Barter: Its Not Just for Doctors Anymore


Time was, in the country, the local "doc" was as likely to get paid with a couple of chickens as a couple of dollars. Doctors these days won't stand for that, of course, but while some people have moved completely away from barter and stayed there, others have embraced it wholeheartedly.

Today I worked on a barter deal with a web designer to do search engine optimization on my web site in exchange for some articles. I HATE doing SEO, and I LOVE writing articles. This person needs articles written and is good at SEO. It's a good match.

Later in the day I put together a mailing designed to entice a massage therapist into bartering for my coaching services. I have a lot of pain in my back and shoulders, and a massage would do me good, but I really can't afford monthly massages. If this works out, I will work an extra three hours a month in exchange for massages, hopefully every two weeks.

Barter isn't for everyone or every situation, but it does have some advantages for the home-based business. You can usually get something you need, you can save your cash for other things, which you also need, and you get a "customer" who's willing to give you referrals and testimonials.

How do you know if you should barter? If you have a skill or product people want, if you have the time or extra product to spare, and if you are willing to put in the effort looking for people to barter with, it might be a good idea for you.

Where do you find people to barter with? Check Google for barter directories and barter sites. Many Work at Home Mom sites have barter sections. If you don't find what you're looking for, go find someone who does or has what you need, and offer a barter deal. Sometimes they'll go for it, sometimes not. My SEO deal came through a barter site. My massage therapy plan is strictly my own. But I'm betting out of 60 massage therapists in my city, one will be interested.

If you don't have time or extra product, or if you're uncomfortable trading your products or services for other people's, then barter might not be right for you at this time. Keep it in mind for the future, though.

If you can get it, barter's a good deal. You often get more than you could afford to buy or would put money into, and you expand your business as well.

About The Author

Angie Dixon helps small business owners get their acts together. She is a personal development coach specializing in helping people integrate their home and work lives so they feel less stretched and more balanced. Get her FREE EBOOK on balance at http://www.discoveringtruenorth.com. For questions or to discover how coaching can change your life, contact Angie at mailto:angie@discoveringtruenorth.com.

You are free to use this article in ezines, web sites and print publications. If you do use it, please send a quick email to mailto:angie@discoveringtruenorth.com. Thank you.







Related News



Mediation team to meet on Monday - Nation Multimedia

Pattaya Daily News

Mediation team to meet on Monday
Nation Multimedia, Thailand -2 hours ago
Senate speaker Prasobsook Boondech said he will discuss with the mediation team on Monday the protesters' condition that they will enter a negotiation to ...
Abhisit blames PM for not dissolving HouseBangkok Post
PAD says no to talk with GovtNation Multimedia
prasobsook takes mediator roleNation Multimedia
all 81 news articles

Culpepper retires - The Gazette (Montreal)

Culpepper retires
The Gazette (Montreal), Canada -Sep 4, 2008
What you're probably unaware of was that, until recently, Culpepper was on the Alouettes' negotiation list, giving Montreal exclusive CFL rights on him ...

No room for US negotiation: CNMI Governor - Radio Australia

Radio Australia

No room for US negotiation: CNMI Governor
Radio Australia, Australia -Sep 3, 2008
[ABC] The governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas in the Pacific says there's no room for negotiation with the US on the law that would put ...

Thornburg needs more negotiation time - Bizjournals.com

Thornburg needs more negotiation time
Bizjournals.com, NC -Sep 3, 2008
Thornburg Mortgage has once again extended the deadline of its preferred stock tender offer as it continues to try to nail down the details of a bailout ...


Newcastle takeover negotiation on Monday - NDTV.com

Newcastle takeover negotiation on Monday
NDTV.com, India -4 hours ago
Reports said Ambani's representatives will start negotiations tomorrow with the Premier League club owner Mike Ashley, who has been in the centre of hate by ...

• Saucon teachers set to strike - The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com

• Saucon teachers set to strike
The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com, PA -9 hours ago
Since then, negotiations got stuck on salary and health benefits, both sides said. No negotiation sessions are planned. But the teachers hoped early notice ...

NITEL: NCP invites BNP Paribas for negotiation - The Punch

NITEL: NCP invites BNP Paribas for negotiation
The Punch, Nigeria -Sep 1, 2008
By Everest Amaefule The Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatisation has invited BNP Paribas Consortium for negotiations on modalities for ...

Negotiations: Egyptian revelations - Milwaukee Small Business Times

Negotiations: Egyptian revelations
Milwaukee Small Business Times, WI -Sep 5, 2008
Whether you visit Cairo’s Khan el-Kahlili bazaar, founded in 1382, or a small port bazaar, expect your negotiation skills to be tested. ...

MILF says DDR is okay, but… - Inquirer.net

Voice of America

MILF says DDR is okay, but…
Inquirer.net, Philippines -Sep 6, 2008
By Charlie Señase COTABATO CITY, Philippines -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in pushing for another round of peace negotiation with the government, ...
Moro group expresses fear on the government's decision to abort ...Minda News
Opposition rejects Nograles’s proposalSun.Star
Peace panel with MILF dissolvedManila Bulletin
GMA news.tv - Inquirer.net
all 352 news articles

Negotiation strategies help boost leverage - Arizona Republic

Negotiation strategies help boost leverage
Arizona Republic, AZ -Sep 3, 2008
4, 2008 12:00 AM My name is Marty Latz, and I am the founder of Latz Negotiation Institute, a national negotiation training and consulting company, ...