If you’re a regular reader of this site – you should know my views about the Better Business Bureau. Truth is, regular reader or not, the articles I wrote last year are widely read with links from BBB Roundup and Google searches from individuals questioning the validity of the BBB.

Once upon a time, the Better Business Bureau was a well-respected and viable source to gauge a company’s performance. However in recent years, the Bureau has come under tremendous fire with high pressure “pay to play” shenanigans mistakenly reserved for Network Marketing companies.

Their problems all started when the BBB changed their system in January of 2009 from a simple “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory” rating system to an A to F “grading” system. Since the switch, the BBB has been exposed as playing favorites to those who pay for better grades or downgrade companies who complain to the BBB about their existing grade – which misleads the public. I’ve seen several posts on Facebook over the last 9 months about an ABC news piece that exposed their horrid tactics. When the BBB gives an A- to an organization like Hamas (the Middle East terror group) and an A+ to a skin head white racist group called Stormfront who bought their grades simply by paying the BBB for accreditation – it raises some serious heat. Anyone who saw the piece knew that the BBB themselves were on the take.

After the airing of this news piece last year, Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal sent an official demand letter to the national headquarters of the Better Business Bureau to stop using the grading system, stating the grading system was “harmful and misleading” to consumers.

Imagine that?

Since writing the articles last year, I’ve yet to see a single thread of evidence that the BBB has changed their tune. As far as I’m concerned they’re still just as shady as the day is long.

To my surprise last night, a memo came from the YTB home office about the companies poor rating the last few years being upgraded to a C+ rating. I have to admit – the first thing that crossed my mind when I read the memo was that the company had succumbed to the BBB’s pressure tactics and paid for accreditation. I’m happy to report however, that the home office DID NOT pay for this upgrade. (YTB is still listed as a Non-Accredited Company.)

So what’s with the change in grade from the BBB?

First, the company’s explanation to the BBB’s change of heart.

According to the memo that was sent out to the field, both Sandy Pippins and Casie Fuqua have been working with the local BBB chapter to clear up some of the misrepresentations the BBB has concerning YTB. Another huge plus for the upgrade in their system is the frivolous lawsuits filed against the YTB International (and other non-relevant third parties who were also named) is now behind the company. I don’t know what happened to “innocent until proven guilty” in this country – but the mere filing of a lawsuit (no matter how outrageous the suit appears to be) constitutes a failing grade with the BBB.

Anybody can file suit – but then you have to actually prove your case in the court of law to determine the outcome.

I realize there are groups of individuals who believe that deflecting on “issues” or trumped up “problems” is the way to go. The BBB grade the last few years was one of the “issues” people were warning others about to stay away. While venting makes these idiots feel better (momentarily), there’s never really any resolution or solution attained using this method. We’ve seen that example all too often from irate and irrational critics who’ve been attempting to slander YTB with what ever they can dream up. If you take a look at then, verses now – these same clowns are no closer to a resolution than the day decided to start crying about these so called problems.

YTB on the other hand is a company that focuses on solutions rather than problems. They act like adults rather than children who haven’t attained the proper tools to resolve the most elementary issues. By discussing their differences calmly and logically (instead of emotionally charged outbursts) any differences or issues are eventually resolved.

Anyone who’s willing to sit down honestly with YTB (or anyone for that matter) will have a completely different view with proper dialog. If you’re capable of actually learning and comprehending basic business – it’s not that hard to see why YTB or Network Marketing works. Besides, if a company can manage its way through all the mudslinging and false claims it had levied against them – there’s got to be something more to YTB than what you may have seen or read here on the Internet.

Another reason why the BBB may have upgraded YTB’s rating is the BBB, (like Steve Cox, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus) may finally realize that they need to supply a more honest review of businesses if they want to salvage any chance of being a respectable organization. From what I hear, pay to play is a big “no no” – and with the cat out of the bag about the BBB – it’s about time they make some changes to this hideous grading system. While the apology from Cox for the BBB’s lack of proper investigation and strong arm tactics was certainly warranted – it’s really just lip service unless you actually DO something to change the way you grade and operate.

As a result, I’m somewhat torn about this new upgrade in YTB’s grade. On the one hand, I want to give the BBB the benefit of the doubt that they’re attempting to make an obvious wrong right. People do it, and companies do it. On the other hand, I also know how lazy our society has become and how a growing segment of the population don’t actually take the time to investigate anything on their own. A C+ could prompt someone to dig a little deeper and the smart one’s would be pleasantly surprised if they obtained information from sources that actually have some type of experience or logical insight.

I guess until I see some more real – honest changes from the BBB, they’re still on double secret probation. Extreme caution and other more reputable sources are still in order when it comes to the BBB for the time being. (I do however hope they can pull it off.)

Regardless of how I feel about the BBB personally – this IS another good sign that the malicious mudslinging that was thrown YTB’s way by confused and uneducated twits’ continues to be wiped away. Like the lawsuits that were designed to destroy a fine viable company – overzealous critics no longer have the BBB to use as a mud ball.

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

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

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

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

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

No shenanigans on our end.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My newsletter subscribers got a heads up this weekend about an 8K filed late last week to announce the possibility of selling the YTB International Home Office. As expected, YTB continues to be a “hot topic” and we’ve seen various Google Alerts from news publications and two alerts from a blog surrounding the deal.

As we’ve come to expect, when YTB sneezes, some loones still end up catching a cold. I was asked if I actually read any of the Google Alerts, and I did read one from an area paper, and another from a travel publication. Fairly standard stuff, much like the 8K that was filed to the SEC by YTB International.

I don’t want to overstate the obvious here. This is pretty good news for the company and the growing field of Agents for several reasons. The deal will provide YTB International with immediate cash in hand of $2.8 million. Second, YTB will be staying right where they are, and lease 40,000 square feet they currently use. Third, the entire deal could infuse between $6 million and $7.1 million overall when it’s all said and done.

While terms of the sale are now just coming to light, a filing back in January informed investors that YTB International this was a possibility. An agreement with FH Partners who held the mortgage at the time had been re-worked by the lender in November 2010, but deemed unacceptable by YTB. At that time YTB filed a statement that they considered the terms unacceptable, and decided to go into default with FH Partners. In addtion, the company announced they had another deal in the works, and were confident an optional deal would be in place within 60 days.

Again – pretty standard stuff – but some of the conspiracy theories I heard about were quite dramatic. All some could focus on was “default” because that signaled the end was near. Not sure if they didn’t realize or simply hid the fact another deal was in the works to further their cause. Either way, they not only jumped the gun, but were wrong yet again.

With the proposed deal now out in the open – it has driven any remaining critics into a frenzy. Don’t have to read their words per se – mere actions in this case speak far louder than any meaningless yack squeeze. The increase in activity shows how nervous and distracted they are over everyone finding out YTB will have cash in hand. Any loone would realize that the hopes or dreams of YTB’s demise has been dashed once again.

You’d think they’d figure out that the conspiracy theories and drama they come with are actual fantasy and not fact. Of course if they did that – it would mean admitting they have an actual problem.

We can always hope.

On top of the news about the pending sale last week, YTB International released it’s Annual Report early this morning. With the kids getting ready for school, and 86 pages to read – honestly, I’ve only had enough time to glance at the filing. We cut losses in half to $1.6 million compared to 2009, and as expected from Q3 monthly subscribers have stabilized.

Since the sale of the home office isn’t final, the infusion of cash to YTB is not reported in this filing. (That would be illegal.)

Still not out of the woods just yet – but things are looking better after a constant barrage of attacks the past three years. You can kick, you punch, you can poke, but you can’t break this company. It’s just not in the cards.

I’ll take a closer look at the Annual Report and most likely have something for everyone on Thursday if interested. I have a new car to purchase in the next couple days since yours truly plowed into a deer in the middle of I-85 and totaled the car. (I’m okay, but our 300M and Bambi are most certainly not.)

Until then…

Update: Doing a little reading before I head out this morning.

Not sure if the deal for the Home Office closed or not, but according to the Annual Report, the loan to FH Partners is paid in full as of yesterday. ($1.5 million)

Also, no new word as yet on the Illinois suit filed back in 2009. We find the standard statement announced third quarter on the bottom of page 10 of the Annual Report.

On May 14, 2009, a civil action was filed against the Company, three of its subsidiaries and certain executive officers of the Company in the Superior Court of Illinois, Champaign County, by the Illinois Attorney General. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated Illinois’ unfair competition and advertising laws. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the claims. The Illinois Attorney General has proposed resolving the suit short of litigation. The Company is in the process of exchanging information with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General and exploring possible resolution alternatives.

Since that dog won’t hunt, look for some type of announcement this year that the company has the last remaining attack against it behind them.

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’ve seen a ton of upgrades and website enhancements during my tenure with YTB. Quite honestly, I’ve lost count how many times our sites have been updated with new looks, technology features, and a wider array of product offerings.

Not to diminish anything the company has done in the past, because at the time it was released it was big. However, what I saw yesterday afternoon with a new look, technology improvements, social connectivity and user friendly design of this site tops anything the company has ever released.

Welcome to the new ZamZuu.

See, this is a result of what happens when companies pay attention to current trends and hot features of the day. Technology, especially on the Internet, is constantly changing and evolving. What’s really cool about a site like ZamZuu, is that you can implement certain features and redesigns like this on a regular basis to keep customers engaged.

There are many new features with the new site. The new look is much easier to navigate, by redesigning categories, keeping everything is what’s known in site design as “above the fold”. Let’s face it, people are lazy and scrolling down a long page just doesn’t cut it. Now, just about everything can be found without the need of scrolling down a single inch. (Trust me, it’s a very important feature – more important than you think.)

Another new addition is the shopping cart within ZamZuu.com. Now, customers can shop and purchase products within the same shopping experience. This in turn will increase the average amount of cash back for customers. (The more they buy – the more they save.)

On a promotional front as either a Free Agent or Site Owner with Zamzuu there’s a very cool feature that personally I’ve been waiting for.

Twitter and Facebook integration.

Now Free Agents and Site Owners can link directly to hundreds of stores with a simple click of a button. See a special sale at Macy’s? Tell your Facebook family about it with a link directly to Macy’s through your ZamZuu site. They get cash back, and you get a commission.

How easy is that?

I’ve got about 1000 friends on Facebook, and a portion of them are also partners in YTB and ZamZuu. They’ve already gotten the hang of this feature, and they understand what a real game changer this is.

There’s still a bit of cleanup to be done, and more stores to add over the coming weeks. While the links are correct in the Facebook integration, the API pulls a generic description for ZamTek for example. (Easily changed manually at this point however.)

There are a couple bugs to be fixed – which is inevitable when a release like this is offered to the general public. Then the company will focus on the next upgrade.

Another upgrade you ask? Yes, another upgrade for the YTB Travel Network sites with much of the same functionality as our new ZamZuu sites.

Can you imagine?! The travel site upgrade was supposed to be released in two weeks during Funshine. However, with all the work being done with the ZamZuu sites, and the new partnership with Orbitz, Funshine has been postponed until the travel upgrade is ready for launch. If it’s anything like this ZamZuu launch – I can pretty much promise it will be worth the wait.

And to the folks at the Home Office who worked on this ZamZuu upgrade. Hot damn! This is a nice upgrade!

Many thanks to you for your hard work – and especially for implementing the features the field wanted most.

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 mentioned Tuesday that YTB always has a number of blockbuster announcements during Coach’s Birthday Bash. Word has started to get out about some of the upcoming releases and the company isn’t wasting any time in getting out the good word.

Not only is the company gearing up for its annual Birthday Bash next week on January 11th – but a date has been set for another ZamFest party the last half of January – from the 17th to the 31st. (Also found on www.ZamZuuTV.com.) The theme for this party is geared around better health. With the New Year, we’re all thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. For many, that resolution centers on better health. To kick off the New Year, ZamFest is throwing resolutions out the window and focusing on solutions. We don’t just talk about improving our health; we’re actually doing it.

The company will close out the month with Carnival for a Winter Warm Up Sail-A-Thon January, 27 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Central with some great deals to Europe and the Caribbean in 2011 and beyond. More information can be found here, or on BandBVacations.com during the week of the event.

Speaking of Carnival – sales are up. We know that because YTB Travel Network’s commission percentage went back up to previous levels. (You can find the percentages in your Travel Portal.) All the doom and gloom last year from the peanut gallery (minus the “pea”) was nothing more than hype. They never can figure out which way is up or even accurate. We however, told you sales were on the rebound, and based on this commission percentage increase – we were right on mark. Regardless of right or wrong, it never would have happened if our Agents didn’t take responsibility on their own and give a little more love to a great cruise line that has taken very good care of us over the years.

We didn’t whine about it – we actually did something about it to rectify the situation so that everybody wins. That’s the YTB way.

And lastly, you’ll notice a change in our air, car and hotel products.

Back when we first started with YTB, I remember a bidding war between Priceline and Travelocity for the privilege to host these products on our sites. Priceline was a good vendor for us then, but Travelocity wanted it more. A bidding war broke out between the two and what ripped Priceline off our sites and slid Travelocity in was a better deal for the Agents.

After a four year relationship with Travelocity, Orbitz has now taken over the huge influx of air, car and hotel bookings made through YTB Travel Network.

Orbitz Worldwide has replaced Travelocity Partner Network as the provider of air, car and hotel products and is now the exclusive provider for these commodity products on the YTB Travel Network booking engine. YTB Travel Network has also negotiated a contract with Orbitz Worldwide that, effective February 1, 2011, will include a commission on airline bookings while continuing the elimination of a service fee. Please see the updated commission rates in the Commission section of the My Account tab in the Travel Portal.

Commissions earned on air, car and hotel products will now be paid based on the date of consumption, not the booking date. The date of consumption is defined as the date of completed travel. Nothing new there – as it’s in line with how the rest of the industry pays.

Customer Profiles was a huge factor for years for the field and it looks like Orbitz came through for us here as well. The initial launch of the Orbitz Worldwide Customer Profile is coming in February 2011. The new profile feature will provide the ability to use a basic customer profile that will store the customer name and credit card. Later this year this feature will be greatly enhanced. The new functionality will allow:

• Storage and use of TSA-relevant information (including birth date) for booking
• Storage and use in booking of multiple credit cards
• Storage and use in booking of loyalty program information for Air, Hotel and Car

Other new features supplied by Orbitz are marketing and promotion which will also be rolled out during the year.

The Orbitz deal utilizes the NeatAgent application tailored specifically for traditional bricks and mortar travel agencies. According to their website “These traditional agencies provide comprehensive travel services for their clients in person or over the telephone and represent more than 60% of today’s travel distribution”.

In other words – when you read the hype from traditionalists – just know they use it too. Just tell them “Thanks for sharing” and get back to work. (An idea they may want to consider to rectify their own dismal existence.)

Speaking of traditionalists – they never dreamed YTB Travel Network would even see 2011. We were supposed to be long gone according to them. (Wishful thinking at this point.) YTB Travel Network is alive and well and as long as they let us – we’ll continue play the role of thorn in side. (It’s their choice after all – not ours.)

The way I see it – looks like YTB Travel Network is packing more powder to shoot more cannon balls across their bow to let them know we have absolutely no plans of going away.

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 the last couple of weeks the Home Office has released a number of dates for company training and conferences for 2011.

YTB Travel Networks travel trade show called Funshine is back online. (Literally) The trade show designed exclusively for “travel” by YTB Travel Network is going virtual April 4th and 5th next year.

It’s easy enough for us, for example, to head down to Florida without much trouble or cost from Atlanta. But travel expenses can get pretty steep for someone traveling from California or Canada. In an effort to reach as many people, and provide an equal opportunity event for everyone, the company has chosen to go this virtual route.

The amount of online seminars, webinars, and virtual summits that have enabled us to learn and develop as professionals in the industry makes this a feasible and economical choice. Travel Weekly has been hosting virtual summits for almost two years now, and they are extremely thorough and effective. (Kim’s also been highlighted in one of Travel Weekly’s summits a few years back.)

The company has the experience, and the technology. As an Internet based company, the Home Office will make this a first class event.

Check your Travel Portal for the cost (just $10) and upcoming list of travel vendors.

The next scheduled event has everyone heading to St. Louis July 27-30, 2011 for Convention.

Convention happens to be one of our favorite events of the entire year. It’s an event where we get to hook up with folks we don’t see any other time of year, and always come away with new friendships.

Attending the ZamZuu Convention is hands-down the most important thing you can do for your business. In fact, it’s more than just an event. This is the place where you take control of your future as you hear from some of the best in ZamZuu! They will be teaching you everything you need to know to get your business on track and ready for exponential growth in 2011!

Over the course of these power-packed four days, you’ll experience dynamite discussions on leadership and building your business, see our incredible line of products up close and personal, hear first hand the many powerful new announcements from company Founders, get together with old friends, be mentored from industry leaders, and so much more!

Register early and save! You can register now from your back office!

• December 10-31, 2010 – Special Holiday Rate of $75 per person
• January 1-31, 2011 – New Year’s Special of $98 per person
• February 1- April 30, 2011 – Standard rate of $150 per person
• May 1-through the event – Final rate of $225 per person

ZamZuu Convention 2011 General Schedule Overview.

• Wednesday: On-site registration and ZamZuu Retail Store opens; Vendor Exhibits and Training
• Thursday: Breakout and Training classes
• Friday and Saturday: General Sessions

Every person must have a confirmed registration to attend this event, including guests, who can register at the current rate. After April 30, 2011, new members will have two weeks from their start date to register for Convention at the standard rate of $150.

We’ll see you this summer! Whoo Hoo!

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

Two weeks ago, YTB and Carnival came to you via the World Wide Web in a special webinar to participate in CLIA’s annual World’s Largest Cruise Night.

This week ZamZuu brings ZamFest to the World Wide Web in preparation for the holiday shopping season.

If you’re thinking it’s a little early to be promoting holiday shopping, you might not be aware of what retailers are doing. Last year more than 40% of all retailers had already started their online promotions by this time last year. Another 29% started their online promotions right after after Halloween.

Just last week, the Birmingham Business Journal reported that online retailers are expecting a 15 percent increase in sales this holiday season. The report looks almost identical to last year’s early promotional models – with an even bigger increase (an 11% jump) of marketing holiday items next week.

(What ever happened to “Black Friday” as the start of the holiday shopping season?)

Truth is, the Internet has changed the way we shop. The Business Journal report quoted Fiona Swerdlow, of NRF’s Shop.org:

“Retailers continue to see the web as a bright spot in the industry and are putting the finishing touches on new site features so their customers will have good experiences when shopping online this holiday season,” said Fiona Swerdlow, head of research for the NRF’s Shop.org. “In addition to using websites to bring in sales, retailers are leveraging the Internet to encourage shoppers to head to nearby stores, featuring store locator information, product availability and store circulars on their websites.”

That’s exactly what ZamZuu does, it leverages the Internet with ZamFest beginning tonight, Tuesday October, 26th and runs through Thursday October 28th from the comfort of your own home on ZamZuuTV.com.

ZamZuu’s national webcast event is the perfect opportunity to showcase all the amazing products available on the ZamZuu Product Distribution System. From Featured Stores to specific deals in the cash back affiliate network, you can get a good start on your holiday shopping and take advantage of all these early specials.

Participating is a piece of cake. Just choose a time that’s convenient for you. ZamZuu will be broadcasting starting tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, and we’ll continue to broadcast through Thursday, October 28, 2010! (ZamZuu has secured deals that are good for all three days!) Just tune in to the webcast by visiting ZamZuuTV.com and see some great ideas and deals to get your holiday shopping off to a great start.

According to the chart provided by ZippyCart.com it’s expected that almost half (49%) off all holiday shoppers plan to shop online. (Up from 42% a year ago.) And why not? It’s far more convenient being open 24/7, much easier to compare prices, over 80% off online retailers will be offering free shipping offers, along with additional savings on taxes.

Not hard to figure out that this is big business!

If you’re really smart (or business minded) you might consider getting in on this action yourself. ZamZuu has an option for that as well with a FREE shopping and travel site of your own – earning 30% of the commissions earned not just for the holiday’s – but all year long. You’ll earn commissions on sales for yourself, and be able to offer cash back to your customers. There’s really no better time to get started than right now with the massive amount of specials and attention focused on “e-commerce” this holiday season.

Seriously – you could sign up now and be in business for yourself in time to send out invitations to ZamFest yourself and start making money from your own site – no strings attached – no hidden costs – no bull.

It’s up to you – but either way you need to take advantage of the market shift from “Brick and Mortar” to “Click and Order”. (Or at least check it out to find out what all the fuss is about.)

Hope to see you online this week with ZamFest!

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