Many people ask me to promote their products and services. Believe it or not, I actually turn down most offers. Here are 10 things I look for in considering joint venture. I hope you can use these tips to evaluate joint ventures that come your way.
1. Is the content targeted for your audience? People ask me to do teleseminars on “health” for example because everyone is concerned with their health. Yes, but. My readers want advice on PR, marketing and internet marketing. They don’t want to hear about health from me.
2. Is this a topic that one of my clients could have offered? If so, I’ll probably refuse. The last thing I want to do is upset a paying customer by promoting a competitor.
3. Is this a topic I am interested in? If I’m not interested, there’s no way you will be.
4. Is this a good deal? I figure any time I send an email to my list, 20-40 readers drop off the list. Hey, we’re all overwhelmed. I don’t take it personally (anymore). So the deal has to be worth my losing 20-40 readers.
5. Is this a good deal? What are the financial terms? Some guy wanted me to promote his book for a $4 commission. I’m sorry, but that’s not enough to get my juices flowing.
6. Is this a fair deal? Are the payments in line with industry standards? If not, there better be a good reason why.
7. Is this person easy to work with?
8. Is this person going to write the copy? And will the copy be in a style that will not be over-the-top selling? Can I review the copy. If not, I’m not going to risk offending my readers. I made the mistake of promoting something a few years ago for a top-name marketer and the headline read “The most important letter you will ever read.” I had misgivings about that. But he was a top-name marketer, so I figured he knew what he was doing. He didn’t. I lost hundreds of readers. I would have unsubscribed if I could have.
9. Will they promote my services to their readers? This isn’t a deal breaker, but it is something you should ask for. After all, we all want to get more readers!
10. Are they honest? I’m still waiting for payment from one “partner.” He looked and sounded credible, but he stiffed me anyway. Check out these people when you can.
Would you like me to do a teleseminar or webinar for your group? Let’s talk! Email me at dan@prleads.com
