Own Your Power

Learn How To Take Control of YOUR Barter Power!

I’ve been bartering since 1994 and I’ve been amazed by the things I can get by striking up a deal. Since I’ve launched my own Barter Exchange, I’m even more impressed by the services and products you can get on barter. A lot of my colleagues don’t EVER spend a dime in the store, before they check the barter exchange store first.

I know a few that are actually pretty wealthy in “barter terms” and can afford to splurge in our barter store with over 40,000 merchants to choose from. An Own Your Power Member, Suzette Caloca is actually a web designer of mine who loves to barter. She provides quality work and has a high demand, so she doesn’t have a hard time building up her Barter Bank account. I just paid her in barter bucks to do my business cards!

Her stories about bartering inspire ME to barter even more, check out why she’s barter ballin’!

What is the name of  your business and what do you do?
STUDIO Suzette Web and Print Design (but it not an official business name, I get paid to my name)
I design anything and everything for web and print marketing

How long have you been bartering?
Actively, 8 Months.

What makes an exchange like Give ‘n Take better than bartering on your own?
Give n’ Take’s Barter system allows me to trade with anyone in exchange for barter dollars that I can in turn use with anyone in the DoBarter Network (over 40k members!)

Why do you think you’ve been successful with bartering?
I think I’ve been successful, because I have a product that everyone needs to market themselves, their product or their business.

Top three coolest barters so far?
$9,000 in dental work (including TEETH WHITENING)
$2,200 for a brand new wooden playset with swing for my kids. (Shown in photo).
$1,225 for credit repair.

Why do you think most people don’t get bartering exchanges?
I don’t think they understand the barter system and I still have yet to find a website that knows how to explain it in plain English to someone who is not familiar with barter at all.

What would you tell these people to change their minds?
I was skeptical at first, I didn’t know how this was going to work out for me or if it has anything to offer me, but I swear by it now. What would I tell people to change their minds? Hmm… how about, I’ve bought over $15,000 worth of stuff in the past 8 months with NO CASH… wouldn’t you want that too?

Now how’s that for example of Living the GOOD Life on Zero Cash? I’ve said it time and time again; BARTER IS SMARTER!
Want to barter with Suzette for web design? Join Give ‘n Take for FREE today and we’ll connect you. Also add her as a friend in our community.

Own your power,

Simone

Hopefully this day finds you in good health and excellent spirits. I recently completed a 7-day juice fast and am definitely feeling a whole lot healthier. My schedule had gotten really hectic and I found myself caught up in a cycle of fast food and take-out. I was beginning to feel really bogged down and knew I needed a serious cleanse. I had attempted to fast in the past only to quit after a day or two. Determined to make it through this time, I began to research the proper way to fast and possible side effects. I learned that the first 3 days of a fast are the hardest. Most people will experience some withdrawal symptoms, such as headache, tiredness, fever, irritability, hunger, and body aches. These symptoms rarely last past the 2nd or 3rd day. I woke up on the 3rd day of the fast feeling very energetic and alive, and to my surprise I didn’t begin my daily fight with the snooze button!

As each day passed I felt more relaxed, centered and focused. I no longer salivated at food commercials and even stood strong while at a restaurant with friends. Not to mention I slept better than I had ever slept in my life. My meditation practice grew deeper and through it I found that letting my schedule get out of hand was negatively affecting my eating habits and ultimately my health and that of my family. In yoga we are taught to practice moderation, or brahmacharya. To follow the yama of brahmacharya, one must practice moderation in all things. Through my experience I came to realize that I must not only practice moderation in the things I eat but also in the tasks I take on, even if I think I can handle it.

Starting today, be mindful of the demands that you put on yourself. Never allow one activity to overtake your life. Enjoy life and live it to the fullest! Balance your time wisely and be sure to do all the things that make you happy.

Om Shanti,

Dana
Creative Director, Spiritual Essence Yoga
www.essenceyoga.net

ADD ME AS A FRIEND in the Own Your Power Community!

Trent Partridge, Internet Expert

10 Reasons Why Every Real Estate Company Needs Social Media Marketing

by Trent Partridge author of ‘Internet Marketing for Music Artist Models and Entertainers, Real Estate Internet Marketing Workbook’ and contributing writer in ‘Be a Real Estate Heavyweight’ Social Media Marketing, Internet Marketing, Search Engine Optimization

1. Great for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Great in boosting your SEO than Social Media. With strong Social Network Aggregation and strategic keyworded messaging ranking can be boosted.

2. Video Internet Marketing (VIM) – Yes VIM is part of Social Media and it is huge. Searches on video websites are expanding faster than any other segment of search. Smart strategic optimized VIM is crucial to immediate and long term success. Video SEO is paramount and smart companies are now basing their whole marketing model on viral video marketing
a. 80% of U.S. online users have watched an advertisement via video. Of those people, 52% took action after watching that video; 28% looked for more information; 19% clicked a banner ad that accompanied the video; and 16% bought something as a result of the ad.
b. 56% prefer that the advertisement is related to the video content.

3. Social Network Aggregation – Being on two Social websites for marketing is great for brand, views, exposure etc…but what if your message is on up to 20 websites with 3 or 4 messages a day. Does this type of strategic marketing benefit you? It might win you the Presidency of the United States.

4. Social Media Wealthiest Households
a. The wealthiest households (household income of $75K+) believe that companies should seek to reach them via social media.
b. Two-thirds of the wealthiest households and the largest households (those with three or more members) feel stronger connections to brands they interact with online.
c. Companies should develop new ways for consumers to interact with their brand (37%) through social media.
d. Companies should market to consumers (25%) using social media.

5. Americans Want it! – 93% Americans say companies should have a social-media presence, Cone

6. Micro Blogging (MB) – With techniques in messaging changing from blogs and forums to micro blogging, Social Media blogging is a must approach that every company needs to grasp. The minimalist approach and integration of micro blogging on individuals, consumers and top tier companies has surpassed almost every other form of communication to customers. With popular micro blog websites like Twitter (fasts growing website on the internet), Plurk, Tumblr, Brightkite and Friendfeed you must have an impact and be able to reach not only consumers but B2B bloggers.
7. Internet Visibility – is crucial in the new online marketing world. No longer is just being in the top search engines Google, Yahoo and MSN the ultimate goal. With Social Media Marketing Strategies you can help increase your Internet Visibility and build your Internet Marketing Legacy.

8. Customers Rule – You can no longer expect your potential customer to come to your website. You have to follow where your customer is and not wait for them to come to you. Your customers are spread all over the Internet and either you or your competition will find them and get involved in their web space.

9. Link Management – For increasing Search Engine ranking you must have a very strong link strategy. Link Management is very time consuming and often requires additional management outside of the work place. With Social Media you can create a sound link strategy that can enhance search rankings and increase Internet Legacy.

10. Internet Company Brand Management (Hottest Buzz Words for Top Companies) – Why not control your local or national brand? With Social Media Marketing you can have a huge impact. With consumers, bloggers, journalist, media and competitors having the ability to create online content about you and distribute them fast and efficient you must be in control of your brand, reputation and identity.
a. Online Identity Management (OIM) –Create a distinguished presence of a person or company on the Internet. Must use aggressive proactive strategies, unique tools and campaigns combining Web 1.0 and Web 2.0.
b. Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM) – Shield brands or reputations from damaging content brought to light through search engine queries. Skills in Search Engine Optimization and Online Content Management can keep your consumers thinking positive about your brand.
c. Online Reputation Management (ORM) – You must be conscious of the unpredictable nature of both professional journalistic and user-generated content aimed at your company. Create logistic online strategies to manage and monitor your ORM
d. Internet Search Crisis Management (ISCM) – In emergencies situations where inflammatory negative information can spread virally overnight on the Internet from websites, consumers and some times competitors. Immediately minimize damage with stealth proprietary crisis management methodology that helps thwart the inflicting crisis.

What Can Happen
• Real World Word of Mouth
• Reaching a global audience
• Creating trust and credibility
• Virtually instantaneous responses
• A collective group of web properties created
• Building multiple ways for consumers or B2B contacts to reach you
• Promoting on multiple online social media venues
• Virally marketing through wikis, podcast, video, mp3’s,vlogs etc…

Trent Partridge author of ‘Internet Marketing for Music Artist Models and Entertainers, Real Estate Internet Marketing Workbook’ and contributing writer in ‘Be a Real Estate Heavyweight’ Social Media Marketing, Internet Marketing, Search Engine Optimization.

Check out his blog….http://internetmarketermusicartistmodels.blogspot.com/

Ernesta, a representative of Ambit Energy since 2004 is a new member to the Own Your Power family. She’s apart of a very unique company that provides guaranteed savings/satisfaction and generous perks for its customers, while providing an unlimited residual income opportunity for its consultants. Find out why she loves what she does!

Any interesting fact(s) you can share about your industry? Ambit is the only ESCO that guarantees customer savings and satisfaction while providing the opportunity for its customers to earn FREE Energy, Travel Packages, Cruises, Airline Tickets $300 Food and $300 Gas vouchers.

Ambit is also only ESCO that allows unprecedented access to a $500 Billion dollar deregulated Utility Industry providing its consultants the opportunity to earn Unlimited Residual Income for Life! With Ambit you are able to be a consultant and consumer at the same time, allowing you to benefit from everything Ambit has to offer in income earning potential, as well as, savings and perks on your utility bill!

Most popular problem you help people solve?
Customers are empowered as consumers to save money and earn generous benefits every time they pay their utility bill, and consultants are able to build residual, lifetime income as opposed to being subject to linear income that must be repeatedly earned in order to have it.

What year did you kiss Corporate America goodbye and why do you hope to never go back?
In 2004, I realized that the lifetime of diverse skills, distinctive ability and high-level performance I had been giving away to Corporate America, for wages I worked so hard to earn only to feel as if I was being used up, would serve my own interest better if deployed to promote and secure my financial goals in life.

How do you stay motivated? I consider the alternative… you see so many Seniors who are unable to retire due to the economic times we live in, and must continue to toil away at a job into their 70’s and 80’s, or they’re unable to survive on Social Security and their meager retirement income or pensions.

Biggest pet peeve in business?
The lack of awareness so many individuals in the workforce have for the benefits of a home-based business and the difference between residual vs. linear income.

One thing that you would change if you could?
The stigma that still exists with Multi-Level marketing. Many individuals still perceive all direct marketing companies operate as a pyramid scheme, and don’t realize that this has become a legitimate business model taught in universities today.

What’s your favorite area on www.ownyourpower.ning.com?
Networking with other members.

What’s a unique talent that you have that might surprise us?
I’m a master organizer.

You know the expression, you can’t take it with you…well, if you could, what would ‘it’ be?
I can take “it” with me! I’m able to pass on the wealth I create to my heirs…and that allows me to build a legacy of achievement and success that will last not only my lifetime, but for the lifetime of my children, my children’s children and generations to come!

It’s sadly time for your last meal on earth…what would it be?
Assorted Fruits and Sparkling Water

Have you used Social Networking to gain new contacts/business? If so, what have been any results?
I have just started a campaign to utilize Social Networking on an Internet, global basis. It’s too soon to measure results, but I believe they will be spectacular!

If you could have superpowers, what would you want? The ability to communicate in any language

Find out more about Ernesta and Ambient by adding her as a friend or view her website below.

Website :
My Profile: http://www.myspace.com/ambitpowerbrokers

Contact her here:
Ernesta “Maatu” King
Marketing Consultant
917-405-2060
Time4Ambit@yahoo.com

Paul James, Gardening Expert

2. Start a compost pile. Whether you choose to build an elaborate bin and compost on a grand scale, create a simple pile in an out-of-the-way corner of your property, or place a store-bought composter in a sunny spot in the yard doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you make compost — and use it, of course. Spread a thin layer over your garden beds at least once a year. Mix it with the native soil when planting. Apply it as a topdressing to lawns. Top off containers with it. And use it to make compost tea.
3. Maintain healthy soil. The use of compost goes hand in hand with maintaining healthy the soil, but there are other things to consider:

# Try to avoid walking on the soil in established gardens, because every step compacts the soil, and compaction makes it difficult for roots to grow. Create paths between rows or in beds, or place a board on the soil adjacent to areas where you work to distribute your weight more evenly over the soil.

# Avoid working the soil when it’s wet. Otherwise, once it dries, you’ll wind up with big clumps of hard-packed soil. And finally, don’t overwork the soil, especially with a rototiller. Good soil isn’t powdery; it’s a mixed bag of particles of varying sizes and shapes.

Personally, I don’t use a rototiller because, in my opinion, the tines disturb the soil way too much. And I rarely turn the soil with a shovel. What I occasionally do is loosen the soil with a broadfork, which aerates the soil without disturbing its complex structure.

4. Mulch. Mulch suppresses weed growth, maintains soil moisture, stabilizes soil temperatures and much more. So do yourself a favor: Mulch everything in sight with whatever organic mulch you like.

Read on for the rest of the 8 STEPS!
http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/8-steps-to-smart-gardening/index.html