Create Dynamic Partnerships

The easiest way to immediately generate great returns for your clients is to form partnerships with others (e.g., designers, strategists, researchers).  This type of “teaming” approach can fill gaps in your knowledge base, generate deliverables in which you don’t necessarily want to be involved at a hands-on level, or provide specific niche or industry expertise.  Many consultants and agencies search the web for such partners, but here are some methods which others have found highly successful:

Word of Mouth – The best partners for you will be those who share your values and work ethic.  By talking with other consultants and agencies, you’ll quickly learn not only who they’ve used, but who they’d recommend to deliver the highest quality results.  It can be very helpful when someone has “tested” out a potential partner, and it can eliminate much of your guesswork.

LinkedIn – By using LinkedIn’s search function, you can quickly find potential partners.  View their websites and blogs to see how they present themselves, and discover what expertise they might have.  In addition, many consultants have had success in following these individuals on twitter to see what they’re talking about and what they “retweet.”  Any of these strategies can help you scope out possible teammates without them necessarily knowing that you’re inquiring about their skills, talents and expertise.

Marketing Profs – By visiting the forum on MarketingProfs, you’re able to access hundreds of marketing experts and pose real questions to them.  By reading their answers, you’ll not only get a glimpse into their style, but also their knowledge and experience.

Many clients appreciate the team approach as it ensures them that they are getting the highest quality work. It also demonstrates that you are able to bring others to the table who can increase returns on client investments.  In short, partnerships are a great way to demonstrate that you are a marketing hero.