How to Build Better Business Alliances

Judging by the popularity of instant message programs, chatrooms, and discussion forums, it would seem logical toconclude that people enjoy interacting with one another inan almost anonymous, virtual environment. Although peopleenjoy the anonymity they still crave attention andrelationships with other people. Sometimes, the internet isso impersonal, and cold that getting a nice email from anactual person that doesn't want your money is almostexciting.

People especially enjoy interacting with those of similarinterests. Why not use this to the advantage of yourbusiness? Internet marketers don't usually have anybody intheir lives that shares the same passion. And, as a whole,Internet marketers are very passionate about what they doand love discussing it with others who share that samepassion. By creating friendships with other onlinemarketers in your niche you open yourself up to a world ofpossibilities.

The ability to build an alliance with someone powerful andsuccessful in your field is literally priceless. A lot ofbusinesses survive on their contacts alone. With a goodcontact you open up to joint ventures, exchange ofinformation and ideas. Affiliate partnerships, marketresearch, years of experience, links to your site Thesefriendly contacts, all which are call "alliances," canprovide you with the leverage that you need, not only tolearn quickly, but to market your product to largeaudiences of people fast.

Having an alliance is many times better than just proposinga joint venture to someone for several reasons. First, ajoint venture proposal to someone you don't know will betreated with so much skepticism that your chances are slimto none. Whereas getting a JV proposal from a trustedcontact whom you have been exchanging emails with regularlyfor a couple weeks will get much more consideration.Building up a friendly alliance with someone online is alot like making friends in the real world. People don'tlike to be badgered, they don't like know it alls, theydon't like back-stabbers, they don't like needy people, andthey don't like it if you follow them around and use uptheir time.

It is recommended contacting someone for the first time viaa short email. Compliment their site, explain who you are,and then ask them a simple question that wouldn'tcompromise their business. This way, you won't use up toomuch of their time but your inquiry demands a response.When they email you back, follow a similar format but offermore information about yourself. Write a longer email. Tryto keep a volley going back and forth and after a while seeif they have an IM name. Infuse your emails with yourpersonality and become curious about them, theirmotivations, and their life. Before long, you will have afriendly business contact with someone that could pay offin infinite ways.

Getting business alliances to promote your product Beforeseeking to ask a business alliance for any favors, such asblasting your ad their list. You must already have apowerful, proven sales process in place before you seektheir counsel and/or assistance. Do not become overzealousand assume that someone has the same belief and passion foryour product as you do. All too often we become pridefuland think that our product is the best when, in fact,others do not share the same appreciation. If you areseeking to have someone with a big list send out anadvertisement for you product you would have to be carefulin how you went about it.

Someone with a big list and a successful business is, mostlikely, busy. They probably get hundreds of emails a day.Unless your proposal is credible and attractive to them itwill not get consideration. The majority of people andespecially entrepreneurs are cautious by nature. They willnot undertake a joint venture unless you can prove that youcan make them money, that you are reliable, and that yourproduct will not tarnish their reputation. Make sure thatyou don't waste their time. Don't insult them with a hypedup sales pitch about how much money they can make if theysell your product. If you are trying to get them to mailsomething to their list about your product includestatistics, documentation, and, if possible, your actualproduct.

Find an ad that pulls extremely well, through testing. Knowthe conversion ratio and have everything documented. Letthem know that you are legitimate and that you are sellinga high quality product. Nobody wants to get involved withsomeone who is going to tarnish their reputation. Give themspecific, documented conversion statistics from similaradvertising campaigns Make sure and state what is in it forthem. Are they going to get a share of your backendprofits? Are you going to sell their product to your list?Tell them that promotions for your product have been goingwell.

Tell them that your particular ad converts at a specificratio. Tell them that you think they should give it a shot.You do, of course, want to be sure that what you arerecommending will turn out to be profitable for them.Otherwise, they won't ever work with you again. And don'tjust pop this sales pitch out of no where or the personwill feel used. It might be a good idea only to mention theidea and then if they sound interested fill them in withthe details.