Once you've identified your potential partner your next step is to prepare a pitch. Your
pitch is your short presentation about:
- What your product is,
- Who you are,
- Who your market is,
- What problem your product solves – the benefit(s)
- What your proposal is – for example will they promote the product to their list?
- And what is in it for them – for example, will you pay them a nice commission?
Up until this point this is all preparation and research. Your next step is to actually
contact the potential partner. This is when many people change their minds.
It can be intimidating and uncomfortable contacting total strangers or people you
admire and asking them to work with you.
Here are a few tips to help you out:
#1 Prepare your pitch. Whether you're contacting them via email or telephone make
sure you know what you're going to say and how you're going to say it.
#2 Know your audience and industry. There is a very real chance you're potential
partner is going to have some questions. Be ready to answer them.
#3 Know your potential partner's audience. This is particularly important if you're
contacting a fellow business owner.
#4 Make it worth their while. This is essential. Anyone you contact, while they may be
motivated to help you out of the kindness of their heart, is going to want to gain
something for their efforts.
Now you cannot pay for endorsements or testimonials – that's illegal. So you'll want to
find a way to compensate your expert or celebrity another way. How can you make it
worth their while?
Most business owners are interested in anything that will: a – generate income or b –
help them grow their business. If you have a proposal make sure you know enough
about your potential partner that you can offer them a benefit from the partnership.
#5 Be Confident. You have a great product, right? You're proud of it and you're a
savvy business owner. Be confident when you contact your potential partner.
Email and social networking messages are often a great way to initiate a conversation.
However, you may want to finalize the discussion over the phone or face to face if
possible.
