Feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of building your brand from scratch?
Are you pouring hours into social media only to hear crickets?
It feels like a never-ending task to get a few more followers….but your email list is stuck at the same number.
You’ve heard about the power of collaborations to boost your visibility and grow your business. Still, it seems daunting, especially if you’re starting with a small online presence or are more introverted and don’t know how to ‘put yourself out there.’
Let me back up here. What the flip even is collaboration?
At its core, collaboration is about working together with other entrepreneurs. In other words, borrowing (leveraging) other people’s audiences.
But not just any collaboration – I’m talking about “cooperatition,” building relationships that focus on cooperative competition. It’s about partnering with people who serve a similar audience in a complementary way rather than viewing them as direct competitors.
You might think, “That sounds great, but what do I need to start collaborating?” The answer is simpler than you might expect.
You should have a few key elements in place:
A Clear Message: Know what your business stands for and what you offer. This clarity will help potential collaborators see the value in partnering with you.
A Well-Defined Target Audience: Understand who your ideal clients are. This will help you find collaborators with a similar audience, making the partnership more effective.
A Simple Funnel: Have a straightforward process for turning interested prospects into clients. This could include a lead magnet and a free offer that showcases your expertise.
(For more, check out my previous blog post on creating a simple funnel.)
You can tap into a whole new group of potential clients by teaming up with another business owner who targets a similar audience. For example:
- A nutritionist and a massage therapist aim to help people achieve optimal wellness, but they offer distinct services.
- Personal Stylist and Professional Organizer: Both professionals target individuals seeking to improve their personal and living spaces.
- Graphic Designer and Social Media Strategist: These two professionals cater to businesses looking to strengthen their brand presence.
- Career Coach and Resume Writer: Both professionals target individuals seeking career advancement.
- Life coaches and health coaches help clients achieve their ‘best’ in two different ways that seamlessly work together.
Who comes to mind as a potential collaborator for your business? This is the point where you don’t overthink but write.
Creative Collaboration Ideas
Once you’ve identified potential partners, the next step is to brainstorm collaboration ideas that align with your goals. Here are some possibilities to consider:
- Cross-Promotion on Social Media: Start small by sharing each other’s content or mentioning each other in posts.
- Guest Blogging or Podcasting: Contribute to each other’s blogs or podcasts to reach a new audience and improve SEO.
- Social Media Takeovers: Cross-promote each other’s social media accounts for a day to introduce your brand to a new audience.
- Client Referrals: Recommend each other’s services to your clients when appropriate.
- Bundles & Summits: Participating in bundles and summits can help you grow your email list quickly!
If your business is local, then consider…
- Live Events or Pop-Up Shops: Host an event, like a “Wine and Wellness Mixer,” where both audiences can mingle and learn about your services.
- Strategic Networking: Host a networking event where you invite clients who would be a good fit for your fellow host and spend the time introducing them to others. I referred over a million dollars in business using this strategy alone. (it’s an amazing way to increase your influence quickly!)
The collaboration possibilities are endless!
Collaboration, or “cooperatition,” is a powerful strategy for increasing your visibility with new audiences. It allows you to grow your followers and add subscribers to your email list, which offers more value to your clients. Remember, the goal is to create win-win situations that benefit both parties and their clients, so choose your collaboration opportunities carefully.
If you’re ready to amplify your online presence, leverage strategic collaborations, and attract your ideal clients – even if you have a small following or haven’t created a coaching offer yet – join the Visibility Kickstart Club!
