How To Work With Collaboration Partners & Affiliates

Most of my clients consider themselves “solopreneurs,” and you probably do too. They are proud to be an empire of one, but during a launch or other high-growth season, you’re going to need to reach out for help. For wise business owners, that help often comes from collaboration partners.

Also called affiliates or JV partners, collaboration partners act as your sales team, spreading the word about your best courses and offerings to an entirely new audience. Theirs. Not only do you reach people who might otherwise never encounter you, but you also benefit significantly from your collaboration partners’ existing relationships. By promoting you, an affiliate is endorsing you to her audience. She’s saying, “I know this coach; I trust her, and I think you should, too.” 

But even with those benefits, coaches and creators may still struggle to find great partners. Sure, many people will register for your affiliate program, but the Pareto Principle is alive and well when it comes to collaboration partners: 20% of your affiliates will do 80% of the work. But where do you find these great partners? 

Reach Out to Your VA

Chances are your Virtual Assistant works with other coaches and creators in similar niches. If you’re a business coach, she most likely works with other coaches, and she’s in a position to know:

• Where her clients are in the business development cycle (you want established business owners, not newbies)
• Their audience demographics (to gauge audience fit)
• Their willingness to promote (some people simply don’t work with affiliates, so it’s a waste of time to approach them)

Reach Out to Your Best Clients

Especially if you’re a business coach, your clients might just be your biggest fans, and they’re in a position to recommend you to colleagues, friends, family, social connections, and more. 

Be sure your clients know that you offer a referral program, how to sign up, and what the benefits are.

Reach Out to Your Competitors

Your competitors might just be your biggest referrers if you give them the opportunity.

In some circles (such as business and relationship coaching), clients will “graduate” from one coach and move to the next. This is to be expected, and when you’re on good terms with your competitors, the coach their ex-clients move to is likely to be you. 

Get out there and look in unusual places for your next collaboration partner. You never know who can connect you to potential clients and supporters. Think about your relationships, from your team to your social circles to your competitors and colleagues. Consider all their relationships and how far that might stretch during your next launch. Then draft an email or schedule a Zoom call and start leveraging your contacts!

Need Help?

Our VIP Done Today™ Launch Intensive will expertly prepare you for your next launch so that you can launch your next course, product, or service knowing that every detail has been planned for you, including your collaboration partner plan. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about our VIP Days & other services!