Melissa Allen’s Blog

Being a firm believer in networking, I decided to actually “join” some buisiness groups rather than just attend their events. In addition to SMABA, I also signed up Biz Ad Nation in the Bullett County Biz Group and the Dixie Biz Group (all in Kentucky). There was a Dixie Biz Group networking event last week that was very successful. The room was filled with serious business owners & executives who came armed with business cards, brochures and smiles. Several connections were made among everyone there, and I am anxious to attend the next event. Great connections are what makes networking so great!

As a result of doing business with many other businesses, I hear some of the same questions very often. One at the top of the list is “Where can I get some good business cards printed very cheaply?” I have always had a good place to refer them to, but now I provide printing services at very competitive prices. One great deal I offer is 1,000 business cards, 14pt stock, full color on 2 sides with uv protection on both sides for only $58. That includes free UPS shipping. For more printing details, visit www.qwebdesigns.com and click on Printing Solutions.

During rough times, we all look for ways to stretch our dollars. The current economic crisis is drawing a lot of attention to bartering as a way to save our cash. Most barter companies (trade exchanges) operate on a 100% barter rule. That means no matter what you sell or buy, no cash dollars should change hands (only barter dollars). For someone who has a high out-of-pocket expense, it would not be wise to sell something in a 100% trade situation (unless it was excess inventory that would go in the trash anyway).

Those with high expenses could easily benefit from the less common 50/50 trade exchanges. In those exchanges, everything is paid for with 50% cash dollars and 50% trade dollars. Business owners love 50/50 exchanges because everyone wants to earn at least 50% cash for their products & services (vs no cash in the other exchanges). It is also nice to get a cash discount of 50% when purchasing something from another 50/50 trade member.

When I learned about 50/50 exchanges, I had a lot of questions about how they work compared to the more traditional 100% trade exchanges. Do the members mark their prices up before marking them down again just to make it look good? What happens when someone’s cash expenses are higher than 50%? Can they charge more than 50% cash? What about businesses that have little or now cash expense (like graphic designers and consultants) … do they still earn 50% cash? Adam Jacob owns Ca$hOut Exchange in Louisville, KY. He would be a great person to discuss those kinds of questions with. The next time you think about writing a check or use a credit card for a business expense, think twice. Call Adam to learn how you could cut that expense in half!

Ca$hOut Exchange - www.cashoutexchange.com
Adam Jacob     502-410-1377

Have you ever wanted something that you just didn’t have the cash for at the time? Did you want to strike a deal by swapping services? There is a term for it, and it’s called bartering (a.k.a. trading). I’ll answer a few questions about bartering before I go deeper into this subject. It is legal. You do have to report any earnings to the IRS. Business expenses paid by bartering are tax deductions … just like expenses paid with cash dollars. The IRS considers a barter dollar/credit to have the same value as a cash dollar. You must have a product or service you can provide on trade in order to be accepted into a trade exchange.

Many people who have heard about bartering think it is something that only small (or struggling) businesses do. That is absolutely false. My personal experiences include: newspaper advertising (KY & IN), Marriott Hotel (KY), Sleep Inn Suites (TN), auto repair, business cards, embroidery, amazing restaurants, massage therapy, computer repair, yard signs, car magnets and much more. Other great services available include dentistry, radio advertising, chiropractic care, painting, plumbing, janitorial, dry cleaning and the list goes on forever. All I have to do in order to take advantage of these great services is provide a service to others on trade. I currently provide internet advertising on trade. Cash is always welcome too, but when businesses want to save cash, they turn to trade.

I am a member of 3 different trade exchanges (bartering networks), and I find them all to be valuable assets to my business. People have asked me why anyone would want to be a member of multiple exchanges. My answer is simple. A trade dollar in any trade exchange is a form of currency that converts into cash value … much like Visa, Master Card and American Express convert credit into cash value. Some businesses may accept Visa, but not American Express. Trade works the same way. A business that only accepts cash, credit and IMS dollars will not accept Tradebank dollars for a trade transaction. If you want that service or product bad enough, you should have memberships in both trade exchanges. It’s like having another credit card (or bank card) in your wallet.

There will be more information about bartering in future posts. I will cover the 3 different trade exchanges that I am currently a member of. For more detailed information, please contact any of them directly or visit their web sites.

IMS - www.imsbarter.com - 502-515-8196

Ca$hOut Exchange - www.cashoutexchange.com - 502-410-1377

Kentuckiana Alliance of Trade Exchanges - www.katebarter.com - 812-283-1725