Free Marketing: 101 Low and No-Cost Ways to Grow Your Business, Online and Off

CHAPTER 67

LEVERAGE THE POWER OF JOINT VENTURES

The foundation of much of my early success online came as a result of doing joint ventures with other marketers and websites that were servicing my same customer demographic.

These partners agreed to promote my products, articles, and services to their customer base if I would do the same thing for them in return. Over time I've become much more discretionary about who I will enter into such arrangements with. Just because someone is willing to promote my product does not mean I'll be willing to promote theirs. This is because I've learned to protect my audience from any products or information that doesn't resonate with my core principles and message.

If I can find other experts that have a good reputation and high-quality products, I'm very willing to enter into a joint venture partnership with them. If it isn't obvious already, the best way to position yourself for success with joint ventures is to have a large loyal audience. In Internet marketing circles a common phrase is, “He who has the list wins.”

In my opinion one of the greatest indicators of marketing prowess is a large, loyal e-mail list of followers that are eager to hear from the owner of that list. There is no stronger position to be in. Find creative ways to partner with these leaders and prosper from it!