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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Do You ZamZuu?

I received my ASTA SmartBrief this week and was floored at one of the columns highlighted in this weeks mailing.

Before I move forward, I need to put out some sort of warning here that readers should not be drinking any type of liquid at this point in time. (All the sugar in your Kool-aid will ruin the monitor and cause the keyboard to stick.) When you find out who the author is, you’ll be just as surprised as I was. (As others have asked if this is the same now famous critic of YTB we’ve all come to know – but not actually love.)

Truth is, if there’s anything going on about YTB, you’ve got to know at this point in time that John Frenaye isn’t far behind. He’s pretty famous in our company for trolling the internet on anything YTB. It makes no difference if it’s one of his peers in the industry, a District Judge, an industry Power List, or an articulate member of YTB – John has an uncanny way of coming up with a “Yeah-But” or a “Look over here” piece to take the focus off the main subject and point you down a road that conforms to his own perceptions and beliefs.

Although this article is riddled with some pretty absurd perceptions of how MLM takes things to the extreme, you can judge from you own actions and experience if it has any value. Personally, I’ve never lost a friendship over YTB and nobodies ever vowed to never speak to me again. Furthermore, I’ve never been approached by anyone about any opportunity while standing in line at that grocery store.

We can simply kick those perceptions to the curb for the time being.

I do however, have to give John some credit for pointing out some very basic and solid business skills that MLM does in fact excel at. Based on my own experience with YTB, my business looks very much like his “traditional business” in every aspect. Based on those of you I personally know in this company, I think you’ll agree that yours does too.

All the snide and exaggerated comments and perceptions aside – there is something for the new recruit here to learn about why MLM works.

Referrals are as simple as John says they are. Do you know anyone who might be interested in selling travel, or picking up some extra income on a part time basis? The beauty of MLM is that you work when you have time. It’s not like a regular part time job that you have set hours, and quotas that you need to meet. Which can also be a problem for some – because it’s far to easy to think you don’t have time. The vast majority of our company work YTB on a part time basis with regular jobs and families to tend to.

Think about it…doesn’t asking for referrals sound much more attractive than hounding someone in line at the grocery store? (Who’s really tried that anyway?)

When it comes to followup, the company has a very cool system in place called the YTB System. I’ve used something similar to this my entire carrier with YTB. Not only does it capture qualified leads for you, but also notifies you when a prospect has looked at the program. Notification are also sent when they’ve returned and what they’re looking at while on the site. Using a system like this allows you to sort, not chase. For those who work YTB part time, this puppy is a real time saver. You’ll find yourself working with and talking to qualified prospects who are truly interested in what you have.

It’s all about working smarter not harder. However, the entire system is wasted if you don’t follow-up. It doesn’t have to be nearly the nine times John talks about. (I personally only spend half that much time before moving on.) But the money truly is in the follow-up.

Lastly, I’ve never seen a company with more products, or more streams of income than YTB. All I bought 5 years ago was a booking engine to sell travel. I was also given the opportunity (meaning it was a free opportunity) to sell booking engines as an added stream of income. Today, I’ve got something for hunters, golfers, newlyweds, and with the addition of shopYTB, just about any other product under the sun. If it’s available online, I probably have it. Heck, I’ve even got beef jerky if that’s what you’re into. (Or in John’s case – girdles!)

Yes, I know there some ribbing going on about that sort of thing. Honestly, neither the jerky or the girdles get me all that excited. But I’m certainly not going to knock the women of YTB for going nuts about girdles. (I know better – and if John was still married, he probably would too.)

These skills, principles, and the model really DO work. It’s why Avon is still around after more than 120 years. It’s the same reason Earl Tupper pulled Tupperware off store shelves in 1951 and has been sold via the MLM and the Direct Sales model for almost 60 years. After a decade of selling Nutrilite Products via MLM, two guys founded the American Way Association in 1959, which we know today as Amway. (Amway now owns Nutrilite Products Corporation.) In 1963 Mary Kay Ash started with 9 “beauty consultants” which today has expanded to 32 countries. In 1977 a good ol’ southern boy for Georgia founded A.L. Williams and just two years later, J. Lloyd Tomer joined the group just before the company outsold the entire insurance industry for 7 straight years in a row during the mid to late 1980’s.

And today you have a little company based in Wood River, Illinois who has been able to sell $424 million in travel in it’s 8th year in business.

There are hundreds of companies who sell via this model because MLM does have it right. (Take a look at the DSA list for more than 200 of them.)

True, it’s sad that John and others can’t seem to get out of their own way at times when it comes to some of the ridiculous and outlandish beliefs. Just remember, don’t take it personally. (Unless you’re the one person who pestered him in the grocery line. ;-P)

Truth is, MLM is more like their traditional business than they’ll ever know.

The only difference is some get that, and some don’t. 

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

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Do You ZamZuu?

I like people I can relate to. Heck, who doesn’t? It’s hard even listen to someone who constantly talks down to you like they’re somehow better than you are. It’s my belief that people read this blog and subscribe to my newsletter because I’m an average guy. I can be very serious, but I also like to have fun. I’m also very thorough in documenting what’s written with third party sources to reference. 

I’m also human. I’ve made my share of mistakes. When I fall short, I admit it, fix it, and move on.

I’ve written about my good friend Candi May several times here and over the last few years we’ve become great friends. When you have your own ringtone on my iPhone, you know we talk quite a bit. (Actually, I wish she’d call me more, case I love that ringtone!)

Candi is also one of those down to earth individuals you can relate to. There’s no arrogance, false fronts, or an ounce of bitterness in this person to make you think that she’s somehow attempting to con anyone. Yet, she, like me, Coach, Scott, Kim, and some of the other better known names who have the guts to show up on the internet as real people are scorned and ridiculed on a daily basis by a very small group, with this illusion that we’re out to deceive and mislead the general public.

After this years Convention, there was a bizarre twist from a “professional travel agent” with this this idea that Candi stood in front of the Convention crowd and deceived everyone that she learned how to “travel like a pro” while in YTB. The anger and scorn it generated was incredible, especially when you see the the actual video and what was really said at this years Convention.

Which ironically, we now have.

Now, if you can stomach it, go read the emotional outbursts from the “traditional side” of the fence, and then watch the demeanor of one of our own. Compare her speech with the tangled mess that was trumped up from the other side and then ask yourself…”who would I rather work with?”

There’s really no question in my mind who I’d enjoy working with more. (And also learn more from.) There’s also no question who’s desperate and who’s secure in who they are and what they do. Mind you, Candi has never had any desire to lash out in an attempt to defend who she is and what she’s accomplished. No need when you compare the two sides.

However, I’m going to step to the side here, and let you be the judge. Make your own choice on your own who you’d pick to be mentored by in this industry. Afterward, if you’d like to find out more about this incredible lady, you can read more about her on her new blog.

Makes no difference to me, cause I’ve already made mine.

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Do You ZamZuu?

Direct Sales date back thousands of years with roots in Egypt, Syria, Babylonia and India. Traders, merchants and caravans are examples of the early direct seller who formed this ancient tradition and basic need to exchange goods. Fast forward to a century ago here in the U.S. and you’ll find the birth of The Direct Selling Association (DSA) who will celebrate it 100th birthday next year. As a fan of Direct Sales, I wrote an article about one of the oldest Direct Sales Companies still in existence today. Founded in 1886, they’re a real powerhouse today – producing $10.7 BILLION in annual sales. Never heard of The California Perfume Company? They changed their name to Avon in 1939.

With all the economic news that this country has had to endure over the last year, it’s refreshing to see one business model that’s not only surviving, but thriving in these tough economic times.

Direct Selling News just released a comprehensive list of the the worlds top direct selling companies with wholesale revenue of $100 million or more. On the list we find some very old and prominent companies such as Avon, Mary Kay, Primerica Financial Services, Herbalife, Tupperware, Nu Skin, Shaklee, ACN, Pre-Paid Legal, Market America, Keller Williams, Pampered Chef, Southern Living At Home, and oh…lookie here…YTB International.

If you’ve never heard of this list before – well, it’s never been out before. Think Travel Weekly Power List here, but for the Direct Sales Industry. For the first time, Direct Selling News decided to come up with a list of it’s own for the Direct Sales Industry. I realize that for some, Direct Sales doesn’t amount to much, (in fact, it’s despised by some who just plaster the word “pyramid” on what ever they like) but when you look at these sales by the numbers, and compare them with some of the dates these companies were founded, you have to admit it’s pretty impressive list of “Networkers” who some claim will eventually run out of people.

The purpose of the list in Direct Selling News was to “journal the might of the direct selling industry”. In the report, YTB International ranked #46 overall with $162.5 million in sales. Not too shabby for a company that’s been a very heated topic in the travel industry, had it’s share of legal battles and has been a daily rant for a select few with a false and limiting belief that Direct Sales is a sham. While YTB’s numbers are fairly straight forward, reporting it’s numbers to the SEC as a publicly traded company, like the travel industry, very few Direct Sales companies do the same.

Like Travel Weekly, Direct Selling News made every effort to verify sales in this industry with checks and balances via sources like Hoover’s Company Records and Dun & Bradstreet, SGA Executive Tracker Companies, Standard & Poor’s Descriptions Plus News, Company Briefs–Gale Group, Global Duns Market Identifiers, Market Guide Company Profiles, America’s Corporate Finance Directory and Directory of Corporate Affiliations.

According to Direct Selling News, one thing became clear during their research: A number of Direct Sales companies are still growing despite the economy and despite all the misrepresentations and myths surrounding the industry.

“Almost miraculously, our organization has continued to grow,” says Joe Urso, Aerus Chairman and CEO. “Selling high-end products is not easy, especially in a down economy. Our team has continued to grow by inspiring others to pursue the opportunity for a better life that we offer.”

The report also states that USANA recorded its sixth consecutive year of record sales, Pampered Chef had a 5 percent increase in recruiting and Tastefully Simple product sales bumped up 5 percent. And like YTB’s Founders are telling their field or TSO’s and Website Sellers right now, Executives from other companies are telling people that despite the economy, their companies are not only larger in regard to revenue, but are coming out of this recession better than ever.

From the report.

And many direct selling executives tell us they believe the industry will emerge from the recession bigger, faster and stronger. “Over the course of the next few years,” says USANA President Fred Cooper, “we anticipate USANA—and the network marketing industry in general—to continue to show patterns of growth.”

Emerging bigger, faster and stronger has special meaning for those of us in YTB. The company wasn’t fighting just the recession and the poor economy. Just over a year ago YTB was in another club, sued for $100 million by a bunch of ambulance chasers who wanted a quick buck. A year later, the class action thrown out for being redundant, immaterial, impertinent, and scandalous, YTB is prominently placed in a $100 million club for actual sales with another prestigious group of peers.

My how things have changed for YTB as the debate over pyramid crumbles and legitimate rises from the ashes.

Congratulations to all 65 members of this list. You’re the cream of the crop in the Direct Sales Industry who have collectively produced billions of dollars in revenue – one person – one sale – one day at a time.

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

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Do You ZamZuu?

The 1999 Texas Electric Choice Act, which went into full effect in January 2002, changed the electricity and power industry. In 2005 Rob Snyder committed $1.5 million of his own equity and after clearing a few hurdles with the Texas Public Utilities Commission, Stream Energy had a REP license and company to sell energy to its customers. They began switching customers over to their new energy plan with 40,000 customers by June. In August of that same year, Katrina hit, devastating the area and threatened to do the same with this new emerging MLM.

Even after so many hurdles, Stream made it through its first number of years and today is flying high. If you’ve never heard of Stream Energy, they’re a retail electricity and gas provider in Texas and Georgia. Stream is now the 29th largest private company in the Dallas/Fort Worth area based on revenues of more than $800 million in 2008. Stream’s marketing division, Ignite, has fueled Stream’s growth through what the company calls a “multilevel marketing program.”

There they are…those three little words…”multilevel marketing program” also known by three letters: “MLM”. One would think it was four letters based on the reactions of some extremely overzealous critics. Because YTB is also a “multilevel marketing program”, you’re well aware of how it brings out some real nut cases who for whatever reason feel they need to save everyone from themselves. Some of us have mothers who use to be in in charge of protecting us as children. Apparently mom needs help now that we are grown adults as some try to warn us of the danger surrounding Multilevel Marketing. (I actually asked someone last week if they were my mother.)

Attorneys from Houston’s The Clearman Law Firm have announced a federal class action lawsuit filed last week under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act against Dallas-based Stream Gas & Electric, Ltd., Ignite Holdings, Ltd., their related companies and several affiliated individuals. The press release issued by Clearman looks to be a simple copy and paste from the pages of Wikipedia or Scam.com.

“Some of the individuals at the top of the Stream and Ignite pyramid earn millions of dollar a year, while most of those that are now joining the scheme will likely never recover their investment,” says Scott Clearman of The Clearman Law Firm, lead counsel for the plaintiffs. “Stream promises recruits that they can make vast sums of money, but the fact is that most will lose their money.”

Nothing new there. It’s the same line we’ve heard for years from a select few who are too stupid or too lazy to figure out that companies like Avon, Mary Kay, Tupperware, Fuller Brush, Amway, NuSkin, Primerica, and Pre-Paid Legal have been operating as an MLM for far longer than this myth about running out of people has been pitched. None of the listed companies have hit this invisible bottom few claim to be inevitable.

I absolutely LOVED the response from Rob Snyder that I found which points directly to the ignorance we find surrounding the MLM model.

The fact that the Texas Attorney General’s office has previously confirmed the legitimacy of Stream Energy’s network marketing effort speaks volumes to the veracity of Mr. Clearman’s assertions. Moreover, the further reality that Stream Energy serves as a Provider of Last Resort as requested by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas also attests as to Stream Energy’s standing and repute within the state’s deregulated retail electricity market.

Simply put, the direct selling models used by firms such as Mary Kay and Stream Energy have been repeatedly found to be unquestionably legal. And, unfortunately, it seems these days that any clown with a bow tie can file a lawsuit on behalf of a purported class of injured parties.

We look forward to seeing Mr. Clearman in court.

While I’ve yet fully investigated this situation I suspect there are a few Reps with Ignite who were unsuccessful in obtaining customers in the first couple of weeks. Instead of improving themselves with knowledge, sales skills, or self-confidence, it was easier to find an Attorney who could file a law suit on their behalf so they could play the role of victim.

I actually know a couple of people who are with Ignite and have been asked to become a Rep and/or a customer of the company. While I did take a look, both the program and product didn’t tickle me the way a cruise would. Energy, like phones, cable (or satellite), and internet service are commodities that most everyone uses and I’m sure there is money to be made in all of these areas. Personally, I’ve always gone after things that I have a passion for. (Trust me, it helps in the sales process.) Entrepreneurship however, does solve a problem with a solution. The timing was right back in 2005 for Ignite to capitalize on a market shift after the deregulation of power and many made money with this MLM.

The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston alleges that Stream and Ignite induced the plaintiffs and others to invest in the “Ignite Services Program” at a cost of $329 and purchase an “Ignite Homesite” web page for a charge of $29 per month. The lawsuit claims that a large portion of the $329 is paid to those higher in the pyramid.

I found another article while researching and invite you to read what it took to start Stream Energy. (Found in the middle of the article in Arial font.) The millions of dollars invested to start and maintain a power company makes $329 and $29 per month literally chump change. We’re not even talking about the monthly overhead and lapse in time between being charged for the power used and when the customer actually pays (if they pay) their bill. But because the company uses “multilevel marketing” with thousands of independent representatives who now have a legitimate power company they can invest in and sell power through, (which in turn generates revenue for the investor), it’s a raw deal.

The way I see it the raw deal here are the idiots who think they need to save you from yourself instead of educating and training you to become self-sufficient. Like I said, I’m not a part of Ignite or Stream Energy, but I would place very good odds that this company’s focus is empowerment (pun intended) not some bogus pitch that you don’t have what it takes.

It will be interesting to see how all this unfolds. But like we’ve seen with YTB over the last year, we know that these types of allegations (and that’s all they are at this point) take time to reveal the truth. At this point, I can’t predict the future for Ignite or Stream. My hope is however, it will serve as a notice to others who can’t get past their own fears and self-imposed limitations that multilevel marketing is not only here to stay, but a legitimate business model.

All the best to Mr. Snyder, the Corporate Heads of the company, the independent representatives of Ignite and the customers of Stream Energy.

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

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Do You ZamZuu?

You just never know where the next round of “news” is going to come from these days. Of course when I say “news”, there is no news in the travel industry unless it contains three letters…Y-T-B.  The flurry of press this past month has been so immense that it can be difficult keeping up with it all. Two weeks ago when our financials were released and the final settlement was announced, there were 35 Google Alerts for YTB for the week. (News stories that wrote about YTB.) Everyone from industry publications to main stream media sources had something to say about a company that many thought would be written off by now.

The apparent “lock” on putting an end to YTB with Jerry Browns suit back in August and claims of a “gigantic pyramid scheme” had staunch critics giddy. It was abundantly clear that the goal of this suit was to shut YTB down. What was supposed to be a suit filed for all the Reps and RTA’s that lost out due to unfair and misleading marketing practices came up $14.9 million short of it’s intended goal.

In addition, I’m seeing some real frustration now in our critics over how were still recruiting people into the business. I have to admit, and I know it’s shallow, but I am enjoying seeing how frustrated critics are over their recruiting phobia.

California was suppose to put an end to all that. Yet, here we are, still in business and continuing to sell travel web sites as a “website seller” to anyone who wants one. Our booking engine continues to work without a hitch. (Keyed in a new cruise booking for a former co-worker last night as a “website owner”.) For those of us who have been working this business the right way all along, there really isn’t much that’s changed, except for the verbage we us.

Those that took my advice weeks ago when the settlement was announced and actually looked at the legal documents instead of the spin, realized how little has changed. Sure, we’re a far different company than we were 2 years ago. Much of that is due to the discussions we had with California when they changed some legislation at the beginning of 2007. Once we were able to work through the issues over credentials we continued to make changes with an income disclosure document. We also added a statement that you could be an RTA for under $500, and there was no cost to become a Rep with the company. You could be one, the other, or both. In addition, there has been a California statement that not everyone makes money with YTB in place for well over 18 months now.

I’m certainly not a mind reader, and by no means did I have any type of inside track when it came to what California was attempting to do with all these changes. My guess is that they wanted to slow the recruiting down, and because what they mandated didn’t slow the company in the least, the suit was filed as a last resort. Truth be told, the changes actually made the company better, and it’s no coincidence that California came to the forefront recruiting wise when the changes in credentials, income disclosure, the disclaimers about two companies, and the disclosure about income potential worked to our advantage instead of disadvantage. Who knew?!

In fairness, the suit worked to a certain degree. The mere mention of a law suit scared a lot of people and many left because of the uncertainty. Guys like me however stuck around to see how California was going to pull of this miracle of proving that someone pays YTB for the opportunity to recruit others into the business. A very tall order indeed. I wish I could say it was fun to watch, but that wouldn’t be honest. Frustrating was more like it. But as in everything that happens in life, the truth always has a way of coming to the surface. Because we’re still in business, I’ll take the settlement as a firm “NO” we are not a pyramid scheme.

While keeping up with the blogs and message boards, I see far too many excuses, and far too much spin for me to really stomach right now. I do wonder why so many of the critics need to put things into their own words instead of relying on the actual court documents to prove their point. My guess is that the documents don’t mean what they want it to, so they insert their own words so they can have their way. Now that we have the legal document to show folks, it makes little difference to me what they say. The court document filed is all anyone needs to be concerned with when it comes to what YTB is or isn’t, what YTB can or can not do. Critics who want to make excuses or make it sound like something else can go pound sand.

Sorry…

Now that the dust is starting to settle a bit and the flurry of activity surrounding YTB has died down, some are looking at our company once again. Some may be doing it because they were told we were shut down, but yet find me still writing about the company. Others have heard so many variations as to what this settlement means that their head is spinning and want to find out what really happened. Still others, got so sick of the trash talking that they wanted to remove themselves from all the emotion and wait until tempers settled before they took the time to look at what really happened.

Others are actual reporters who want to help set the record straight. I have to tip my hat to Nadine Godwin once again for a very fair and mostly accurate article she posted yesterday. I know Nadine was in the dog house during the week of the settlement with most of our company. To be honest, I was even taken a little aback with the way she reported during that week. She’s a reporter, and she’s going to write what she feels is the best way to report the news at the time. It’s not her fault that the information supplied by Jerry Brown and his press release was a complete fabrication of what actually happened. I can’t expect anyone outside of the company to have the same understanding of who we are and what we do. Nor can we expect everything reported just the way we want it to be. I happen to like Nadine and think both her and George Dooley from Travel Agent Central write the most balanced pieces out of anyone I’ve read who reports on YTB.

Do I agree with everything they say? No.

Do I like everything they write? No.

Have both of them pulled what I consider bonehead moves when it comes to reporting? Absolutely.

They’re human, and like the rest of us, they have the freedom to form their own conclusions about what they read and hear. Just because they write something I don’t like however, doesn’t mean I have to hate them, nor do I have to take ownership of what they write. Both Nadine and George have been around this industry for a long time. Nadine not only writes for Travel Weekly, but she’s also a published author, (Travia: The Ultimate Book of Travel Trivia) and the fair and balanced pieces she’s done far outweigh the one sided articles.

I invite you to read her findings, without edit or input from me. I would encourage you to steer clear of the comments that are starting to roll in at this time. When people can’t figure out that Travel Weekly reports “gross” sales numbers and the SEC filing report the “revenue” generated from those sales, the people commenting might not be the best source to consider taking advice from. (Not the sharpest tools in the shed.)

While I don’t agree with everything in this article, nor do I understand why we can’t compare $414 million in gross travel sales against $122 million in gross website sales as a barometer of what YTB focuses on, I’m not going to argue the point here an now.

There are many myths about our company, and we need to take baby steps when educating those who truly want to find out the truth about YTB.

Like the settlement filed with the courts, this article is simply one more step to help set the record straight. The Travel Weekly Power list will be out in late June for 2008, and I’ve heard of what was submitted to Travel Weekly to help clarify things even further for everyone. We’ll help clarify things for everyone once that is released and we see how YTB stacks up against the others.

For now, take what Nadine has written to help dispel many of the myths and lies we’ve heard about. But please, don’t worry yourself with pointing any of this out to the critics. I can assure you, they have no interest in being called out or corrected about what they’ve been spinning.

That’s a rock you can leave alone. Just know that the truth is starting to uncover the lies, myths and misconceptions that are out there and with a little more work and documentation that will continue to come out, most will have a clear understanding of who is spinning and who isn’t.

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I’ve been a fan of Tim Sales for some time. I was introduced to Tim a number of years ago via a “Brilliant Compensation” CD that was given to me by my upline Director, Tim Dominey. When I listened to the CD, I already knew why Network Marketing worked, but Tim brought to light a number of key components that cemented why I believe in this industry. Tim has an entire selection of products to educate both you and your prospects in why Network Marketing works.

I highly recommend Tim’s products because he’s articulate, professional, and straight forward. In fact, Tim is so articulate and dead on, that the only thing critics can come up with to trash him is that he makes his money off selling his products. Other than pointing out the painfully obvious, they can’t come up with anything to discredit Mr. Sales, he’s that good. Tim provides a very valuable service to the Network Marketing industry and why he shouldn’t be paid for that service is beyond me, but it is what it is for those who can’t get past their own misconceptions about sales, service and promotion.

After my article on Wednesday and touching on why suppliers should follow the lead of vendors like Carnival Corporation, Globus, Trafalgar, Disney and others, I pulled out a copy of Tim’s CD to listen to it again after a couple of years of sitting there collecting dust. While I first learned how large corporations benefit from the Network Marketing industry from this CD, I wanted to see if there was anything I had forgotten or might have missed after putting the CD asside for so many years. While I hadn’t forgotten much, I reconnected with the appreciation I have for the way Tim presents the Network Marketing industry in a professional manor without all the hype. All too often we hear how you can make millions in Network Marketing while someone else does all the work. (I’ve actually been accused of doing this oddly enough!) I also like how Tim’s focus is product based, not recruiting based. (Being the “big time recruiter” is another label that I’ve seen some try to pin on me.)

The truth of the matter is, if this industry makes sense to you, than you owe it to yourself to find out more and find a product or service that you’re passionate about to actually get involved. I don’t know how many times I’ve stated this, but the reason I got involved with YTB was because I’d been telling people for over a decade that a cruise was the best vacation money could buy. I actually looked into becoming one of those “Traditional Agents” at one point but nobody I talked to wanted to give me a shot. I “didn’t have the experience” they said. I “needed an education” they said.

Blah Blah Blah Blah…

When YTB was put in front of me, I saw it as an opportunity to actually get paid when I talked about what I loved…cruising. So here I am some four years later while one of my clients referred one of their friends to me yesterday needing help for a last minute cruise for six, while I read articles and posts that I’m only concerned about lining my own pockets.

Nice!

For anyone interested in the truth and not spin, read the comments sections of my article (which some say I don’t allow) and the creative liberties taken to create my critics perception will become abundantly clear.

By the way…this new client for the cruise next week…they first called Royal Caribbean and found them to be “snooty”. Frustrated, they called a friend to get a recommendation of a “Travel Agent” to help them. Thus I got a call out of the blue and found something to suit their wants and needs. Amazing how that works, huh?

Anyway, back to why large corporations LOVE distribution channels like YTB and other Network Marketing companies to distribute their products and services. Network marketing aims at helping manufacturers and suppliers market their products to the end consumers via independent local distributors. By engaging local distributors to market the products of the company, the company is able to generate more income and save on distribution and advertising cost.

Most companies would spend thousands of dollars to promote their products through TV commercials, advertising, billboards and other forms of media. Think about the relationship between YTB and World Choice. (Travelocity) How many times do you see that Roaming Gnome on TV or in print adds? They spend MILLIONS in this type of advertising, and while I’m sure there are bean counters that calculate what the ROI is in these various mediums, they know what costs are involved when they partner with a company like YTB.

Zip, Zilch, Nadda. Money is only paid out when a sale is actually produced. It’s a win-win.

Promoting products and brands could cost the company a lot of money that a good portion of the cost that you pay for a certain product is actually added in to defray the advertising and promotion expenses. In some cases, as much as 20% of the cost of the product you buy goes to advertising and promotions. On the other hand, the distribution cost of the products would eat up to another 30% of the product cost. If you are wondering why a certain product that you buy in the supermarket could cost a lot of money, it is because of the advertising, promotion and distribution cost that is factored into the total product cost. Since the network marketing strategy does away the promotion and advertising cost by engaging local distributors to personally promote the products to the their friends, relatives and colleagues, the company will now be able to give the distributors big commissions. In most instances, the network marketing company will give the local distributors direct commissions of up to 30% of the sales generated by a local distributor.

With the new “Trip of a Lifetime Sweepstakes” YTB goes to a vendor or supplier directly and promotes their product or property with no advertising costs to drive traffic and sales via our own marketing channel, and in return YTB is able to not only able to generate a higher commission to me as an agent, but a better price to my clients.

Another win-win.

How anyone can argue this method is a mystery, but they do try don’t they? I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not about the method so much, but a fear of change and loss that drives most of the negativity associated with Network Marketing. That’s why I like Tim Sales so much. He’s able to clear up the myths and misconceptions about the industry in a concise, professional manor with no bull, no hype and no spin. Most have been trained just one way, and this IS a different approach.

Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean you have to trash it. It just means you don’t have enough information to make an informed, educated business decision about it.

Before I go…I almost forgot. I have a couple of errors and omissions to correct from Wednesday. First I mentioned that “No Moron Here” worked for Pleasant Holidays, he does not. Why he feels the need to be so secretive about himself and who he works for speaks volumes. Unlike myself who is very open about who I am, some are fearful of consequences. (And I’m the one who’s the fraud!) If he’s able to live with it, so am I.

Second, I mentioned that one of the few places to speak freely about the Travel Industry without the presence of John Frenaye was WAHM. Also found to be incorrect sadly enough. We can however look on the bright side, as his screen name is extremely telling, don’t ya think?

Nyuk nyuk nyuk!

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!

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Do You ZamZuu?