How to Build a Site with Barter First and Very Little Cash – by Liza J. Lee
Dear Friend,
In 2009, Artistrun.org applied for a new online magazine grant and in order to meet the sponsorship requirements for the application, it approached a First Canadian Barter Exchange (FCBE, www.barterfirst.com) member for a website.
Although Artistrun.org did not receive this grant, it was rebranded with a new design and relaunched as a WordPress blog, with minimal cash through trade credit. The Artistrun.org site has plug-ins that enables postings to reach subscribers and be live on search engines and social media sites within minutes. And all Artistrun.org advertisers benefit from links back to their websites too!
What is Barter?
Barter is over a $6 billion industry in North America and growing. Over 65% of The Fortune 500 companies engage in barter to one degree or another. Local businesses – small, medium or large can all benefit from barter.
Barter is an innovative method of transacting business without the use of cash. You buy what you need and pay for it with what you have in trade dollars, with a barter exchange serving as the broker, facilitator and record-keeper.
Barter produces immediate increase in cash flow as you are trading for an expense without using cash. By accepting payment in trade dollars instead of cash, you increase inventory turnover or billable hours.
How does it work?
Artistrun.org is a member of FCBE. The exchange acts as a bank of sorts, establishing a currency or unit of payment called a trade credit; eliminating the limitations of one-to-one direct barter transactions. FCBE members buy and sell in the barter network using trade credit with over 1000 other members.
You can trade products or services with thousands of other FCBE members for advertising, web design, printing, accounting, travel accommodations, dental services, spa treatments, staff benefits, customer rewards, restaurant meals and more! This allows you to access thousands of products and services without taking cash out of your pocket, or your company’s budget!
As a FCBE member, you are assigned a broker who is dedicated to promoting your business and generating additional sales for you. When a sale is made, your company is paid in trade credits to purchase any of the thousands of items available through other members.
To learn more about the benefits of barter, ask about the Artistrun.org referral for a FREE 28-day trial at www.barterfirst.com.
ENDNOTE:
*In 2009, Artistrun (established in 2000) applied for grants for the Cultural Olympiad as a non-profit society called Artistrun Media Society.
In 2010, as BC arts faces almost 92% in arts cuts, Artistrun Media Society can no longer exist. The Artistrun blog is changing to a for-profit sole proprietorship model, managed and directed by Liza J. Lee.
Liza J. Lee is the Co-founder and Blogger for Artistrun ArtConverge.
© 2010 ArtConverge (ISSN 1918-9273)
Tags: barterfirst, Liza J. Lee