We’ve talked about the shopping experience with ZamZuu several times over the last several weeks. It’s become such a simple process to Google a particular product and have a listing of all the suppliers who offer that product show up in a search complete with prices. Find a price you like? Chances are, it’s offered through the ZamZuu shopping portal – and you’ve got yourself an even better deal than Google can offer in the form of cash back.
It’s quick – it’s easy – and you get cash back for doing it. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t like to save money, and that’s exactly what ZamZuu does for the average shopper with a free account.
Tonight, we’re going to offer up something for the business minds out there – people who are smart enough to look at ZamZuu as an income opportunity, not just a shopping opportunity.
Think about it. If you could offer up a free shopping portal to your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors that enables them to save money when they shop online would you tell them? What if they told some friends? What if you could create a customer base of shoppers all shopping through ZamZuu and getting cash back for using your site? Would you be interested?
If you are – you can find out more about it tonight, February 16th, as ZamZuu offers up a live webcast at 8 pm Eastern, 7 pm Central, 6 pm Mountain, 6 pm Pacific to explain this growing trend in e-commerce and how you can benefit as a ZamZuu site owner.
This 30-minute webcast is designed to share the ZamZuu Income Opportunity and what it can offer you as a viable home based business. If you like what you see, you can get started with your own e-commerce website that’s ready to go the second you hit submit to start shopping and show others where to shop to receive cash back when they shop with you.
A home based business not your thing? That’s fine too – but I bet you know someone who would. If you do, and you refer them and ZamZuu will send you $25 just for the referral. Just let us know where to send the check by filling out the free referral form by clicking the “Exciting Referral Opportunity” icon.
Regardless of which way you lean, you owe it to yourself to take a look at this growing trend in e-commerce and how people are cashing in.
There’s no need to register, and if you miss the live webcast, it will rebroadcast at the top of each hour. If you like what you see, and need some more information on how to get started, just drop me a note or pick up the phone and call.
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I’ve mentioned numerous times that I’m a Technology Geek. Honestly, I should be wearing inch thick glasses complete with the little white tape holding the bridge of the nose together. (And just for good measure, a pocket protector would complete my geekiness.) I was introduced to computers when I went back to college in the late 80’s and fell in love with what this box could do. I was fascinated. I remember my first computer, (a screaming 286 processor) and became one of the first to join AOL when it first appeared on the scene to explore this new thing called the World Wide Web.
When broadband came into the picture – I had to have it. Before I knew it, I had two computers in the house, a desktop for the office, and a laptop that’s practically attached to these fingertips. If I’m not on my laptop, I’m on my iPhone with its 3G access receiving and responding to e-mails on the fly – checking stats on the blog – and getting updates on news, weather and traffic.
As great as the iPhone is – it does have its limitations. Have you ever tried to book a cruise on an iPhone? Not only is it slower than molasses – you can’t research all the details you need in order to service the client properly on its tiny screen. Or how ’bout this? Try viewing an online presentation on the iPhone.
Fact is – I need the internet to come with me when out and about more times than not these days. That’s part of having an internet business. You book travel online, you blog online, you shop online, and you recruit online. Broadband is a necessity and no longer a luxury. Some even see it as a right and no longer a privilege.
There are ways to get around the mobile dilemma. You can locate a “hot-spot” that has Wi-Fi. You can subscribe to a service like T-Mobile that provides a paid service or subscription – or – you can pay up to $19.99 per day for a access provided by a hotel or restaurant.
Or – if you’re lucky enough to be in one of the 27 markets that currently offers it – you can scream at 4G speed (anywhere from 6 to 9 meg download speed) using a brand new technology called WiMax with the company that owns the spectrum called CLEAR.
I’ve kept up with CLEAR since last August when the product launched here in Atlanta. The buzz about it started to pop up all over the place. It even caught the attention of one the most popular and esteemed consumer advocates here in the Atlanta market. (Who also has a syndicated show on CNN this year.)
Having super-fast internet service on the go is one thing, but when you can replace your current home internet and phone service with VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) for less than what you’re paying the phone company, THAT got my attention.
What WiMax and CLEAR does is cut the cord for broadband internet and home phone service – just like cell phone technology did for all of us and the home phone. What’s even more promising is WiMax will be able to go everywhere your cell phone does – because uses the same cell phone towers that are already in place for your mobile phone.
Cellular technology rewrote the book on voice. Broadband rewrote the book on internet access. Now I look at WiMAX as the next mega trend to completely change the fixed broadband world.
A large order for sure with an even larger financial bill attached to it when you think of deploying it across an entire country, far too large for any one company to finance on its own. That’s another reason why I fell in love with this technology.
Cooperation.
Not only have the key companies like Motorola, Cisco, Intel, Sprint, Time Warner, and Google been researching and developing new tools and products for this technology, they’ve all invested BILLIONS into deploying this technology across our great nation. Why? Because the infrastructure needs to be there in order to sell the products they’re developing to operate there.
Both the home and USB Modem are built by Motorola. Intel now has chips (like your Wi-Fi chips in your laptop) built into “Netbooks“. Cisco has a new PBX product to launch in the next few weeks as a business application that will run on CLEAR’s spectrum. And Google – they already invested billions in the new Android we’ve seen and 4G gives these phones even more capability at blazing fast speeds.
Just this week Steve Jobs introduced the new iPad from Apple. He gave some really compelling numbers at the beginning of his keynote. For example, a few weeks ago Apple sold it’s 250 millionth iPod. The iPhone, which I own and love now has over 140 thousand applications I can download to my phone, and since inception, there have been over 3 billion downloads to iPhones in only 18 months. No doubt, Apple has it going on right now with $15.6 billion in revenue just last quarter.
Apple has quickly realized that they are a mobile devises company. iPods are mobile, iPhones are mobile, and most of the Macs Apple now sells are laptops making them the largest mobile devised company in the world.
Thus the launch of the iPad this week to capitalize on this growing obsession on mobility.
The numbers and the documentation pointing to WiMax being the next big boom over the next couple of years is staggering. With all these companies and CEO’s not only praising, but investing BILLIONS into this new mobility craze, I started to think about ways I could capitalize on this next big boom.
It’s one of the reasons why I’m so excited about ZamZuu and the future of online travel sales with YTB Travel Network. I love how this technology is going to increase my presence for my other affiliate products that I share with everyone. There’s been an increasing concentration and focus on how I can be a part of all this – its part of my plan and the goals I set up for 2010 that I encouraged everyone to do here at the beginning of the year.
What you focus on expands – and because of my interests in this technology, thinking of ways to capitalize on this mobility, and being grateful for what I already have – God (or the Universe if that’s more comfortable for you) plopped an incredible opportunity right in my lap.
CLEAR has partnered with a Direct Sales organization that enables me to sell this technology as it expands into 50 new markets this current year, and across the country in years to come. As a marketer who knows other marketers and technology buffs like myself – it all became crystal CLEAR that I not only wanted to – but was inspired to be a part of this next technology boom as an Authorized Dealer for CLEAR.
Remember, even the most staunch (and obnoxious) critics think MLM’ers have it going on when it comes to “multiple streams of income“. The CLEAR product is a perfect product to bring into the fold for a person like me who has already developed the presence, trust, and relationships with thousands who follow and trust my intuition and marketing skills.
It benefits my clients who book travel with me – benefits those who shop with me – and benefits those who recruit with me.
I don’t know about you, but I missed the dial-up boom. I didn’t see the Broadband boom as any big deal, nor could I figure out a way to capitalize on the cell phone and smart phone boom.
I aint missing the next big boom in technology – especially when it benefits my current business with ZamZuu and YTB Travel making it easier and faster to shop and travel with my existing business models.
And yes, if you’re interested in becoming a customer or an Authorized Dealer for CLEAR I’d love to speak with you about this phenomenal product and company. It’s rock solid! Just pick up the phone and give me a call! (My number is below.)
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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.
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Yeah, I know – I promised that I would get back into the swing of things at the beginning of the year with regular posts here. I was doing just fine until YTB launched ZamZuu and Shazam! – I’m off promoting this cool new product launch that’s half the price and twice the fun for entrepreneurs. It’s also a ton of fun showing customers how to get a free account to start saving money from hundreds of stores they already know and trust.
Quite honestly, you’ve got to be brain dead not to see this thing. Shopping with hundreds of brand names stores on their websites and getting cash back when you do just for going through ZamZuu?
What’s not to get?
It’s free for customers to join. Stores pull from a nationwide inventory or regional warehouse. Most have the option of site to store for easy pickup. (And no shipping charges!) Just about every stores will also e-mail weekly sales right to your in-box if you subscribe off their sites – and you should if you’re a regular shopper. Frankly, I prefer far less clutter – and will use the new ZamZuu Dealz fan page as a central location to find great “dealz” – rather than scanning through hundreds of store e-mails. (I’ve signed up with some stores and get an e-mail a day – which honestly is a bit much.)
Here’s the biggest no brainer for me. It will never – ever – ever be more expensive for any of my customers going through ZamZuu than it will going direct to the store. Just can’t be done – they’re going to the same site stores and see the exact same products and prices anyone else does.
Customers who are smart enough to go through ZamZuu instead of going direct however – get cash back on every purchase made through ZamZuu. Something that can’t be done by going direct.
Back around Christmas, our office computer died. I had no idea what was available these days – nor did I have any feel for how much prices have come down. It’s been years since I even thought about buying a new desktop. What do you think is easier, hopping in the car and going from store to store or hopping on my laptop to do a Google search for “desktop computer”? As it turns out, one of the big box stores that are on ZamZuu had a sale for case, keyboard and mouse for only $229. At that point, I didn’t need to shop any longer. (Would you for that price?) I logged into ZamZuu and went directly to the store which was saved as one of our favorites – ordered the exact make and model I found earlier for exact same price and requested to pick up at the local store 10 minutes away.
After completing my order, I got confirmation of the order and information that I would be notified when it was ready.
Wanna know how long it took to complete the order?
Ten minutes later, I got an e-mail “Your order is ready for pick-up”. As I hit “print” and headed upstairs to go grab the confirmation needed off the printer, I just had to laugh at how easy that was.
But it gets better. Remember, this was back before Christmas and the height of the Christmas shopping season. As I walked into the store, I checked to my left to see long lines of customers waiting to check out – as I headed to the right – towards Customer Pickup. There I found heaven.
No lines.
I handed my confirmation to the friendly Associate, she hand me the product, paid in full and I was walking out the door within minutes of placing my order online.
The entire process from search to pick up took no more than an hour to complete.
And I got cash back from ZamZuu for doing it!
But the cash back is merely an added bonus to an already smarter way to shop. I wrote about how we shopped this year for Christmas, ordering everything on-line and having the kids Christmas presents sent to the local stores in Pittsburgh for my parents to pick up. Talk about a stress free Christmas! And as an added bonus – there was absolutely no way the kids could “peek” this year – because they were all hidden 600 miles away!
I do have to caution you on one drawback however. Because we didn’t realize how much we bought for the kids – we had to strap them to the roof in order to get all the presents inside the van to get home.
Note to self: If anyone takes that literally, we have found the poster child for “brain dead”.
Moving on…
Fact is, we live in a digital age now. The internet changed all that. If you don’t think so, just try to find a single big box store that’s not online these days. Everybody’s got a web site for a reason. It’s easier – faster – and far more convenient for the customer. It’s also extremely cost effective for the stores and can do nothing but increase profits for retailers.
I’ve had a couple of inquiries of late on where this number of $950 billion spent in retail in the last quarter of 2009 came from – while only 3% of it was spent on-line. (Video below) I’ve been so busy that I have not even bothered to research or ask about that number myself. However, if you’re looking for numbers and something that you can document, I’d highly recommend eMarketer. I did a piece on them back in June of last year and if it’s documentation you’re looking for about on-line shopping – this would be the company that I would look to for a number like that. The documentation sighted there will provide the most comprehensive study found anywhere regarding e-commerce and it’s growth over the next few years.
You can predict the future by looking at it’s past. Look at what YTB did with Travel? Took a bunch of “Average Joes” and sold over $1 billion in travel in 8 years, all because of the internet.
You’ve gotta like the odd when it comes to everything else!
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Sorry I haven’t posted more here this week. Those on our Newsletter subscription have seen more than usual from us in updating subscribers on YTB’s new division of e-commerce and additional compensation package that comes with ZamZuu. As a member of YTB over the years, I’m quite use to new initiatives and launches like this when they come twice a year. Once in January for Coach’s Birthday Bash to kick off the new year, and once again at Convention in August.
One things for sure, YTB is never dull, stale, or boring.
There are a couple of things that make this launch a little different. But, it’s not completely new. When I broke news on the internet just after the webcast Monday night you should have seen the monsoon of traffic with “zamzuu” as a search term that flooded this blog. Nobody (including me) had ever even heard the word before. Another reason I haven’t updated here. This week broke into the top 5 just from that one article. (Of course it helps when you have first page ranking on Google.) All I had to do was ride that wave of traffic.
Which brings me to this question that I know your asking – Why “Zamzuu”? I have to admit even I was a little puzzled at this name at first. When I searched the term myself, I couldn’t find a blessed thing to clue me into what it was or what it meant.
Believe it or not – that’s one of the reasons we have the name. Just look at your own reaction to it, and what you did when you heard it. YTB did a considerable amount of research in picking this name to get that exact reaction from you. See, the name is unique and really doesn’t have any place in our vocabulary or have any meaning attached to it.
Yes, most initially start out puzzled – for now. But what about 6 months from now when this ZamZuu is attached to an e-commerce site with companies like Home Depot, Barnes and Noble, Macy’s, Wal-Mart, Bass Pro Shop, Target, Best Buy and hundreds of other names they know and trust? ZamZuu then becomes a free portal to those retailers that customers can and will shop with on the internet to save time, save money, and get cash back when they use ZamZuu.
Brilliant – absolutely brilliant.
Think about it…what did the word “Expedia” mean in 1996? How ’bout “Orbitz”? “Kayak” had a totally different meaning at the turn of the century didn’t it? Today they’re all household brands that are not only used in our vocabulary, but all have very distinct meanings and companies attached to them.
While the name may be new – the concept has been tried, tested, and proven many times over. Like I told you on Monday night, this whole e-commerce idea started out as nothing more than a partnership with a company called Aisle 19. What transpired over the next 12 months was the realization that e-commerce is the next wave on the internet. All the signs and research pointed to it. When brick and mortar retailers are hopping on board spending millions in an online presence and promotion you’ve got to believe that it’s a concept and area you at least need to attempt to claim a stake in.
Again – we all know what “Black Friday” is – but would you even have a clue about something called “Cyber Monday” even two years ago?
Heck no! But, it’s not only a term we recognize, it’s a event some of us actually looked forward to during this past Christmas shopping season. Our kids wouldn’t have unwrapped a number of presents Christmas morning if it weren’t for being able to order it over the internet. Likewise, a dual DVD player for the family van now has a brand new carrying case that was ONLY available online.
How many times do you see these terms on retailer web sites?
“Not Found In Stores” or “Online Only”.
E-commerce expands business for retailers, it expands product offerings for consumers, and with ZamZuu it expands the budget for consumers while saving time, money, and getting cash back.
Of course – we can’t forget how it’s going to expand the revenue for site owners of ZamZuu or the parent company, YTB International. Plenty of companies diversify into other areas and expand. Look at Carlson. Not only do they have one of top travel companies in the world, they also own the Country Inn hotel chain, and T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants. The other largest travel retailer in the world is another one of those household names that many equate more to banking than they do travel – American Express.
Yet, Carlson Wagonlit and American Express have battled for the number one position in Travel Weekly’s Power List for years.
And today, YTB International expands into the same type of diversification these two companies have that will add stability and additional revenue to move into the future.
And the best part of it for me personally – that scares the living daylights out of the critics who see YTB as nothing more than a scam. I haven’t read any of the spin and hype about this new launch – and really don’t care to. I simply don’t have large enough hip waders to survive the pile of manure they create. But I’ve seen plenty of evidence and a new resurgence this week because YTB just sneezed again – and the critics caught another cold.
There must be an incredible amount of frustration going on inside the heads of critics right now. They were absolutely certain that 2009 would be the year YTB went away. As the new year and new decade dawns, they’ve been awaken from this dream only to realize that they’ve got to start all over again with more spin, more lies, more hype, and more yelling at people who truly don’t even care to listen to their rhetoric any longer.
Sucks to be them.
Not sure what I’ll be doing for my signature line below – but I’ll most certainly be adding the ZamZuu business to it. I see no reason not to – it’s an opportunity that has grown on me over the last year. No doubt, you’ll still have the same great travel and vacation deals from BandBVacations.com and a Travel Agent with years of experience and training to service you. It IS my first love and why I got involved with YTB when nobody else in the industry gave me the time of day.
But I wouldn’t be very realistic if I thought that ZamZuu and this new E-commerce arm of the company wouldn’t be an easy add on to build and promote.
Last decade YTB powered it’s way into the travel industry and is a household name for many in the travel industry. I like the odds of doing it again with E-commerce with a proven concept, company, and Founders with the name YTB.
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When YTB launched its partnership with Aisle 19 last January, I don’t think anyone had any idea the impact it would have on our company. As the opportunity began to take shape and expand, like our travel side, it took on a life of its own.
I really can’t pinpoint exactly what it was about this offering that made it catch on fire the way it did. It could have been any number of things honestly – but whatever “it” was, it gave our field some exciting new products to promote and key retailers to talk about.
I remember sitting at a Red Carpet early last summer when news of shopYTB started to spread and how the company was going to rebuild the product from the ground up. A woman turned to someone else at the table during the announcements and said “This Company just keeps on coming up with more and more ways for us to make money.”
Truth is – she’s right.
As we come full circle a year later – what started out as a “partnership” with Aisle 19 has transformed into a full-fledged opportunity that YTB has not only rebuilt from the ground up, but now has a new name for.
Welcome to ZamZuu.
During the 2009 Convention, YTB launched shopYTB as its first shot at an on-line e-commerce site. With the launch – the company partnered with an insurance product, offering clients an opportunity to get a price comparison on any number of insurance products. In return for getting someone to look at their insurance costs, site owners were offered a referral fee.
Not only did the program exceed everyone’s expectations producing quality leads for the Insurance and Financial Services provider, but it created additional revenue for the field in the form of referral fees that YTB was only too happy to pay out.
Since that time, there have been a number of “hot products” that the field has latched onto. The beneficiary companies are not only more than happy to pay higher commissions but see this marketing model as a much smarter way to do business.
Why?
Guys…these companies don’t spend a dime until the product has actually been sold - that’s why! It’s a no risk proposition for the company and a great source for getting the word out about a brand new product or concept. They could pay multiple millions on an advertising campaign and roll the dice on return sales – or partner with a sales force like YTB and only pay out what is actually sold.
As a business – which do you think looks more attractive?
Likewise, the shopYTB concept has been so successful for the field, YTB has just launched their own opportunity exclusively for this type of e-commerce. After a year of testing and working with this type of offering, it’s proven to be of value to consumers and Field Representatives alike.
YTB International will always have YTB Travel Network for those with a real passion for selling travel. From what I hear, the trainings and higher commission splits are taking hold for those who take advantage of it. (Ourselves included.)
But now – in addition to selling Travel Websites at $449.95 YTB has a new E-Commerce product that sells for $249.95.
Travel will be included with the new e-commerce sites – but with limitations. A fixed commission split of 60% on travel products, no training required (or offered), no ability to book directly or group offerings – and no type of travel industry credentials to speak of. However, the new E-commerce sites will have a stronger emphasis on retail products such as Best Buy, Macy’s, Home Depot, and the like to offer consumers cash back on their shopping experience.
The good news for those of us who already own Travel Stores, the e-Commerce sites is included on a separate site for an additional revenue stream.
Likewise, if you want both higher commission splits and training, and an e-commerce site, it comes with the $449.95 package. Just like YTB Flowers, YTB Romance, YTB Outdoors, and YTB Golf – it’s a complete package.
I have to hand it to YTB – they do keep coming up with more and more ways to make money. I’m seeing all kinds of research that on-line shopping is really starting to take hold and another market shift that YTB is ahead of the game on. No, we didn’t create on-line shopping, but we certainly figured out a way to hand over an opportunity to the average person to make money off of it.
By the way, all the details are out in our Newsletter. A couple of PDF’s with a complete listing of all the features – advantages – and benefits for selling this new product. It also includes some very nice compensation enhancements, and a much more attractive bonus structure. (YTB handed out some of those new bonuses tonight for those that qualified. What a surprise THAT was!)
If you’re not signed up on the Newsletter, get yourself on it before Sunday, we’ll have a complete recap then as well.
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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
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We started blogging back in December of 2005 and over the years, we've created quite a following due to our constant dedication and writing about what we love...having a home based business. We've transferred everything over and have kept the years of documentation you've come to know and enjoy about our experience, our hopes, our dreams, and our obstacles. Hang out, read, and enjoy as much as you'd like, as we are an open book. (Make that Blog) Feel free to subscribe to our RSS feed for updates, and if you're also an Affiliate or RTA with YTB we have a free newsletterto update you on company events and happenings.
Tonight, we’re going to offer up something for the business minds out there – people who are smart enough to look at ZamZuu as an income opportunity, not just a shopping opportunity. 
Quite honestly, you’ve got to be brain dead not to see this thing. Shopping with hundreds of brand names stores on their websites and getting cash back when you do just for going through ZamZuu? 
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.
