenkins, Frank Kern, Trey Smith, and Jeff Walker marketed their biggest products this year. After looking at this puppy, I think it’s going to change the way EVERYONE markets online. And after you watch the video linked here, it’ll probably make a convert out of you too.

Not too much to say here because you need to see this to appreciate what it can do, so go see this for yourself NOW!

If your still here because you’re wondering if Kajabi is actually AFFORDABLE, (which it is) it’s free to try for two whole weeks. But it’s a limited time deal for the trial, so best to go NOW.

My only question now is this: Why are you still reading this?  Push-button internet marketing is free for 14 days when you check Kajabi out!

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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Because we’ve expanded and diversified our business with the launch of ZamZuu, I’m finding myself doing a lot more surfing on the internet for products I both want and need.

While ZamZuu business owners can be considered “early adopters” and part of the $155.2 billion that was actually spent online last year, according to a Forrester study released just last month $917 billion worth of retail sales last year were “web-influenced.” Meaning; far more people (at least for right now) are using the internet to do their research on the internet, and then heading out to the store to make their purchase. That’s 67 percent of the online population, and I’ve seen studies that claim 75 percent.

Let’s face it, after the economic meltdown we had in late 2008 and 2009, now more than ever, saving money is the new green. It’s a big reason why ZamZuu has been welcomed with open arms in our company. Cash back puts green back in our pockets.

We’re not the only ones who have caught on to this paradigm shift. The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) also released a report in early April which reveals advertisers spent a record high of $6.3 billion during the fourth quarter of 2009, in an attempt to attract surfers. That’s a new high for a single quarter in Internet advertising revenues, which reached $22.7 billion for the year in 2009.

Nearly half of that revenue is being paid in search and display-related advertising. Think Google AdWords – those little three line ads you see along the right hand of the search page. I recorded a CNBC special report a few weeks ago entitled “Inside the Mind of Google” which reported that Google made $4.3 billion in PROFIT from Google AdWords alone. Another report just last week quoted that Yahoo! saw its first quarter profit more than double from last year, driven by growth in online advertising and lower operating expenses.

It’s abundantly clear that money and revenue is shifting right now away from print, radio and television to the internet. Why? With E-Commerce, the whole transaction takes place online, making it very easy to track and measure. The ROI also skyrockets because advertisers don’t pay per impression or how many eyes actually see the ad, instead only pay for those who actually click on the ad.

Here’s the problem, and I think you can relate: When I Google something to research and compare pricing for a product, more times than not, my first page results aren’t based on the lowest price – but who paid the highest price for ad placement. With more and more money being thrown at internet advertising and the amount of revenue it generates for all of the top search engines, I don’t see that changing any time soon.

In fact – it could get worse as more companies catch on with all out bidding wars breaking out to capture their share of this consumer shift.

So how do you make sense of and sift through all this advertising to find the best deals?

One solution I’ve been introduced too is a very cool app called MyShoppingGenie. It’s completely free to install and its sole purpose is to help you navigate through the vast array of information found when doing a search to find products based on price. By searching on any of the major engines available the Genie appears as a navigator that pulls up not only the stores that offer the product you’re looking for, the price their selling it for.

For example, our son Brain is into Pokemon and wanted the new Heartgold version for his DS. We did an internet search and up popped the Genie with a “compare” button. Within seconds I had a price from Wal-mart of $30.54, CD Universe with $39.95, and Dell, Best Buy, and Toys R Us with a price of $39.99.

From here it’s easy to see that all I have to do is log in to ZamZuu and go directly to Wal-Mart to make my purchase to either ship it or order a site to store for pickup.

All in a fraction of the time it use to take me with a regular search or going from site to site looking searching at individual stores.

While that’s great – it gets even better. Check this out.

Because I’m giving this app away to my list of clients and customers who either book travel with me, or shop with me through ZamZuu, my app is “branded” with a ZamZuu logo and a link that goes directly to my ZamZuu shopping page. When they find the right price, and it happens to be one of the 700 stores we have within ZamZuu, getting cash back for that item is now a simple click away. (Download the app and see for yourself.)

Now think about this…people search on average 88 times per month. Each time they do that search now, my ZamZuu logo appears each and every time they search. No e-mailing, no calling, and no paid advertising – it just shows up every time they do a search on any of the major search engines.

If that doesn’t get you thinking about possibilities it gets even better.

You know all that money we talked about – the $917 BILLION in sales that was generated via searches, and the $22.7 BILLION in advertising revenue being spent for clicks from those searches last year? Each time my customers click one of the ads when comparing prices it generates revenue from the free app that I gave away.

I’m generating revenue coming and going. Granted, at this point there are more searches right now than buyers, however, as the shift continues to evolve over the next few years, I’ve giving my customers a very easy and accessible format to capture more sales when they buy and get cash back through my ZamZuu site.

This opens up a whole new market, and it’s no longer based on what I want to sell, but what my customers actually want to buy from 200,000 stores, liquidators and product manufacturers, including over 1,000,000 coupons and special offers. I’m not only buying and getting cash back from Omaha Steaks through ZamZuu, but finding incredible coupons for additional savings on the “deals” link. (Ronda LOVES the coupons she’s found on both national and local stores saving us a TON of money from this app.)

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In closing, you at least need to check out this app and see how it works for yourself. Heck, it’s free for goodness sake and it’s going to help you turn the tables on the big search engines who are only thinking about how much money they’re generating from paid ads when you’re searching for products.

If you by chance you see another revenue stream and a very viable option in branding your ZamZuu business, just “reply” to my newsletter and I’ll not only answer your questions, but help you set this free app with your own ZamZuu logo and link to capture a bigger piece of this internet boom.

No pressure, and no hard sale. You both see these numbers and want in, or you don’t.

Just let me know if you want to capture a slice of this boom.

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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Phil Mickelson was once known as the best player without a major title. When Tiger Woods exploded onto the PGA scene back in 1996, questions if Phil would ever win a major began to circulate even more.

For me, Mickelson has always been one of those players I’ve always rooted for. It seems like ages since Phil’s second place finishes were the major topic of conversation after major tournaments. His third green jacket yesterday put Phil an elite group of golfers with names like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicholas, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.

Mickelson’s victory and his moment with his ailing wife, Amy was a stark contrast to Tiger Woods’ behavior that was exposed to the public last November. Ironically, both the Masters win, his third Green Jacket, and his wife cements Phil Mickelson’s place in this era alongside Tiger Woods.

Phil’s dedication to his wife and family make him a fan favorite for even the part time viewer of major tournaments like the Masters.

There were so many shots during this tournament, but the one I’ll always remember was Phil’s shot off of the pine needles on No. 13 between two imposing trees trying to reach the green in two shots. A risky shot with Ray’s Creek protecting the green that could have eliminated Phil from contention. (Memories of The Shark back in 1996 and Nick Faldo winning ran through my head when Phil hit the shot.)

A stroke that will be overlooked because of his win however was back on the front 9 on hole No. 2 during his birdie bid. In the middle of the green, during his back stroke a seed dropped out of the sky from nowhere directly in line with the hole. As a result, the seed bumped the ball ever so slightly to the left which robbed him of a birdie bid early in the round.

He admitted during his press conference that the shot raised questions if someone was out to get him. Like a true Champion however, he put it behind him rather quickly with a birdie on the very next hole and he never looked back.

That’s what true Champions do. There will always be situations that appear to be beyond your control. You can’t let a little bump in the road ruin your main focus. 

Augusta National will always have a special place in my heart. It’s one of most beautiful places on earth for some of the world’s most elite golfers. Television, even HD TV doesn’t do this course justice. You have to experience the course for yourself to realize just how beautiful and majestic this course really is.

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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In my short five years in the Travel Industry there’s one thing that I’ve come to not only know, but expect from traditional Travel Agents:

They absolutely LOVE to complain.

In all the industries, all the companies I’ve worked for during my adult life, I’ve never seen an industry so quickly drawn to anger and criticism the way Travel Agents are. It’s no wonder so many of them have gone out of business. Currently, with two thirds unable to show a profit last year, one might suggest that a bit more focus on their own business would be in order – rather than spending time and energy on someone else’s.

Not Travel Agents. They relish the role of victim and have an uncanny way of finding something to complain about – even if it’s a half a world away.

I first caught wind of this iTrek story and promotion in Australia called “The Travel Agent Is Dead” at the beginning of the month. I didn’t think much of it, nor was it “news” to me by any means.

As we’ve come to expect, the industry can never let anything go. Quite the opposite. Since the initial story posted on March 8th, there have been numerous other articles on the progress, compounded with more bickering back and forth within the community.

As a result, more heals are being dug in on both sides of the fence that only heightens the hostility and anger – now almost a month old.

There soon appeared to be a tie with Travel Guard in this developing story, in which they proceeded to do some major backpedaling in order to save themselves from the wrath of the Travel Agent community. If you’re wondering how Travel Guard got mixed up in this mess half way around the world, they do some of the underwriting for iTrek. Enormous pressure (and blame) was bestowed upon them in order to “fix” this promotion once and for all.

After all the dust settled, I’m reading Travel Agent Central yesterday only to find that iTrek has decided to move forward with the promotion. While putting an end to the gala affair they initially planned for this promotion, they’ve decided to move forward with the film competition and prize awards, however, on a much smaller scale. We found this on their website home page.

THE RUMOURS ARE TRUE.

Unfortunately “The Travel Agent Is Dead”, is dead. The competition has come to a tragic and premature end due to the unprecedented hostile response from Travel Agents in both the USA and Australia.

There has been a biblical over reaction by Travel Agents to this marvelous competition. The pressure that was put on our Underwriter to withdraw support for this competition was of the highest degree and due to this relentless onslaught we are unable to continue with the campaign.

Biblical overreaction. Sound familiar? You bet it does!

I’ve seen far too many “relentless onslaughts” from this community over the years, to the point that it makes me sick to my stomach that we actually work in the same industry. It’s not only appalling; it’s embarrassing to see grown adults react in this fashion.

And that will eventually be their downfall – they “react”, they never “respond”.

And there is a difference.

In my humble opinion, Travel Agents as a whole need to get a spine and start promoting their value – rather than attacking and condemning everything that appears to stand in their way. It’s gone past the point of sad to the point of absurd. You just can’t get anywhere effectively by doing this type of bickering. With every problem lies a solution, but most can’t get out of the way, due to the emotional outbursts we see all too often. None of them ever appear to take the time to look at more effective ways to respond to any given situation.

Look at YTB. Sure, the hostility and public shame has driven some away, but our company as a whole is much stronger and far more resilient than they ever imagined. That’s the nature and the beauty of the Direct Sales and Network Marketing model. There’s power in our numbers, and no two people are going to perceive or respond exactly the same way. In stark contrast to the Travel Agent community, our industry spends far more time looking for opportunities to advance and improve – not blatantly attack and tear down.

In their defense, nobody likes being called a dinosaur or worse – dead. They see evidence of things changing around them every day. Look at the Travel Weekly Power List. Four of the top ten companies are on-line Agencies, producing a combined $45 BILLION in sales without any need or want for their fine services, which they proudly hold near and dear to their heart. And they should be proud of what they offer. Likewise there is a market for their fine customer service and support.

The problem as I see it comes from the heart – instead of using their heads. As a result, the emotions elevate and compound each situation instead of finding an applicable resolution that most everyone can agree on.

Produce another competition here in the U.S. for all the reasons why you actually need a Travel Agent. (Without any need or desire to even speak of iTrek.) With all their years of experience I’m sure there are some wild stories that could be told. Real horror stories and how they came to the rescue and aid of long time clients they’ve helped over the years. Not only could it be extremely informative but down right fun to watch if done in the proper spirit. And by proper spirit – I mean in a way that I’ve heard them talk for years – a Travel Agent is your partner – a Travel Agent is your friend – a Travel Agent is there to build a relationship with you. It’s the only way a Travel Agent can offer the perfect vacation or travel experience.

All features you just can’t get from a web site – bits and bytes simply can’t compete in that regard.

Promote your features, advantages – benefits as to why your worth every penny, while at the same time saving your clients valuable time and money.

What a novel idea.

Instead…what we see is more anger, with more fingers being pointed – this time from across the globe. All that does is push potential clients away. What’s even more amazing to me is their anger is directed at a company that the average American has never even heard of until Travel Agents decided to make a stink. Now, not only do more people know about them, but iTrek actually won more promotional leverage in a market that’s very keen on saving every penny they can. Based on what I’ve seen, who would want to work with a hostile and angry Agent like the one iTrek described? You couldn’t pay me to book with some of these “professionals” at this point.

At this rate and with their attitude, they will be dead when it’s all said and done.

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