5 Steps to Start Your Partnership Marketing Strategy
You can build, grow and scale a 7-figure brand on the foundation of strategic partnerships, without exchanging a single dollar.
For real.
Using partnerships to build and grow your brand is essential and a simple tactic you can implement from the start---often times before you even launch your brand. But before you reach out to anyone for partnership opportunities, it’s important to take a beat and get your ducks in a row... so that when you do reach out those on the receiving end are more likely to say “YES” to working with you!
#1. Send That Email
You know, the one I’m constantly telling you to send :). Let everyone in your network know what it is that you’re up to, why you’re doing it, and how. You can even plant the seed of future partnership opportunities by saying: If you or anyone you know would like to partner on future marketing programs, please let me know.
#2. Network, Network, Network
Make sure you meet with people in your own network and ask those in your network for connections in theirs. Go to events and share what it is you are working on. Letting people know what you are up to, makes it easier to reach out for partnerships when you have programs in place because you’ve already established a connection.
#3. Who is your target consumer?
If you haven’t done this already, write it down. Create an avatar for the person you’re looking to reach. Don’t just think about demographics and the obvious. Also, think about where they shop, brands they consume, media they listen to and read, websites they browse, celebrities, and influential people they identify with. EVERYTHING.
#4. Make a list of the types of entities you want to partner with
Think outside the box. What are the categories of people/brands/companies that share your target consumer? Who is already talking to the people who you WANT to talk to? Make a list and write it down.
#5. Who exactly do you want to target for outreach?
Get specific. First and foremost, start with people you know, and connections you already have with brands that may be a fit. Who is in your network already who can help you to establish partnerships with the right entities? Then continue that list with further reaching pie-in-the-sky outreach asks. Once you start actually partnering and establishing success through your programs, reaching out to these entities will be that much easier.
When you set the time aside to create the path for partnerships, collaborations will naturally start to fall into place. You will start to know what you want and what success in a partnership looks like. Over time it will become easier to leverage your first partnerships for additional partnerships. It also becomes easier to build your relationships with partners the more and more you work with them.
Make sure you listen to Dear FoundHer... for Partnership Marketing Part 1: How to Use the Power of Partnerships to Ignite Your Brand.
