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By: Carol M. Aldridge In this final volume of our latest series, we’ll take a look at the benefits and process involved in establishing collaborative partnerships with other equine industry professionals. If you have been actively building business relationships for a while, you will have most likely identified a group of like-minded business owners with whom you’ve established a mutual sense of trust and shared values, and the proven ability for support and exchange. For example, I’ve formed strong relationships with other equine entrepreneurs through mastermind groups, social media groups and member networking groups just to name a few. These are the places that have facilitated the kind of in depth sharing of ideas and knowledge that lead to trust and respect. “Business collaboration is the act of pooling knowledge, resources and relationships for the sake of pursuing shared goals.” The main benefit of collaboration is the possibility for enhanced marketing to a wider audience. If done right, you have the potential to expand your services offered while perhaps doubling or tripling your reach by promoting to both of your business contact lists. Several important steps to consider when building collaborative partnerships: - Identify Individuals with whom you have a solid relationship and who provide complementary services or products. - Offer to schedule a discovery session, and prepare key questions and topics for discussion. - Sample each others’ products and services. - Brainstorm to outline how you will join your services and products. - Identify your target market and craft your promotions. - Create a contractual agreement outlining expectations, systems, schedule, goals, etc. Be clear and detailed. - Throughout the process, work to proactively address conflicts and issues. Types of collaborative ventures: Host a teleconference or webinar Create an ebook together Cross-promote services/products through mailed letters, email and social media Provide reciprocal guest blogging Share a booth at a trade show Work together on a social media contest The possibilities are endless and so are the benefits. Remember, some collaborative ventures will be long-term, and some will be temporary. Whatever the goals and lifespan of the venture, always keep the lines of communication open. Expect to revise your agreement regularly as situations arise that you may not have anticipated. And finally, be creative and bold - and enjoy the exciting new marketing options, visibility and business that will come your way! Of course, this is just the beginning. In the future, we'll cover even more detailed information on networking, list building, effective marketing strategies and general business productivity geared specifically for equine business owners and managers. If you're not currently subscribed to our email list, SIGN-UP HERE to assure you don't miss out on any of our upcoming articles. Thank you for reading!
MORE FROM EQUINE OFFICE SOLUTIONS BUILDING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS - PART 1: HOW TO CONNECT WITH TOP EQUINE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS BUILDING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS - PART 2: THE ART OF FOLLOW-UP - STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS WITH EQUINE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS Equine Businesses Receive Massive Marketing Success With Pinterest 45 of the Best Marketing & Business Resources from Around the Web Equine Office Solutions provides online administrative & marketing support services for busy equine business professionals. Clients enjoy partnering with an experienced professional who takes an interest in their business, providing consistent, quality results. Contact Carol Aldridge for a complimentary consultation and learn how Equine Office Solutions can help streamline your business, increase efficiency and free up more time so you can get out of the office and back in the saddle!
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Take a good long look at how you establish connections with other equine business professionals. Are you networking, or are you truly building relationships? "Networking + Follow-up = Relationship Building" In Part 1 of this series, we discussed examples of how you might approach other equine industry professionals to establish a connection. For example - you go to a networking event or meet a new acquaintance online. What are the next steps you should take to build a genuine business relationship with that person? CRM - Your Secret Success Tool Let me first say, the value of a good CRM system (contact relationship management) can make all the difference between building your business and simply wasting your networking time. It not only allows you to record general contact information, but also includes the ability to enter and track notes about previous conversations, set reminders, attach files and emails and designate multiple categories or tags for each contact. And finally, it can alert you when a follow-up is due and remind you about your relationship and previous conversations with that person. So, if you perceive value in a new contact and the chance for a mutually beneficial relationship, first gather their contact information via their email signature, business card, website, etc, and enter it in your CRM system. Then jot a basic note about how you met, the correspondence you had and how/when to follow-up. Then enter a reminder so you don’t forget (this step is critical). Stay in Contact and Be Helpful and Sincere Send your new contact an email or message them on social media to let them know that you want to support their successes as well. Consider offering them something of value - for nothing. Even something as small as a great recipe, or a helpful website or business application they might find useful. Then, perhaps suggest that you subscribe to each other’s blog and offer to cross promote content through social networks. Be genuine and sincere, always. Connect Connections Looking back throughout my career as a business owner, associates occasionally took the time to introduce me to other professionals simply because there was a chance that we might benefit from each other’s expertise. Sometimes nothing came of it, sometimes it was not a good fit business-wise and sometimes it lead to an awesome new opportunity. Regardless, I appreciate these introductions immensely, and will forever be grateful to them for taking that extra, selfless step in an effort to be helpful. Be in it For The Long Haul Relationship building takes time. Often months or longer depending on the situation. If you’re looking for instant gratification, don’t waste your time. But if you truly want to grow your business, attract long-lasting business associates and develop a solid referral base, then resolve to do it right. Put in the time, with genuine intentions, and your efforts will reward you many times over. ON TO PART 3 (BACK TO PART 1) If you enjoyed this post, SUBSCRIBE to receive all of our upcoming articles on business and marketing topics that you can put to work right away to grow and streamline your equine business. And then, don't miss the next installment: Part 3 in this series: Establishing Collaborative Partnerships with Equine Business Associates
MORE FROM EQUINE OFFICE SOLUTIONS BUILDING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS - PART 1: HOW TO CONNECT WITH TOP EQUINE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS Equine Office Solutions Launches New Website Equine Businesses Receive Massive Marketing Success With Pinterest 45 of the Best Marketing & Business Resources from Around the Web Equine Office Solutions provides personalized, online administrative & marketing support services for busy equine business professionals. Clients enjoy partnering with an experienced professional who takes an interest in their business, providing consistent, quality results. Contact Carol Aldridge for a complimentary consultation and learn how Equine Office Solutions can help streamline your business, increase efficiency and free up more time so you can get out of the office and back in the saddle! BUILDING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS - PART 1: HOW TO CONNECT WITH TOP EQUINE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS3/1/2014 Business owners today have a wide range of marketing channels to choose from, including social media, publications, blogs and articles, email, seo, direct mail, pcp campaigns and even guerrilla marketing tactics. These can all take a considerable amount of time and money.
But do you know the #1 marketing strategy for advancing your business? Relationships. Period. Relationships are the driving force behind all other efforts you put into your marketing strategies. Build your professional network Your professional network includes your peers, other business owners, your customers, prospective customers, outside business professionals, suppliers, service providers, etc. Reach out to these people on social networks and in person when possible. Make personal connections first and professional relationships will follow. Each and every contact you make with others inside and outside of your industry is important. And remember to always make every effort to be pleasant, professional, helpful and kind. You are building your reputation with each interaction. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou How to connect with top influencers Here’s an example of how you can make connections with top influencers: You read an article stating that a well known industry professional has won an award. Reach out to them by sending an email and congratulate them. Mention what it is that you enjoy and admire about their business. Keep it fairly brief and always use a signature line that includes your basic contact info and links to your website and professional social media pages. You should receive a reply. A few days later, connect with them on LinkedIn or Twitter or follow their business page on Facebook. Sign up for their blog. Then, find a way to join in the conversation online either by posting helpful, positive comments on their blog, or in Facebook or LinkedIn group posts, etc. Soon you’ll be on your way to establishing a solid relationship with the top movers and shakers. They’ll know who you are and what you do, and will be likely to mention you when the need to your product or service arises. What are some other ways you can think of to establish meaningful business relationships? Let me know! Read Part Two of the Series: Building Business Relationships - Part Two: The Art of Follow-Up - Strengthening the Connection References: What Is Business Networking Anyway? -Entrepreneur.com Six Ways To Strengthen Your Professional and Personal Network -Inc.com MORE FROM EQUINE OFFICE SOLUTIONS Industry Experts Join Forces to Provide Unmatched eBook Services Equine Office Solutions Launches New Website Equine Businesses Receive Massive Marketing Success With Pinterest 45 of the Best Marketing & Business Resources from Around the Web |
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