Starting a small business is a huge accomplishment. Whether you have been in business for a while or you are just now starting out on your journey, an important piece of your success will be the partnerships you make with others.
It’s not what you know but who.
Marketers spend a lot of time telling you how to connect online but don’t devalue offline opportunities. You can easily build key business partnerships and relationships with people and groups in your town.
Your business is your baby, your dream, and your life. The opportunities are out there but you often need to make the first move.
Bring Them on Board: 5 Business Partnerships to Leverage for Success
So who matters and who should you be connecting with? That depends largely on who you’re trying to reach. Here are five suggestions of groups to partner with that you may not have thought about, and how to use those partnerships to build your business clientele:
Mom Groups
If you Google or search Facebook, there are mom and parent groups almost everywhere. Most places also have a parent’s blog or parent magazine. Parents are interested in more than just their kids (shocker!), and so you can market your business as a way for them to treat themselves and take a break from the kiddos. Clinique just launched a whole campaign targeting tired moms to help them not look so “old.” Or involve the kids and create “Parent and Me” opportunities. From crafts to eating, there are lots of different ways to cater to parents and their children.
Daycares and Schools
Go into schools and talk about what it means to be a small business owner, and how entrepreneurship is an exciting career. Contact your area schools and daycares and see if they have a Career Day or would be interested in someone coming in to talk to the students. If you are able to host kids on site, your business could be a great field trip idea. Then, offer coupons the kids can take home to their parents so that they come back.
Schools and PTAs often have inexpensive sponsorship opportunities. While you’re looking there, don’t forget about youth athletic leagues. There are park signs and uniform sponsorships that can bring in a lot of business if families (or people of childraising age) are your ideal demographic.
Grand Openings in Town
If you know of a new business coming to the neighborhood, offer your services to them. If it is a new furniture store and you sell food, give them a deal on catering in exchange for an opportunity to give out your card to people who come to the grand opening. Look for mutually beneficial partnership opportunities.
Kids’ Events (even if you aren’t a “kid” business)
You know who goes to these events, besides kids? Their parents and caregivers. And even if you aren’t a kid-specific business, there will be a lot of adults at these events who would like to see a booth focused toward them for a change. When you see that these events will be happening, make sure you sign your business up to attend.
Large Companies
Whether you have a university close by, a large manufacturing plant, or perhaps headquarters in your town for a big bank, there are many ways to partner with these businesses. Make a suggestion to the manager or human resources team about an employee wellness or fun day, where different businesses in the area come in and offer goods or services for free. You can pass out coupons and your swag. This would work for all sorts of small businesses, from restaurants to massage therapists who can give chair massages and then offer 10% off for future services.
And a bonus…though this one is probably obvious:
Fellow Small Businesses
It is always good to be in the know and partner up with other business owners. They may be aware of events that you aren’t, and vice versa. There may also be a way for you to bring their business to your business. For example, if you are a paint and art studio, bring someone in who sells wine, gourmet foods, or desserts to do a themed paint night. People would pay extra for a great selection of wine or food, and it is a way for your business to partner with that other business. If you run a spice shop, bring in a local chef for a cooking demonstration and let them bring in menus from their restaurant.
There are so many opportunities around you to market your business with select groups of people. With these tips, your great swag at the ready, and a little creativity, you can take your business literally anywhere around town to create lasting partnerships.
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