I recently read an article that went on and on about how seeking out partnerships with other small businesses will bring in sale after sale.  That is one outcome, but it’s isn’t really that easy.

Watch out for those willing to partner with you that are just hoping you will throw them some low hanging fruit and by the time you realize they aren’t sending any business your way, they have moved on to the next sucker.

Our advice is come up with a partnership marketing plan, or an outside independent sales agreement or whatever you want to call it.  The important thing is to put together all the information, including the agreement between the companies as well as all marketing materials you plan to give out to your partners to help them drive business your way. Don’t spend too much time on each partnership until the relationship has in some way proven itself worth your time.

You may have to be the first one to send business their way, but as long as you keep your effort down you can just move on to other partnerships if it doesn’t work out.