I recently received an interesting e-mail from a gentleman in the UK asking if marketing partnerships really work. He had approached a number of potential partners and many expressed interest in forming partnership, yet nothing got done.

There seems to be quite a bit of interest right now in marketing partnerships. It is about time. Businesses can set up and implement very successful partnerships, but the process is long-term. Partnerships do not generally produce significant results quickly.

What A Marketing Partnership Is

A marketing partnership involves two or more professionals, companies or salespeople who have common prospects, similar marketing needs, and possibly complementary services. These entities join forces for mutual marketing and sales, usually within a specific market sector or for specific prospects. This does not mean they lose their individual identity. More than likely, each will continue to market and sell outside the partnership.

Marketing activities may involve:

• Creating joint marketing materials
  
  
• Joint direct mail, e-mail or advertising campaigns
  
  
• Joint sales calls
  
  
• Referring of prospects
  
  
• Possibly even combining services, talents and assets to create new services

An example of a potential marketing partnership would be an accountant, estate attorney, financial planner, and insurance agent. By combining forces, these professionals can, at least in theory, coordinate and help guide an individual’s affairs without the potential of conflict, jealousy, or competition. And, again, each individual professional benefits from wider exposure, more referrals, and marketing that is more efficient.

Virtually every professional and company has opportunities to create marketing partnerships. Although the most visible partnerships involve large, publicly traded companies, partnerships offer tremendous potential for even the smallest of companies or single practitioners.

What A Marketing Partnership Is Not

A marketing partnership is neither a quick fix for sales problems, nor a way to eliminate the burden of marketing and sales.

Although some marketing partnerships may be elaborate formal legal entities, most, especially with smaller companies and individual practitioners, are informal devices that enhance each partner’s marketing reach--their combined efforts allow both partners to meet prospects' needs they may not have otherwise been able to meet individually.

In a partnership both parties must assume responsibility for marketing the joint venture. A partner who expects to ride the back of the other partner will quickly find himself alone.

When considering a partnership, there are a few things to keep in mind: