------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Online Travel Business Blog: April 2008

Saturday, April 26, 2008

THANK YOU HERO: DOUG BAUKNIGHT


Everyone at some time or another, needs a HERO. A HERO as I define it, is someone who, regardless of the risks, irrespective of the personal danger or attacks, and without taking into consideration how they could be negatively impacted, will selflessley put him or herself on the line, in potential harm's way for the sake of rescuing, aiding or saving another person. With this in mind, I want to take this opportunity to personally thank and applaud MY HERO, and someone that I consider to be a hero to all YTB RTA's: Mr. Doug Bauknight.

Doug Bauknight is a YTB Travel professional who I have never had the pleasure of meeting personally, but I was introduced to via his newsletter Just Picture It Now by a mutual friend. After a first read of Doug's newsletter, I found it to be so informative and enlightening that I immediately became a subscriber and to suggested to my team that they subscribe as well. Until very recently, that was pretty much the extent of my relationship with Doug. That is, until a few days ago.

A few days ago, I learned from one of my RTAs that YTB had "acquired" American Destinations. He had heard it on a Director's Call. I later learned that the announcement had been made at the recent Richmond Travel Training and that it was also archived on last Monday night's "Getting Started in YTB" conference call. This was beyond exciting news, and the potential for growth, for increasing our offerings to our clients and to build our businesses, was all a part of the excitment. So when I learned this new info, I did not waste time to post it on my blog. This was when the backlash against me began.

After I posted the information about the acquisition (I called it a merger at the time) I started receiving very nasty, negative comments from someone named "John". John, I later learned, was John Freneye, the MSNBC columnist and traditional travel agent who makes it his life's work to personally bring down YTB Travel and anyone associated with the company. In effect, John said in his MLMs and Travel: A Bad Mix blog that I was lying. For a moment, I was taken aback by him because 1. I didn't know him and he didn't know me, so I didn't understand why I was being attacked by him because of my post and 2. I was only posting what I had heard from what I believed to be reliable sources. Still, since I had been challenged and because I didn't want to be posting anything untrue, I wanted to check further, so I put my post in "editing" mode. What did I do that for? Apparently, John had put together his malicious "Wife, Mother, Minister... Liar" blog post, written solely to vilify me by then. When he learned that my original post was no longer visible, that was all he needed to know. He was delighted to then send me a note telling me that I was not only a liar but also a coward who lacked integrity.

By this time, Doug had become aware of John's post. He immediately sent me an apologetic note. I had not seen it and didn't know about it at that time. When I did see it, I was floored. Not only were the words offensive, questioning and maligning me as a person and as a minister of the Gospel, but the visual that he chose, a young child "flipping the bird" is simply inexcusable. Doug was outraged, as was I and many others. He lost no time posting a rebuttal to what John had written, on his Just Picture It Now blog.

The purpose of this post is to honor and simply say, "Thank You" to Doug. Doug is not only an advocate for me, but also for the rights of RTAs everywhere to be able to freely promote, advertise and build our businesses on our websites, blogs, newsletters, etc. without fearing the retribution and outlandish slap downs as those that have been perpetrated upon me by John Freneye. Doug has requested that everyone who does not support John's tactics to simply post your own comments on his Just Picture It Now blog or write about it in your own blog and cite his link or both. Clearly, John Freyene is a hater of everything YTB. He has gone to great lengths to damage the reputation of the YTB and its agents wherever he finds them, as is clearly expressed in his blog. Doug's response to John's post is one way of combatting John's efforts to debilitate and degrade.

What Doug has done tells more about him and his character than I can ever articulate. He is a man of high integrity, courage and faith. I believe that we all owe Doug Bauknight a debt of gratitude and thanksgiving for the stance that he has taken on this issue. THANK YOU DOUG... for standing up for me, but not only me, for all YTB RTAs and the rights of MLMers everywhere to work our businesses in peace and freedom. Thank you, Doug, for being our HERO!

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Regina Osei is a successful mentor and coach who teaches her YTB Team members and other business owners how to succeed in business and how to market their businesses using diverse strategies and approaches both online and offline. If you are interested in starting your own online travel business and want the benefit of a mentor who is committed to your success, join our team today at http://regina.vacationmedia.net. If you have questions, e-mail me at: reginaosei@gmail.com or call 901-221-1630(1)

Friday, April 18, 2008

YTB International stock to trade on Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board

YTB International just announced that it has been approved to trade stock on the OTCBB! The company's Class A common stock that will continue to be quoted under the ticker symbol "YTBLA", will be moved to the OTCBB within the next 30 Days.

This is a phenomenal breakthrough for YTB International and for potential investors who can now more broadly invest in YTB stock.

YTB International just posted the info listed below:

YTB International (YTBLA) Approved for Trading on OTCBB
Wood River, Ill., April 17, 2008


YTB International, Inc. (OTCBB: YTBLA) ("YTB" or the "Company"), a provider of Internet-based travel booking services for travel agencies and home-based independent representatives in the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Canada, today announced that its Class A Common Stock has been approved for quotation on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (the "OTCBB"). All existing market makers will move to the OTCBB within the next 30 days. The Company's Class A Common Stock will continue to be quoted under the ticker symbol "YTBLA."

YTB is a leader in the travel services business and has operated in the travel services industry for 25 years. The Company recently reported its third consecutive quarter of profitability, with total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007 increasing by 177% to $141.3 million, compared to $50.9 million for the previous year. The OTCBB provides access to more than 3,300 securities, includes more than 230 participating market makers, and electronically transmits real-time quote, price, and volume information in domestic securities, foreign securities and ADRs.

"We are excited that the Bulletin Board has agreed to quote our Class A Common Stock, as it confirms that YTB International meets the strict filing and disclosure regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission," stated Scott Tomer, Chief Executive Officer of YTB. "Quoting our stock on the Bulletin Board dramatically increases the number of investors that can freely trade our stock. We believe that this will help to increase the liquidity and visibility of our stock in the financial markets."

About YTB International

Recognized as the 35th largest seller of travel in the U.S. in 2006 by Travel Weekly, YTB International, Inc. provides Internet-based travel booking services for home-based independent representatives in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and the Bahamas.

It operates through three subsidiaries: YourTravelBiz.com, Inc., YTB Travel Network, Inc., and REZconnect Technologies, Inc. YourTravelBiz.com focuses on marketing online travel websites through a nationwide network of independent business people, known as 'Reps.' YTB Travel Network establishes and maintains travel vendor relationships, processes travel transactions of online travel agents and affiliates, collects travel commissions and pays sales commissions. Each RTA directs consumers to the YTB Internet-based travel website. REZconnect Technologies hosts a travel agency for traditional travel agents and offers franchises of brick and mortar travel agencies. For more information, visit http://www.ytbi.com/investor.

Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.

For: YTB International, Inc.
Investor Contacts: Garth Russell / Yemi Rose
KCSA Strategic Communications
212-896-1250/ 212-896-1233


This document is also available on the YTB International site at http://www.ytbi.com/investor/pressreleases.asp



For additional information, read the St. Louis Business Journal article here!

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Regina Osei is a successful mentor and coach who teaches her YTB Team members and other business owners how to succeed in business and how to market their businesses using diverse strategies and approaches both online and offline. If you are interested in starting your own online travel business and want the benefit of a mentor who is committed to your success, join our team today at http://regina.vacationmedia.net. If you have questions, e-mail me at: reginaosei@gmail.com or call 901-221-1630(1)

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Travel Weekly Officials Deny YTB Might Buy Hickory Travel

Although it had been reported on this blog that YTB is considering buying Hickory Travel Systems, it has come to my attention, according to an article posted on Travel Weekly that this information has not been verified. The question is: Will YTB buy Hickory Travel Systems or Not? It looks like we'll just have to wait and see what YTB Travel and Hickory Travel Systems end up doing. Whatever decisions are made, I will be sure to post it here, so stay tuned!

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Regina Osei is a successful mentor and coach who teaches her YTB Team members and other business owners how to succeed in business and how to market their businesses using diverse strategies and approaches both online and offline. If you are interested in starting your own online travel business and want the benefit of a mentor who is committed to your success, join our team today at http://regina.vacationmedia.net. If you have questions, e-mail me at: reginaosei@gmail.com or call 901-221-1630(1)

Friday, April 11, 2008

YTB International News: New Announcements!

YTB International is in the NEWS! Why? YTB is doing some EXCITING things in the travel industry! There are so many new announcements, it's hard to keep up with them all! The word on the street is that the announcements I'm going to share with you... though HUGE, are not even the best. Believe me, folks, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
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YTB Considering Purchase of Hickory Travel Systems

A few days ago, YTB filed the following with the SEC:

YTB International, Inc. (the "Company") is considering the acquisition of a wholesale travel company to complement the existing travel offerings to its Referring Travel Agents (RTAs).

From what I understand, the company is Hickory Travel Systems out of Saddle Brook, NJ. This is a $17 billion deal in the making! What do you think the net result of such an acquisition will be for YTB, its stockholders, its clients, its RTAs and Reps? I guess we'll just have to wait and see, but the word on the street is that it is gonna be BIG! Hickory Travel is very well respected in the travel industry. Way to go YTB!

Look for some AWESOME things to result from this acquisition that will include a BRAND NEW YTB BOOKING ENGINE that will be state-of-the-art! It will be 100% USER FRIENDLY and offer the height of top notch service and TRAVEL DEALS for our customers. Not only this, mark it on the wall: NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO JOIN YTB! As this acquisition is solidified, YTB will offer an even HIGHER QUALITY BUSINESS for all YTB business owners.

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YTB International: Wall Street's Next Online Travel Darling

Did you know that YTB's stock is HOT? In fact, according to Seeking Alpha, an Internet based stock analysis company, YTB could be the NEXT "Wall Street Darling!" They even compare YTB to Priceline! Click on the link below to check out the article.

YTB International: Wall Street's Next Online Travel Darling?
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YTB Latest Earnings Report

YTB International had a GREAT year in 2007! Check out the latest YTB earnings report here

More YTB news in on the horizon! Subscribe to this blog so you will get the news reports as soon as they are delivered!

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Regina Osei is a successful mentor and coach who teaches her YTB Team members and other business owners how to succeed in business and how to market their businesses using diverse strategies and approaches both online and offline. If you are interested in starting your own online travel business and want the benefit of a mentor who is committed to your success, join our team today at http://regina.vacationmedia.net. If you have questions, e-mail me at: reginaosei@gmail.com or call 901-221-1630(1)

Friday, April 4, 2008

Using Color To Build Your YTB Travel Business

How can your understanding of COLOR help you build your YTB Travel Business?

It's simple! By understand the "colors" of people, you will also understand how to better relate to them and share your business with them. The truth of the matter is that everyone can be said to reflect a color in their personality. People can be divided into Reds, Yellows Blues and Greens or combinations of some or all. Each color has characteristics that when you learn to identify them, will give you special insight into the best ways to appoach and motivate them.

Reds comprise 15 percent of the population. These people tend to be the more authoritative, pushy and aggressive people who like to be in control. Many of your classic salespeople will fall into this category. You'll also find very accomplished CEOs, attorneys, very driven athletes, pilots and other "Type-A personalities" who fit in this category. Reds are known to be goal oriented, and it goes without saying that they tend to have huge egos and short fuses. These people are such strong leaders themselves that they can be difficult to manage. They are used to leading, not following. When a Red is dressed, they tend to wear high powered business suits. They are motivated by P.M.S. - Power, Money and Success, and because they have such huge egos, the way to get in and stay in their good graces is to stroke their egos. You will want to show your Red prospects the merits of your company compensation plan and any info you have on successful leaders, from the outset. You will want to get straight to the point because they don't have time for small talk. Show them the money! Red's demand respect, so be sure to show it to them. Of all the colors, Reds are the most domineering and difficult.

Blues also make up 15 percent of the population. Blues are fun-loving, open and direct people who are naturally drawn to network marketing companies. They tend to have high energy and can be extremely creative people. Because these are the people who love life, love people and love to talk, they are a natural fit for networking businesses because of the "social" and "relationship-building" aspect of it. Because Blues are very social and sociable people. They are talkative and can be scattered and unfocused. In your network marketing business, you need to work with your Blues to help ensure that they don't talk too much when sharing the business with prospects. Blues also have difficulty managing their business because they lack order and organization skills. However, if you can train a Blue to focus and follow a systematic approach to business building, you will have one of the best team members ever because they are the consumate "people persons". Blues enjoy dressing in as colorful clothing as they have personalities. They usually like bright, brilliant and bold colors, and you'll often see them wearing colorful clothing (like Hawaiian shirts for example) that draws attention to themselves. Blues tend to dislike numbers, facts and figures so when you share your business with them, you don't want to bore them with a lot of statistics and financial data or details. If you promote your business with parties, you definitely want to invite your Blues because they are social butterflies. You can also give them an overview of your business as long as you focus on the fun aspects of the business. Blues will need your help with setting up a plan for their business and sticking with it. The more you can assist them with getting their business organized, the better they will be for you and the business.

Greens comprise 35% of the population and are the exact opposite of blues. Greens are indirect, not very social, more reserved and more introverted. Greens are more spoken and exact, and tend to like statistics and numbers, figures, facts and raw data. A Green's idea of fun is creating a new spreadsheet or analyzing statistical data. Greens are detailed, well organized and great planners. Give a Green a problem and they will analyze it ad infinitum. This is the main problem you will encounter with Greens because they tend to over analyze every detail, and suffer from analysis paralysis. When you talk to a Green, you will get short, one word answers. If you are working with a green, give them more than less information. The one who gives a green the most data and the most accurate data wins. Greens are so opposite from Blues that they have difficulty understanding Blues and how they can be productive or successful because Blues are scattered and unorganized. A good trait about Greens is that they are very persistent. Greens are the accontants, engineers, planners and organizers. Greens are turned off by pushy and aggressive people.

Yellows comprise 35% of the population. Yellow's are open but not very direct or easy to communicate about their feelings. If you ask them a question, they probably will answer the question but they won't volunteer any additional information. The great news is that you can depend on a Yellow. They are loyal, great listeners, exceptional team players, supportive and nurturing. They are the best at using both sides of their brain. Key words to use when communicating with a Yellow are "team", "together", "relationship" and "family." Yellows enjoy life, are overly sensitive and hate pushy people and kind of confrontation. Yellows are open like the blues, but indirect like the greens. Yellows are usually your teachers, nurses, and counselors. Their dress is casual and comfortable and their speech is soft and gentle. Yellows are not goal oriented. If you are working with a yellow, because they are so nurturing, be sure to let them know how they can help others and show them that you will be there to support and help them. It's important that they know that they are part of a team.


If you are in YTB Travel or any network marketing company, you can use this information to help you identify your core leaders or other prospects, and to determine how best to approach and communicate with them for greater success and conversion rates. But no matter what kind of business you are in, you can use this information to align your marketing and communications strategies. It will not only help you build your business but using it effectively can also enhance your personal life.

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Regina Osei is a successful mentor and coach who teaches her YTB Team members and other business owners how to succeed in business and how to market their businesses using diverse strategies and approaches both online and offline. If you are interested in starting your own online travel business and want the benefit of a mentor who is committed to your success, join our team today at http://regina.vacationmedia.net. If you have questions, e-mail me at: reginaosei@gmail.com or call 901-221-1630(1)