How to Create a Local Online Barter Network

Bartering in the New Economy

Cash strapped? Got stuff or skills to barter? Want to do something on a local level to help your community weather the recession? How about creating an online barter network? Here are some tips on how to do just that.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with internet access
• Can-do attitude
• Social media skills
• Graphics program and Color printer (optional)

1. Before you create your local online barter network, it's best to consider a few key points:

   •Size of your community
   o A high population town or city will have a larger pool of potential members.
   o If you live in a rural area, you may want to include nearby towns in your network.
   - What is the percentage of internet users in your rural area? An online bartering network will be more successful if there is a large and active member base.

   • Time
   o Do you have the time to promote, moderate and maintain your online barter network?
   o Do you know someone who shares your vision and can help you with your bartering network?

   • What are your goals with this network?
   o Build community?
   o Stretch the dollar?

2. Choose a catchy name for your online barter network; one that will stick in people's minds.

   For instance you can incorporate the name of your town or city and follow with something like: Barter Club, Exchange Gang or Swappers. Ie: Newport Exchange Gang. Use your imagination; involve the family and/or friends for this part of the process.

3. Research:

   • Free social networking sites that will allow you to create your own online barter network.
   o Consider features and ease of operation and interface.
   - I chose ning.com for my online barter network.
   - See resources below for links to social network hosts

   • Terms and conditions not only of potential social networking host sites, but what the terms and conditions will be for your barter network.
   o I found the terms and conditions outlined in Craigslist to be very helpful and pertinent to the type of online barter network that I wanted to create

4. Create your own Barter Network

   Choose an online social network host and create your network.

   • Be sure to include stickies in your forum section to help new members navigate and understand how to use your online barter site.
   • List your terms and conditions
   • Include a box on the splash page that explains the purpose of your site
   • Personalize the splash page so it appears friendly and open and captures your local community.
   • Set your admin preferences and assign co-administrators if you're going to have them.
   • If you have graphic art skills, design a logo for your new site.

5. Take a day off from your project.

   Let things percolate, then return to your online barter site with a fresh eye to see if you've missed anything or need to change things around.

   When you're satisfied...launch your site

6. Invite people to join your new online barter network!

   • Import your email addresses (your chosen social network host should have that feature)
   • Design postcards with your bartering network's name and URL; print on your printer then distribute around town:
   o On coffee shop bulletin boards
   o Grocery store bulletin boards
   o Video stores

7. Promote your new online barter network via:

   • Press releases
   • Community leaders
   • A post on Craigslist barter section
   • Facebook friends and groups
   • An email to church groups

Tips & Warnings

• Membership sign ups may be slow at first, but as people become aware of your new barter network, the excitement will build and membership will increase. Good luck!

• Be sure to add the disclaimer that people are responsible for their own content, trades and tax consequences of bartering.

Resources

• Online Barter Social Network Example
• Ning.com
• Kickapps.com
• GoingOn.com