Starting A Business

Starting a business is one thing, sustaining it is another. While it’s likely that you’re focused on both gaining and retaining customers, make sure that you’re not ignoring other businesses in the process. Too many business owners look at other professionals and see obstacles, it is, however, possible to view them in another way: as opportunities that you haven’t explored yet.

There are numerous things that you can do to build your business connections. Check out the following three techniques to get you started:

1. Seek out other like-minded professionals: SuccessHer is a great place to start looking for other female-owned businesses, and it’s possible that within the directory you’ll find someone who runs a company that is compatible with your own that will allow for cross-promotion. You’ll want to focus first on what your companies have in common such as similar demographics or missions, and then you’ll need to consider what you can offer that the other company can’t. This isn’t about stealing customers but instead about thinking of ways that you can possibly share them. One quick way to do this is with  #FollowFriday (or #FF) on Twitter which is a quick way for you to recommend someone to your followers. Simultaneous tweets from you and another business each sharing the other’s handle along with a blurb about what you do provide free visibility and can be the first step toward developing a business relationship.

2. Reach out to reviewers: If you have product reviewers can be a great way to get additional eyes on your company and so developing relationships with these individuals is key. Independent reviewers are often willing to work with small and new companies in exchange for discounted or free product and you should only deal with those who are willing to disclose this in the body of the reviews. Depending on what your product is and where it’s available the review can appear in a variety of places including the site of the reviewer as well as third party sites where your product is sold.

3. Look for local links: Think about how your product or service serves, benefits, or can bring joy to your local community. In answering that question what you may reveal are ways that you can build relationships offline. For example, if you have a company that produces cosmetics consider teaming up with a local make-up artist or salon to offer free make-overs at a woman’s shelter; this is a good deed that’s also great PR. Similar opportunities are available for businesses in every industry if you’re willing to be creative and take a chance.