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.

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

• Carnival Cruise Lines – Check!
• Pleasant Holidays - Check!
• Princess Cruise Lines - Check!

Tonight, we’d like to introduce a brand new vendor for the VERY popular Sail-A-Thon series right on our booking engine!

Please welcome MSC Cruises to the growing list of vendors that YTB Travel Network has highlighted over the years – offer incredible deals for you tonight, Tuesday September 14th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm CST. (Special rebroadcast that same night at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm CST.)

Here are the details and specials you’ll find tonight;

• $599 Fall Balcony blow out. All sailings in fall except the Thanksgiving cruise.
• ALL Fall sailing early booking discount $50.00 per person
• Fall cabin upgrades
• Winter Caribbean cabin upgrades
• $599 Winter Mediterranean on the Magnifica
• More specials to be announced live on Tuesday, September 14th.

**All rates are Per Person.

Not familiar with MSC or know what’s offered by the cruise line? Now’s your chance to find out directly from MSC on this one hour webinar. It’s truly a very classy cruise line, and boasts the newest fleet of cruise ships sailing today.

MSC offers the perfect blend of European charm and modern Italian elegance. MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia also offer the “MSC Yacht Club”, an exclusive ship within a ship offering the ultimate in luxury cruising. A haven of peace and refinement with exclusive butler service and a complete spectrum of private facilities to bring you an unforgettable luxury cruise experience.

It’s a class all by itself.

But don’t take my word for it, come see for yourself right from the comfort of your own home. All you have to do is join us tonight to find out more about YTB Travel Network and MSC Cruises.

Who knows – you could possibly book the best cruise of your life with us on MSC Cruises.

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

I wanted to give “yenz guys” a heads up. (That’s Pittsburgheze for “Ya’ll” here in Georgia)

I don’t plan on posting anything next week here on the blog. Instead, I’ve been contracted to write for another company and a pretty extensive project. (Which will remain nameless.) Being as visible as I am and with hundreds of posts over the years, people do contact me from time to time to write. I’ve been told numerous times that I have a style that’s not only very personal, but entertaining.

While I don’t actively seek out this type of work, I’ve written for several companies and blogs over the last two years that has not only been a lot of fun, but turning into a profitable little business. This particular project is extremely time sensitive and with the amount of articles they’re looking for, I’d much rather focus my time and energy busting this out.

I’ll be back as soon as I can. (Most likely a week.)

I’ve heard it said that if you find a way to get paid for doing what you love to do – you’ll never “work” another day in your life. Well, I’m living proof of that. It’s not always easy, and it’s not always a bed of roses – but it certainly beats punching a time clock and making money for someone else in a dead end J.O.B.

Besides, I’m far too spoiled at this point with the ability to call my own shots, and create my own schedule.

Not to worry, the Newsletter will still go out as scheduled and if I happen to find anything during the week that tickles my fancy, I may pop in for a quick post – but don’t count on it.

Until then…

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Remember those goals we wrote about at the beginning of the year? Just wanted to do a little check up with you on how they’re going.

As January comes to a close next week we’re coming up on the time of year when the fitness clubs start to thin out, McD0nald’s and other fast food service restaurants begin to see an increase in profits, and sales for Nicorette gums and patches drop way down. It’s much more noticeable this time of year because everyone comes into the new year with a bang, only to fade off weeks later and go back to a comfort zone they’re familiar with.

If you’re in the Network Marketing or Direct Sales industry, you see this kind of thing all year long. That’s why I never get too disappointed when someone tells me no, nor do I get too excited when they say yes and sign up. You learn very quickly that talk is cheap.

Those who have a big enough “why” however, have a much better chance to achieve the goals they’ve set out before them. My grandfather for example had two heart attacks and a mild stroke when I was young. After his second heart attack, the doctor told him he’d never be able to more than walk the dog around the block for the rest of his life. He was in his 40′s at the time, and that’s all he needed to hear in order to quit smoking cold turkey and start exercising.

When I was 16, the two of us rode together on a 50 mile bike ride. (And I was the one who struggled.)

He’s 90 this year, and still walks to the grocery store, the doctor – dentist – and various other locations to keep him active.

He had a big why.

I got into this industry for a pretty big why too.

Security.

See, both Ronda and I had been burned far too many times in the corporate world. Four months after our son Brian was born, Ronda was laid off at Bellsouth after 6 years of service. I had been in the golf industry with a very large company who filed bankruptcy. I then moved to wire and cable with a company who was shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission for fraud. (Cooking the books.) I worked for Gateway for a short time in their stores before they closed them and went into the big box stores. And my last stint in traditional business was a company called Hi-Fi Buys which I got out of when rumors started to surface about bankruptcy. (Which they eventually did.)

I’ve been with YTB for 5 years now – which is longer than all those other companies combined.

What YTB did for me was teach me how to be self sufficient. It’s also given me an incredible amount of self confidence. One of the reasons I’ve stuck with the company even with all the doom and gloom I use to hear about – I have the tools, mindset, and skills today to not only survive – but thrive on my own.

I never would have learned all that if I didn’t have a big enough why.

My peers at the time, the companies I worked for, nor did any schools teach me anything about being in business for myself. It wasn’t until I got around others like Coach, my Directors, and other Network Marketers that I needed to think about a company called “You, Inc.”

“You, Inc.”, has taught me how to look at a problem and come up with a solution to solve that problem. Look at my newsletter – now with thousands of subscribers. All started because I was smart enough to see a solution to a communication problem. I look at the market, realize what it needs, and offer services and products that cater to that market. It’s built trust and stability for me that I just couldn’t get in the corporate world.

All because I had a big enough why.

Even with all the ups and downs that YTB has had over the years – it’s a far better alternative and much more rewarding than working in the corporate rat race.

Find your why and you’ll have the same passion and stability. It won’t necessarily make the road less difficult, but it will give you the extra burst to break through to the other side to realize the rewards of the goals you’ve set.

Opportunity will knock for those who are ready, willing, and have a big enough why.

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

I guess I’m extremely callous. After all these years of reading Anti-MLM Zealots perceptions, predictions, and outright exaggerations about life and how they perceive this world – I can pretty much count on the exact opposite view or perception being the one that’s accurate. As a marketer and online entrepreneur, the last few months have been rather interesting as I’ve read, watched, and gained insight to the new FTC Guidelines concerning Blogging, Affiliates, and Advertising that went into effect yesterday, December 1st.

It might surprise you that advertising guidelines haven’t been updated since 1980 – which we all know is long before most of us even had a computer in the home or at the office – let alone internet access. Needless to say, these new guidelines for the internet have been long overdue. For some who like to live on the edge – like it or not – their way of doing business needs to change or they’ll face some hefty penalties if they don’t.

What’s so astounding to me is the reaction of a few really valuable bloggers, affiliates, and marketers, and what they have done recently because of these new guidelines. All of the sudden they’re running scared – some to the point of ending their blogs and affiliate programs because they’re fearful of what the FTC might do. Why? Because they’ve bought into all the fear mongering, half truths, myths, and flat out lies about what the new guidelines from the FTC are actually designed to do.

Based on what I’ve studied over the last few months concerning these new guidelines – those of us who have been doing business ethically and properly, have nothing to worry about. A simple disclaimer that states “duh – I get paid when you purchase from this link on my blog” (or something to that effect) will cover most of what you see on a blog like this one.

Yes, I know that adds (like the ones to the right) are painfully obvious. It might surprise some that there are people who take issue with the concept of sharing a portion of what they purchased with the person who introduced them to the product. YTB and other Travel MLM critics provide a perfect example of this type of stupidity and wealth envy. The thought that I get paid commission when I simply point someone to my “Booking Engine” and receive actual money when a service or product is purchased from my site is unethical and deceptive to them.

Why? Because in their mind I didn’t do anything that warrants a commission. I didn’t “work” for that sale in the same way they’re familiar with. They call it lazy – cheap – and a scam.

Look, I’m a marketer and entrepreneur and I use various marketing materials and subscribe to various entrepreneurial publications and sites. I’m going to obviously write on occasion about these materials and publications that I like. Why they’re a benefit to me and possibly you. If you find a link to the material, publication, product, or service – there’s a very high probability that it’s an affiliate link and when you find that the benefits, services, products that I talk about will benefit you as well – if you purchase the product like I have, I’m going to receive a commission for referring you to that product.

Now I know that the vast majority could of you care less about me and what I make because every single one of us (including me) are selfish and more interested in our own features and benefits – and what the product is going to do for “me”. (In this case “me” actually means “you”, not “me”.) However, there are those who believe it would be deceptive – unethical – immoral – or otherwise fraudulent that someone would be paid for writing and promoting such products without actually telling you that they are getting paid when you purchase these products, services, publications, or materials.

So let’s just cut to the chase here, and tell you that I believe that I provide a very valuable service and product with both this blog and my weekly and monthly newsletter. While I do enjoy and find writing extremely rewarding and gratifying – simply writing without adds, products, services, and other materials in hopes that you will find value and eventually purchase them for yourself, producing income for myself and my family – this blog and newsletter wouldn’t garner the type of quantity and quality that it does because it wouldn’t be worth my time and energy.

The bottom line here is that you’re going to have to tell people upfront that you’re going to be paid or that you received a perk (free copy, or promotional piece) when you write about these products from here on out. For the vast majority of people, they’ll not only find it refreshing and incredibly admirable (which in turn adds more credibility for you) but it helps build your relationship with your readers and subscribers.

For those who have the wealth envy complex and issues with an average guy like me actually obtaining monetary compensation or a perk for writing may never understand or accept this concept or technology. You simply need to accept and understand that their fears and phobias are their own.

If you want a very good overview and explanation of what these new guidelines consist of and what they mean to you as a marketer, blogger, and affiliate the best resource I’ve found was from Jim Edwards. (Through my tax guy affiliate, Ron Mueller) Jim has a great interview with Rich Cleland, Assistant Deputy at The Federal Trade Commission. Rich and Jim will not only give you the best in depth interview I’ve found, but puts the whole FTC Guideline issue into the proper perspective.

You may find, like I do, that these new guidelines are designed to help your business and credibility – not hurt it. You’ll also find , like I have, that there is very little that you’ll need to change in order to adhere to the new guidelines if you’ve been using your noggin and practical common sense.

And no, I’m not being paid or compensated to tell you that. ;-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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

In case your wondering…no you didn’t miss some secret National Convention – Funshine – or some special Birthday Bash this week with YTB. With all the news in the past week, you’d think that there should have been something to get everyone together to celebrate what’s been going on.

Think about it…last Friday we release the new Group Cruise Page with Convergentware and posted a 10Q profit. Tuesday, the company hosted another Carnival Sail-a-thon and tied the Facebook phenomenon into the mix for a very cool and creative way to promote the best vacation money could buy.

Then yesterday, the company rolled out a wish list if you will. A small group of enhancements and improvements that those of us out in the field wanted to see to streamline prospecting and provide information in various departments and topics.

To end the week long list of promotions, enhancements and upgrades we come back to a topic that has been on the mind of many for quite some time.

It’s been over a year now since we first heard about YTB contemplating a franchise model. Soon after, California slapped a $25 million lawsuit with claims of some “gigantic pyramid scheme” in with it the day before the 2008 National Convention. I’ve heard rumor that the franchise announcement was nothing more than a “ploy” to stop the impending litigation which also produced a stance from the same clowns that it would never happen. By the time a settlement was reached (something else clowns never said would happen.) the court documentation that came out verified that a franchise model was required in California because in their eyes YTB was operating an on-line travel agency franchise without registering as one.

“Defendants have operated an on-line travel agency franchise without having registered as a franchise with the California Department of Corporations, in violation of California Corporations Code Section 31005 et seq.;”

By the way, I have no knowledge of any other company ever being accused of being both a pyramid scheme AND franchise at the same time – but leave it to California to be the first to do something like this. ;-P

So, we’ve been hearing about YTB implementing a franchise model for quite some time, and for months the home office has been preparing documents, manuals, and registrations for this new development.

Today, it’s time to take one more step towards making franchise a reality.

Starting today, November 13, 2009, there will be a link to a franchise seller disclosure form in your Rep Back Office. All Reps have to do is log in, answer a few questions, and submit the form. Once YTB officially implements franchise next year, (a little more that a month and a half away) we will be ahead of the game. (And yes, I intend on registering.)

The link will only be active for a limited time. And, you won’t want to miss out on your opportunity to be one of the first to officially register as a franchise seller with YTB.

PLEASE NOTE: All Canadian Reps who might sell a franchise in the United States should fill out this form in their Back Office. Once YTB implements the franchise model in the United States, only registered franchise sellers will be able to market the YTB Affiliate opportunity.

One last clarification – you’ll only be able to register for this document from the YTB Marketing side of the business. You will not find it from the Travel Portal. Remember Reps sell Internet Business Centers – and Travel Agents sell travel. They are two separate opportunities and models.

Wait – you already knew that didn’t you? Sorry – as you were.

Actually – log into you back office and get yourself registered…

Nice job, once again YTB! Thanks for all the info and opportunity to show folks that you’re not only still around, but have plans to be around for a long – long time. It’s been an awesome week.

Got to run…there’s a newsletter to produce with a ton of new content.

C-ya!

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

YTB’s second weekend of the new RPM Training is now complete. The very first class was held just after Funshine in Orlando late last month, with the West Coast getting their first taste of YTB’s Regional Product Marketing this past weekend in San Fransisco and Irvine California. The remainder of the classes for the month of October have been posted in our weekly Newsletter for St. Louis and Kansas City, MO on October 17th – Atlanta, Detroit, Clearwater/Tampa, and Newark, NJ on October 24th – and the month will finish out in Dallas, TX on October 31st.

Additional cities will be announced for November as the company secures facilities to host it’s new training program. Plans right now include Las Vegas, Miami, Phoenix, and Denver, with additional smaller markets in the cities like Montgomery, AL.

As a reminder, RPM Training is designed for existing Reps with access to their back office, where you can find the exact locations for the training classes with instructions on how to register and pay for the courses. (A further review of the new RPM Training and what it entails can be found here.) It should also be noted that this training is for Associates and Reps, and not TSO’s. (TSO’s have First Class, E-Campus, and a plethora of supplier and industry association trainings they can register and participate in for travel related trainings.)

Here are a handful of comments received over the weekend surrounding the new RPM Trainings:

The RPM in Irvine was well worth the drive and the $ spent! Our Directors ROCK!
RPM was a one stop shop covering ALL our up-to-date and IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!
~ Kathy and Robert V., San Diego, CA

So happy to see training for the REPs. Great Job!!
~ Tonia L., Austell, Georgia

I feel that all should enroll and complete this course. It means so much to know more about what we have to offer. How can we promote what we have if we don’t know ourselves.
~ Gloria E., Norfolk, VA

Being new to this business and still learning I found it to be very useful. I feel that any class I can take only helps. I look forward to more trainings. Very well prepared and presented by the 36 new Certified Trainers. Great training.
~ Angela D., Englewood, FL

I strongly feel that EVERYBODY, new or old, should take this course.
~ Barbara C., Hialeah, FL

I enjoyed this experience very much.
~ Debbie J., Anna, IL

Great course. Lots of good info. Would definitely recommend to team members.
~ Joseph B., Saint Petersburg, FL

Great training and very positive. Addressed the needs in getting on track and staying focused.
~ Gregory & Sandra N., Sherwood, AR

Thank you, thank you, and THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!!!
~ Sonya C., Raleigh, NC

The course was great! I kept saying how fast the time was going. It seemed like I just got started and before I knew it, it was over. It totally excited me all over again about the business that I have.
~ Mary V., Mays Landing, NJ

RPM Training Classes are taught by Certified Trainers who have been hand picked by YTB, bringing Reps the most updated, relevant information at the time. The curriculum includes a complete study of all YTB products, how to sell them, and how to build your YTB marketing business.

While it’s still too early to see any residual effects from a training like this, it looks to be a HUGE hit for those who took the time to invest in their business.

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With