Expand Your Leads and Make More Sales with Magnetic Strategic Partners

When I first started moving my business to an online marketplace I was lucky enough to have a friend and colleague who showcased me as the “Get Out Of Overwhelm” expert to her list. We put together one call that channeled a significant number of leads for years.

Another colleague of mine invited me to speak multiple times at his event for small business owners. My ability to solve the problem of overwhelm that his attendees were feeling led to many immediate AND long-term sales.

But not all of my strategic alliances have been so fruitful. Once I had a colleague offer to promote my program by hosting a call only to realize he never sent any emails to his list. Needless to say there weren’t any callers. I’ve also encountered partners who start strong and then fade away leaving me wondering what went wrong.

Over the years I have realized that aligning with strategic partners for me is more than just a one-time “joint venture” deal. It’s about creating a bond that causes both parties to want to support each other. I like to call them Magnetic Strategic Partnerships (MSP) – two or more parties who generate significant buzz and excitement for the other’s offerings. Each supports the other by sharing the resource with their community via hosted teleclasses, email blasts, Facebook or Twitter posts or sharing articles.

The result – sell more, make more cash and elevate your prestige in a new community.

So what’s the magic formula for finding Magnetic Strategic Partners? Here are a few of the attributes to look for – whether you are searching or being asked to play.

1. Likeability
Have you ever had a project to work on with someone you didn’t like very much? You probably found that you procrastinated– or maybe even subconsciously sabotaged things along the way. To have a MSP you MUST genuinely like the other person. If not, why bother?

2. Passion for the Program
Another must-have element is a true passion and belief in the MSP’s program, product or offering. A good MSP is already bombarded with requests to promote stuff. When they love your offering it rises to the top. Plus their belief in you/your program shines through in all of their communication and creates a raving fan energy that will be contagious to their followers.

3. Pay It Forward Mentality
One way to open a door to a dream MSP is to be willing to give first. It’s the ‘be different” approach and it will soften their walls so they can see how wonderful you are. Too often strategic partners get caught up in “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” Well, what if you just promoted because you love their stuff?

So now that we like each other and have enthusiasm for each other’s programs, how do we sustain it? These next three attributes are what keeps a great MSP in motion for years and years.

4. Collaborative Commitment
If you teach marketing strategy and I teach mindset principles, then our programs will compliment each other naturally. This makes for the easiest way to YES between strategy partners. It gets tricky when there is overlap. Having a collaborative mindset is about knowing there is more than enough for everyone.

Many times a collaborative commitment can create entirely new co-delivered programs when the commitment to play together is strong enough.

5. Aligned Values
When two people share a common commitment to something they experience instant rapport. I see it a lot right now in the movement away from “shock and awe” marketing. Many new MSPs are being formed by people in their zealous commitment to more authenticity and in having a real desire to be of service.

Take some time to explore what you each believe in before you jump into promoting each other’s stuff. That foundation can set you apart from the other affiliates seeking sales.

6. Integrity
No matter what happens, the golden rule of MSPs is to honor your commitments. Promote when you say you will. Pay what and when you said you would. If you break your word with an MSP the game is over. No one wants to chase you down to get you to perform (I’ve had to chase many a payment in my day and it’s definitely a buzz kill) so treat your MSPs with golden gloves.

Keep in mind that bad news travels faster than good news. An out of integrity partner will be talked about behind closed doors and you can’t afford to have your honor tarnished.

Now that you have these insights into creating your very own MSP’s its time to start forming them. I’ll give you a quick lesson straight from my Magnetize More Money Mastermind program. Make a commitment to contact one new person each week, explore if you are indeed good MSPs, and then follow up. I’ll give you more tips on opening up new MSPs in a future post.

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