Partnering with others

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     Getting together with another small business to hold an event helps both businesses. Together, they attract more attention and generate more excitement than either can acting alone.

     Partnering with another business is NOT about holding a sale or setting up a town-wide event. Those are different and take different approaches. 

     Many ways can be used to put together your business with another to hold an event. Hold workshops, sponsor seminars, set up informational meetings and demonstrations, hold a networking event, sponsor events to raise funds for a good cause. 

     Example: A health foods store partners with a nutritionist. Monthly sessions are announced on social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), a news release is sent out, and store customers are reminded of the upcoming events. The nutritionist gives a talk and answers questions. The health foods store sets up a table of samples. Use your imagination. The sessions draw new customers to the store and new clients call the nutritionist. 

     Example: A bicycle shop partners with a fitness operation to hold Saturday morning riding sessions. People meet in the parking lot of a local restaurant. The $10 per rider charge goes to a local charity--which announces the event to its members. The event attracts new people to all the businesses as well as to the charity. (This same type event could include an auto repair shop where the people meet. How about a chiropractor, or a wellness center, a garden center?)

     Example: A potter and a florist put together a workshop. People can come and learn hands-on how to throw a pot on the potter's wheel and learn how to make flower arrangements and take care of house plants. The workshop, held in the pottery studio, attracts a great deal of attention in social media when announced. Both businesses get new prospects. 

     Partnering with other businesses to hold events helps to expand the participating businesses. Partnering puts a fresh face on what you do, and it offers opportunities to post pictures--before and after the event. 

     Posting pictures on social media is an excellent promotional tool. These pictures get people's attention, causes them to want to participate, and they pass the pictures to their friends which can result in referrals.

     Prod your business to the next level by partnering with another business to hold an event that draws more attention and expands your appeal.