Strategic Partnership Directory Progress Thread

[Marpen]

I hope this is in the right place but I plan to post here weekly (if allowed and wont link as this isn't about self promotion but holding myself accountable!)

My overall plan is to build a strategic partnership directory for local businesses/market place.

First steps is to build a directory detailing how two common local business types can partner with each other. The end goal? Create a marketplace where companies can link with each other to create these types of partnerships.

I know how to use airtable to create a basic database and Softr allows me to build a fairly pretty enough and mobile first site using airtable. (both the directory and at least an MVP for a marketplace).

Monetization has been a tricky one as I originally thought of selling templates for reaching out to businesses that I use... but then we are just asking for spam bots and I dont want to contribute to that. For now, getting me out of my current job is the goal so considering giving up doing overtime to do consultative work for this business. 1 hour meeting + 1 hour of coming up with partnerships that would be best for them and ways to pitch = $200 is far more than I make with overtime and thus would be worth it. Still trading time for $ but at a higher rate and buying me more time to be IN THIS business. I have 3 kids and a disabled spouse so jumping out all together isn't in the cards now... but it WILL happen!

This week, I have taken all games off my phone and deinstalled STEAM from my computer. I want distraction free time. My current job has me driving a lot so audio books on topic/ podcasts have been preloaded.

I have my hosting set up for my blog and while SEO won't be the main goal at first, I am writing about 10 blog posts on the subject of strategic partnerships/how to use the site.

I have a basic mockup of the directory and just need to go in and finish the last 20 (have 10) industries into the database. The plan is to add an industry a week.


Goals for next week:

* Have 10 basic blog posts done and about page.

* Have all of the 1st industry partnerships listed and contact businesses within that industry to ask if they would like me to take the list and apply it to their local market (lead with value). This will be free and to test to see if anyone goes to the links/is interested. (Setting a goal to reach out to 70-140 within a week).

* Pick a business of that industry within a town I am in and take photos/video for social media. (intent is to show all the places they could put ads for other businesses, have samples of a local eaterys food/beverages/easy rewards programs that complement both companies etc).

* Begin 2nd industry partnerships.

 

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[Practic]

I hope this is in the right place but I plan to post here weekly (if allowed and wont link as this isn't about self promotion but holding myself accountable!)

My overall plan is to build a strategic partnership directory for local businesses/market place.

First steps is to build a directory detailing how two common local business types can partner with each other. The end goal? Create a marketplace where companies can link with each other to create these types of partnerships.

I know how to use airtable to create a basic database and Softr allows me to build a fairly pretty enough and mobile first site using airtable. (both the directory and at least an MVP for a marketplace).

Monetization has been a tricky one as I originally thought of selling templates for reaching out to businesses that I use... but then we are just asking for spam bots and I dont want to contribute to that. For now, getting me out of my current job is the goal so considering giving up doing overtime to do consultative work for this business. 1 hour meeting + 1 hour of coming up with partnerships that would be best for them and ways to pitch = $200 is far more than I make with overtime and thus would be worth it. Still trading time for $ but at a higher rate and buying me more time to be IN THIS business. I have 3 kids and a disabled spouse so jumping out all together isn't in the cards now... but it WILL happen!

This week, I have taken all games off my phone and deinstalled STEAM from my computer. I want distraction free time. My current job has me driving a lot so audio books on topic/ podcasts have been preloaded.

I have my hosting set up for my blog and while SEO won't be the main goal at first, I am writing about 10 blog posts on the subject of strategic partnerships/how to use the site.

I have a basic mockup of the directory and just need to go in and finish the last 20 (have 10) industries into the database. The plan is to add an industry a week.


Goals for next week:

* Have 10 basic blog posts done and about page.

* Have all of the 1st industry partnerships listed and contact businesses within that industry to ask if they would like me to take the list and apply it to their local market (lead with value). This will be free and to test to see if anyone goes to the links/is interested. (Setting a goal to reach out to 70-140 within a week).

* Pick a business of that industry within a town I am in and take photos/video for social media. (intent is to show all the places they could put ads for other businesses, have samples of a local eaterys food/beverages/easy rewards programs that complement both companies etc).

* Begin 2nd industry partnerships.

What painful problem this directory will solve?

 

[Marpen]

What painful problem this directory will solve?

The database is more or less to help me create content to show how two local businesses can partner with each other for exposure and cross sells. Most small businesses cant afford a marketing team and many owners dont think of all of the complimentary businesses (ex: beef jerky company giving away samples at a tire shop or a local mens quick hair cut place).

 

[Practic]

The database is more or less to help me create content to show how two local businesses can partner with each other for exposure and cross sells. Most small businesses cant afford a marketing team and many owners dont think of all of the complimentary businesses (ex: beef jerky company giving away samples at a tire shop or a local mens quick hair cut place).

"The database is more or less to help me create content to show how two local businesses can partner with each other .."

Will it be free as public service directory or you want to sell this service to local businesses?
If these businesses in the same locality, why you think they do not have the same customers who live in this locality?

 

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[Marpen]

"The database is more or less to help me create content to show how two local businesses can partner with each other .."

Will it be free as public service directory or you want to sell this service to local businesses?
If these businesses in the same locality, why you think they do not have the same customers who live in this locality?

Great questions!!

I plan for it to be free indeed, a loss leader for the templates. While the same people do live in a local city, even in a small city like Parkersburg, WV certain consumers go to certain places vs others. Many people there dont know about a new store opening or new service. Strategic partnerships can be a great way to remind and make aware of new business.

 

[Practic]

Great questions!!

I plan for it to be free indeed, a loss leader for the templates. While the same people do live in a local city, even in a small city like Parkersburg, WV certain consumers go to certain places vs others. Many people there dont know about a new store opening or new service. Strategic partnerships can be a great way to remind and make aware of new business.

You may include into this directory referral and income sharing programs of these businesses, if they offer such for customers. Good luck with your project!

 

[Marpen]

Just over a week but here is my update.

I went on Product Hunt and found a service I think will dovetail well with what I want to do.

Last weeks goals:

* Have 10 basic blog posts done and about page. I have 8 done and two awaiting. These were all super lengthy and took quite a bit of time, I think I aimed a bit high but hey the moon or nothing

* Have all of the 1st industry partnerships listed and contact businesses within that industry to ask if they would like me to take the list and apply it to their local market (lead with value). This will be free and to test to see if anyone goes to the links/is interested. (Setting a goal to reach out to 70-140 within a week). 1st round is done, had to recode how they displayed and took an extra day to get them all done. I didn't reach out to anyone yet, moving that task to this week

* Pick a business of that industry within a town I am in and take photos/video for social media. (intent is to show all the places they could put ads for other businesses, have samples of a local eaterys food/beverages/easy rewards programs that complement both companies etc). Sadly due to some rat race work stuff, I wasn't able to be in my local town. I guess it doesn't matter AS much the town but I wanted to use the photos when I reached out to those places to show I care about them.

* Begin 2nd industry partnerships. Dear Marpen, you should have been more specific with this goal... Begin could mean anything and I guess it means I met this goal but as little into 'begin' as I started? I personally dont think I met this goal.

This past week was a really rough one on me when it comes to my scripted job and also hitting some frustration points when it comes to this idea. There are far too many types of local businesses and it may wiser to focus on one specific industry type and build a ton of content around THAT type of industry.

My goal for the next week:

Get my hands on a few different BNI rosters (to find what types of industries in local areas tend to be filled easily, need the most help when it comes to marketing and more likely to pay for some partnership help).

Select one industry and build a ton of content around that type. I can always add more industries on later.

Join and attend some business networking meetup groups in my area and really listen to the pain points these business owners are having when it comes to marketing.

 

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