Do You Barter for Your Services?

I do a lot of computer work online and off-line. I also run a couple of Blogs and periodically write articles for friends. I also have a writer who, every Wednesday, writes a WAHM (Work at Home Mom) Wisdom article for the Working at Home on the Internet Blog.

The thing is… A lot of these are “Free”

Well, not really, but no cash changes hands, no PayPal needed, no credit cards, no contracts. Nothing that can be construed (or misconstrued) as a cash transaction. But, services are rendered and in return the other person gives something of value back to the “giver”. This is done more on a tit-for-tat basis between people with a need for the services of the other than for any monetary gain.

In this time of recession or what ever way you want to term the lack of cash flow, there are other ways of getting something you need from someone you know and trust than just other than plain old money.

Here are some things that work for me

• Don’t start out by asking… Build a relationship, an honest relationship, with other people who are in the same basic field.
• Help without being asked… If you can solve a problem and it doesn’t take too long, just do it or at least offer to help, Gratis.
• Support your friends… If someone you know has something important to them going on, help in any way you can, possibly even offering your services in support.
• Don’t be disappointed… Sometimes, you give help to someone and it seems like nothing comes back to you, Be Patient, It Will.
• “What goes around, Comes around”… Even if you help one person who can’t do so in turn, they will tell Their friends to look you up for your business.

These are just a few of the things I have found that work for me in building friendships, trust and even some pretty good referrals for my Computer Consulting business.

Have you ever bartered in your business? How did it work for you?

Do Tell!