Posted by: Julie McManus
January 4, 2008
Issue #325

Make 2008 The Year
Of The Joint Venture

Dear Business Builder,

Happy New Year! It’s January 4th and I’ve been busy mapping out my resolutions and setting my goals for 2008. I hope this finds you doing well and setting your own goals and making your own resolutions for the New Year.

I’ve been reading a lot about goal setting and the importance of making resolutions this time of year. And one thing I’ve noticed is the gurus I consider to be the most successful swear by it. In fact, they attribute setting goals as one of the main secrets to their success.

If you don’t believe in making New Year’s resolutions, perhaps it’s time to re-think your strategy.

Two of my biggest goals have been sitting on my to-do list for quite some time and I’ve decided this is the year I’m finally going to put the pedal to the metal. The first goal I’ve set is to finally launch my very own JV social networking site (more on that later). And my second goal is to meet as many new potential joint venture partners as possible.

So, if this is the year you’ve selected to finally start your own online business or skyrocket the growth of your existing business, you need to give some serious consideration to meeting new joint venture partners as well.

So here are …

Six Big Ways to Attract New
Joint Venture Partners in 2008

Send an e-mail and then pick up the phone – The easiest way to make contact with a potential new partner is by sending them a friendly introductory e-mail … but it may not be the most effective.

People are busy and bombarded by e-mails on a daily basis and your e-mail might get lost in the quagmire. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start there.

Send a sincere and casual e-mail introducing yourself and outlining what you hope to accomplish together. Be sure to focus your e-mail on what’s in it for the partner vs. what’s in it for you. Keep in mind that online JV partners are typically looking for 2 things … cash and names. Tell them how they’re going to generate one of these two (or both) and you’ll be much closer to the prize.

End your e-mail by letting your potential new partner know you’ll be following the e-mail up with a phone call by a certain date and then actually do it.

Enlist the help of a friend or colleague – Chances are good you know someone that knows the person you want to meet. And failing that, you know someone that knows someone. Start by asking your friends and colleagues if they know the person you’d like to meet. If they do, ask them to introduce you. If they don’t know the person, ask them to help you find someone that does. That simple connection can make all the world of difference.

A personal e-mail of introduction or recommendation from a friend can immediately cut through the clutter and get you the deal you want faster than most any other tactic. Remember in life it’s not “what you know” but “who you know” that’s most likely to get you where you want to go.

Make your presence known – Online business owners and marketers are closer to their prospects and customers than you might think. Even though they may not know them personally, they know their names … especially the most active and vocal ones.

When seeking to meet a new JV partner, name recognition is good … it helps you get noticed. Spend some time on your desired partner’s blog and post thoughtful and intelligent comments. Or participate in their discussion group (if they have one). Otherwise, spend time online where you know they spend time.

If you’re a product buyer, send in a testimonial or a letter of thanks. The idea here is to spend some time making a name for yourself.

Publish an article or blog post – I know of no quicker way to get someone’s attention than to write about them. Dedicate an e-zine article or blog post to your potential partner’s business, success or product. Online publishers, gurus, authors, speakers and artists are thrilled when someone writes about them because it increases their web presence. It’s great PR and they want to know about it.

Send an e-mail to the subject of your article with a short note that says “I’ve always admired your work and just published this article about you.” I guarantee you’ll get a response.

Whatever you do, don’t allude to the JV partnership in this first e-mail. Take some time to establish trust and grow the relationship before pitching a JV deal.

Attend a live event – Live seminars and events are a great way to meet potential JV partners and just network in general. Set a goal to attend as many live events as you possibly can in 2008. While you’re there, take advantage of all the networking opportunities and meet as many people as possible … don’t hide in your hotel room. Many of your best contacts will probably be hanging out in the hotel bar.

Plan to bring home a boatload of business cards. Put the name of the seminar and the date on the back of the card before you file it away. When sending e-mails to people you’ve met at seminars, put “First Name, I met you at such-and-such seminar in October” in your subject line for immediate recognition.

See my issue Networking for Dummies Confessions of a Closet Introvert for tips on face-to-face networking.

Become a student – Many info publishers have coaching or high level programs that give close access to members. And oftentimes gurus partner exclusively with their active members. If there’s a specific guru you want to partner with then try becoming their student. But don’t just sign up and pay your dues. You have to participate. The more you participate, the more contact you’ll have with the guru and the more likely you’ll be to score a big JV deal and a great new mentor.

No matter which tactics you choose, make 2008 the year you get out there and make new contacts and new friends … you and your business will be glad you did.

Happy New Year and I hope that helped. Next week we’ll talk about that new social networking site.

Until next week,

Julie McManus
Editor, In the ‘Net Trenches
THE TOTAL PACKAGE
And Web Media Goddess

P.S. Are you in the ‘net trenches? Do you need help? Send
me an e-mail to AskJulie@MakepeaceTotalPackage.com and
I just might answer your question in an upcoming issue.

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3 Comments »

1. Comment by Anne Violette — December 13, 2007 @ 10:07 am

   John Forde, that was a wonderful piece of writing.

   Anne Violette

2. Comment by Scott — December 13, 2007 @ 4:54 pm

   Yo dude,

   Great piece. I had the pleasure of greeting you from across the bar in Del Ray circa Oct, 2005.

   You launched me to several more beers which I then used to beer bref on Clayton.

   Thanks!

3. Comment by Emilia — December 13, 2007 @ 6:46 pm

   Wow!–I\’m a newbie and I\’m scared!!

   Great warnings!! Soooo challenging!!

   When will I ever have a piece of that?—\”Thanks! Haven\’t had a chance to read your file yet, but it looks good.\”–WOW–

   Thank you for these golden noodles.

   Emilia