Winning Through Relationship

Posted by Brenda Keener Aug 31, 2006

For example, my current company, ipDialog, makes VoIP phones. We were able to maximize our presence by getting our partner companies to agree to place our phones in their trade show booths as examples of phones compatible with their equipment.

Smaller companies can form alliances - for instance, a local coffee shop can offer a discounted rate on their coffee if the customer also buys from the bakery across the street. The bakery can reciprocate by offering discounted baked goods if the customer buys coffee. Or, the trade could be as simple as each business having coupons or flyers for the other near the check out register.

Vitamin companies can create parternships with doctors, holistic practitioners, and chiropractors to help raise awareness of their products - referrals from these sources are far more credible than ad copy.

Take a minute to think - what types of businesses would provide a credible source of marketing horsepower for your business?