Business partnerships are sometimes overlooked by small business owners who think that partnering will be too much of a hassle, that it'll mean having to share trade secrets, or that it'll mean having to give up control and profits. But the truth is that a well-planned and properly executed partnership can actually strengthen your business, and can help you break into the big leagues regarding reaching new markets and obtaining larger clients.
The key is knowing what you want and need, and coming up with essential marketing agency partnership requirements before you start looking for potential partners. That way, you have solid criteria upon which to judge potential candidates, and will recognize the right partnership when it comes along.
One of the most important criteria to consider when looking for a business partner is finding a compatible company that won’t clash with your brand. Partnerships have to be harmonious in many ways, and that includes brands, beliefs, and company philosophies. Imagine you ran an all-night club and wanted to find trendy young clientele: would you partner with a promoter that focused on events for baby boomers? Not likely. The key is finding a partner that has a similar focus, similar experience, and similar objectives so that you can work together to reach common goals.
Once you know what you're looking for, you can begin to explore marketing agency partnership options. The best way to do this is by actively looking, which you can do by participating in business matchmaking programs and networking events that take place in your community, out in the larger business world, or even online. A few places you can try include local Chamber of Commerce networking events, tradeshows, conferences, and online matchmaking sites.
How to win more clients is a question that businesses great and small have grappled with over the years, but the answer may sometimes be simpler than it seems. In some cases, the answer is as easy as finding the right complementary business, and a small business partnership with a large business or medium-sized business may be exactly what you need to find the success you’ve been looking for.
WSI is the world’s largest network of digital marketing consultants, and we can be the partner you need to expand your service offering, win over larger clients, incorporate modern digital marketing best practices into your agency capabilities, increase your revenue, and break into the marketing big leagues.