Internet Business Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses

Most likely a confusing topic name, but I couldn’t think of any better way to express the need for an alliance. Stephen Labuda says on the subject:

find another business in your market but that is not a direct competitor and then team up to market to the same customer base. Each company can pitch in financially and see incremental results from their marketing activities.

This is not a new idea, but it is very often overlooked. You should, during your business networking, find a similar industry. If you sell auto parts, find a repair shop or a new car dealer. If you are a tax preparer, find a tax lawyer.

These are linear industries, that means an industry similar in clientele but different in product.

By forging an alliance with this similar industry you can use your marketing resources to sell to their customers, and them to your customers. You could even do something like “double sided business cards“.

Guy Kawasaki also mentioned that you should “Partner for ’spreadsheet’ reasons.” He meant you should partner not because it looks good to investors, but because it increases your profit and effectiveness.

By making this alliance you increase the amount of customer you can market to. But the number one reason is because you now have you foot in the door.

Your linear business partner has given you an unspoken referral, and now all you need is a nice soft sell.