How many customers do you have? How many people trust your judgment? Now- how many customers would all our partners have? How many people would trust our assembled coalition of experts? Would you like to be introduced to these people as a trusted resource? That is a lot of referrals.
First a word on trust. This is not taken lightly. Such a coalition would involve a code of conduct. To make serious collaboration work trust would be essential. Anything less than complete integrity would not be tolerated.
Back to getting referrals- the partners can introduce you and edify you to their customers. Our partners know you, as a trusted coalition member, will care for their customers as well as they would. They also know that you will return the favor.
What would business development be like for you if you had the ability to win over a community of referrals? Imagine having partners to help you do it.
Now this is easier than you think. Here are several ways to introduce your clients to partners and partners to introduce you to their clients.
1. Many times partners share part of the same story. Brick repair and chimneys and counter flashings blend right into roof repair problems. Each professional can share content on their websites which not only provides congruous links to each party. (Google has just patented technology to parse the value of exchanged links. Links that match well and make sense to follow get higher relevance)
2. One partner can introduce his clients to another with a personal endorsement and send out a special promotion for those who are interested. We watch out profoundly for our clients. Our collaboration relationships are not built on pitch fests. We never push at our community. We make compelling offers that help them perceive value.
3. We can share guest posts, share a variety of topics within a shared post, and cross comment back and forth to help create connections and context to help our community understand what makes sense for them.
4. We can create parties and special events and while helping people meet the neighbors- show off new pools and new outside kitchen areas, new gardens… this might not be for everyone but using creativity we can create events that bring people together and give us opportunities for introductions.
5. As a team we can support community events and non-profits operating in our communities. We can do good, as well as meet new people and make new friends.
What is missing here? I am tired and know I am missing several.
